Acoustic Tuesday | Guitar Routine Show

Immerse yourself in the world of guitar-themed podcasts. These 10 guitar podcasts are sure to keep you motivated, inspired, and committed to playing! I'm a huge fan of podcasts. Whether it's more story-based or interview style, there are so many great podcasts being made. When it comes to guitar geek content, though, there's a handful I find myself turning to time and time again. From the family o...

Songwriting and the craft behind it are mysterious. From lyrics to melody to rhythms, there are so many pieces to juggle. To help you get inspired and write your first song, check out these 12 songwriters to help kickstart your songwriting journey! Writing a song is a daunting process, but it doesn't have to be. It should be a liberating process that allows you to express yourself. If that doesn't...

Resonator guitars can make the bluesiest, dirtiest sounds—making them unmatched as instruments. But does this Michigan-based small bench luthier make the best resonators? Mule Resonator Guitars makes, in my humble opinion, some of the best resonator guitars. There are so many reasons why I love Mule Resonator Guitars, from the human-centered design to the community. This episode outlines the bigge...

Fretboard Summit is a HUGE guitar festival held every year, sponsored by Fretboard Journal. But is it worth it? Check out my highlights from this intensely guitar-geek festival. It was a whirlwind, but the Fretboard Summit festival truly opened my eyes up. From the incredibly talented musicians showcased—day after day, night after night—to the BIGGEST lesson I've learned, I cannot recommend this f...

Bourgeois acoustic guitars are stunning. The problem? They come in so many models and customizable options. In this video, I'll go over the 5 Bourgeois Guitars that are sure to knock your socks off. Bourgeois Guitars, based in Maine, make about 400 guitars a year. Started By Dana Bourgeois, their small team is dedicated to quality, tone, and consistency. The result? Some of the consistently best g...

Learn cross picking on acoustic guitar in just 4 easy steps with this simple, easy-to-use approach! Cross picking is a picking pattern that involves skipping strings in your picking pattern. It doesn't use fingers, instead opting for a pick. It's a great way to get that cascading finger pick sound but with more bite! The hardest part of cross picking lies in switching pick directions. While normal...

Looking for music documentaries that'll inspire you? Whether you're a hardcore guitarist or just getting started, these music docs will get you rearing to grab your guitar and start playing again! About this time, every year, I start thinking about movies. With the sun setting earlier and school starting again, it feels like the perfect time to watch a movie. And, if you're bemoaning the end of a...

What do Eric Clapton, Richie Havens, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and John Denver have in common? They all played Guild acoustic guitars. They make good guitars, but are they worth the hype? In short, absolutely. Guild Guitars makes some incredible acoustic guitars. Whether you're looking for a punchy sound that will stand out in a jam session or a mellow, dark guitar that'll evoke a woodsy spirit, you're s...

Is a $50 guitar pick worth it? Is a wooden pick right for you? Does plastic reign supreme? All this and more will be revealed in this episode on my 10 favorite guitar picks ever made. Guitar picks are the cheapest way to experiment with your sound. The thickness, material, and shape can all have huge impacts on your acoustic guitar's tone.  From super-hard mandolin picks to sharper tortoiseshell p...

Modern fingerstyle guitar is, quite possibly, the greatest extension of the instrument — an orchestral sound contained within one instrument. But there's so many modern fingerstyle guitarists out there. Where do you begin? On this episode of Acoustic Tuesday, you'll hear about 15 modern fingerstyle guitarists you need to check out. From commercially successful artists to up-and-coming Youtubers, y...

Two-hand tapping on guitar isn't easy. It's even harder on acoustic guitar. But what if there was an easy, step-by-step guide for learning how to tap on acoustic guitar? Tapping on guitar is an advanced technique. It provides a bright, ethereal sound (as long as you're not using overdrive or distortion!). And, for most of the guitar's existence, it's been used primarily on electric guitar. It's th...

Colter Wall's guitar playing is like no other. Here are 10 lessons you can learn from this real country guitarist that'll help you progress on your guitar journey. Colter Wall has captured the hearts and minds of the country, folk, and bluegrass world. His guitar playing is incredibly unique. From the way he strums to the stories he spins, I truly hope this episode gets you to check out his work....

Epiphone guitars have quite the reputation. But does their street cred match up with how they sound? Check out my list of the 10 best Epiphone acoustic guitars ever made.  @OfficialEpiphone  guitars are kinda known as the less desirable branch of the Gibson family. They aren't as expensive, are made with cheaper parts (usually), and don't have the same prestige as a Gibson guitar. But does that re...

Learning closed position, moveable chords can unlock your understanding of the fretboard. More importantly? You will be able to play a song or lick in any key, anywhere on the fretboard. In this lesson behind the lick, you'll learn all about closed position moveable patterns. Closed position movable patterns involve NO open strings. That means that you can easily move the pattern to a different ke...

Charlie Parr is one of the most under-the-radar living guitar legends out there. He's known for his wild country blues and roots sound. In this video, you'll learn how to sound like this guitar legend and learn some tips and tricks from my years of knowing and playing with him! ​Charlie Parr is first and foremost a folk artist. He's incredible talented, humble, and dedicated to carrying on the tra...

Gibson has an incredible history of making some of the best acoustic guitars. But after 100 years, which ones are their best acoustic guitars ever made? Whenever I talk about Gibson Guitars, I'm always sure to upset, puzzle, dazzle, and mystify some folks. So, before you go any further, I want you to know this is just my perspective on things. Take it for what it's worth. I've played thousands of...

Drop D tuning can open up an entire new sonic soundscape, but do you know how best to practice your shapes and scales in this alternate tuning? On today's episode of Acoustic Tuesday, you're going to get a lesson behind the acoustic guitar lick of the week. Every Tuesday, I offer you a quick lesson on learning an awesome lick. But this week, you'll get to see the theory, rationale, and benefits be...

Ever wondered what slide is the best for playing slide guitar? Brass? Bronze? Glass? Heavy? Light? All this will — and more — will be covered in this episode of Acoustic Tuesday! Bottleneck slides are perhaps the most important piece of gear for playing slide guitar...besides your guitar, of course! That's why I've dedicated a whole episode to discussing the importance of picking out the right sli...

Resonator guitars have so many myths tied to them. They have to be played differently. They're way too expensive. They are only good for one style. But is any of this actually true? On today's episode of Acoustic Tuesday, you'll get a chance to see my top 10 favorite resonator guitars. This list is made up of many different resonator guitars at different price points. Every guitar on this list is...

Synthesizers. BOOMING snare hits. Shredding. The 80s aren't known for acoustic guitar playing. But that's will change in this episode of Acoustic Tuesday! We'll be taking a look at the 10 best acoustic guitar albums of the 80s, paying close attention to some of the best flatpickers and fingerpickers of that decade. I'm not talking about one-off power ballads that use an acoustic guitar in the intr...

Santa Cruz Guitar Company has been making some of the best guitars on the market for almost 50 years. Check out this episode to see why these guitars make tones like no other guitar can. From the classics like the Vintage Southerner to the tiny but mighty Firefly, there's something for everyone on this list. I've had the pleasure of playing many guitars in my life, and @SantaCruzGuitarCo has alway...

Harmonics on acoustic guitar can be tricky! You can't rely on the gain of your amp, which means accuracy is super important. This episode will cover everything you should practice to start playing harmonics on acoustic guitar. Before we go any further, you might be wondering what harmonics are. Harmonics create a bell-like tone you can make on your guitar by gently placing your finger above certai...

Chord modifications, or mods, can elevate your rhythm and lead guitar playing. If you're ready to transform your open chords into deeper, complex chords with just a few adjustments, stay tuned! This episode will cover chord modifications by way of learning a lick. We'll start by seeing how chord modifications come up in the guitar lick I call "cement mixer." This lick reveals so much about playing...

The Byrds were pioneers of psychedelic and folk rock. While acoustic guitars weren't their main axes, there are still plenty of lessons to learn from this incredible band. The Byrds have a rich history of rocking out and pushing the boundaries of rock. They weren't afraid to crossover into different genres. And, as a result, they took a variety of different techniques and applied them to non-tradi...

What if I told you my favorite acoustic 12-string guitar was less than $300? This episode will cover my top 10 favorite acoustic 12-string guitars. From the high-end to the low-end, you'll get a wide variety of takes on 10 guitars. 12-string guitars are known for their full, rich sound. It gives a natural chorus sound to an acoustic guitar. They can be a little difficult to play. Sometimes they're...