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Why This Is The Year To Start Playing Guitar?
Why is this the year to start playing guitar? Well let’s examine some brief history before we tackle we answer that question. On Woodstock farm on August 18, 1969 Jimi Hendrix played what is today considered one of the most prolific guitar performances. A few years later great blues guitarist Duane Allman and The Allman Brothers played one of many magical nights at the Fillmore East. Fast-forward to December... -
Guitar and Music as a Form of Stress Relief
One of the many benefits of learning to play guitar, or any musical instrument is the fact that you can use your new-found hobby as a form of daily stress relief. The average person can vastly gain from the therapeutic effects of recreational music making in order to let off some steam. It’s not always possible for someone to escape from the day to day stresses of life. We... -
Motivation to Practice Guitar
As a songwriter, guitar teacher and performing artist, I often find it extremely difficult to just pick up my guitar and play (whether it’s to just have a fun jam, or because I have to.) I am very happy and grateful to be able to make a living through my guitar, via teaching students and the occasional well-paying gig, but sometimes I think that my dependence on my guitar... -
Is your Musical Career Hitting the Right Notes?
What do you believe about following your passion? What do you believe about what you can achieve in your musical career? What do you believe about yourself? The quality of your thoughts determines the success of your life in these areas. Seems pretty simple, right? If it is so easy to make a success of your dreams, then why are there so many people struggling with self-esteem issues? Why... -
Music and the Brain
What do Bela Fleck, Phil Collins, Billy Corgan, Noel Gallagher, Paul Simon, Tony Iommi, Glenn Frey, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, Seal, Joe Perry, Jimi Hendrix, Cole Porter and Kurt Cobain have in common? Besides the fact that they are all left-handed, they all have amazing ‘feel’ on their respective instruments and I would venture to suggest that there is a direct correlation between these traits. While one cannot draw... -
How to Approach Improvisation as a Beginner
When dealing with improvisation with my students, I use a systematic method that begins with the basic concepts of improvisation and moves through the styles to the more advanced forms of jazz improvisation. I will give a brief overview of how to approach improvisation as a beginner in this blog, there are many ways and this is only one approach, but I have found some success with it. A... -
Mistakes Guitar Players Make
Do you know how some guitar players practice most days of the week, work hard, and are passionate about their playing, but they always struggle to be able to play the way they want to? They are frustrated because they don’t improve fast enough, begin doubting their potential, or even feel discouraged or angry with themselves when thinking about how long it is taking them to become better guitar... -
A Good Guitar Teacher
A good guitar teacher is another whole learning experience that you simply cannot beat. This is how our new pupils feel after they have been accepted into our very limited program with one of our teachers at Guitar Excellence. -
Evaluating The Right Guitar Teacher
Let’s face it there are allot of guitar teachers out there – some good some bad and some not worth mentioning. We get a lot of enquiries here at Guitar Excellence about our pricing of our lessons and where the lessons are held. Here I will share some insights to finding and evaluating the right guitar teacher. There will be a few factors influencing your decision like location, pricing,... -
Common Beginner Mistakes On Guitar
Most beginners guitarist’s, more often than not come face to face with many common beginner mistakes on guitar. Along with a seemingly unclimbable wall of obstacles and aspirations. Some people at this point attempt to climb this wall, some succeed and some don’t, and other people merely turn around and go home. Alas, Guitar Excellence is here to your rescue. Don’t worry we are here to help you get...