,

Practice Chord Transitions With These 3 Strum/Stop Exercises

,

To play chord transitions well, every guitar player must learn the shape of the chord, timing on your strumming hand and the string clarity of your fretted hand. Learn 3 guitar exercises that can help you practice chord transitions more effectively.

,

4 Scales For Beginner Guitarists

,

Learn the 4 guitar scales every beginner and intermediate player should know. A guitar lesson for lead guitar players. Featuring my brother on bass! 

How Much Should You Practice?

Practice does not make perfect, especially when learning music. 

Music isn't about perfection at all. 

Read more to find out about how much you should practice, especially as a beginner. 

, ,

Melbourne Guitar Exhibition 2017

, ,

With many instrument retail stores now opting to import guitars, perhaps this is a time to reflect on whether we, as consumers, are seeing the guitars as vehicles of musical utility, or treasures to last us a lifetime of music. 

Find out what we learned at the Melbourne Guitar Exhibition 2017.

, , ,

Melbourne Guitar Show 2016 Review

, , ,

Learning guitar is not a linear progression.

Find out more of what I learned at the Melbourne Guitar Show, 2016. 

 

Why We Listen To Music After A Long Day

listen-to-music.jpg

I’ve felt it too.

 

I have arrived home and felt flat from work.

 

On the surface, our lives are filled with overwhelm – too much to do. But the truth is: it’s not that there is too little time; rather, we are reacting to life’s demands day-in and day-out.

 

But one song can change everything.

The chime of the guitar, the soulful flight of a vocalist, or the slow pulsating beat of the bass drum.

It can move us to the deepest core of how we feel, and give us a whole new perspective of life.

 

There are many reasons why we listen to music after a long day; however, I chose 4 of the most important ones down below.

 

We listen to music after a long day, because:

  • We need to calm ourselves down. Listening to music lowers blood pressure, heart rate and stress hormones, giving us a sense of peace after a long day.
  • We need to refocus. Sometimes, listening to a familiar bar of music can give us the sense of flow and momentum needed to complete tasks.
  • We want to reconnect to memories of joy, happiness and gratitude. Everyone has that one song that they connect to on a deeper level, and accessing that memory can centre ourselves on our life journey, ready to tackle the day’s challenging
  • We want to explore. Technology gives us choice, and we can journey through many genres of music as the adventurer. We can experience the same complete and utter freedom as a creative.
  • Bonus: The best solution is often ripping off the band-aid. Rather than overthinking and procrastinating, picking up that musical instrument off the shelf can help you connect to your initial love of music.

 

How does music affect you?

Because the answer to that question can reveal how you connect with yourself, as well as your life direction.

My recent listens after a long day: Magnolia by J.J Cale and Loud Places by Jamie xx.

 

I would love to hear your responses in the comments below, or visit us at www.facebook.com/leadersofrock to continue the conversation.

 

Keep on rockin’

Team Roc

Invest In Learning Guitar Part 2: Group Guitar Lessons

Do I take private guitar lessons, or do I take group guitar lessons? 

I explore the debate yet again, pointing out the benefits and drawbacks of group guitar lessons. 

,

4 Confidence Building Strategies I Use During Music Lessons

,

Confidence. The one benefit that not a lot of people mention about learning guitar. 

Guitar becomes an extension of who you are - and so here are 4 tips you can use to build confidence within young people learning anything - especially guitar.