GUITARHABITS

10 Tips on How to Make Yourself Play Guitar Everyday

May 14, 2019 by Klaus Crow

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Most of us would like to play guitar everyday, but the reality is there are so many other things on our todo list we sometimes forget to practice at all.

So I tried a little experiment a few weeks ago. I took a piece of a paper and wrote down the most important scales, songs and exercises I needed to work on.

I placed the notes on the fridge, the toilet and living room walls. It now keeps reminding me of what I need to be practicing even when I’m too busy and get lost in other things.

The fact that I’m constantly reminded, triggers me to pick up my guitar several times a day and just play. That’s what I need.

Along with this effective trick I use some other strategies to make sure there’s nothing in my way. Read and apply them.

Here are 10 tips to get you playing everyday:

And remember The more you practice, the better you get, the more fun it will be!

1 – Unescapable reminders
Place reminders everywhere. Put reminders in your cell phone and your computer calender. Place reminders on the kitchen fridge and the toilet wall. Wherever you spend most of your time you want to put up a reminder that makes you start practicing. Continue Reading

Top 30 Easy Guitar Solos

By Klaus Crow 20 Comments

April 5, 2021 by Klaus Crow

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Do you know any easy guitar solos?

It’s one of the most asked questions I get from guitar players who are just starting out playing solo guitar. And I get that.

The most solos you hear in songs are not exactly beginner solos. They are often intermediate or advanced guitar solos.

For the beginner lead guitar player it almost feels like every solo is out of reach and that can be discouraging. How do other guitar players go about this?

Well almost every guitar player starts off with an easy guitar solo. Those who don’t are up for a major challenge and often left disappointed. You’ve got to work your way up one solo at a time.

My first solo was Wonderful tonight by Eric Clapton. Beautiful, short and fairly easy.

Once you practiced a couple of solos and you get the hang of the basic techniques like pull-offs, hammer-ons, slides and bend-ups it get’s easier and more fun. Then you also want to work on scales, dexterity and speed which you will achieve with regular practice and specific exercises.

But first thing first, let’s start off with choosing one easy guitar solo and have loads of fun with.

You can click the song title and listen to the song and solo on Youtube or click Tab to find the tablature for the song.

Note: As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases via amazon links.

Enjoy!

1 – Wonderful tonight – Eric Clapton Tabs

2 – High and dry – Radiohead Tabs

3 – Smells like teen spirit – Nirvana Tabs

4 – Let it be – The Beatles Tabs – More TABS on Amazon

5 – Californication – RHCP Tabs
Continue Reading

Building Scales Using The Whole Half Step Formula

By Klaus Crow 17 Comments

May 14, 2019 by Klaus Crow

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Knowing how to build a scale is essential for understanding music theory, learning how the guitar works, to able to communicate with other musicians and to grow towards becoming an accomplished guitar player.

Every piece of musical knowledge adds to your musicianship and makes you become a better guitar player. Applied knowledge is power.

The whole-half Step formula is the perfect way to build and recognize the pattern of any scale. The scales you need for soloing, chord construction, chord progressions, arpeggios and a dozen of other things. It gives you insight in the whole matter.

So let’s see how this baby works.

The whole-half step formula is similar to the scale formulas only it uses whole and half steps to explain the construction of a scale.

A half step = one fret. A whole step = two frets. So going one fret up or down the neck is a half step. Going up or down two frets equals a whole step.

Let’s take the major scale as an example:

Major scale = Whole step – Whole step – Half step – Whole step – Whole step – Whole step – Half step
or simplified: W-W-H-W-W-W-H (W = Whole, H = Half)
You can also notate the fret intervals: 2-2-1-2-2-2-1 (W = 2, H = 1)Continue Reading

Acoustic Fingerstyle Blues Guitar Arrangement

By Klaus Crow 9 Comments

April 16, 2022 by Klaus Crow

Today I’ll show you a nice acoustic fingerstyle blues arrangement. It’s got that delta blues, Robert Johnson kind of feel to it.

I’ll explain it slowly and step by step so it’s easy to understand for guitar players of all levels.

Try to memorize the piece while practicing it so you have something to play on the beach, on your front porch and to perform for friends and family.

A really nice sounding blues arrangement right in your back pocket whenever you need it.

Below I’ve written out the tabs.
You can also download the tabs / tablature right here: TABS Guitarhabits’ Fingerstyle Blues

Take your time and take it slow. The piece has 12 bars / measures. If you find it a bit challenging just practice one or two measures a day and you will get there.

Have fun!

Although it’s a free lesson, please consider a modest donation to support guitarhabits. It’s greatly appreciated.

Enjoy the lesson!

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