Sunday night’s Game of Thrones Series finale left millions of fans gasping a collective “what the actual F$*K?”… this fan included. I’m not ready to sign a petition for a Game of Thrones Season 8 do-over like many millions of fans have today, yet I can’t escape the feeling that the entire episode, perhaps even the entire season was half-baked. I’m not alone. Every news outlet from The New York Times, Time Magazine, The Washington … Read More
The Modern Ways Musicians Are Grabbing Attention
Becoming a musician isn’t what it used to be. Thanks to the power of digital tools, practically anyone can create music, upload it, and start selling it. But this has created a problem: there were something like 80,000 new albums released last year, 99 percent of which will never get played on the radio, and even fewer of them will make it onto the playlist of the average person. Musicians, like companies, have to stand … Read More
Guitarist Bobby Koelble – Interview and Lesson
I want to start this article by saying, I’m just a big fan of Guitarist Bobby Koelble. He’s the type of Guitarist I want to be like “when I grow up”. I like to think of myself as a busy musician. I’m writing, teaching and performing 4-6 days a week, 52 weeks a year. But… theres busy… and there’s Bobby Koelble busy. I like to think I’m fairly versatile on the guitar. I’ve done my … Read More
Alternate Picking – 20 Essential Picking Exercises For Guitarists
Alternate picking for guitarists may seem like something we all take for granted. Most guitarists, even complete beginners alternate some down and up strokes whether they are consciously doing it or not. As we develop our picking hand, alternate picking can open a whole new world of techniques and music not obtainable otherwise. Even if you’re familiar with alternate picking, it can often be helpful to go back and work on the basics. Sometimes I … Read More
Are You Pursuing Your Passion?
When you have a passion for something, it consumes you. A passion is more than just an interest. You may like tennis and you may enjoy eating cake, but if you HAVE to partake in music or anything else – if you cannot imagine your life without it and you’d love to dedicate all the time you have to it, then you have a passion! But, just because you have a passion, it doesn’t mean … Read More
90 Page Guitar Practice Routine Ebook Sale
Today April 30th is the last day of Sale! You asked for it… you got it.. 33% until May 1st. Enter code “Easter19” to get The 7 Day Practice Routine For Guitarists for only $9.99! What you get… Over 90 Pages of Chords, Scales, Arpeggios and Music Theory for Guitarists. Printable Chord, Scale and Arpeggio Charts. A comprehensive 7 Day Practice Guide for Guitarists of any Skill Level. Printable Musical Examples in TAB & Standard … Read More
10 Essential Guitar Albums
I love lists! There are so many ‘greatest guitarist’ and ‘greatest guitar album’ lists out there, why should you care about mine? The biggest fault I see is in the lack of diversity found in most. When making a greatest guitar music album list, I think it’s essential to cross into different genres of music and cover as many techniques as possible. ….and why does the music all have to be from the 20th century … Read More
How Playing a Musical Instrument Can Benefit Your Life
Music is a huge part of life for most of us. We get up in the morning and we play the radio on the way to work. We pop in our headphones and listen to our workout playlist at the gym, while we’re cleaning the house, in the shower. It can give us a boost and make us feel good, evoke memories and motivate us when we need it to. You know you love listening … Read More
Flamenco Guitar Lesson and Interview – Berto Boyd
I came across Flamenco and Classical Guitarist, Berto Boyd, on Facebook a while back through our mutual friend and guitarist, Ben Woods. I admire anyone who (like me) is able to make a living playing guitar at any level. I’m also just a huge fan and admirer of Flamenco guitar in general and it’s not something I’ve covered yet here on Life In 12 Keys. Berto has a passion, depth and sophistication in his playing … Read More
7 Essential Jazz Guitar Chords and Scale Study – The Girl From Ipanema
7 Essential Jazz Chords and Scale Study – The Girl From Ipanema An analysis, lesson and study of a really classic Jazz / Pop tune, The Girl From Ipanema. In this Guitar lesson: Girl From Ipanema Chord Chart Chord Analysis Section A Chord Analysis Section B Soloing and Improvisation Ideas – The Essential Scales Practice Backing Track Every once in a while I need to write a lesson for myself as well as for my … Read More