Reference Guitar Lessons
-
![]()
8:42
Guitar Care 101: Intro to Maintaining Your Instrument
Instructor: Lucas Fowler
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Hey all! I'd like to show you some basic techniques for taking care of your guitar.
As players, we can be rough on our instruments and even the most gentle hands still leave residue on the fingerboard. In this video, I'll show you step by step how t...
-
![]()
1:30
Playing Vintage Guitars
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
I am completely new to the world of vintage guitars. But I decided to take a plunge recently and got a refinished 1960 Fender Strat, and I absolutely love it!
I wrote a new song with it for this tutorial. You can watch and learn the song on the...
-
![]()
3:36
Guitar Setup and Cleaning: Intro
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Hello!
This time around we will discuss a very important peice of guitar knowledge: Setting up and cleaning our guitar.
Some of you may already know how to do this but I stongly advise all of you to check out this entire tutorial! There are l...
-
![]()
5:08
Guitar Setup and Cleaning: String & Rust Removal
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
So I'm sure we all know how to remove a set of strings but an easy tip is to quickly snip them off with a wire cutters. There's no need to save the rusty, smelly old strings so we might as well make life easier and take them off the fast and easy way...
-
![]()
4:30
Guitar Setup and Cleaning: Cleaning the Fretboard
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Now we bust out the fretboard oil!
This is a very easy and cheap thing you can do every time or every other time you restring your guitar. There is no reason you need to pay someone to do this for you.
For this I'll use my lemon oil and rag. Apply ...
-
![]()
5:43
Guitar Setup and Cleaning: Restringing
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Now I know most of us if not all of us know how to resting our guitars. Well, this is the most effective way I have found when restringing this specific kind of guitar. (fixed bridge and standard non-locking tuners)
There are two main things I think...
-
![]()
3:08
Guitar Setup and Cleaning: Post Restring Tips
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
The following are a couple helpful tips I've learned over the years to make life a little easier as a gigging guitarist.
#1. getting rid of the extra string length when you don't have a wire cutters sitting around.
#2. Preventing the pointy string ...
-
![]()
4:22
Guitar Setup and Cleaning: Intonating - Part 1
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
The tricky art of intonating a guitar.
First you should know the list of things that can affect the intonation.
#1. Are you using a different gauge of strings than usual?
#2. Are you using a different tuning than usual?
#3. Have you recently chan...
-
![]()
3:54
Guitar Setup and Cleaning: Intonating - Part 2
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
-
![]()
1:27
Composing Modern Metal: Example Song
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Reference
Style: Metal
Hello once again! Please listen closely to the composition and production of this tune.
We will be breaking this series into 3 separate tutorials:
1. Composing (Tutorial 1)2. Recording (Tutorial 2)3. Playing (Tutorial 3)
Please note that in Tutori...
-
![]()
2:01
Composing Modern Metal: Intro
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Reference
Style: Metal
I'm sorry to say it, but we will not be learning any guitar in this video......yet (that comes in Tutorial 3 of this series!)
BUT! We will be learning how I approach composing and recording my ideas for my metal band, "Ideology".
With a few simple ...
-
![]()
2:21
Composing Modern Metal: Composing Part 1
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Reference
Style: Metal
When it comes to composing metal, it can be a struggle but with a few techniques and concepts you can really hammer out a lot of tunes quickly.
First off, consider the following riff styles:
Groove Thrash Chordal
These three styles of riffs can be...
-
![]()
6:23
Composing Modern Metal: Composing Part 2
Instructor: Mike Salow
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Reference
Style: Metal
When it comes to composing metal, it can be a struggle but with a few techniques and concepts you can really hammer out a lot of tunes quickly.
First off, consider the following riff styles:
Groove Thrash Chordal
These three styles of riffs can be...
-
![]()
3:37
Introduction To Guitar
Instructor: Chris Feener
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Hey everyone! Welcome to InfiniteGuitar.com. This tutorial will be the first of many in an in-depth introduction to the guitar. Whether your forte is blues, rock, metal or pop, we'll examine every element of the instrument from the ground up so that ...
-
![]()
2:04
Introduction To Guitar - Get 'Em Moving!
Instructor: Chris Feener
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
So now that we understand the basics of how to locate a note, let's try arranging some notes in a more musical context...
Below, (Exercise 1) we see a single line with two numbers, 0 and 1. What the line represents is our first string (the "skinny" ...
-
![]()
1:27
Mayones/Seymour Duncan Contest Entry - Performance
Instructor: Chris Feener
Level: Advanced
Topic: Reference
Style: Metal
Hey guys! This month's lesson will be focused around analyzing the solo I did for Keith Merrow's solo competition in parternship with Mayones Guitars and Seymour Duncan Pickups. I've had an overwhelming number of requests for a transcription of the s...
-
![]()
0:25
Mayones/Seymour Duncan Contest Entry - Part I
Instructor: Chris Feener
Level: Advanced
Topic: Reference
Style: Metal
Bars 1-9
The first four measures of this solo feature some robotic 16th note tapped runs which implement string-skipping. Here are a few notes with regards to maintaining cleanliness:
1) Keep your right wrist readily available for muting strings af...
-
![]()
0:34
Mayones/Seymour Duncan Contest Entry - Part II
Instructor: Chris Feener
Level: Advanced
Topic: Reference
Style: Metal
Bars 10-21
The notable part in this section begins at bar 16. Actually, it begins with the last two 16th notes in bar 15. Knowing this is imparitive to nailing this lick and achieving the rhythmic approach originally intended. Make use of your right...
-
![]()
0:23
Mayones/Seymour Duncan Contest Entry - Part III
Instructor: Chris Feener
Level: Advanced
Topic: Reference
Style: Metal
Bars 22-29
Much like the last section, understanding the starting point ot the lick beginning in measure 22 is very, very important. If practicing to a quarter beat metronome, understand that the lick actually begins between beat one and two. Other ...
-
![]()
0:32
Mayones/Seymour Duncan Contest Entry - Part IV
Instructor: Chris Feener
Level: Advanced
Topic: Reference
Style: Metal
Bars 30-39
The outro is a bit of a finger-twister. This Japanese-sounding ascend/descend (repeat) run is fairly simplistic with regards to execution, but you'll quickly find that as you increase in BPM, it gets tangly.
Thanks for checking out the s...
-
![]()
1:18
Mayones/Seymour Duncan Contest Entry - Backing Track
Instructor: Chris Feener
Level: Advanced
Topic: Reference
Style: Metal
Thanks for checking out the lesson! Here's the backing track, compliments of Keith Merrow. Be sure to check out Keith's stuff below!
http://www.keithmerrow.com/home.cfm
http://www.youtube.com/user/diobolic5150
-
![]()
0:37
Eric Johnson Triads - Fingerings
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
In this part of the tutorial I’ll show you a few fingerings for the D Major and D minor wide-interval-triads. Of course, there are tons more but these are the most useable in my opinion. Be sure to always be aware of the function (e.g. root, 3r...
-
![]()
1:05
The 4 Cable Method - Introduction
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Welcome to this tutorial on how to turn your Channel-Challenged Work Horse into a Multi-Channel Monster!
What you need is an amp with a serial effects loop and a distortion channel you like. You'll also need a multi-effects unit (preferabl...
-
![]()
9:14
The 4 Cable Method - How To Set It Up
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
So, the idea with the 4-cable method is to expand your amp. If you have ever used a single channel clean amp, or a dual-channel where you don’t like the gain channel, and only use the clean with pedals, you are of course aware that in this case...
-
![]()
5:13
The 4 Cable Method - Creating a Rhythm Channel
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
On to creating our first channel. I want this first channel to be my Distorted rhythm channel, using the gain channel of the amp. Basically what I need here is to have only the FX-unit Loop activated with nothing else, and I will have the same ...
-
![]()
7:50
The 4 Cable Method - Creating a Lead Channel
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Now on to creating our Lead Channel. There are several traditional ways of pushing an amp's gain channel into lead-level heaven. The old-school method would be to stick a classic OD in front of the amp (think “Tubescreamer-ish” OD’s...
-
![]()
6:38
The 4 Cable Method - Creating a Clean Channel
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Creating the clean channel using the 4-cable method has its unique set of circumstances.
Remember, as we are bypassing the preamp-section completely and going straight to the Power amp section of the amp, we do not have the tone shaping of the pream...
-
![]()
8:10
Thirdless Voicings - Part 1
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Welcome!
In this tutorial we're going to take a gander at thirdless voicings and how to use these both to further our own improvisation, but also as practicing tools for ear training, as well as excellent song writing tools!
A thirdless voicing is ...
-
![]()
5:29
Thirdless Voicings - Part 2
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
So, the first thing we want to get in our heads are how the different chord tones sounds in relation to the thirdless voicings. So, I want you to sing as you play the chords the roots (A,F,G), then the fifths (E,C,D) and finally the thirds (C,A,B). T...
-
![]()
6:11
Thirdless Voicings - Part 3
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Reference
Style: Fusion
OK, so the concept of thirdless voicings can of course be expanded to cover pretty much any musical style. If you're into fusion, fine. If you're into singing/songwriting, equally fine! This is something that, once you have it in your ears, can be us...
-
![]()
7:21
Thirdless Voicings - Part 4
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
So, "fusion" then... Fusion is of course a very broad genre, so we will just focus on the kind of modern fusion that leans heavily towards quartal harmony and such. In the first part, with the progression borrowed from the Vibrato tutorial, we were v...
-
![]()
1:34
Thirdless Voicings - Outro Improvisation
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
And here is the impro. Even though I make a conscious effort to work around the thirds we discussed,
it's still an improvisation, and as such I don't limit myself to simply that, but go were the moment takes me.
After looking through this, head ove...
-
![]()
6:24
Thirdless Voicings - Backing Track
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
OK guys, here is the backing track I used for the outro improvisation.
What I've done is just loop it four times, so you can improvise over it, going back and forth over the first and second voicings.
-
![]()
4:57
Right Hand Dynamics - Signal Chain / Gear
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Hi there! Welcome to my tutorial on 'Right Hand Dynamics.' The point of this tutorial is to touch on various concepts, and techniques, that will help you develop a myriad of tones, sounds, and dynamic levels.
In this video, I discuss the electronic ...
-
![]()
1:57
Making of a Song - Backing Track
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
And finally, here's the exact backing track I'm using to play over.
As I mentioned, it's just a rough "sketch" so far, but perhaps enough for you to get a feel for where it's heading. =)
See you next time!
-
![]()
4:34
Ear Training - Introduction
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Welcome to this tutorial on ear training techniques!
I’m sure many of you have already had some kind of ear training in school, and are familiar with the concept. What I want to do here is to perhaps give you some new exercises that will help ...
-
![]()
6:11
Ear Training - Absolute vs. Relative Pitch
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
As discussed in the introduction, there are 2 sides of the “hearing coin”. One side is Absolute Pitch (Color hearing pitch, perfect pitch, it has many names). What this entails is the ability to hear any note played to you, and be able to...
-
![]()
2:13
Slide Guitar - Introduction
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Blues
Welcome to this introduction to slide guitar playing!
First of all, this will not be a song tutorial, where you learn to play riffs or solos. Rather, this is a technical overview and reference guide to help you make the most of your slide playing, r...
-
![]()
3:17
Slide Guitar - The Tools of the Trade
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Blues
Which type of slide you choose to use are largely a matter of taste. Different materials produce different tones. If you lay acoustic (Dobro, lap, regular acoustic) might mean you choose a copper or metal slide, depending on style. A glass slide is p...
-
![]()
4:55
Slide Guitar - Choosing your Slide Finger and Muting
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Blues
Which finger you choose to use your slide with, also affects your playing to a large extent. Traditional blues players often used their slide on their pinky, perhaps not because of technical considerations, but perhaps more because almost all slides ...
-
![]()
4:57
Slide Guitar - Open Tuning pt.1
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Blues
In this segment we discuss the open D-tuning and how this is used in slide guitar playing. We also discuss the issues with tuning the major third to equal temperament pitch, or to a harmonically correct pitch.
-
![]()
3:19
Slide Guitar - Open Tuning pt.2
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Blues
In this part we discuss how the intonation of your guitar is affected by raising the string height. As I mentioned in my setup tutorial about string height vs. intonation, the pitch of a string raised it the string height is too high, or if the truss...
-
![]()
1:32
Anvil Studio - Introduction and Installation
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Welcome everyone!
In this tutorial, we're going to take a look at a software program called Anvil Studio. This software is an excellent tool for musicians who wish to compose and more. And best of all, it's free! Visit the following li...
-
![]()
4:00
Anvil Studio - Creating Instrument Tracks
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
In this video, we'll cover the basics of creating your first instrument tracks. Each instrument track can have a particular midi instrument assigned to it. As you'll see in the video, there are many instruments to choose from, such as pianos, organs,...
-
![]()
4:05
Anvil Studio - Creating Drum Tracks
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Now let's go ahead and create a drum track. When you create a drum track in Anvil Studio, you'll have the option to select which particular drums you want assigned to your drumkit. I generally just use typical drum sounds such as the kick, snare, tom...
-
![]()
8:39
Anvil Studio - Example Composition Riff
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
In this video, we'll compose a short example riff so you can get a general idea on how you can compose with Anvil Studio.
Feel free to pause the video whenever necessary so you can follow the steps I'm taking. You don't have to compose with the same...
-
![]()
1:46
Tuning in 4ths - Introduction
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Hi there guys and welcome to this tutorial on tuning in 4ths.
Normally we tune the guitar in what we call standard tuning. In other words out strings are tuned to the following notes,
E, A, D, G, B and E
This system of tuning is great as it allows...
-
![]()
4:03
Tuning in 4ths - In Practice
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Okay, so as an example we can take a Cmajor Triad. If we play this on the A, D and G strings we get a triad composed from the notes C, E and G played at the 3rd fret of the A string. If we take this shape up an octave and play it at the 10th fret of ...
-
![]()
4:03
Tuning in 4ths - Working Out Shapes
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
It's actually pretty easy to work out shapes that will work in this tuning. The system is easy and relies on information you probably already know.
Basically, any shapes that work on the bottom 4 strings will work anywhere on the guitar now. For exa...
-
![]()
0:49
Guitar Setup 101 - Introduction
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Welcome guitar slingers, to this behemoth of a tutorial on guitar set-up!
Proper guitar set-up is something that everybody know is needed, but few know how to do. It’s sort of like the mechanics of a car. We all know how to drive one, but if i...
-
![]()
2:23
Tools Needed
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Having the proper tools will make your guitar-tech life a lot easier. Here’s a list of the most necessary tools. Of course you could get a professional guitar tech tool-kit if you do a lot of setup work, but regular tools like these will work j...
-
![]()
7:11
String Change - Regular Tuners & Breaking In The Strings
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
New Strings
A fresh set of strings is always a relief to play, as the feel fresh, slick and you don’t get caught on them whilst playing (sort of a like a satin-finished neck vs. a sticky gloss finish). Many player change strings on an almost d...
-
![]()
3:14
String Change - Vintage Tuners
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
String change for vintage tuners
The first part with fastening the string to the bridge is the same. Then follow this procedure (And check the video!):
1. Turn the tuning head, so that the slot in the peg head is in line with the fret board. In a v...
-
![]()
2:21
String Change - Locking Tuners Part 1
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
String Change for locking tuners
In this first part, you will be presented with the workings on the locking tuner, and how to un-fasten strings from them.
There are mainly two ways of doing this:
1. Start to unwind the string from the tuner, as th...
-
![]()
7:53
String Change - Locking Tuners Part 2
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Locking Tuners cont.:
1. Thread the string through the bridge like before. Nothing out of the ordinary here.
2. Thread the string through the hole in the locking tuning peg. Pull the string tight and hold it taut on the other side of the locking po...
-
![]()
4:15
Cleaning The Fret Board
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Fret Board Maintenance
When changing strings, I recommend you change them one at a time, unless you feel the need to clean your fret board, oil it in, or polish your frets. This will keep the neck in constant tension, and won’t de-stabilize it...
-
![]()
4:43
Truss Rod Adjustment - Part 1
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Truss Rod Adjustment
What is a truss-rod you might ask? The truss-rod is a metal bar inside the guitar neck, that flexes in or (or sometimes both) directions. This rod in place for two reasons: 1. To stabilize the neck and stop it from warping. 2. T...
-
![]()
7:39
Truss Rod Adjustment - Part 2
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Truss Rod Adjustment - cont:
First of all we need to determine what our current relief is, and decide how or if we want to change that. The way to do this is either by using you eye-sight, or by measuring with a steel ruler or with so called “...
-
![]()
5:31
String Height Adjustment
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
String height adjustment
So, once we’ve set the relief to a point that fits our string gauge and playing preferences, it’s time to adjust the string height. String height is also a matter of preference. Some like it high, some like it lo...
-
![]()
10:28
Intonation - Introduction & The Top Nut
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
History and Background.
Okay then, time for the big one, which will contain much information besides the practical intonation adjustments. Intonation is probably the most misunderstood part of guitar set-up, and a huge part of the overall sound and ...
-
![]()
9:09
Intonation
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Ok, let’s say that your top nut is fine. Then let’s move on to intonating to rest of the neck.
The common way of intonating an electric guitar is to tune the open harmonic to pitch, and then check to see if the fretted note at the 12th f...
-
![]()
6:56
Nut Height
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Nut Height
Nut height is yet another thing we need to cover. The nut height affects playability and sound to a great extent, more so than intonation (that is more the contact points of the strings, as described earlier). If the nut is too high, it w...
-
![]()
2:31
Tremolo String Change - Part 1
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
String change
In this first part of the video, I will just discuss and show you how to remove the strings, and things to consider.
-
![]()
8:51
Tremolo String Change - Part 2
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
String Change cont.
On a guitar with a locking nut, it is not necessary to use the string fastening techniques we've discussed before. You will have a locking top nut that will secure the strings. There are 2 main ways of fastening the strings:
1. ...
-
![]()
6:43
Checking The Tremolo Knife Edges and Posts
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Checking the knife edges
As described in the video (and I do urge you to check this on the video), you can easily take off the tremolo to do maintenance, cleaning and such. If you have any tuning stability problems, you should always check the knife...
-
![]()
5:31
Shimming The Neck
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Shimming the neck pocket
Let’s say that you have lowered your bridge as far as you can into the cavity without bottoming out, and the action is still too high. Your truss-rod and relief has been adjusted, and all else is well. What then? Then ...
-
![]()
3:23
The Mechanics Of A Tremolo
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
For this specific chapter, show and tell is by far easier than reading text. So for this chapter I urge you to just watch the video, and listen to what I have to say there.
-
![]()
5:08
Locking the Top Nut, And Other Helpful Tips
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
When you are finally ready to lock down on the top nut, one thing to consider is that the force of the locking nut will pull the strings out of pitch as you tighten it. As I turn the screw clockwise to tighten it, the plate beneath it will pull on st...
-
![]()
3:29
How to Practice like a Pro
Instructor: Rick Graham
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
In this lesson, I'm going to go over a few tips to help you practice efficiently. The goal when you practice is to make the most progress within the shortest time possible. These tips will help you do just that!
Tip #1: Have a dedicated practice are...
-
![]()
Free
Time Signatures - How They Work
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
4/4? 7/8? 3/4? 6/8? 19/16? 9/8? What do all these numbers mean!?
Ever wonder what those fraction looking things are at the beginning of every piece of music? And what do those numbers mean anyway? What are they for? Well, have no fear my guitar-pl...
-
![]()
How to Read Guitar Tablature
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Every guitarist needs to know how to read tablature (a.k.a. "tab"). Tablature is the most widely used method of reading music for guitar, and is often much easier for people to read than standard notation. So in this lesson, we're going to learn the ...
-
![]()
2:24
Learning the Notes of the Strings
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Every guitarist needs to know the notes and numbers of the guitar strings. If you're a beginning guitarist, this is one of the very first things you'll want to tackle. As I mention in the video, we instructors always refer to the strings by their not...
-
![]()
3:30
Maintaining Good Posture While Playing Guitar
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Maintaining good posture while playing guitar is vital. Not only does it help your guitar playing be more effective, but it also helps keep you healthy.
Here are a few tips you should keep in mind...
1. When sitting down, be sure not to lean your l...
-
![]()
3:44
What Is a Pick and How Do I Use It?
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Other than our fingers, picks are the main tool that guitarists use to play the guitar strings. There are a lot of different kinds of picks, and you should experiment with different picks to find out what kind is best for you.
Be sure to watch the v...
-
![]()
4:13
Non-Guitar Stretches for your Guitar Playing
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
In addition to this lesson, be sure to check out an article I wrote on Guitarist Tendonitis.
Stretching and warming up is critical for any guitarist. Playing guitar can be very strenuous on your fingers, wrists, and forearms, so you need to make sur...
-
![]()
4:25
Guitar Anatomy 101 - Learning the Parts of a Guitar
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Every guitarist needs to know the anatomy of the guitar so they can properly reference the various parts. Be sure to study the video and image below to memorize everything.
Also, it's worth noting that some guitar parts have more than one associated...
-
![]()
2:43
Tuning - General Overview
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
As you can imagine, tuning is extremely important with the guitar and any other instrument. Every guitarist needs to know how to do it, and how to do it effectively and quickly.
There are different ways you can tune your guitar, using many reference...
-
![]()
4:14
Tuning - How to Tune Your Guitar
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
(Tuning Chart below)
In the video, I show you how to tune your guitar using just your ear.
Basically, you can tune your whole guitar using just your Low E string as a starting reference point. So that means that we'd need to make sure the Low E str...
-
![]()
1:42
Tuning - Drop D Tuning
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Drop D tuning is when you make your Low E string go down a whole step to a D note. This tuning is a very popular tuning for 6-string guitarists who want to get a lower end with their guitar. I personally love this tuning and use it often in my songwr...
-
![]()
Guitarist Tendonitis - How to Avoid It
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
I absolutely love the guitar. It's so much more than just a hobby to me. It's a part of life. I take it very seriously, and I will assume that you take it very seriously as well. If that sounds like you, then you need to read this.
After I had been ...
-
![]()
Songwriting - Introduction
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Creating a song is the most fulfilling experience that a musician can ever have. Whether it be a soft ballad, an epic instrumental, or a heavy metal headbanger, a song is a work of art with which the writer can take much pride. A song encompasses the...
-
![]()
Songwriting - Inspiration
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Inspiration. Without it, music wouldn’t exist. Every existing piece of music has been developed because a human being was inspired to write it. A high achievement, the death of a loved one, blossoming love, deteriorating love, a religious exper...
-
![]()
Songwriting - How Do You Start?
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Everyone has their own unique methods and styles to their songwriting. If you’re just starting to compose your own music, you may have to experiment a little before you really find your preferred and most effective method. If you’re a sea...
-
![]()
Songwriting - Song Structure
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
The structure of a song has to do with how you put certain parts in a certain order. A very typical song structure usually goes something like this:
Intro, Verse, Chorus, Verse, Chorus, Bridge, Chorus, Outro.
The structure of a song is very importa...
-
![]()
Songwriting - Song Style
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Most people usually have a general idea of what music style they want their song to be. To go even further, most people have a favorite style of music and tend to gravitate towards that style with most of their songs.
As it is with song structure, t...
-
![]()
Songwriting - Conclusion
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Any Style
Here's the best advice to be given regarding songwriting...never stop writing music. If you compose consistently, you will only keep improving.
Songwriting is a beautiful art. However, it is also a learned art. The more you write, the more you'll ge...
