Archives for March 2016

The 8 Second Most Important Guitar Chords For Beginners

September 4, 2023 by Klaus Crow

I noticed that a lot of beginner guitar players appreciate the easy step by step approach of learning new chords. That’s why I decided to chop things up a bit into a series of easy to follow chord posts, so you don’t get overwhelmed by the infinite amount of chords that are spread around the internet.

In one of the previous post I showed you The 8 Most Important Open Chords For Beginners. Today I show you “The Second 8 Most Important Chords For Beginners”. This way you can expand your chord vocabulary in the appropriate order that works best for learning new beginner songs and expanding your beginner path.

In Part I we learned the C, A, G, E, D, Dm, Am and Em chords. Today we learn the A7, B7, C7, D7, E7 and G7 chords. We call these dominant 7th chords (dom7). They are often used in pop music and essential chords in blues music. Also the F chord and Bm chord are a great follow up and common chords in every style of music.

The Trick of Playing and Improvising Smoothly Across The Fretboard With Diatonic Scales.

By Klaus Crow Leave a Comment

May 14, 2019 by Klaus Crow

Photo by Bigstockphoto
I used to be amazed by guitar players who’s fingers ran smoothly up and down across the fretboard while improvising.

It seemed their fingers just went to the right place at the right time without the guitar player really having to think about it. It’s like those fingers had a life of their own.

Although the pentatonic / blues scale would already allow me to go wild and free in a blues rock environment, but playing like that using diatonic scales (major scale, natural minor scale and modes) looked like a whole nother ball game.

A side note: If you haven’t mastered the pentatonic / blues scale yet, then take that journey first. Start here

I did learn the diatonic major scale and it’s modes in different shapes, keys and tried various exercises, but it didn’t come off as sounding natural and I missed that feeling of sliding freely and musically across the fretboard without having to think about it.

It took a while before I figured this one out when I started playing melodic patterns.

MELODIC PATTERNS
A melodic pattern is an intervallic and repetitive pattern that will make your scales sound less like scales and more like musical phrases. The pattern provokes melody. There are many variations, from easy ones to more challenging patterns.

Practicing melodic patterns will increase your dexterity and make your technique become more fluid. With regular practice you will start noticing that your fingers will be going to the right place at the right time. They will develop, to some extent, a life of their own. Your fingers are being trained to master the fingerboard.Continue Reading

10 Best Affordable Acoustic Guitars Under 200 Dollars 2021

By Klaus Crow 23 Comments

March 28, 2021 by Klaus Crow

If you’re a beginner guitar player looking for a good entry-level guitar or you are an intermediate / advanced player on the hunt for a low-cost guitar to bring along on a camping trip or you just want a lovely second guitar for pure pleasure, you should definitely check out this post.

Today we’ve got a list of 10 decent and really nice acoustic low budget guitars under 200 dollars for 2021.

To be fair, you can’t expect the sound and quality of a 1000 dollar guitar, but these guitars are ideal for everyone who’s starting out learning to play guitar and wants good value for their money.

A selection of guitars ranging from 60 up to 200 dollars, depending on your budget and personal preferences, there is something here for every musician.

In this price range, these guitars are absolutely the best bang for your buck.

Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Enjoy!

1 – Jasmine S35 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
Jasmin guitars are a more affordable range from the well-known Takamine brand. It’s one of the most affordable and still decent guitars you can get. The Jasmine-S35 has a dreadnought body shape with a select spruce top and nato back and sides. Nato is often referred to as “eastern mahogany” and has similar properties to mahogany. The overall guitar has a nice clear sound and great for the beginner guitar player.
Top: Select Spruce
Back and sides: Laminated Nato.
Fretboard Material: Rosewood
Bracing: Jasmine Advanced X Bracing
Neck: Nato
Bridge: Rosewood
Tuners: Chrome Covered
Body finish: Satin
More info, Prices and Reviews for the Jasmin S35

An Effective Guitar Manifesto

By Klaus Crow 5 Comments

May 14, 2019 by Klaus Crow

Guitar playing is fun and enjoyable, but also challenging and frustrating at times. You want to get to the point of mastery and accomplishment, but in order to get there you have to overcome the necessary obstacles and challenges to reach your goals.

You want to be that awesome rhythm guitar player, flourishing at soloing and improvisation, having the skills of a great singer songwriter or be able to play guitar and sing with confidence.

So how do you get there? How do you reach your dream goal and be able to do what you love most in a busy, chaotic and demanding life where everybody expects everything of you?

Today I present to you an effective guitar manifesto that will take you by the hand, get you back on track and lead you into the direction of your ultimate guitar goal!

Are you ready?

– Think about your goals
Let’s start thinking what it is that you would like to accomplish with your guitar? What inspired you to play guitar in the first place? Now take a piece of paper and start writing. Where do you want to be five years from now?

Do you want to be on stage? Do you want to have a repertoire of songs under your fingers so you’re ready to perform anywhere and anytime? Do you want to be playing in a band? Write your own songs? Become a professional musician or be able to entertain friends and family? Write it down! Continue Reading