Author: Alex Bruce of Guitartricks.com

The question of why to learn an instrument is a well-answered one: To learn a new skill, to develop musicality, to have a creative outlet, to have fun, and so on. But for beginner guitarists or those thinking about starting, the question is specifically why learn guitar?

Well, lots of reasons is the short answer.

The main theme linking so many of the reasons, though, is the guitar’s ubiquity – its common-ness of use, its being so present in so much music and so many groups and ensembles. 

Here are some examples of how popularity translates into reasons to learn guitar:

Reference Material

Firstly, the huge majority of contemporary music features at least one guitar part, meaning the wealth of songs to learn is possibly greater for the guitarist than for any other aspiring instrumentalist.

Secondly, the abundance of online lessons, tutorials, how-to guides, and repair tutorials that has sprung up around the instrument’s omnipresence means that a guitarist can find just about anything they need at any stage of their progress.

Continue Reading

Hi folks, I know you’ve been waiting eagerly, and your patience is rewarded. Here it is: Part IV of the Effective One-Octave Major Scales! This is the final lesson of these series and if you haven’t had the chance to dive into Part I, II & III and you don’t know why you should, I recommend that you check them out. Here are the links below:

Effective One-Octave Major Scales and Why! Part I

Effective One-Octave Major Scales and Why!Part II

Effective OneOctave Major Scales and Why!Part III

With Part IV of the lesson we are really getting into the area where most of the guitar solos take place. Take your time with these 3 major scale patterns. Learn and memorize them thoroughly. Don’t half ass it!

Starting from the Root Note on the G-string

We’re now going to learn the three major scale shape/patterns with the first (root) note starting on the G-string (3rd string).

Tip: Learn and memorize the notes on the G-string so you know where you are on the fretboard. Know your notes!

Major Scale Fingering / Positioning

The numbers in the yellow neck diagrams indicate the fret-hand fingering. The neck diagrams clearly show the shape and pattern of each scale. Learn to visualize and memorize the shape of each pattern.

| 1 = index | 2 = middle finger |3 = ring finger | 4 = pinky |

Practice, practice, practice!

Once you got the G major scale shapes thoroughly under your fingers learn the pattern in different keys. If you know how to play the scale somewhere on the neck doesn’t neccesarily mean you can play it everywhere else. Practice the scale all over the neck! Go the extra mile.

Take this moment to invest in yourself. Pour yourself a nice cup of coffee or tea, find a descent chair, sit straight and makes sure you have proper posture and hand positioning, set a timer to 30 or 60 minutes, own this time, focus, practice and enjoy!

MAJOR SCALE SHAPES – ROOT NOTE STARTS FROM THE 3RD STRING

G MAJOR SCALE fingering / shape / pattern #10

Continue Reading

Growin’ up as a kid my oldest brother played me the records of the Rolling Stones, John Mellencamp, John Hiatt, Stevie Ray Vaughan and many other great musicians. I am forever grateful he did. He showed me a world I would indulge in every minute of the day.

The Rolling Stones and The Beatles (the latter I came to appreciate later on) both shaped the music of the 20th century. The Stones’ classic albums Sticky fingers and Exile on Main street are still a source of inspiration for true rock ‘n roll musicians today.

As new guitar players and students dive into the 21th century and become practicers of the instrument they will be influenced by great bands, artists and musicians. It’s important they know music that breathes authenticity, real instruments and pure timeless art. The sound and feel that comes from those Rolling Stones records is what that music compasses.

Searching videos for this post was a great joy with moments of bliss. Listening and watching the Stones’ live performances and video clips made me pick up the guitar instantly. That’s what good music does. I hope it does the same for you.

I always point out that these lists are in no particular order, nor are they complete. I create them to inspire you to practice, play, create, nourish your musical soul and bring out your inner artist.

The song titles in the list below contain a YouTube link to the song, and the Applemusic Spotify and Amazonmusic logo’s direct you straight to the song in the associated apps. The Chords links show you to the chords and lyrics of the song.

Enjoy the hell out of it!

1 – Angie – – – – Chords

2 – Satisfaction – – – – Chords

3 – Wild horses – – – – Chords

4 – Paint it black – – – – Chords

5 – Brown sugar – – – – Chords

Continue Reading