Jazz improvisation can seem pretty daunting at first glance: the countless scales, arpeggios, and use of flat keys, may seem like starting all over again. But in fact, it is really just an extension of what you already know! The hardest part is laying down the foundation which you likely already have. In this article, you’ll learn about the various jazz guitarists of different eras and jazz sub-genres. Each guitarists take a different approach to the guitar, but remain the same in the fact that it is all built on that foundation of basic improvisation. The role of jazz improvisation is … Read more

Here is a million dollar question that everyone gets asked once in awhile, “What would you tell your younger self if you could travel back in time?” To be honest, it’s not something I’ve really thought about before, but I suppose there would be quite a number of things I would tell my younger self. Just on the topic of music alone, there would probably be hundreds of tips and tricks I would tell myself to accelerate and enhance my musical abilities. Since such a time-machine does not exist, I guess the next best thing I can do is to … Read more

If you’re new to the guitar, changing your strings can seem like a complicated process. However, it’s a pretty straightforward task and, just like playing the guitar, it gets easier the more frequently you do it. Since so many of our students ask us how to change guitar strings, we’ve decided to provide you with a comprehensive guide to all things guitar string-related, including types of guitar strings, why & how to change guitar strings, how to tune your newly strung guitar and finally how to make your guitar strings last longer. Why Change Your Guitar Strings At All? As … Read more

Many beginning guitar players struggle to perform smooth and seamless chord changes. Without smooth transitions between chords, your rhythm guitar playing will sound choppy and stuttered. Chord changing stutters also cause problems when playing with other musicians because they throw off the rhythmic pulse. If you’re playing rhythm guitar with another musician, say a vocalist for example, the inability to play with a consistent tempo will make it very difficult for the vocalist to get comfortable and put on a good performance. Having a reliable rhythm section provides comfort to the musicians taking on lead roles.  So for those of … Read more