Guitar

The History of the Guitar: A Brief Overview

2023-06-16T12:10:38+01:00

The Beginnings Of The Guitar Guitars have existed, in one way or another, for hundreds of years in many different shapes and sizes. To the eye of someone today, some of these instruments may not even look like the modern guitar, although they do play an important part in forming what would go on to be one of the most popular instruments of modern times. The Arabic oud is an ancient cousin of the guitar that although still exists today, we can trace back to thousands of years ago. Similar looking to the lute which would come later, the Arabic [...]

The History of the Guitar: A Brief Overview2023-06-16T12:10:38+01:00

Should I Complete Grades On Guitar?

2023-05-08T13:45:47+01:00

Preface A question that I often get asked by students and parents of school aged students is should I/my child complete grades on the guitar? It’s a great question with no clear answer; this will very much depend on the student and what their goals on the guitar will be. If you are not familiar, many different companies will have a series of books designed to teach students the fundamentals of playing an instrument, requiring them to play several pieces as well as also scales and technical exercises. These come in different grades, usually starting at a Debut or Initial grade [...]

Should I Complete Grades On Guitar?2023-05-08T13:45:47+01:00

The Role Of Funk Guitar

2023-04-05T12:21:30+01:00

Less Is More When we’re talking about funk guitar or just funk in general, less is more is the mindset that we need to approach it with. Funk is all about the space between the notes, rather than the notes themselves. In fact, what usually makes up a funk song is rather simple. Unlike other musical styles, funk is often centred around one or two chords, usually one chord per section of a song, meaning it is much more rhythmically driven rather than harmonically. When we think of funk we often think of one artist in particular, that artist of course [...]

The Role Of Funk Guitar2023-04-05T12:21:30+01:00

How To Play Major and Minor Triads Horizontally Across The Guitar Neck!

2023-02-03T13:30:35+00:00

What Are Triads? So before we start jumping into playing triads across the guitar neck, let’s have a recap of what  triads are to start with. The triad is the simplest form of a chord that we have in music, comprised of  three notes stacked on top of each other, hence the name. The triad comes from the major or natural  minor scale, and is formed when you play the 1st, 3rd and 5th degrees together at the same time.  These three notes can go on to form the core of many other different types of chords. Whether you know [...]

How To Play Major and Minor Triads Horizontally Across The Guitar Neck!2023-02-03T13:30:35+00:00

How To Get Started With Strumming On The Guitar

2022-12-06T15:22:57+00:00

How do I strum properly on the guitar? How do I hold the pick? Which way do I strum? All are valid questions when learning how to get started with strumming on the guitar, and are important to think about when learning the basics. Strum Some Simple Open Chords With A Plectrum Strumming can be a strange concept to a beginner guitarist who has perhaps played more simple riffs and single note melodies on the guitar. Many beginners will start off by learning a few simple open chords (such as C, G, Am, D, Em ect.) and may be strumming [...]

How To Get Started With Strumming On The Guitar2022-12-06T15:22:57+00:00

What Is The First Thing To Learn As A Beginner On The Guitar?

2022-10-31T13:08:51+00:00

The Basics! So I suppose the most logical place to start your guitar journey would be at the beginning (duh!) with the basics! You would think that this would be fairly obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people skip over the core fundamentals of playing the guitar because they are in a rush to learn their favourite songs! I always start every first guitar lesson with: the body parts of the guitar, the open string names, basic fretting technique and basic strumming technique. These fundamentals are extremely important to get right in the beginning to then build upon later down [...]

What Is The First Thing To Learn As A Beginner On The Guitar?2022-10-31T13:08:51+00:00

II V I Tricks and Tips for Jazz Guitar Playing

2022-09-06T21:05:31+01:00

Play In One Position One thing that will prevent you from playing smooth lines through ii V I’s is having to jump all around to different positions on the neck because you’re only comfortable in certain positions for different arpeggios. Before you start trying anything too crazy with your ii V I’s, spend the time to get super familiar with playing all arpeggios in one position on the neck both for if you have the root note on the low E string or the A string. Once you have learned the minor 7th, dominant 7th, and major 7th arpeggios in this [...]

II V I Tricks and Tips for Jazz Guitar Playing2022-09-06T21:05:31+01:00

5 Cool Musical Things To Do In London

2022-08-18T22:30:26+01:00

Every person should visit London at least once in their lifetime. Not only does it have centuries of history, but it is also the birthplace of many notable musical figures and bands. If you are a musician and find yourself in London one day, here are five things that you should most definitely check out during your stay. Handel & Hendrix in London 25 Brook Street is a very important address when it comes to music history. 25 Brook Street was the address of famous Baroque composer George Frideric Handel, who lived in the flat from 1723 until his death at [...]

5 Cool Musical Things To Do In London2022-08-18T22:30:26+01:00

How To Memorise The Notes of The Guitar Neck

2022-05-05T22:10:42+01:00

Many guitarists will reach a point when they want to understand more of what they are playing, rather than relying on shapes or thinking about fret numbers! Memorising the notes on the fretboard is a great way to do this, and can be achieved a few different ways. Learning the guitar is quite a unique experience when it comes to learning the theory behind what you are playing, or even what notes you are playing. This is due to the guitars layout across the neck, being much less visually helpful when it comes to memorising the notes of the fretboard. This [...]

How To Memorise The Notes of The Guitar Neck2022-05-05T22:10:42+01:00

How Jimi Hendrix’s Playing Is Heard All Over Modern Pop Radio!

2022-03-18T10:08:37+00:00

The influence of Jimi Hendrix has been heard throughout all generations of guitarists since he burst onto the scene in 1967, even being heard today on some of the most popular songs of the past few years. Listeners of what is currently trending in the charts are regularly hearing Hendrix’s influence, even if they don’t realise it. What is The Hendrix Playing Style? Jimi Hendrix is considered a pioneer of the electric guitar. Before Hendrix became a household name in 1967 following his performance at the Monterey Pop Festival, the guitar was seen as a very different instrument. Previously it was [...]

How Jimi Hendrix’s Playing Is Heard All Over Modern Pop Radio!2022-03-18T10:08:37+00:00
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