Acoustic Tuesday | Guitar Routine Show

Ever thought that a laminate guitar might be too "cheap" or catered to beginners for your guitar collection? Just wait until you hear this resonator guitar. In today's episode, we're going to dive into a comparison between two stunning resonator guitars from my personal collection—both of which are from @nationalguitars . The first contender is a gorgeous National Supro Collegian resonator guitar....

Ready to hear the difference between Spruce and Mahogany guitars? Same builder, similar models, but different tonewoods — which one would you choose?  I'm beyond excited for today's Acoustic Tuesday episode. We have a special treat as we dive into the world of Thompson Guitars, handcrafted in Sisters, Oregon. This time, we'll be comparing two absolutely incredible guitars from their lineup: the Th...

We're taking to the skies as I share my top 10 tips for flying with your acoustic guitar! Join me as I walk you through the best practices and pro-tips I've picked up on my own journeys, ensuring your precious instrument arrives safe and sound at your destination. Whether you're a touring musician or simply taking your guitar on vacation, these tips are essential to keeping your guitar protected a...

Today, I'm excited to share two beautiful guitars that, on paper, I hated. Seriously. But sure enough, I bought them. So what changed my mind? Why are they two of my favorite guitars now? This episode is dedicated to judging a book by its cover, and why you shouldn't do it. Here's the skinny: I spent most of my career as a guitarist convinced that maple was not the tonewood for me. I avoided it li...

Whether you identify as a purist or you're curious about this technique, flatpicking can take your playing to the next level.  In this video, we dive into the fascinating world of flatpicking and explore the techniques that make this style of guitar playing so popular. We'll discuss the best ways to explore this incredible technique. I'll guide you through essential flatpicking aspects like altern...

Huss and Dalton has been making beautiful, fine-tuned acoustic guitars for decades now. But how do you tackle their catalogue and find the right one for you and your budget? On today's episode, I'll walk you through my 5 favorite Huss and Dalton guitars. The origin of this episode is born from a major snafu on my end. However, Huss and Dalton's incredible customer service and lasting value they pr...

Muddy Waters is one of the most, if not the most, influential blues guitarist. But what acoustic guitar lessons can we learn from his approach to music? In this episode, we'll cover 10 aspects of Muddy Waters' playing. Each lesson focuses on a different technique, approach, or stylistic choice. From minimalism to alternating octaves, there's something to learn no matter your skill level. So much o...

The world is filled with endless ways to discover new music. With algorithms, recommendations, and endless scrolling, where can you turn to find consistently high-quality musical inspiration? In this episode, we'll be covering the 13 best places to discover new music. The best part about this list is, they're all YouTube channels! Whether you live in the remote forests of Alberta or the land down...

Imagine a world where carpal tunnel, aching shoulders, and back pain from playing simply vanished. Turns out you can make that world a reality with a few tweaks to your playing routine! On today's episode, we're scaring off the pain gremlins with some tips, tricks, and pointers on preventing use injuries while playing guitar. Before I go any further, though, you need to know that I am not a doctor...

Which is better to buy: vintage guitars or new guitars? While it might seem obvious to some, you can evaluate the strengths and weaknesses on an 8-point rubric. And when you walk it through these considerations, you might be shocked at the results. Figuring our whether a vintage or new acoustic guitar is right for you can be as standardized as you want it to be. You can go by feel, you can do a pr...

How many times have you been told to humidify your guitar? How do you know if you need to? What if I told you there was a simple rule to keep your guitar in good condition for generations to come? On today's episode, we're talking about the **special** relationship between humidity and your acoustic guitar. You've likely heard plenty of horror stories about too much humidity or not enough humidity...

How do you learn a new song? Where do you begin and how do you set yourself up for success? On this episode, I'll show you how to break any song down into five essential guitar skills.  Learning a new song is a daunting process. There are so many elements of a song to consider. From determining the style you need to play to the technical aspects of soloing and improvising.  By using this simple fr...

Do you ever dream of having a guitar only to realize it's five—maybe 10!—times outside your budget? It's probably because of one of these seven factors that determine a guitar's price. In this episode, we'll explore why some guitars are more expensive than others. After decades of experience playing, buying, and selling, I've picked up on seven main factors that determine price.  Some of the facto...

Learning how to play guitar ain't easy. It's like hopping on a train: difficult to get on, easy to fall off, but there's nothing like it once you're on. On today's episode, I'll go over the common pitfalls beginner guitarists face at the start of their journey. From never setting a goal to the comparison mindset, discover how you can thrive in your guitar journey. I've seen thousands of beginner g...

You've got the inspiration, the drive, and the courage to record your first song on acoustic guitar. But how do you truly record your guitar's tone without being a sound engineer? On this episode of Acoustic Tuesday, you'll get a crash course in using microphones to capture the sound that you want out of your acoustic guitar. From choosing the right microphone to placement in your recording space,...

Grab your guitar and add some "Big Bill-isms" into your life! It's time to infuse the Chicago acoustic blues legend Big Bill Broonzy into your life.  Before I go any further I want to acknowledge Chris Walz from Old Town School of Folk Music and Tom Feldman from Play Country Blues. Many of the lessons I teach today come from these two. I'm grateful for their instruction and be sure to check out th...

In true countdown fashion, I'll be ranking 11 of my favorite Martin Guitars. There are hundreds of guitars, lines, and years to choose from. Which one will take my number one spot? Martin Guitar has been in the business longer than most American companies. With immigrant roots, Martin Guitars revolutionized the guitar multiple times in the 1900s. From dreadnought builds to X bracing, they've made...

You already know listening to music makes you a better musician. But what happens when you listen to some of the most revolutionary, insane, and technically dazzling acoustic guitar music? This episode is dedicated to some of the best acoustic guitar instrumental albums. I'll go through 12 different albums that any acoustic guitar player needs to know. I know I've done episodes like this before. A...

Why do you sound so good in the shower? Can you replicate that sound on your acoustic guitar? What's stopping you from getting that cathedral sound? It all comes down to reverb pedals. On this episode, we'll talk about using reverb pedals on acoustic guitar. Using pedals on guitar feels like mixing oil and water, but it's easy and intuitive once you understand how to do it. Reverb can feel like a...

What started off as a mild interest in this builder has become an obsession. So what's the big deal about a guitar maker hailing from the Czech Republic? Furch Guitars focuses on making high-quality guitars at a relatively affordable price. Sounds like the pitch from almost any guitar company, right? Here's the thing about Furch Guitars, though… Furch Guitars make exceptional Swiss-Army Knife guit...

I used to think using a delay pedal on acoustic guitar was crazy. Now, I recommend every acoustic guitar player to get a delay pedal. Why? Delay pedals have the ability to fill space. When you're playing by yourself, it can feel empty sometimes. By using a delay pedal, you can almost hear harmonies and dissonance when your playing a run, practicing scales, or playing melody and fills. Besides fill...

You told yourself you'd be a guitar player this year. Have you met your goals and aspirations? Or are you guilty of telling yourself one of these 11 lies? Watch now to learn how to find progress again. Every year, thousands of people pick up the guitar. They dream of playing songs, solos, and licks that sounds like their guitar heroes. Every year, though, people give up on playing guitar or don't...

Billy Strings is one of the best instrumentalists of our time. Hands down. But what can you learn from Billy Strings? Even if you're picking up a guitar for the first time? From drone strings to using chromatics, there's something every guitarist can learn from Billy Strings. Primarily a flatpicking guitarist, Billy Strings is also a talented finger picker, electric guitarist, and banjo player. Bi...

Blade angles. Metal or plastic. Weight. Thumbpicks come in a variety of specifications, which makes choosing the right one important. See which thumbpick is fit for you in my top 10 countdown of the best thumbpicks to use! Using a thumbpick is an easy way to change up the tone on your guitar. If you enjoy fingerpicking, this will give you a brighter attack. However, you can also use a thumbpick li...

Jeffrey Foucault is a triple threat. He rights bone-chilling lyrics, is an incredible guitar player, and has an unforgettable voice. So what can you learn from the master of the Americana genre? If you haven't heard of Jeffrey Foucault, I'm going to feature some great clips that'll help you open your eyes to his artistry. More importantly, though, you're going to learn 10 lessons from Jeffrey Fouc...