Category Archives: Playing the guitar

Drive All Day is out! Read a sample chapter here.

Posted on June 14, 2022 by jamiebobamie

I’m way beyond excited to announce the release of my third book. It’s a collection of true-life stories from a musician, moi, who’s toured and taught for over 30 years. I tell you about my visit to New York City … Continue reading →

Posted in comedy, Folk music, LGBT music, music, Music business, music lessons, Playing the guitar, Playing the ukulele, Stories from the road, Women's Music | Leave a comment

Performing in a Pandemic

Posted on August 28, 2020 by jamiebobamie

I lost months of gigs during the pandemic. Stuck at home I did what many artists did – I created. No nasty virus was going to keep me from making music. I got busy setting up concerts on Facebook and … Continue reading →

Posted in Folk music, music, Playing the guitar, Playing the ukulele | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Hallelujah

Posted on September 6, 2019 by jamiebobamie

When I first got the day hospice gig, I envisioned beds filled with weak looking people, surrounded by solemn loved ones, my soothing music helping them rest. Turns out they’d rather hear “Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da” or “Wagon Wheel.” I play in … Continue reading →

Posted in music, Playing the guitar, Playing the ukulele | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Guitar fingerpicking made easy

Posted on July 16, 2019 by jamiebobamie

You’ve got a few strums under your guitar strap and now you’re ready to move on. If you want to play songs like “House of the Rising Sun,” “Blackbird” or “Hallelujah” you need to know how to fingerpick. Like anything … Continue reading →

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Four essential chords for beginning guitarists

Posted on March 17, 2018 by jamiebobamie

It’s more fun to master a song while you’re learning the guitar than it is to do an endless series of drills. Drills can help, of course, but in the end,  it has to be music. We aren’t playing football … Continue reading →

Posted in Music instruction, Playing the guitar | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Five tips for learning a new instrument this year

Posted on January 2, 2018 by jamiebobamie

Does your list of resolutions always include music lessons? And is it like that gym membership you bought and used … once? Here are five ways to help you stick with learning an instrument. 

Posted in Music instruction, music lessons, Playing the guitar, Playing the ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

That bedspread covered in musical notes is perfect for your musician girlfriend! Well … no.

Posted on November 28, 2017 by jamiebobamie

  It’s the season when the buying frenzy can make idiots of some of us. Here is a list of gifts NOT to give to the musician in your life. I’ve thoughtfully included gifts you DO want to get. You’re … Continue reading →

Posted in music, music lessons, Playing the guitar, Playing the ukulele | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Find a music teacher who isn’t just casing your house

Posted on October 16, 2017 by jamiebobamie

Are you ready to pull that ukulele out of the closet and learn some chords? Is Junior bugging you for a guitar? I’ve taught music privately and in classrooms since 2000. If you want guitar, mandolin or ukulele lessons via … Continue reading →

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Five essential guitar strums

Posted on September 16, 2016 by jamiebobamie

The question I get asked most by guitar students is “How do I know what strum to choose?” I could tell you I’m freakin’ brilliant and charge you $100 for a lesson. Or I could simply tell you that most … Continue reading →

Posted in music, Music instruction, Playing the guitar | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

When should my child start music lessons?

Posted on September 1, 2016 by jamiebobamie

  We’ve all seen this video of young Korean kids playing the guitar: Pretty astounding and it probably leaves some parents wondering if Junior should be starting music lessons in the womb. I’ve taught guitar for over 15 years and … Continue reading →

Posted in music, Music instruction, Playing the guitar, Playing the ukulele | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment