Tag Archives: guitar lessons

Five tips for learning a new instrument this year

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. 

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Where’s the best place to learn an instrument?

You go to YouTube, right? Wrong. Free is not always good. Here’s an overview with tips for choosing the right place for your lessons, from someone who’s been on both ends of the teaching and learning experience.

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Five essential guitar strums

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

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When should my child start music lessons?

  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

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Easy to play stringed instruments

In this case, size doesn’t matter although ukuleles are little and pretty easy to play, even if you’ve never played an instrument before. In the video below, I play a bunch of different instruments and give you advice, most importantly … Continue reading

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How a writer-musician-teacher-parking lot attendant spends her time

I haven’t written a blog post in a few months. Lest you think I’ve been slumped in front of the TV with a box of bonbons by my side, here’s an update, numbered for convenience. I’m all about convenience, unless … Continue reading

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Skype music lessons are easier than you think

Has your favorite teacher moved away? Do you live in a remote area? Maybe you just want the convenience of taking music lessons in your home, and the only teacher you can find looks like he’s casing the joint to … Continue reading

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Why music teachers don’t drive BMWs

How do you get a musician off your porch? Pay for the pizza. It’s not that bad for some of us, especially those of us who teach. But if you’re paying $25 for a half hour lesson, and it seems … Continue reading

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Paper wars

Today I was doing one of my favorite parts of my work – posting flyers to advertise guitar lessons.  I know, you thought that with my glamorous jobs (musician, teacher, and writer) that someone else did all that. It’s true that … Continue reading

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How do I know what guitar strum to choose?

I get this question all the time from students. They watch a video of their favorite song and try to discern what the guitarist’s right hand is doing. Sometimes that works, but too often it’s a video made with some … Continue reading

Posted in Music instruction, Playing the guitar | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments