HOW TO READ MUSIC FOR GUITAR

Learning how to read music for guitar can seem like a daunting task to many beginner, intermediate and yes, even advanced students...

Not only is the guitar upside-down and backwards, but the same exact note/tone can be played on each string in various positions on the guitar. The piano, on the other hand, consistently has only one note/tone per key.

If you're a classical or fingerstyle guitar student, there's the added difficulty of learning how to read right hand fingering! So it's easy to understand why learning to read music can be quite confusing for many people, to say the least.

When I was first learning how to play the guitar, it just didn't seem "cool" to take lessons. I wanted to teach myself. Many of my favorite rock stars had taught themselves how to play, so that's what I wanted to do! Learning how to read music didn't interest me at all.

Online guitar lessons and software programs didn't exist back then either, and guitar tab was hard to come by. Thankfully, I had some friends who could play guitar and my ear was good, so I was able to pick up a few songs and licks pretty quickly.

It wasn't until after I started teaching guitar, that I actually decided to learn how to read music. The problem I encountered was that even though I could show my students how to play certain things on guitar, I was unable to really explain things in musical terms or answer their questions adequately. That's what drove me to make the decision to study music theory.

I'm glad I did too, because learning how to read music gave me more tools to work with. It also opened up a whole new world of music and creative ideas, and it can do the same for you as well.

Tablature is currently the most popular written system for learning guitar. However, being able to read music will give you access to a more complete format than tab can offer. That's because many musical terms of expression cannot be accurately translated with tablature.

Now, don't get me wrong... I'm not saying that this is the only way to become a great guitar play. Absolutely not. Besides, history has proven otherwise. All I am saying is that being able to read music does provide some advantages for the serious musician.

So, if you're interested in learning how to read music for guitar, you can take check out the special offer I have on my website right now- it also includes a free ebook. You can get more information about this by clicking the link below...

How to read music for guitar

Till next time...

Keep practicing!

Why work when you can play?

Songwriter Success Secrets

Are you a songwriter who would like to find the secret to success? Have you ever wondered if there really is such a thing? While there may be some things you can do to improve your current songwriting abilities, the real secret, I believe, lies in practicing and perfecting your craft.

It just so happens that one of my guitar students is discovering that creating an original song is only one part inspiration. The rest involves a lot of time, dedication and hard work; which is okay, because in the long run, the effort put in often yields very satisfying results.

Many songwriters know they can make good use of their time by following a general outline or structure. The structure is simply a guide to help generate creative ideas and get the juices flowing. There are no hard and fast rules that need to be adhered to, only techniques that other songwriters have used to become successful in their chosen field.

One technique commonly used in songwriting is known as the Hook. This is considered by many professionals to be the most important aspect for creating a "hit" song. The Hook is a melodic phrase that captures the listener's ear because it is easy to remember. It should be kept relatively simple and repeated often.

Here are two famous examples of a good Hook:

"I Wanna Hold Your Hand"

"Lucy In the Skies With Diamonds"

History demonstrates how The Beatles were able to create many #1 hit songs by using catchy Hook phrases. Of course, that is not the only ingredient needed to become a successful songwriter, but it is a good place to start.

So next time you have a basic idea for a song, try creating a catchy Hook first. You might just surprise yourself and create something truly fantastic!

You will find additional help and ideas on my website. Here is the link...

More Free Songwriting Tips... CLICK HERE!

Till next time...
Keep practicing!

Free Guitar Tips

BECOMING A LEAD GUITAR PLAYER

Yesterday, a student of mine announced that he is now the lead guitar player for "The Broccolis"... which is the name of the band he just started. I smiled as I watched him carefully polishing his brand-new, shiny black, Ibanez electric guitar.
"Well" I said, "You'll have to start learning how to use a pick then." Up until that moment, he had resisted this idea. "I realize that" he replied, as he grabbed a pick and plugged in his guitar... What a difference a new electric guitar can make in a young boy's attitude!
So, we dug in to our first lead guitar session by playing a few scales. I explained that scales provide an important foundation for lead guitar players and will also help him gain a better understanding of how chords are made.
As we moved along, I could see the wheels turning in his head. Suddenly, he had one of those "light bulb" moments and looking up, said "Oh, I get it!" That was music to my ears.
Though I play some lead guitar, I do not consider myself to be "a lead guitar player" per say. I help my students establish a good foundation, teach them a few licks, and show them how to use various scales and techniques. Occasionally, I'll even figure out a lead guitar part for them by listening to a CD.
But, if someone is really serious about becoming a "lead guitar player," then I would suggest they learn from someone like Craig Bassett.
You can check out a video of his playing style on his website at...
http://www.guitarscalemastery.com
He has some excellent tips on phrasing, modes, and how to improve your solos. So if you're like my student, and are seriously interested in learning how to burn up your fretboard, just check out his video and I think you'll be convinced that he can teach you a thing or two about playing lead guitar!
Till next time...
Keep practicing!
Free Guitar Tips