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A New Year for Guitar and Essentials

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What wonderful things will 2015 have in store?

I love fresh new starts. Of course I can start over each day, but the new year is just a great way to symbolize that.

A new year to start a new dream or to expand and improve on something that you already really love doing.

I always start writing down new ideas, goals, thoughts, just everything that comes to mind at the beginning of each new year.

And I look back on the things I’ve written down last year to see if some of the things have come alive.

Usually a couple of those things have and that’s great! For other things I took a different turn because of some new insights I came across.

I know this happens every year. I write down goals. Not really goals but rather ideas or projects I’d like to fulfill as a vehicle to get started and be inspired.

And then life comes with surprises that I didn’t expect. Some beautiful and some less beautiful. Well, it often depends on how I perceive that.

It’s part of growing and part of the deal to get to where you want to be and where life wants you to go. You have to open your mind and eyes to see new opportunities and life lessons right in front of you, dare to go with the flow or let go and follow your heart. That’s when you find the real treasures.

Still, I like some guidance to kickstart the new year. I always keep focused on a few essentials that I write down in my Moleskine.

Here’s the list:Continue Reading

A Golden Productivity tip for Practicing Guitar

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Sometimes you can feel like you’re stuck in a rut and wish you would make more progress with practicing.

It seems there’s always something else coming up in the midst of practicing.

You get distracted, you think of an idea while you play something and you go along with that idea and that idea leads to another idea and so on. No progress in what you actually should be practicing.

Another time you feel like this fast lick is too challenging, so you throw in the towel and decide to play something else that feels good instantly. No progress there.

Or you feel absorbed by everything around you and stuff that is on your mind and as a result you lack focus. Progress? Nope.

So how do you change this?

You set time limits for practice.

If there is a time limit and the clock is ticking, you know there’s no time for your mind to wander and think of other things. It’s easier to focus because you don’t have that much time to squander and you want to go straight to work and practice that riff, solo or song. It makes it more manageable.Continue Reading

5 Guitar Master Classes You Must See

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The beauty of guitar masterclasses is that they always give you new insights and make you aware of the infinite possibilities on the guitar.

Today I like to share with you 5 awesome masterclasses of some of the greatest guitar players of all times. They all contain their own unique and valuable lessons.

No matter what level of guitar playing you are, I recommend you to watch Steve Vai’s masterclass which covers all lot of topics from beginner to advanced. Also for guitar teachers like myself it is utterly inspiring! For the advanced guitar player, Robben Ford will show some great ways to incorporate jazz improvisation into your blues playing.

Next, BB King (King of blues) will demonstrate his world famous blues chops. All of todays blues guitar legends have begged, borrowed and stolen from his licks.

Acoustic guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel shows you the essence and basics of fingerstyle playing and how to turn it into beautiful music.

And finally a Joe Satriani masterclass. He gives a one on one private guitar lesson. He applauds the student’s skills but also points out his flaws and limitations that are so common with many guitar players. He shows the next step when your blues and rock playing is stuck in a rut. Watch and learn from the masters!

Tips:
– Take your time to watch each video over a couple of days or weeks.
– Take notes, there’s so much information you don’t want to forget.

Enjoy!
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The 6 Most Important Habits of Successful Guitar Players

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Habits successful guitar players


So what is it that you exactly want to accomplish with your guitar playing? Where are you heading and what is your goal?

Do you want to become a fresh sounding blues guitar player, a fast hell shredding rock dude, an authentic folk singer songwriter or a smooth jazz cat exploring the universe of possibilities?

Do you want to start a band, write, record your own music and build an audience?

Maybe you want to make money playing guitar through teaching and performing. Whatever it is, the stars will all line up for you if you pursue the steps of those who have gone before you.

The most successful guitar players have all incorporated the following habits to ensure their way to success.

Here are the keys:

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