Guitar Aerobics, Volume One is Now Available
Guitar Aerobics, Volume One is the first in a series of books dedicated to building speed, strength and endurance for guitar players.
The guitar is a very physical instrument. Becoming a great player requires knowledge, creativity and technique. Understanding how to do something doesn’t mean a lot if you can’t execute the riffs and the chords.
Hand strength isn’t something you’re born with – you have to develop it. Just like a sport that takes specific skills but still requires physical training. I’m sure you realize that it takes a lot of physical training. So does the guitar! But how do you develop your hands?
Read MoreUnderstanding Your Musical Convictions
One of the biggest problems that musicians face is holding on to their own musical identity and integrity. It’s often tempting to bail out on your own direction and capitulate to an agent, an audience, a label or society in general.
Even with my experience in this business, I continue to be surprised by how a negative or even a neutral comment will often throw me out of balance. If someone says that my new CD “Freefall” is “nice”, it throws me. If someone doesn’t like my direction, my style, my songs or my sound, I feel emotionally like I should change what I do – what I am to please them. The logical side of me knows that this is not true. But the logical side isn’t the only side that operates. In the arts, it’s probably not even the most important side.
Read MoreThe Value of Music Education and Participation
Music education has benefits beyond the obvious. It’s great to play an instrument or sing or write songs. But few people appreciate the long lasting value of studying music.
It’s beneficial at every stage of life. Youngsters benefit from the discipline, the logic, the process of learning itself. It can increase self esteem and balance out personalities. Aggressive behavior can be balanced by a developing sensitivity. Overly shy behavior can be balanced by developing a more focused and assertive self.
