Performing Archives - GUITARHABITS

Best Music Documentaries for Guitar Players

August 27, 2020 By Klaus Crow 13 Comments

Every now and then I watch a good music documentary or movie to enjoy the incredible stories behind the master guitar players and legendary bands.

The struggles, hardship and passion for playing is really inspiring and insightful for anyone who is a student of the guitar. Today we got a list for you with some of the best music documentaries. Witness the turbulent and expressive lives of these musicians. Follow their love for music, their eagerness, perseverance and lessons learned throughout their journey.

All the guitar players and songwriters faced their own challenges that led to the extraordinary musicians that they have ultimately become. A true pleasure to watch each and everyone of them. Pick your favorites from the list and enjoy.

Have a great one!

Stevie Ray Vaughan – Rise Of A Texas Bluesman – 2014 (Youtube)
A docu on American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer Stevie Ray Vaughan, best known as the guitarist and frontman of the blues rock band Double Trouble. He is considered to be one of the most iconic and influential musicians in the history of blues music, and one of the greatest guitarists of all time.

Acoustic Uprising (Youtube)
Acoustic Uprising tells the definitive story of Modern Acoustic Guitar, featuring interviews with world class FingerStyle guitarists from around the world, including Tommy Emmanuel, Kaki King, Newton Faulkner, Sungha Jung, Andy McKee and many more. These artists are renowned for their virtuosity on the ubiquitous acoustic guitar, taking the humble instrument to new heights of “astounding virtuosity”.

Keith Richards – Under influence (Netflix)
Under the Influence gives fans unparalleled access to one of the world’s greatest rock stars and the people and sounds that inspired rock ‘n’ roll legend Keith Richards.

Jimi Hendrix – By Those Who Knew Him Best (Youtube)
Jimi Hendrix is unquestionably the greatest guitarist to have emerged during the rock era. This documentary contains exclusive interviews with his closest friends, associates and fellow musicians, which finally reveals what was behind the greatest musical talent of our time.

Eric Clapton – Standing At The Crossroads Documentary (Youtube)
In this documentary feature Eric Clapton is interviewed in depth with contributions from Keith Richards, John Mayall, The Yardbirds, Jack Bruce and many more. It is THE definitive Clapton biography.

Paco de Lucia Documentary (Youtube)
A beautiful portrait of Paco de Lucia. A Spanish virtuoso flamenco guitarist, composer, and record producer. A leading proponent of the new flamenco style, he was one of the first flamenco guitarists to branch into classical and jazz.

Top 7 Best Acoustic Guitars Under 100 Dollars of 2020

December 13, 2019 By Klaus Crow 4 Comments

Today we review the best acoustic guitars under 100 dollars of 2020. You have to take into account that these are low-price guitars that can’t be compared to slightly more expensive models or high quality guitars, but nonetheless the quality, sound and price you get for these acoustic guitars is absolutely amazing.

If you’re a beginner guitar player you obviously want to start out with a low-budget acoustic guitar, or if you’re an intermediate guitar player you might need a “not so expensive” second guitar for backup or other purposes, or maybe you just like to bring a guitar on camping and traveling. For all these scenarios the steel-string acoustics in this list are absolute winners.

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

Let’s take a look at the best acoustic guitars under 100 dollars:

1 – Squier by Fender SA-150 Acoustic Guitar

SOUND & QUALITY

The Squier SA-150 is a full-size steel-string dreadnought acoustic guitar designed by Fender, a major guitar brand that has the reputation of building dependable quality guitars. The top of the body is made from lindenwood and mahogany is used for the back and sides.

This robust, durable and good looking design can handle the use and abuse of the beginner guitar player or traveling musician. The Fender Squier SA-150 also has a slim neck that makes it easy and comfortable to play and the body produces a full and vibrant tone, that allows for both bright and warm sounds. A great affordable instrument for the beginner guitar player.

GUITAR CONSTRUCTION / SPECS:

Top: Lindenwood
Back and sides: Mahogany
Fretboard Material: dark-stained maple
Bracing: scalloped bracing
Neck: Mahogany
Bridge: Hardtail bridge
Tuners: Die-cast chrome tuners
Body finish: Natural finish
More info, Prices and Reviews for the Squier SA-150

Why and How to Practice a Solid Song Repertoire

June 21, 2018 By Klaus Crow 4 Comments

As a student of the guitar you play and practice songs for enjoyment and to improve your skills to become a better guitar player.

After a period of time of regular and serious practice you can probably play a couple of songs. If you’re lucky you can play a few songs from the top of your head but with most songs you probably need music sheets, chords or tabs to help you out. And even then you might need to look into some of the parts of the song again to refresh your memory before you can play it from beginning to end.

This is what distinguishes the amateur from the professional. An amateur can play a couple of songs (sort of) and a professional can play a solid repertoire of songs with total conviction.

What you want is to start practicing like a pro. Create the habits of a pro and a repertoire is becoming part of your skill set.

So why do you want to build and play a repertoire of songs?

Having a repertoire is an amazing asset and a profound goal for any guitar player.
Working on a repertoire will build your confidence as a guitar player and a human being.
You will work towards becoming an accomplished guitar player and musician.
You will practice and build skills like a real pro.
You’ll be able to play songs instantly from the top of your head, so whenever friends, family or anyone else asks you to play something, you are ready to rock.
You are working towards becoming not just a better guitar player but also a musician and performer.
You will be able to play with other musicians more easily.
You’ll be ready to perform with great confidence before any audience anywhere and anytime.
You will face your fears and crush them head on!
Being able to play songs from the top of your head will give a feeling of freedom, flexibility and independence.
Having a repertoire is a great musical accomplishment and continues journey that will set the path for a lot of new discoveries, possibilities and opportunities for you as a musician.

How to practice a song repertoire Continue Reading

Top 4 Best Singing Lessons for Musicians

October 28, 2016 By Klaus Crow 6 Comments

Most musicians love to sing along to the songs they play on their guitar or any other instrument. Some guitar players focus entirely and solely on their instrument and that’s perfect, but there’s also the breed who loves to sing and play their hearts out. Even if you’re not, you definitely want to read on.

Most of us are not naturally born singers, and even if you are, you can always use some help to improve your singing voice and work to become a better singer / guitar player.

A lot of musicians just think they don’t have what it takes and they can’t do anything about it. They just throw in the towels and accept they aren’t really the singer type.

But that’s where they are wrong, you can definitely work to become a better singer, a good singer, and some even become great singers. But good is good enough.

How great is it to play your instrument and sing to your songs with confidence. Singing along with your instrument adds an extra dimension to the experience. You now have two instruments (your voice is also an instrument) that complement each other.

Learning to sing also helps you improve your playing, because playing guitar is all about listening and aural skills and that’s what you develop with singing lessons.

The most common problems people face are “problems with pitch”, “the crack in the voice” when going from chest voice to head voice, “singing higher notes” and “losing the voice” due to using of the voice in the wrong way. Most people also don’t know there are simple and easy ways to start improving the voice in a real short amount of time.