by Ricky Sharples
Acoustic guitar flatpicking techniques are components of the language that helps you to speak to your audience. As you do not have the electronic effects an electric guitarist has at his disposal, you are left with the flatpicking techniques you can use to make your music touch the minds and hearts of your listeners.
Acoustic guitar flatpicking techniques govern how you touch the guitar strings with your pick. How you control volume and tone, and how you manage the clarity of your flatpicking. The right hand controls the way you play your acoustic guitar and how it sounds, we should concentrate on this hand.
The main part of your collection of flatpicking techniques is freedom of movement. Your right hand should be able to move freely from soundhole to bridge to give you the biggest range of tones available on the acoustic guitar. The biggest obstacle to freedom of movement for your right hand is anchoring it by pressing down on the guitar body with your little finger. Read more »
Tags: Acoustic Guitar, Acoustic Guitar Flatpicking, Audience, Down Strokes, Electric Guitarist, Electronic Effects, Flatpicking Techniques, Freedom Of Movement, Guitar Body, Guitar Strings, Little Finger, Move The Pick, Music, Range of Tones, Sixth String, Soundhole, Tension, The Right Hand, Up Strokes
Guitar, Guitar Techniques, Learn To Play | TipsForTheBand.com September 13, 2009 | 
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Choosing the right guitar for you can be quite an ordeal. You want it to look cool hanging from around your neck, but you also want it to be comfortable and unique. You see the many different types on television and that makes it even more difficult to decide.
The first decision that you have to make is between an electric guitar and an acoustic guitar. Knowing a few things about both might help you to make an informed decision.
The difference between an acoustic and an electric guitar is simply amplification. An electric one needs an amplifier, but they are much easier to play. The electric guitar will cost more because you will have to purchase a good amp, and they both cost quite a bit of money. Read more »
Tags: 12 String Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Acoustic Guitars, Acoustic Instrument, Amp, Amplification, Amplifier, Blended Guitar, Classical Flamenco, Crisper Sound, electric guitar, Music Styles, Musician, nylon string guitar, Played With A Pick, Played With Fingers, Playing Music, Rock Star, Steel String Guitar, Steel String Guitars, Twelve-String Guitar
Acoustic Guitar, Choosing A Guitar, Guitar | TipsForTheBand.com July 21, 2009 | Comments (0)
By Courtney Pancost
It is said that the forerunner of the guitar, the lute, was created by the Greek god, Apollo. In India, it is believed that the sitar, another stringed instrument from which the guitar is descended, is sacred to the goddess Saraswati.
And one of the most popular tales about the guitar is the story of how it was pressed into service to play a hymn of praise to Jesus Christ at a Christmas Eve mass when the organ of the church broke.
It’s no wonder that the guitar has a history of association with the divine. The range and styles of music that can be played on the classic stringed instrument is incredible.
From the intricate fire and beauty of classical Spanish and flamenco guitar to the down-home country sounds of good finger-pickin’, the guitar is a versatile and beautiful instrument.
Modern-day guitars have a hollow or solid body, a neck with frets, and a tuning mechanism that is called the machine head. They may be acoustic, or electric, and are one of the most popular instruments in the world. Read more »
By Kathy Unruh
Buying a guitar is an important decision that my students have often asked me about. They want to know what they should be looking for. This is an important question because no two are ever exactly alike. There is a wide variety of types, styles, colors, makes, and models to choose from.
The question is, which one is right for you? If you don’t know what to look for when you’re buying a guitar, you could end up spending a lot more money than you really need to. On the other hand, getting a “deal” may also get you a lemon. Following are some important questions to consider.
1. What style of music are you interested in playing?
The basic skills required when learning to play are the same regardless of the style of music you may be interested in. However, you should understand when you are thinking of buying a guitar, that some are more suited for a particular style than others.
Getting started in the right direction can help you to avoid costly mistakes. Do you like Rock’n Roll, Jazz, Bluegrass, or Classical music? Considering your own personal tastes can help you to determine whether to buy an electric or an acoustic guitar for example. Read more »
The very first step toward learning to play acoustic guitar is to develop confidence and to destroy that “I can’t do it” mentality. Your biggest obstacle in your acoustic guitar playing is not going to be money, time, or the absence of a good teacher.
The biggest obstacle is going to be you. You are your own worst enemy. Once you learn how to tame the negativity inside, you will be that much closer to becoming a good acoustic guitar player.
Frustration is normal during the learning process. Learning anything new is not meant to be easy. Resistance is what helps us grow. So the next time you are working on a scale, or chord progression, and you find yourself fumbling or messing up, don’t throw down the guitar with frustration, instead welcome the challenge and have patience in it.
Do you want to learn to play the guitar? Read more »
