Tips For Guitar Playing Success

Planning a trip? Take your guitar along for the ride—it's fun to play wherever your travels take you! In this episode, Marlene talks about her own guitar travel experiences, along with her tips and tricks so your beloved instrument arrives in tip top shape and ready to be played! Road Trip Guitar Advice  episode Airplane Travel with Your Guitar  episode How to Play 3 Cool Vacation Themed Songs  ep...

In honor of Earth Day (April 22), this is the perfect time to learn more about tonewoods—the beautiful and essential woods used in acoustic guitar construction. In this episode, Marlene explores a variety of wood species and explains why only certain ones are suitable for crafting acoustic guitars. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation for how these materials shape both the sound and sustainability of...

April is International Guitar Month—and what better time to celebrate our beloved instrument! In this week’s episode, Marlene shares 7 fun and inspiring ideas to honor all things guitar. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, these simple ideas will help you reconnect with your instrument and keep the joy of playing alive all month long. Start Your Free 7-day  Yo-Guitar Video Library  Tri...

Tax season rolls around every year, so instead of dreading it, why not make it a little more enjoyable? In this episode, Marlene shares five songs with a tax-related theme—just for fun… and to make your time more enjoyable—and, hopefully, a little less taxing! Start Your Free 7-day  Yo-Guitar Video Library  Trial! Join our  Guitar Tips Community ! Don't miss out, our next jam session is April 15th...

Tis the season to celebrate Passover and Easter—and no matter which one you observe, music is a meaningful way to make the occasion even more memorable. In today's episode, I’m sharing a selection of Easter and Passover-themed songs that you can start playing right away. Whether you’re gathering with family or simply enjoying the spirit of the season, these tunes will help set the perfect tone! Pa...

March is Women’s History Month, and we’re celebrating by shining a spotlight on three legendary women who helped redefine guitar music. In this episode, Marlene dives into the stories, innovations, and lasting impact of Bonnie Raitt, Nancy Wilson, and Joni Mitchell. Start Your Free 7-day  Yo-Guitar Video Library  Trial! Join our  Guitar Tips Community ! Don't miss out, our next jam session is Apri...

Spring cleaning isn’t just for your house—it’s great for your guitar too! In this episode, Marlene walks you through 8 practical steps to clean, polish, and inspect your guitar so it stays in great condition and ready for your next jam session.  Start Your Free 7-day  Yo-Guitar Video Library  Trial! Join our  Guitar Tips Community ! Don't miss out, our next jam session is April 15th! Marlene's Gui...

Luck o' the Irish!☘️ In this episode, we explore more Irish songs to play on guitar. They're perfect for acoustic players looking to expand their Irish tune repertoire—especially with St. Patrick's Day just around the corner! Start Your Free 7-day  Yo-Guitar Video Library  Trial! Join our  Guitar Tips Community ! Don't miss out, our next jam session is March 18th! Marlene's Guitar Courses & Le...

Want to add some Irish flair to your guitar music for St. Patrick’s Day? Then this episode is for you! In this episode, Marlene shares two traditional Irish tunes, explores their backstories, and offers her recommendations for bringing them to life on your guitar. Start Your Free 7-day  Yo-Guitar Video Library  Trial! Join our  Guitar Tips Community ! Don't miss out, our next jam session is March...

Better posture. Less tension. Stronger voice. In this episode, Marlene shares what’s inside a Heart and Throat Yo-Guitar video session, including heart-opening poses to release the upper body, improve breathing, and support healthy vocal function. A perfect reset for singers, speakers, and guitarists alike. Start Your Free 7-day  Yo-Guitar Video Library  Trial! Join our  Guitar Tips Community ! Do...

Acoustic guitar TLC (tender loving care) is essential for keeping your instrument playable, healthy, and enjoyable for years to come. In this episode, Marlene shares fundamental care tips, practical recommendations, and simple hacks to help you protect and maintain your acoustic guitar. Start Your Free 7-day  Yo-Guitar Video Library  Trial! Join our  Guitar Tips Community ! Don't miss out, our nex...

All You Need Is Love by The Beatles is a timeless classic and a perfect song to play on guitar. In this episode, Marlene walks you through how to play this feel-good favorite, breaking it down in a simple, guitar-friendly way. Afterall, love is all you need - and, well, a guitar! Start Your Free 7-day  Yo-Guitar Video Library  Trial! Join our  Guitar Tips Community ! Don't miss out, our next jam s...

Love songs are a great addition to any guitar repertoire—especially with Valentine’s Day just around the corner! In this episode, Marlene shares three simple love songs you can easily learn and play on your guitar. Start Your Free 7-day  Yo-Guitar Video Library  Trial! Join our  Guitar Tips Community ! Don't miss out, our next jam session is February 18th! Marlene's Guitar Courses & Learning R...

Fun fact: most people quit their New Year’s resolutions by the second Friday in January, but that doesn't have to be you. In this episode, Marlene walks you through how to check in on your guitar resolution progress and make adjustments (if needed) so you can keep moving forward—because you’ve still got 11 months to reach your goals! Start Your Free 7-day  Yo-Guitar Video Library  Trial! Join our ...

Building on last week’s episode, Marlene dives deeper into how to maximize your practice time, covering what to play and how to use your time more effectively. Here arethe links for the previous episodes Marlene talked about! Maximizing Your Practice Sessions Tension Relieving Exercises for Guitarists 6 Exercises to Improve Finger Strength & Dexterity  Start Your Free 7-day  Yo-Guitar Video Li...

Practice builds habits—and habits make better guitar players. In this episode, I break down 6 simple steps to create a practice routine that works for you and your life. Here's the April 2020 episode link Marlene talked about! Start Your Free 7-day  Yo-Guitar Video Library  Trial! Join our  Guitar Tips Community ! Don't miss out, our next jam session is January 21st! Marlene's Guitar Courses &...

It’s easy to set a guitar playing goal—but reaching it is another story. In this episode, I reveal the secret to achieving your guitar resolutions, share a real example, and walk you through a simple process to set and reach your own guitar playing goals. Start Your Free 7-day  Yo-Guitar Video Library  Trial! Join our  Guitar Tips Community ! Don't miss out, our next jam session is January 21st! M...

Happy New Year!🎉 The start of a new year is the perfect time to set a new guitar-playing goal and focus on meaningful progress. In this episode, I share 15 guitar-learning ideas to help you shape a realistic and motivating guitar goal for 2026. Choose one of these ideas—or create your own—and make sure it’s realistic and achievable for you over the next 365 days! This episode originally aired on...

Playing the traditional New Year’s Eve song Auld Lang Syne at midnight can add a special vibe to your celebration. It’s easy to play, which makes it perfect for getting creative. In this episode, Marlene demonstrates three different rhythm patterns you can try with this classic three-chord song. She also shares a bit of the song’s background, so tune in and get ready for your New Year’s Eve gig! T...

Christmas songs are a joy to play, and even more fun when you get creative with them! In this episode, Marlene will walk you through three unique patterns that combine strumming AND drumming techniques to use while playing The Little Drummer Boy. So tune in and discover how to bring an extra layer of rhythm and creativity to this holiday favorite! This episode originally aired on 12/10/24 Be Your...

It's fun to play Christmas music on your guitar - and you don't need complicated songs to create a festive vibe! In this episode, Marlene will share 7 super-easy Christmas tunes you can start playing right away - each song uses just 3 chords. And bonus, these familiar holiday classics are perfect for some festive holiday sing-alongs too! Start Your Free 7-day  Yo-Guitar Video Library  Trial! Join...

When a song uses just a few simple chords—like Over the River and Through the Wood—you have more freedom to get creative with rhythm and expression. In this episode, Marlene shares and demonstrates five fun rhythm patterns you can use to bring fresh energy and style to this classic Turkey Day tune! Original air date: 11/19/20 Start Your Free 7-day  Yo-Guitar Video Library  Trial! Join our  Guitar...

There are so many cool songs you can play on your guitar - some are easy to play, some are more challenging. So, start with the easy ones, have fun with them, and then build from there! In this episode, you’ll discover 5 familiar tunes every guitarist should know how to play. Each song uses just a few simple chords, they sound great, and are fun to play while boosting your confidence! Link to the...

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, why not add a touch of your guitar music to your Turkey Day celebrations? In this episode, Marlene will introduce you to some fun and festive Thanksgiving-themed songs that are sure to bring warmth, gratitude, and a seasonal flair to your gatherings. Past episodes Marlene talked about: Over the River and Through the Wood link Thanksgiving Prayer and The Th...

Each year Marlene puts together a guitar player gift guide, and it’s that time again! In this episode, Marlene talks about both useful gear and fun, out-of-the-box ideas that any guitarist would appreciate. So, whether you’re shopping for yourself, trying to give the elves in your life a little inspiration, or hunting for something cool for your guitar-playing buddies, this episode’s for you! Star...