Without an amplifier, the sound of an acoustic guitar can be lost in the mix of a full band or drowned out by a noisy crowd. But with so many types of guitar amplifiers available, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. In this blog, we'll take a look at the different types of guitar amplifiers and what makes each one unique.
Tube amplifiers, also known as valve amplifiers, were some of the first guitar amplifiers ever produced. They use vacuum tubes to amplify the sound of an electric guitar, producing a warm, rich tone that many musicians find appealing. Tube amplifiers are often considered the "gold standard" for guitar tone and are used by many professional musicians. They can be expensive and require maintenance, but many guitar players feel that the investment is worth it for the sound they produce.
Solid-state amplifiers are a more modern type of guitar amplifier that uses transistors instead of vacuum tubes. They are often lighter and more reliable than tube amps, and they don't require as much maintenance. Solid-state amplifiers tend to have a more "clinical" sound compared to tube amps, with a more defined and precise tone. They are often used by guitar players who play clean, distortion-free music and are looking for a more modern, polished sound.
Digital amplifiers are the newest type of guitar amplifier and use digital circuitry to produce sound. They offer a wide range of tone options and can often be programmed to mimic the sound of different types of amplifiers, including tube and solid-state. Digital amplifiers can also be used to produce a range of effects, making them a popular choice for players who want versatility in their sound.
Combo amplifiers are the most common type of guitar amplifier and combine the amplifier and speaker into one compact unit. They come in a variety of sizes, from small amps that are easy to transport to larger amps for stage use. Combo amps are a great choice for beginner guitar players because they are simple to use and can produce a wide range of sounds.
Stack amplifiers consist of two separate components: the amplifier head and the speaker cabinet. The amplifier head is the part of the amp that produces the sound, while the speaker cabinet houses the speakers. Stack amplifiers are often used by professional musicians who need a lot of power and volume, as the combination of the amplifier head and speaker cabinet can produce a huge sound.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing a guitar amplifier, there are many options to consider. From the warm sound of a tube amplifier to the versatility of a digital amp, each type of amplifier has its own unique sound and features. Consider your playing style, budget, and the type of music you play when making your choice. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, the right guitar amplifier can help you take your playing to the next level.
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The ukulele is a small, four-stringed guitar-like instrument that originates from Hawaii. With its cheerful sound and compact size, the ukulele has become a popular choice for both children and adults looking to pick up a new hobby. In this blog, we will go over the basics of the ukulele, including its history, types, and how to start playing.
History of the Ukulele
The ukulele has its roots in Portugal, where it was originally known as the "machete de braga." The instrument was brought to Hawaii in the late 19th century by Portuguese immigrants, who introduced it to the local population. The name "ukulele" means "jumping flea" in Hawaiian, a reference to the finger movements of skilled players.
Over the years, the ukulele has grown in popularity and is now a beloved instrument around the world. From strumming on the beach to playing in concerts, the ukulele has proven to be a versatile and enjoyable instrument for all levels of skill.
Types of Ukuleles
There are four main types of ukuleles: soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone. The soprano is the smallest and most traditional type of ukulele, while the baritone is the largest and has a deeper sound. The concert and tenor ukuleles are intermediate in size and sound.
When choosing a ukulele, it is important to consider your own size and playing style. If you're a beginner, a soprano or concert ukulele might be the best choice for you because of their smaller size and ease of playing. If you're more experienced or have larger hands, a tenor or baritone ukulele might suit you better.
Getting Started with Ukulele
So, how do you start playing the ukulele? Here are a few steps to get you on your way:
Conclusion
The ukulele is a fun and accessible musical instrument that is perfect for beginners. With its small size and cheerful sound, it's a great way to pick up a new hobby and explore your creative side. So why not give it a try and see where your ukulele journey takes you? Happy strumming!
]]>No one really wants to plunk along at nursery rhymes. Too simplistic of music may set you back or turn you off.
Learning to play popular songs is more likely to keep you or your piano students interested in the keyboard. Here’s some basics, so you have a place to begin…or begin again.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR PIANO PLAYERS
Learn how to re-gear your brain, so that each hand can operate solo while playing. With piano, the left hand plays differently than the right hand. Likewise, playing separate notes with each finger is pretty much essential for success.
To press down fingers independently without other fingers plunking a note next to it is called “finger independence.” Songs with 3 or 4 chords and simple melody lines should top your list when looking for how to start your own repertoire.
Everyone knows, piano scales are critical to learning the keyboard learning. But practice isn't terribly exciting news to anyone.
It would be an easier slide into first base if you were incorporate scales while trying to learn a song. Look for songs with melodies that have little runs up and down a major or minor scale. Now you get immediate satisfaction, learning a song while getting acquainted with scales on the piano.
Triads are wonderful three-note chords made up of the root note, a fifth and a minor or major third down the middle. When playing triads, you are learning a basic version of most any chord or even song there may be out there. When approaching a new song, seek a tune that contains just a few chords. You can boil those chords down to triads—abbreviations of chords—as you learn finger independence. Later, you can expand into the full-blown chords…
Songs that combine major and minor piano chords teach you how to switch between the shapes of major and minor chords. You learn muscle memory and learn how both versions can change the nuance of sound and mood in a song’s chord progression.
Inversions are chords with the notes played in a differing order. Your root position is the root note of the chord at the bottom or lowest pitch—to your left on the keyboard. A first inversion is the third at the bottom and the root at the top. The second inversion puts the fifth at the bottom and third at the top. Inversions help you string chords together. Your hand movement is less dramatic when playing a progression.
Arpeggios are the notes of a chord being spread out and played each by itself. This is a kind of run, moving up or down the keyboard—often through several octaves. Arpeggios are great for development of your finger dexterity while increasing your comfort level with notes in a chord…and where they lay up and down the keyboard.
Timing can become problem #1 for beginners. Many know what a metronome is—tick-tocking to keep you to a steady beat. Your keyboard regime must entail a solid sense of timing. The metronome helps stay in time, but if you have an electronic keyboard, most have programmed beats for accompaniment. Either way, you can vary the playback speed or tempo to make it easier to play with solid timing. Speed up as your skills grow.
When it comes to what songs and how to play them, start with simple breakdowns, like with triads, to zero in on the chords and flow of the arrangement.
The main thing when choosing a song to learn is that it’s one you like and will be fun to play. It is kind of like picking out a jigsaw puzzle: you look for one where the big picture motivates you all by itself.
]]>Here, let's look at a few guitar gift ideas in terms of your player's experience and interests.
The beginner guitarist is almost too easy. They tend to have very accessories on hand and loads of enthusiasm. But they also face a steep curve as they learn the instrument. The hills and valleys of learning how to play guitar deserve gifts that inspire and educate.
iVideosongs offers a series of fun, colorful guitar picks called "Pickatudes." Some sets include themes about America, big picture thinking, and country music. They come with guitar pick holders and a handsome little tin box to store your picks.
This poster is part of a series. It features 80+ guitar chords in full color with finger positions in clear detail. Most any beginner guitar student can immediately see at a glance the value of this tool. It is offered in various sizes, and some version include other useful guitar charts and diagrams.
The experienced player is a bit trickier to surprise and satisfy. They probably have a small arsenal of guitars, plus more sophisticated ideas about what they want or really need. Let's look at a couple of options...
To the layperson, this chart looks like an eyeful. But to veteran guitarists, this is like guitar porn. It is loaded with chords, alternate chords, guitar scales, and also some theory. These posters also have links on them that jump to free tutorials. The player does what they can with the chart and the challenge. Then, they can hop online and watch how it is played in high def video.
This breed of animal is creative, a creature of habit, and constantly seeking new ways to produce or collaborate. They value inspiration. Here are a couple of songwriting journals most any musician will appreciate.
Beautifully detailed, these journals are a top-seller on stores like Amazon. Inside, the songwriter finds handy charts about the circle of 5ths, a built-in envelop for notes and picks, and other finery.
Last but not least, this is a sturdy, trusted companion to any composer or songwriter who uses blank sheet music staff paper. It goes above and beyond expectations with its retro designs, extra-thick sheets of perforated paper, a built-in folder, and its trademark double-spiral binding. This particular product is also a top selling, 5-star rated option for the discriminating guitar player who is not easily surprised.
]]>Best Guitar Lesson Channels on YouTube
How to find a guitar teacher online? You want to kick-start your playing or raise the bar on solos, scales, and other key chops. If the guitar tutor is tuned into you, it is money well spent. If not, major buzz-kill.
Some of these YouTube guitar lesson sites you may know. These are great guitar teachers that make the guitar easier to learn and master with lessons for all skill levels. From guitar chords and scales to how to play RUSH, you can find it on YouTube.
Note, some of these are subscription sites, where you pay per month or per lesson -- anywhere from a few bucks to $35+ per month.
Others, like IVideosongs, are free. That channel has 200+ guitar lessons, drum, bass, and mandolin lessons, plus real songs you can learn, too.
Let's look first at scales. After chords, beginner guitarists quickly learn they know what they don't know, in order to advance.
First up: learning the pentatonic scales on guitar can open all kinds of doors...
1. ArtistWorks
Paul Gilbert (no relation to yours truly) is a great instructor and guitar player. For the intermediate player who has gotten down some of the scales, Gilbert shows how to apply it in very practical ways. He reviews shapes on the fretboard, then shows you how to play a guitar riff or three.
To subscribe costs about $35/month. But well worth the fee.
2. Andy Guitar
With 1.3 million subscribers on YouTube page, Andy "Guitar" Crowley knows how to help you play guitar.
He is very user-friendly, and his starter guitar lessons walk you through basics, like how to play guitar chords. With many free lessons, plus his own site, you will be well-served.
3. Music Is Win
This YouTube channel is a ton of of fun. Excellent content on the world of guitars, guitar culture, and so on.
The lesson also are excellent. Learning guitar chord progressions, for example, is essential to how to become a songwriter.
Intermediate players gain inspiration about how to play Stairway to Heaven. Music is Win is just that, a win.
4. Fender
Fender Play is an education channel of Fender Guitar. They have an online learning platform that does cost a regular fee, but you can learn all kinds of songs and tips and tricks.
The instructors are top-tier, their production values are superb.
5. IVideosongs
Last but not least, iVideosongs has 100,000 followers and growing. Millions have viewed its lessons on everything from RUSH's guitarist to how to play bossa nova on guitar.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN4_mbeBVysGkwRcjoe_PcA
Author's Note: I write stuff for iVideosongs and also have written some of its songwriting books, too. Just saying.
But what's interesting to me is how #ivideosongs blends online with traditional printed learning aides. It links the various guitar posters, guitar charts, and guitar books to its lessons. These specially chosen links direct you to the guitar theory or guitar lesson you need to know for that particular section of the guitar poster or guitar cheatsheet.
Wherever you land, take advantage of all the ways you can learn how to play guitar and enjoy it! If there are five sites here, there's likely 5,000 on YouTube.
Take the plunge!
]]>The beginner guitarist often has more questions than answers. Let's tackle some 101 basics, focusing today on beginner guitarists.
1. How much should I pay for a guitar?
Pay as much as you can reasonably afford. Look, many go cheap. The risks are that you get a junky guitar that does not hold its tuning. Then, you play and play, it sounds even worse than you already are as a beginner. You get discouraged by the sounds, even if you're improving. Because you do not understand what may be wrong with the instrument, you cannot tell if it is you or the guitar.
As you grow wiser, you find yourself constantly tuning. Or you keep changing the strings, thinking old strings are the problem. That takes an hour the first time, or you have to go to the shop to have a pro set them up. Either way, you are growing more and more frustrated.
And you are not playing the guitar.
Buy a good guitar from someone or some place you can trust. Worst case, you get sick of guitar and you have a make and model worth something when you go to resell it. If you buy a piece of junk and quit, you have a piece of junk.
So, if you buy junk for $100 and quit, you'll have a hard time reselling junk for $30. If you buy a good instrument for, let's say (and do NOT take this as you budget, please...), $300, you may be able to resell it for $300 or $250 or something like that.
2. Am I too old or too young?
Nope. You are never too old and never too young.
For youths, it is a question of the size of the instrument and your approach to introduction and instruction. You may even want junior to start with a ukulele. There are also 4-string guitars out there, believe it or not, for little guys and gals.
For those who are older, it is extremely fun and enriching. Do not put off joy in this life on this earth. There’s no age restriction on learning a new skill. If you have health issues, like arthritis and so forth, you may need to adjust your expectations and consult your doc. But you also can have your guitar shop set up the instrument with lighter, softer strings and action.
First thing, decide what kind of instruction best suits your style and your realistic plans and budget.
Can you afford the cost and time of an instructor for private guitar lessons? Instructors in person or online may be $30 to $100 per hour. It really varies by where you live and how experienced the instructors might be. Because an instructor is more or less expensive may also be hard to judge if they are the right fit. But you know how markets work. Someone who costs more can probably command that fee because customers are willing to pay them for their skills and abilities.
You also can do online lessons. Many others try to learn on their own by sight-reading and buying the books.
iVideosongs offers a host of piano posters, guitar cheatsheets and songwriting journals. We link them to free online lessons and song tutorials on our YouTube channel. The free online music lesson videos are high def by world-class instructors and many of the artists and producers themselves. Millions have used them and there's 100,000+ registered in our community. Again, it is totally free.
Buying the tools from iVideosongs, like the posters on chords, there are links to special tutorials that make sense to that tool. So, instead of having to sift through 200+ videos on our channel, each product tells you some of the more relevant videos that make sense. Once online, many are organized in a series. The links take you to the first in a series. You get the idea.
Do you want to play an electric and acoustic guitar? That's really the question. You probably know the answer.
Electric guitars have thinner strings. For the beginner, an electric may feel easier to play and have less impact on making your hands tired or sore, because they require less hand strength. If you have smaller hands, an electric lets you pick from a wide range of standard-sized products, enjoy the slimmer neck diameter of an electric vs. acoustics, get an easier grip at a shorter reach up and down the neck of the fretboard.
Now, acoustic guitar, on the other hand, are often less expensive because they don't have a bunch of electronics on board. You don't need an amp. And it projects sound and warmth without having to plug into anything. It is just that classic, portable, acoustic instrument.
Plus, learning on an acoustic prepares your hands and body, because you'll get acclimated to acoustic strings and build strength that way. It is easier to move "down" to playing an electric physically, than it is to move "up" to playing an acoustic physically later on.
Begin with lighter string gauge. Lighter, thinner strings have less tension than heavier, fatter strings, and they have less diameter. Less tension and less diameter means less physicality to press them down, bend them, and so on when learning to play.
If you have an electric, consider a gauge of .009 inches to .042 inches. Or, go one step up if you are confident in your hand strength to .010 inches to .046 inches (known as “nines” or “10s”). If you’re learning on an acoustic, look for a gauge of .011 inches to .052 inches (known as 11s). Going any higher is a risk to growing too sore and tired. Going any lower on an acoustic may produce really weak sounds and a slimy feeling to the instrument that makes things slick and poorly performing. Just two cents on that...
Honestly, go to a guitar shop and ask questions. Don't jump at the first thing they tell you. Maybe ask for the owner or someone who sets up the guitars. Be a good self-advocate, so they are listening and asking a question or two about you and your intentions to practice and play. Those questions matter to how they set you up.
Yes. Here's the basic essentials:
Guitar Picks
As you grow more familiar with your guitar and your style, you may find all kinds of picks to try. For now, go with very standard sizes and shapes. We offer a 12 guitar pick sampler that is competitively priced, has a range of guages and both classic celluloid as well as delrin type picks. These are the two most common, most widely used materials globally in the world of picks, and the assortment we offer has the most common gauges every professional has in their arsenals.
Strap
A guitar strap is essential for stabilizing your instrument, even if you never stand up to play. It also protects you and your instrument if it slips away from you. What you don't need is the guitar to get dented or scratched on the way down. Nor do you need to scramble around and smack your head in some weird, odd twist of fate, trying to catch your guitar.
Choose a strap that’s mid-priced or better, not some giveaway piece of junk that you have no idea will actually stay hooked onto your guitar.
Go with one that is about 2 inches in width and has some padding to it, like at the shoulder at least. You'll thank yourself later when you have less shoulder and neck pain.
Most all electric guitars have two endpins: one on the back of the guitar body, and another on the high, top outcrop of the body. That's where the strap's two ends fit.
Some acoustic guitars have these pins, some may not. Do not pick out your guitar just because it has endpins. Sometimes, those old guitars by great manufacturers did not have pins for straps. You can buy straps that have retrofits or other ways to hook onto the guitar. Ask a guitar shop for help. Go with the best guitar, not the best bells and whistles on the guitar.
Cable
For electrics, you'll need a cable of decent quality to plug into the guitar and into the amplifier. Go with something about 10 feet or longer. They sell 6 footers. But let's be honest, who is going to sit 3 feet from their guitar all the time? That gets annoying really fast.
Amplifier
Can't even begin to answer this one. You are better off searching other blogs, because there is an alternate universe of amps out there. The household brands like Fender and Marshall come to mind. But then there's Orange and Roland, and a host of others, all making amazing equipment at reasonable prices.
Tuner
Again, there's a galaxy of tuners. Some are devices you buy and they clamp nicely onto the instrument. Others are apps for your phone. All of these generally work wonderfully. Try a phone-based app to start. See how that works for you, because most are free, get the hang of them, and see how that goes. The clamp-styles are awesome. If you travel or play live, and if you have an electric which often needs to be plugged into a tuner, you're going to eventually invest in a device-type of tuner.
7. Will my fingers hurt when I play guitar?
Yes. Don't worry, you don't need a doctor. As a beginner, you’ll improve muscle strength as you play and form calluses on your fretting hand.
Yes, the pain and discomfort come with the territory. Practice regularly, and like any form of exercise, your body will adjust and gain strength with time.
Soon, those lighter strings will seem kind of thin to you, the sound of them not so impressive. You'll buy the next heavier gauge. You'll notice you can form chords and make notes or scales with less effort...that you do not need to man-handle the fretboard. These are all good signs.
8. I do not have a ton of time to practice, so how do I make the most out of practicing the guitar?
Be intentional. Even if you're trying to learn on your own, think through or write down your intentions before you get down to it.
"Learn 3 new chords."
"Figure out how to change from a D and A and G, into some barre chord shapes."
"Watch video on scales. Try to mirror what she does til I can do it without watching."
Being intentional assures you'll actually end 20 or 30 minutes of effect with an actual skill.
Also, really think about your posture, hand positioning and doing stretching before and after. If you want to reduce aches and pain, stop every 10 minutes and think about how you're sitting. Shake out your hands.
When finished, wash your hands in nice hot water to cleanse any distressed skin, but also to relax your soft tissues. It really makes a difference.
Beginners have wishful thinking that they'll learn overnight. Then, they dial down and think they'll learn at least that one song the next night. Then, when that doesn't happen, they keep going down a slippery slope of setting and missing expectations.
This is not a sprint. It is a marathon.
Be patient with yourself. Approach this with reasonable expectations. Compare it to how you learned any other rather difficult or challenging hobby.
Keep that short list integrated into your approach each and every time. Those positive reinforcements and rituals make this process comforting and special. Having it near and visual keep all of this very real and tangible. When discouraged, it is too easy to forget your progress and the people and things you have to support you.
]]>Welcome to guitar for beginners. Or welcome back, to those returning to the 6-stringed beast.
The Goal.
Getting these skills down and learning a few basics sounds totally boring, awful or even expensive, like...going to school. Let's be honest. It does sound like going to school. Or getting a part-time job.
"Honey, did you take the garbage out? Honey, are you going to practice today?" Uh-huh.
Learning songs is the goal. Let's just keep that in mind. How quickly can we get you playing three or four basic chords, so you can play a song and get that insanely chill feeling? You'll be sitting there, the chords roll along in a ridiculously coordinated fashion. Your sister or roommate or whatever peek out. "Yo, that is, like, 'Insert Song Name Here'? Seriously, are you just playing that on guitar now?"
And you are. And you will glance at them with world-weary ennui, and just continue strumming. Because you are, of course, a guitar god(ess).
Patience.
Everyone wants to learn guitar yesterday. No one learned yesterday. No. One. Learned. Yesterday.
You want to rip off a solo and play by ear. Nope. That ain't happening either. That is a process, and you may be gifted, but probably not. More likely, you will learn bad habits watching bad YouTube videos, grow frustrated, and stop playing your $300 guitar. Later, it will be sold on LetGo or something for $75 to a guy who knows he can get $180, and you will just "let it go."
Don't be that person.
I started playing in high school, self-taught. And I started before this thing called the internet with nothing more than a chord chart. Then I walked to school on my hands in the snow, backwards, in a Speedo.
Some of that is true.
But I practiced a lot, and I practiced consistently, often several hours a day, to become a decent, reasonably average player. Done properly, practice 20 minutes about 3 days a week, and you will become a really good player in less than a year.
A decent, reasonably average player is someone who can pick up a song book or YouTube videos, watch a song or read the chords and lyrics, then play that song start to finish with a couple run-through's.
That is enjoying the instrument. You'll be fluid, able to entertain yourself and others, and playing the guitar in a nice, breezy way within one year.
Total Immersion Method or TIM.
Guitar books are guitar books. Sitting alone in your room is comforting. No one sees your millions of mistakes. Combine the visual aides with self-imposed solitary confinement? Add expert instructors in high def videos? You get privacy, an ability to rewind endlessly, and visual plus auditory inputs. That's how you really learn when you're not with a tutor. That's the iVideosongs Total Immersion Method (TIM) using virtual tools. The videos are free. F-r-e-e.
Now, if you come back in 12 months, and you call me a liar, here's what will happen. I will know you played about 10 minutes twice a week. I will know you are lying.
I will reply, "You are a dirty, grimy, prairie dog digging-a-hole liar. You practiced nine minutes at best, twice a week, and stopped practicing seven months into it. Take up playing a harmonica on a deserted island, pal."
That is precisely what I will reply if you call me a liar. So don't even go there.
I remember that whenever I heard a good guitarist play I always enjoyed listening, but I also was a bit jealous because I wasn’t just as good. I constantly got the feeling that I have to run home and practice. Ego was getting in the way, especially when I played with others.
Stop comparing yourself to others right now. Compare yourself to yourself! Listen to recordings of you playing a month before. Making recordings of yourself playing is a great way to track your progress.
There will always be better guitar players than you, even if you become the next John Petrucci. Get over it.
The thing with chords is that you always have to synchronize multiple fingers at once, which can be difficult especially if you are just about to start. If you start with scales, you have to think of only one finger at a time. Later, when you do chords, your brain already knows the specific positions because chords are just snippets of scales. As a result, you will be able to learn and execute chords much faster if you know some scales before.
One very common scale is the minor pentatonic scale. Massive swaths of the modern rock library use the minor pentatonic scale. As you learn classic rock solos, you will be amazed how many employ the same few moves, if only in different order, speeds and styles.
The pleasure, my friends, is repeating and hearing yourself absolutely killing that chord change, that strumming pattern or that new lick.
Learning to play the guitar by playing cover songs helps. But this will not make you a great guitar player long term. It builds invaluable techniques and fine motor skills that create muscle memory. And a repertoire that help you return to the instrument more days than not.
Using a metronome to help with timing? I cannot say enough. The tick-tock-tick-tock gives you a sense of time and space. Or use some beats on your phone as backing tracks. Either way, this is essential to really get good at guitar. No one wants to hear you meandering, muttering, "No wait...no wait," a million times with your do-over's.
Practice what you learn. Try our @Ivideosongs Channel. You'll find a ton of lessons and songs. All the songs have a play-along portion. You can fast forward toward the end. There, you can visually watch the instructor, play along with him or her, and have the entire band going in the background. There is nothing like playing with a band and visually watching another skilled player at the same time. It is the total physical, aural experience of learning and doing at the same time.
Doing this is 100% certain to improve your knowledge of chords, scales, tone, and rhythm.
Learning to play songs and strum patterns is a key strategy to your development, too. Learning new rhythms and new strum patterns will occur naturally as you master new lessons and songs. Slow down, then speed up the metronome to an uncomfortable level as you go. Make a lot of mistakes and push it.
That is how you learn new rhythms and to change chords in time with real songs and other players in a group. That is how you prepare to be in a band or perform publicly. It demands that you get mentally strong and impervious to messing up, at the same time that you loosen up and stop sweating the small stuff.
Once you get how to shift from a regular chord into a barre chord, for example, really celebrate that moment. It is a big moment. Then, do that over and over quite a few times to get the muscle memory.
That is a huge moment. Don't sell yourself short.
If you are not where you want to be, look back and see how far you have come. Every guitar player will hit the wall at some point. If you feel like you are not progressing at all despite daily practice, the best thing to do is relax and play something fun you like. Play new things for a week, try to work something out on your own, then come back to the place you were before and give it another try.
These little walls that pop up during your ascent to guitar greatness usually happen just before you reach your next level. Keep at it.
Look, this is about the experience and the process. There is a sound and feeling. That guitar against your body. The sounds it makes. The ache of your hands. Just enjoy that process. When you feel frustration rising in your chest and neck, take a deep breath. You think the bros in Kings of Leon or ever-iconic Sheryl Crow never, ever felt that? Wrong.
Welcome to the guitar. Welcome to music. Welcome to the creative process. Own it.
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