Tips For Guitar Playing Success

Buying your guitar online can be similar to an in-store shopping and purchasing experience, but here's a few things to keep in mind before you hit the 'buy' button. In this episode Marlene talks about recommendations to help you successfully purchase your instrument online. Marlene's Guitar Courses & Learning Resources  Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!   Coaching Sessions Marlene's Tips For Guit...

Jimmy Buffett's classic song Margaritaville is an anthem about a relaxed tropical lifestyle and is fairly easy to play. So grab a margarita, listen to this episode and then have fun playing Margaritaville! In this episode Marlene talks about the song's inspiration and background, plus her playing recommendations.  Marlene's Guitar Courses & Learning Resources  Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!  ...

You're in for a treat! You are about to learn how to take your guitar playing to the next level - and bonus, at the end you'll hear John play a beautiful original song! In this episode you'll learn from master guitarist John Knowles, CGP (Certified Guitar Player). He discusses and demonstrates several techniques and skills that you'll want to try right away. His humble, down-to-earth style makes i...

Hmmm, which one is better for you? That depends on a few things so it's helpful to know about both instruments before you decide!  In this episode Marlene talks about the similarities and differences of acoustic guitars and ukuleles. Guitar Courses & Learning Resources  Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!   Coaching Sessions Marlene's Tips For Guitar Playing Success book Thursday Tips blog Thank yo...

Do you have a favorite country song? Here's 3 fun and simple-to-play songs that sound great on guitar! In this episode Marlene talks about the backgrounds and how to play 3 classic country hits, I Walk the Line, Jolene & The Gambler. Guitar Courses & Learning Resources  Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!   Coaching Sessions Marlene's Tips For Guitar Playing Success book Thursday Tips blog Than...

Getting together with other guitar players to play songs is awesome! Setting up your jam session to be relaxed, casual and fun is the 'secret sauce' to a great time for all!  In this episode Marlene will share 6 ideas and suggestions, plus do's and don'ts, to create a successful jam session Guitar Courses & Learning Resources  Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!   MasterClasses Coaching Sessions Th...

Getting familiar with natural notes (no sharps or flats) is another great way to get to know your fretboard. But how do you find them? In this episode Marlene helps you expand your fretboard knowledge by describing how to find and play natural notes, Guitar Courses & Learning Resources  Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!   MasterClasses Coaching Sessions Thursday Tips blog Thank you to our sponsor...

Have you ever been ready to play your guitar and you can't find your tuner? Don't fret (ha,ha), Relative Tuning to the rescue! In this episode Marlene describes relative tuning and how it can help you easily tune your guitar when you're sans tuner. See how it's done! Marlene doing Relative Tuning on YouTube Guitar Courses & Learning Resources  Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!   MasterClasses Coa...

It's never too early to start working on your holiday music, especially the challenging songs! In today's episode I'll talk about a beautiful, albeit challenging, Christmas song to play on guitar. Here's some other Christmas song episodes to re-visit too! 12/3/20 Jingle Bells 12/2/21 12 Days of Christmas 12/8/22 Jingle Bell Rock, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree & Run Rudolph Run 12/15/22 Oh...

Ever expanding your repertoire, here's 3 more acoustic rock songs you should know how to play! In today's episode I'll talk about the background and my playing recommendations for 3 popular acoustic rock songs. Guitar Courses & Learning Resources Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!   MasterClasses Coaching Sessions Marlene's Music/Thursday Tips Blog  www.marlenesmusic.com Thank you to our sponsors,...

Want to improve your musical abilities? Use a metronome! It's the most effective tool you can use for one of the most important components of a song - rhythm. In this episode Marlene will talk about how they work and how you can easily get started playing along with a metronome. Guitar Courses & Learning Resources Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!   MasterClasses Coaching Sessions Marlene's Music...

You can have a blast playing songs with just 3 chords and there are many songs to choose from! In this episode Marlene will focus on 3 different types of songs that can be played with the same 3 chords. Guitar Courses & Learning Resources Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!   MasterClasses Coaching Sessions Marlene's Music/Thursday Tips Blog  www.marlenesmusic.com Thank you to our sponsors, we apprecia...

Playing festive music on your guitar as you gather with your family and friends to celebrate the 4th of July can be entertaining and fun!  In this episode Marlene shares 3 lively 4th of July Patriotic songs for you to try. Guitar Courses & Learning Resources Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!   MasterClasses Coaching Sessions Marlene's Music/Thursday Tips Blog  www.marlenesmusic.com Thank you to our s...

Recording your music at home (or on the road) is easier now than it's ever been - but what tools should you use? In this episode Marlene talks about recording devices that get the job done and helpful audio editing software. Guitar Courses & Learning Resources Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!   MasterClasses Coaching Sessions Marlene's Music/Thursday Tips Blog  www.marlenesmusic.com Thank you to our...

Practice stumbling blocks are normal, but how can you get through them and get back to practicing? In this episode Marlene gives you 3 practice questions to ponder, your answers can help you get back to practicing! Guitar Courses & Learning Resources Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!   Unlimited Lesson and Classes Coaching Sessions Marlene's Music/Thursday Tips Blog  www.marlenesmusic.com Thank you t...

Weather conditions, like temperature and humidity, can affect your guitar. Maintaining the ideal conditions will help you (and your guitar) stay happy. In this episode Marlene discusses temperature, humidity, and how to best protect your guitar. Guitar Courses & Learning Resources Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!   Unlimited Lesson and Classes Coaching Sessions Marlene's Music/Thursday Tips Blog  ww...

Got a road trip planned? Why not take your guitar along for the ride?  In this episode Marlene talks about her 8 'guitar in the car' travel tips, so your instrument safely makes it to your destination! Guitar Courses & Learning Resources Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!   Unlimited Lesson and Classes Coaching Sessions Marlene's Music/Thursday Tips Blog  www.marlenesmusic.com Thank you to our sponsor...

It's travel season and your guitar should go with you wherever you go including on an airplane!  In this episode Marlene tells you about the ins-and-outs of easily traveling with your guitar via airplane.  Guitar Courses & Learning Resources Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!   Unlimited Lesson and Classes Coaching Sessions Marlene's Music/Thursday Tips Blog  www.marlenesmusic.com Thank you to our spo...

The NAMM Show, the annual music industry trade show, is an opportunity to check out the newest guitars, guitar accessories & technology. In this episode Marlene will tell you about some of the exciting new gear she saw, played and learned about at the recent NAMM Show 2023. Guitar Courses & Learning Resources Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!   Unlimited Lesson and Classes Coaching Sessions Marlene's...

Playing a song (or two) for your mom is a beautiful way to show her how much you care.  In this week's episode Marlene will share 3 Mother's Day songs, The Mother Brandi Carlile, Thank You Mom Good Charlotte and Wind Beneath My Wings Bette Midler Guitar Courses & Learning Resources Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!   Unlimited Lesson and Classes Coaching Sessions Marlene's Music/Thursday Tips Blog  w...

Cinco de Mayo, the 5th of May, is a Mexican holiday to honor the 1862 Battle of La Puebla. It's a time to celebrate all things Mexico, including music! In this week's episode Marlene shares 2 fun songs about Mexico to play on May 5th! Guitar Courses & Learning Resources Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!   Unlimited Lesson and Classes Coaching Sessions Marlene's Music/Thursday Tips Blog  www.marlenesm...

Spring is a great time to change your strings and it's pretty easy to DIY! In this episode Marlene walks you through, step-by-step, how to change your guitar strings.  Guitar Courses & Learning Resources Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!   Unlimited Lesson and Classes Coaching Sessions Marlene's Music/Thursday Tips Blog  www.marlenesmusic.com Thank you to our sponsors, we appreciate your support! Gat...

In honor of Earth Day (4/22) you might like to learn more about tonewoods - the woods used for acoustic guitar construction.  In this episode Marlene will talk about various wood species and why only a few are suitable for acoustic guitars. Here's what a guitar looks like before it's a guitar ! new video on YouTube To hear how various tonewoods sound, click here Guitar Courses & Learning Resources...

April is International Guitar Month and here's how you can celebrate in a fun and beneficial way. In this week's episode Marlene will share her 7 ideas to honor 'all things guitar'. Guitar Courses & Learning Resources Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!   Unlimited Lesson and Classes Coaching Sessions Marlene's Music/Thursday Tips Blog  www.marlenesmusic.com Thank you to our sponsors, we appreciate you...

Easter (April 9th) and Passover (April 5th-13th) are upon us. Here's how to musically celebrate these special events! In this week's episode Marlene shares easy-to-play traditional Easter and Passover songs for guitar.     Guitar Courses & Learning Resources Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!   Unlimited Lesson and Classes Coaching Sessions Marlene's Music/Thursday Tips Blog  www.marlenesmusic.com Tha...