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7 Day Guitar Practice Routine – #3 Arpeggios

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Hey it’s Arpeggio day! This week we’re going to change it up by doing some Arpeggio sequences for guitar. If you missed the first 2 installments you can find them here: 7 Day Guitar Practice Routine: Day 1 – Warmups 7 Day Guitar Practice Routine: Day 2 – Modal Workout If you’re new to the routine, I highly recommend reading the first one that includes important instructions on how to practice the right way every …

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Picking Exercises, Guitar Practice, Shred Guitar and Live Gear

In Arpeggios, Chords, Guitar Blog, Practice and Technique, Scales by Craig SmithLeave a Comment

Guitarists have been emailing me… asking where I’ve been and what I’ve been up to. The short answer is, practicing. Practicing a lot. While my writing has a suffered a bit, my guitar chops are making a serious comeback. Most of my friends, family and readers know I do a ton of acoustic guitar gigs. I’m still doing 4-5 per week. Thats just how I pay the bills here! Recently I got the call to …

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Guitar Practice – Melodic Minor Scale

In Arpeggios, Guitar Blog, Practice and Technique, Scales by Craig SmithLeave a Comment

Melodic Minor Scale & Harmony Oh scary isn’t it! The red-headed stepchild of minor scales.. unless you’re a Jazz or Classical player that is. If you’re a rock, metal, blues or country player you probably avoid this scale like the plague.. if you’ve ever even learned it at all. What is the big deal? Why is this scale so misunderstood (and avoided) outside of Jazz? I was warming up for my gig on a chilly …

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The 2 String Guitar Workout

In Arpeggios, Guitar Blog, Practice and Technique, Scales by Craig SmithLeave a Comment

Every few months or so, I find myself in some type of a guitar playing slump, or rut or whatever you want to call it. If you’ve been playing guitar for longer than a few years, you probably know what I’m talking about right? Things I normally can play with ease become a little sloppy or my hands feel out of sync.  After 30 years and thousands of gigs, it wears on you a bit. …