View Post

40 Day Guitar Practice Challenge

In Guitar Blog, Interviews and Insights, Music, Practice and Technique by Craig Smith

Are you ready to take your guitar playing to the next level? Let’s do it together! A Guitar Practice Challenge. I’m working on a new Guitar Practice Challenge for 2025. New Years resolutions can be cliche but what’s wrong with trying to better yourself, whether it’s a hobby, your health or the desire to become a better guitarist? For beginning guitarists, improvement can be a measured by leaps and bounds almost daily. Intermediate and advanced …

View Post

Role Of A Guitar Saddle and Installation Guide

In Music by Joe Weintraub

The guitar saddles are one of the most important components of the guitar, that directly influences the playability and sound of the guitar. It is a small piece made of materials like bone, plastic, or synthetic compounds. You can find the saddle located on the bridge of the guitar. The saddle is placed there to support the strings and to make sure the vibrations of the strings are transferred evenly to the body of the …

View Post

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 …

View Post

The Logistics of Touring: Transporting Musical Gear Safely and On Time

In Music by Joe Weintraub

Touring is a thrilling but complex endeavor for musicians and their teams. Behind every successful show is a well-executed logistics plan. Transporting musical gear safely and on time is crucial for ensuring that every performance goes off without a hitch. From delicate instruments to bulky amplifiers and stage equipment, the safe and timely delivery of gear can make or break a tour. Here’s a guide to managing the logistics of transporting musical gear on tour. …

View Post

Where Could Your Love Of Playing The Guitar Take You?

In Music by Joe Weintraub

Playing the guitar feels like a natural skill for some. The moment they picked up their first guitar they fall in love. They’ve learned to strum out all kinds of tunes – and a few original hits as well! Playing the guitar is a great skill to have under your belt. Even if you’re not wanting to pursue music as a career it can be worthwhile. But knowing how to play such an integral instrument …

View Post

9 Reasons Music Is Good For You

In Music by Joe Weintraub

You might absolutely love listening to or playing music, but did you know that it also has many health benefits. One thing you need to remember though is to look after your ears. Long exposure to loud music can cause you to suffer from hearing loss. However, there are far more pros than cons when it comes to music. If you would like to find out more about the benefits music can bring to you …

View Post

Create An Original Guitar Song – A Beginners Guide

In Music by Joe Weintraub

If you’re a guitar player who’s new to the world of song creation, you may have questions. Creating an original guitar song can be daunting at first. That’s what we’re here to guide you through.  Beginners to the art of songwriting and composition can be intimidated by all the work that goes into creating a tune. It’s important to never underestimate the production required! With a guitar in hand and a desire to make music, …

View Post

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 …

View Post

Pentatonic Scales For Guitar

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

Pentatonic Scales for Guitar Pentatonic scales are simultaneously the most used and sometimes most purposely avoided of all scales on the guitar. In all of my years of teaching guitar lessons, I’ve found there are typically 2 kinds of guitarists: Table of Contents Funny Pentatonic Scale Story When I was teaching guitar lessons full-time, famed shredder and Mr. Big / Racer X Guitarist Paul Gilbert was doing a clinic at my music store. It was …