Advice to beginning musicians: Don't (just) play guitar! 24 Articles

by Morley Tuttle

When a person begins learning guitar, they often start-out swamped in the nuts-and-bolts of scales, chords, rhythm-patterns, and perhaps finger-picking patterns. But I think few of us can long ignore the qualities of music...read more

by Jonathan Collyer

The guitar is an extraordinarily beautiful and versatile instrument which suffers from one major flaw. Everyone plays guitar. In a culture which values individuality in which there are so many wonderful instruments t...read more

by Billy Dudley

Do you feel a distinct adrenaline rush every time your favorite song plays on the radio? Are you an air guitar god! Are you constantly telling yourself time and time again "music is what I was born to do"? Well is it? The ...read more

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by Stephen Thorne

As a teacher and musician of many years I feel that a lot of areas in music education are over looked.This category deals with advice too BEGGINING musicians. In this case drums. I agree the title hints at diversification...read more

by Frank Deutschen

Playing the guitar should not have to be boring and routine, and it is one of the greatest instruments to play. As for myself, I have been playing on and off for most of my life and I feel rewarded with something new ever...read more

by Matthew Douglas

It has been nearly nine years since I first started playing the drum kit. Like all beginners I saved up, bought a cheap set of drums, struggled with co-ordination, time signatures, temperamental bass players over priced pr...read more

by Nats

I'm the girlfriend of a musician. I myself am not a musician though I do want to learn. I started taking guitar lessons on an accustic guitar, but I'm just too busy. But being with a musician I am amazed at the variety of ...read more

by Steve Cass

There is a mechanical component when learning to play any instrument, including the guitar. I am self-taught, and I've been playing for 36 years now as of 2006. I discovered that I could learn to play the guitar by teach...read more

by Jim Tillerman

I've been playing guitar for over 30 years and still love to play acoustic and electric both professionally and for my own enjoyment. I originally started playing to accompany myself while singing. I still remember lea...read more

by Billy Sunshine

The guitar has been the King of Music for a very long time now. People constantly predict the guitar's demise with the advent of every new hip genre of music like Disco, New Wave, Rap, or Techno, armed with keyboards, samp...read more

by Justin Patterson

Word to you people! There are millions of people in the United States that has a dream of playing guitar professionally. Yes, It's glorious if you become a lead guitarist in a popular band. But, the odds against that hap...read more

by Zach Hoffman

My fingers are fat, slow, and awkward. I am getting frustrated at my inability to play and my lack of talent. Nothing is coming together and another dark cloud has settled over my practice session. I gently put down my gui...read more

by Tony Williams

The desire to be the best guitarist, fastest bass player, or loudest drummer in a rock band is a common ambition, although none of these qualities are necessary to become successful. So where does this competitive nature c...read more

by Todd Bluth

Beginning any musical endeavor can be a priceless experience, albeit frustrating and slow at times. Music, especially for those who were never musically inclined in the past, is a versatile entity, meaning that different ...read more

by Curtis Gagnon

The major difference between a "guitar player" and a "musician" lies with the primary context of the musical approach. A "guitar player" will be able to manipulate a guitar to play or write songs by ear. A "musician" will ...read more

by Brandon Marcel

Invest In Yourself As An Artist This weeks article is more of a challenge than my typical tips and techniques I usually offer. One thing that I have noticed as I have worked with artists (especially those just starting ...read more

by John Durant

You're getting tired of the blisters on your fingers, and you're frustrated that you can't play your favorite song, no matter how much you practice. Before you throw your guitar in the fireplace, I'd like to give you some ...read more

by Tanya Wilcox

I have been playing guitar for almost three years now. Most of the music I play is my own. Most people ask me how I write my own music. I reply that I hear a tune in my head and then figure it out, debuting it to outsid...read more

by Louise Bossom

I work in a music shop selling instruments and books (and anything else remotely musical) and out of the hundred or so people who walk in on a Saturday wanting to start their first instrument, 90% will ask for advice on ...read more

by Dark Bender

If I can pluck out "Stairway to Heaven" on the guitar, trust me, anyone can! So I say go ahead and play guitar! Or trombone! Or the timbales or the harmonica or even join a marching kazoo band! But do so only if you are...read more