GUITAR BASICS

Hanging 6

2012-01-10T14:09:00.000-08:00

Ok... so... how do you respond when one of your students tells you they've decorated their room with a surfing motif AND guitar theme. My response, "Really? How's that? Prove it."

They did. When 6-strings meet hanging 10.

Web-Slinging Picks

2012-01-10T14:01:00.000-08:00

One of my students showed me what he got for Christmas: A Spider Man guitar pick. WHERE WERE THESE WHEN I WAS GROWING UP? Too cool.

My question is, "Do they help you play better?"

For My Classical Students

2011-07-20T13:08:00.001-07:00

For my classical guitar students, here is a website filled with dozens (maybe 100s) of entry-level classical guitar songs. Oh yes, and they're free. Enjoy!

Battling the Buzz

2011-05-18T09:44:00.000-07:00

One of the most common and annoying problems young guitarists face is dealing with the ubiquitous buzz. It's everywhere! Where does it come from? Why is it happening? How do I correct it?

Check out these frequent mistakes that contribute to the baffling buzz:

1 - Too far forward. Ideally, your finger should be slightly behind the fret you are playing, not on top of the fret.
2 - Not enough pressure. Many students think by simply touching the strings the note should sound, when in reality you must press down on the string.
3 - Too far back. This is the opposite of #1. When your finger is too far back within the fret, the string will buzz.
4 - Interference! Perhaps the most common problem, this occurs when another finger 'tramples' on a nearby string causing the unwanted sound.
5 - Not enough leverage. Never underestimate the importance of your thumb! If your thumb is not properly placed behind the fretting finger or is off to the side, chances are the strings will buzz.
6 - A cheap guitar. Every once in a while, a student will do everything correctly and still get a buzz. In that case, have your guitar instructor examine your guitar to see if it needs some minor repair.

Thumbtack.com - What People Are Saying

2011-04-17T11:55:00.000-07:00

Perhaps you're wondering if guitar lessons are for you? Read what people are saying about private lessons with Chad at Thumbtack.com!

Summer Guitar Camps

2011-04-07T06:39:00.001-07:00

I pleased to announce another summer of GUITAR CAMPS! Camps will be held at Countryside Community Church in Lebanon, Ohio.
Dates are June 20th - 24th and August 1st - 5th. Visit www.SummerGuitarCamps.com.

Every Good Boy Does WHAT????

2011-04-04T08:20:00.000-07:00

For those who have learned the lines on the staff (treble clef) E G B D F, here are some unique twists contributed by the creative minds of many of my students! :-)

Top 9 Assumptions

2011-03-29T11:58:00.001-07:00

On the lighter side, there are many assumptions people have about me as a guitar instructor. I thought I'd share a few humorous, common assumptions... enjoy:

1 - I'm in a band. (No, though I'd like to be someday).

2 - I teach a handful of students. (Actually, I have the privilege of teaching over 60 students a week).

3 - I subscribe to Rolling Stone Magazine. (No, but I am an avid reader of Acoustic Guitar Magazine).

4 - I get sick of playing guitar. (Now way! I still enjoy sitting down after a full day of teaching and playing the ol' double fat strat).

5 - I should know how to play every song from I'm All Out of Love by Air Supply to The Trooper by Iron Maiden. (No comment).

6 - I know how to play Stairway to Heaven. (You know, I never did take the time to learn that crazy song).

7 - I don't take lessons. (On the contrary! I take classical guitar lessons from an exceptional player and teacher Jeff Brown, graduate of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music).

8 - Jimmy Hendrix is a big influence. (Not really. The Edge of U2 and Mike Roe of the 77s have been the most influential guitar players to me).

9 - I'm a faster player than my students. (Wrong again. While only a handful of my students are faster than me, I'm always smarter). :-)

Looking for a Guitar for Jr?

2010-09-07T19:49:00.000-07:00

Here is a helpful article on what to look for when buying a guitar for a child.

Click here!

A Chord With No Name

2010-08-13T13:07:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for an easy song to play?

Try the classic by America called "A Horse With No Name." It's a great song for those wanting to practice their chord changes and work on their rhythm. Listen to the song here... view the chords and tab here.

It's a great one for beginners! And as always, let me know if you need some help.

Guitar Camp - August 2-6, 2010

2010-06-16T10:19:00.001-07:00

Thanks to the One-Off Band

2010-04-14T13:39:00.000-07:00

A BIG thanks to the band who came together to make such great music at the park for the people in Over-the-Rhine. Kudos... thanks! Let's do it again.

SPRING RECITAL!

2010-03-23T10:57:00.000-07:00

You are invited to join us for our spring recital at Otterbein in Lebanon, OH on Saturday, May 1st at 6pm. Students range from 6 yr to 60 yr. Enjoy pieces from traditional classics like "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" to "Jessica" by the Allman Brothers. All welcome! Refreshments served.

Wah Pedal

2010-03-10T11:38:00.001-08:00

One of my students recently asked about wah pedals. To save him (and you) a little time, here are 4 major dealers and their websites. Each brand has their own variations, tone and capabilities. My suggestion? Once you narrow down your price range, visit a local guitar store and play the wah of your choice with your set-up. You'll get a better idea of what it sounds like with your gear.
Dunlop
Morley
Vox
Ibanez
Here's a brief demonstration on youtube if you have no clue what a 'wah pedal' sounds like. :-)

Guitar and Drum Class (Part 2)

2009-12-29T11:00:00.000-08:00

For those who missed the joint guitar-and-drum classes with Peter Pizzuto and me, here are a few points we covered:

HOW TO PLAY IN A BAND:

1 - Know Your Place in the Band (by providing the song with what it needs to succeed).
2 - REMEMBER: The Song is King!
3 - Listen with Both Ears (to yourself and what's happening around you).
4 - The Right Notes at the Right Time Bring the Right Results.

Guitar and Drum Class (Part 1)

2009-12-29T10:54:00.001-08:00

For those who missed the joint guitar-and-drum classes with Peter Pizzuto and me, here are few points we covered:

GREAT MUSICIANS (vs. Good Musicians):
1 - Love Music
2 - Dedicated to Practice
3 - Listen to Parts of the Song (and not just the whole)
4 - Lifelong Learners

Sunshine Of Your Love (Guitar Only)

2009-11-04T11:02:00.000-08:00

What a find!

For all my students learning to play Sunshine Of Your Love, here is a rare track on youtube with GUITAR ONLY. In other words, all other instruments have been pulled out of the mix and all you get is Clapton's guitar.

CLICK HERE. Enjoy... and let's discuss at our next lesson.

Finger Exercises

2009-10-29T09:30:00.000-07:00

One of the most important steps before a performance (or even practice) is running finger exercises. Much like sprints in basketball or stretching out before football, finger exercises prepare you to play. They help you warm up by building finger dexterity and acclimating your hands to the fretboard. Don't start without them!

Here is an excellent site with numerous finger exercises.

Email from Student

2009-10-02T07:16:00.000-07:00

Here's an email I received from one of my students and my response:

Hey Chad: I was wondering how long would it take to become an intermediate player? - A. Crawford

Great question! It all depends on how much you practice. All my students who are doing very well are dedicated to practicing like crazy every day. Practice doesn't make perfect, but it sure makes you really good. A mentor once told me: SKILL = KNOWLEDGE X 10,000. In other words to perform well, it's knowing what to play... and playing it 10,000 times in practice. I would say within several years and with a lot of dedicated practice, you should be able to call yourself an intermediate player. Hope that helps. Practice like crazy!

Blackbird - Beatles

2009-08-27T04:14:00.000-07:00

Here is a great, step-by-step video on how to play Blackbird by the Beatles. If you can get past the Jim Morrison comparison, this guy will show you how to play it well.

Coldplay - Don't Panic

2009-08-27T03:21:00.001-07:00

Here is a great, step-by-step tutorial on how to play Coldplay's song: Don't Panic. This is the opening song from the CD Parachutes along with one of the tunes featured on the Garden State soundtrack. Site includes chords with MP3 samples. CLICK HERE TO VIEW.

The Best Ride

2009-08-04T19:18:00.000-07:00

I just visited Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom with my family. BY FAR, the best ride was the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster... a high-speed thrill ride with a great soundtrack. And not to mention, 0-60 in 2.8 seconds. The 80s still live on. :-)

First Song

2009-07-23T08:54:00.000-07:00

Often my prospective students ask: What is the first song I'll learn? Here are some songs I teach new beginners:

Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple - You Alone by David Crowder - Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen - Bad by Michael Jackson - Bubbly by Colbie Caillat - Don't Stop Believing by Journey - Aqualung by Jethro Tull - Eye of the Tiger by Survivor

Would you like to learn any others? Post a comment!

Top 5 Beginner Electric Guitars

2009-05-14T10:33:00.000-07:00

According to this website, here are the Top 5 Electric Guitars that are purchased by new guitar players. Prices range from $99 to $249. Check them out and see what you think.

1 - Squier Fat Strat (Fender)

2 - Epiphone G-310 SG

3 - Yamaha Pacifica Series

4 - Squier Affinity Telecaster (Fender)

5 - Epiphone Les Paul Special II

Also, a number of my students have purchased the Fender SP-10 electric pack, the Fender 15G electric pack or the Fender DG-8S acoustic pack.

But I Only Know 3 Chords!

2009-04-29T06:30:00.000-07:00

Evidently that's all you need to play these 50 Hits. A great resource for beginning guitarists: The Guitar 3 Chord Song Book. 50 of rock n' roll's greatest hits with only 3 chords... and the SAME 3 chords (G - C - D). Thanks Ladon for the tip! CLICK HERE TO VIEW.

Restring Your Guitar

2009-04-28T09:25:00.000-07:00

Here is a great video tutorial with (finally) no talking... just a step-by-step visual on how to change the strings on your acoustic guitar. Check it out.

Canon in D: His Version

2009-04-25T17:48:00.000-07:00

I was so impressed by this young man. Watch this 15 year shred the Canon in D by Pachelbel. Amazing. Shows you what young people are capable of. Who's his teacher by the way?

Guitar Hero Camps (this summer)

2009-04-24T09:16:00.000-07:00

I will be conducting Guitar Hero Camps this summer. What songs do you want to learn? View list of songs here. Let me know... reply below!

Radio Heaven for Guitarist

2009-04-22T11:21:00.000-07:00

last.fm is a website where you can listen to free music via 'internet radio.' The following link will take you to a page that streams guitar music in the vein of Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Eric Johnson. Enjoy! Click here for 'guitar theme' last.fm.

Where To Find Songs

2009-04-07T11:58:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for chords to your favorite songs but don't know where to find them? Here's a great site for chords and tab: www.chordie.com. Search by artist or song. Easy to read. Clean. Thousands of entries. Have fun!

Which Strings Should I Use?

2009-03-30T07:09:00.000-07:00

Nothing can be as daunting for guitarists as walking into a music store and choosing a new set of strings from a wall of options. Strings are like cars: Different makes, models, sizes and prices. So where do you start? Here are a few tips and recommendations:

#1 - Buy acoustic strings for your acoustic guitar and electric strings for your electric guitar. Electric strings are nickel color and acoustic are bronze color. They are made with the unique needs of your instrument in mind. Keep them separate.

#2 - Choose medium gauge strings. Strings come in different sizes for different sound quality. Light strings can sound 'thin' and heavy strings can be frustrating for new players. Medium is a good choice for starters.

#3 - My choice for acoustic strings are Elixirs and for electric GHS Boomers. While Elixir's are more expensive than other strings, their coating technology gives them 3-5 times more life. The GHS Boomers are industry standard for electric guitar players. Try them out, tell me what you think.

Also, visit the String Sound Room to listen and compare various string brands or visit String This to buy strings in bulk. Hope this helps!

Practice Amp

2009-03-23T08:28:00.000-07:00

Here is a great practice amp for home or lessons: Line 6 Spider III. It's a 15 watt amp with a variety of effects from metal, reverb to echo. Light weight. Affordable. It even has a CD/MP3 input so you can jam along with your favorite songs. Not to mention, a headphones out for late-night practices.

I'll be showing up at my electric lessons with it. CHECK IT OUT. A great starter amp. An excellent practice amp whatever your skill level.

100 Greatest Guitarists

2009-03-20T11:29:00.000-07:00

A while back Rolling Stone Magazine did a cover article on the Top 100 Greatest Guitarists of all time. Check it out. But before you click, who do you think is rated number one? (And no, ESTEBAN didn't even make the line-up).

Tips From Joe Satriani

2009-03-17T08:16:00.000-07:00

Here are some practical tips from guitar legend Joe Satriani. Watch this YouTube video and see how Satch warms up and recommends increasing your skill level. CLICK HERE.

ONE by U2

2009-03-17T04:22:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of interpretations on the web about how to play ONE by U2. Here's a YouTube video that does a good job of getting close to the original. CLICK HERE. A great tune for beginner and intermediate students.

How NOT To Wake The Neighbors

2009-03-15T16:46:00.000-07:00

Looking for a way to jam without waking the neighbors... or keeping mom and dad awake? Here is an inexpensive way to do that. Vox has made a headphone amp which plugs directly into your guitar. Then all you need is a set of headphones. They come in clean, rock and metal sounds. A great alternative for late-night practice or road-trips. Check it out.

How Often Should I Practice?

2009-03-13T09:27:00.000-07:00

I often get asked by parents and students alike, "How often should I practice?" I usually respond, "How good do you want to be?"

On average, 30 minutes a day is productive. Beyond that, the amount of time you invest determines your skill level. Practice doesn't make perfect. It just makes really good! Practice pays off.

Here's a good, SHORT ARTICLE on practicing guitar.

Major Scale (5 Positions) Download

2009-03-11T04:47:00.001-07:00

Here is a great resource for download. It is the major scale in 5 different positions along the neck. A starting place? Practice each scale individually, then, practice moving between scales. Just so you know, I'm working on the them too. :-) Have fun!

Looking For New Gear?

2009-03-09T07:05:00.000-07:00

Looking for some new gear? Interested in finding out first how it performs? What others are saying? Check out Harmony Central for customer reviews. I've used it many times. Thousands of reviews. A great site to explore before you drop the cash!

How Often Should I Change Strings?

2009-03-08T15:56:00.000-07:00

Students ask: How often should I change my guitar strings? There is no hard and fast rule. A general of thumb: After 15 - 30 hours of play. Strings, like tires, wear out after use. They get dull, rusty and lose their brightness. When that happens, quality of tone decreases. If you've played for a month or two and haven't swapped them out, it's probably time.

Here's a good step-by-step tutorial on how to do that.

How To Strum The Guitar

2009-03-07T18:47:00.000-08:00

In ran across this blog that does a great job of 'mapping out' how to strum a guitar. Check it out. I've used this step-by-step process with my students. It works well.

He's the first I've seen to do a good job of visually diagramming strum patterns in an easy-to-understand way.

Pentatonic Scale (Minor)

2009-03-04T04:17:00.001-08:00

One of the most common scales in blues / rock is the pentatonic scale. It's called a "pentatonic" scale because it only uses 5 notes (penta = 5). It's a great scale to practice... easy to play. You can move it up and down the fretboard.

Start slow. Then increase your speed. Give it a try. Have fun with it.

Dots on the Fretboard

2009-03-01T18:36:00.001-08:00

So what's the deal with the dots on the fretboard? Is there any rhyme or reason to them? Well... um... no. Not really. They are simply markers to help you find your place on the fretboard. They help you locate the notes on the neck. Most commonly, they are set at 3, 5, 7, 9 and 12 (then 15, 17, 19 and 21).

Ok, so I wanna know, who chose those numbers? Let me know if you find out.

Major Scale (Moveable)

2009-03-01T14:30:00.001-08:00

Here is an example of a movable scale. A movable scale can be played anywhere on the neck. This is a major scale.

The red dots are the same notes (as the root note). In other words, by the time you work your way up the scale, you will have traveled 2 octaves. Have fun!

A Guitar That Lasts

2009-02-28T13:03:00.000-08:00

You want your guitar to last. One of the ways to do that: Fretboard conditioner. Since the neck of your guitar is wood, it dries out. Fretboard conditioner keeps it 'conditioned' and prevents it from drying out and cracking.

Best time to apply it? Between string changes.

Finger Exercises

2009-02-26T09:49:00.000-08:00

If you can read tab, here are some great finger exercises to warm up with before practice or performance. CLICK HERE.

What Amp Do I Use?

2009-02-26T07:56:00.000-08:00

I occasionally get asked about gear. The amp I use is a Fender DeVille 212. Here are the specs. I've had it for 10 years now. It delivers a warm, sweet tube sound. Can't beat it. The weight is a little heavier than I'd like, but it's a good trade off for the excellent tone. Plus, it delivers an enormous amount of volume. Great for jam sessions.

If I could take my pick and buy a lighter version of a similar amp, I'd go with a Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue.

Hal Leonard Guitar Method

2009-02-26T07:49:00.000-08:00

Students often ask, "What course book do I need?" I recommend the Hal Leonard Guitar Method. CLICK HERE to purchase the complete edition with CDs at Amazon.com. Also check out Half.com. Books also available at Guitar Center.

A Great Offer: Coupon

2009-02-26T07:43:00.000-08:00

One of the Academies I teach at is offering a great promotion. Click here to contact West Chester Academy of Music and set up lessons today with this discount.

Online Scale Finder

2009-02-26T07:35:00.000-08:00

Here is a free resource: Online scale finders. Find the right scale. CLICK HERE.

Online Chord Charts

2009-02-26T07:31:00.000-08:00

Here is a free resource: Online chord charts. Find the right chord... quickly. CLICK HERE.

Online Tuner

2009-02-26T07:20:00.000-08:00

If you need a quick tune, here is an online tuner. CLICK HERE.

Online Metronome

2009-02-26T07:07:00.000-08:00

I highly recommend all students practice with a metronome. Timing is key, for percussion and guitar students. If you think about it, the acoustic guitar IS a percussive instrument (that makes music as well).
CLICK HERE for an online metronome.