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10 Tips For Playing Live In A Band

In Guitar Blog, Interviews and Insights by Craig Smith

Performing live can be scary for new musicians – especially if it’s your first gig. I’ve been playing live now for a little over 27 years now. Thousands of gigs! (Thats me in the pic above playing live at The Gaylord Palms, Orlando in 2013) I’m still learning.. and like any good musician, you should be too! If you want your live performances to go smoothly, make sure to avoid some of these common mistakes. …

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Guitar Practice Routines – An Interview with 5 Pro Guitarists

In Guitar Blog, Interviews and Insights, Music, Practice and Technique by Craig SmithLeave a Comment

While on my ‘Virtual Book Tour’ promoting The 7 Day Practice Routine For Guitarists, it occurred to me to ’round-up’ some of my favorite players both Local and National to talk a bit about what they practice on a daily basis. These guitarists are as formidable in 2024 as they were when this article was first published a few years back. As much as I love playing and teaching the guitar… I also really love …

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Benefits of Learning Music for Kids and Young Children

In Interviews and Insights, Music by Craig Smith

What do you do when your kid is enthusiastic about playing a guitar. What about another musical instrument such as piano or violin? Or, (yikes) drums? The are so many benefits of learning music for kids despite the challenges that can arise as a parent. Very few of us look forward to the prospect of listening to children practice a screechy violin or tunelessly practice the recorder. Nevertheless, once they get a little better, it …

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How To Choose Your First Guitar

In Guitar Blog, Interviews and Insights, Music, Reviews and Gear by Craig Smith

In 2024, the guitar is the most popular instrument in the world. Regardless of your age, if you’re looking to learn to play the guitar, you should take the time to choose the right first guitar. Choosing a guitar however, can sometimes be confusing and overwhelming for any new guitarist. There are countless styles available for both electric and acoustic guitars. When you walk into a musical instrument store, you can easily get lost in …

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The 5 Best Guitar Books For Practicing Musicians

In Guitar Blog, Interviews and Insights, Music, Reviews and Gear by Craig SmithLeave a Comment

Updated: The 5 BEST Guitar Books for 2024! I’ve updated one of my most popular articles on best guitar books to include some new info. These include some new changes for the best guitar books for past years and 2024.  Despite trends, for many guitarists, books are still the best way to learn the instrument. In the age of Youtube videos and guitar learning apps, the online community has created an overload of information. Consequently, …

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Tips For Becoming a Successful Music Photographer

In Interviews and Insights, Music by Joe Weintraub

Playing in a band isn’t the only way to make money if you’re passionate about music. There are all sorts of things you can do in and around the industry. Consequently, you’re still surrounded by music all of the time, even if you don’t play.  Being a music photographer is a great option if you are interested in photography. You get to go to tons of amazing gigs for free is a perk. As a …

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4 Tips for Expanding Your Musical Taste

In Interviews and Insights by Craig Smith

Having the ability to deeply enjoy music is a gift that not everyone possesses. If you’re one of the lucky ones, it’s in your interest to nurture that gift by listening to as great a variety of music as possible. It’s nice to enjoy our old favorites, sure, but there’s magic in pushing ourselves to try new sounds. It’s part of your musical evolution — in any case, you won’t lose the ability to listen …

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How To Get Your Kids Enthusiastic About Learning The Guitar

In Guitar Blog, Interviews and Insights by Craig Smith

Getting your little one to appreciate guitar playing means getting them to appreciate good music. Learning the guitar, just like any other musical instrument, holds so many health benefits. It helps boost confidence, enhances your creativity, and gives you a different avenue to express your emotions, among other numerous benefits. Learning to play the guitar can be a great and fun experience for your kids. It gives them something they can hold on to even …

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Music, Its Good For You!

In Interviews and Insights, Music by Craig Smith

The power of music is, quite frankly, mind-blowing. It is amazing how we can play a song, and within 30 seconds, our mood can change. Whether it is a slow love song or an upbeat summer jam, it can transport us to a different place entirely, completely impacting our emotions. This is something that you can use to your advantage, giving you the all-important pick-me-up whenever you need it. Music can lift your spirits when …

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Learning An Instrument – 4 Essential Tips

In Guitar Blog, Interviews and Insights, Music by Joe Weintraub

Learning an instrument can be a very fulfilling skill to have. In fact, learning music might even open up to new opportunities in your life. When learning an instrument there are some essential tips that are worth learning in order to be successful. Here are four essential tips for learning an instrument. Invest In A Decent Instrument Ffirst thing you should make sure the instrument you’re investing in is a decent one. Like anything in …