Ok, I know many have heard this old chestnut:
A tourist is wandering around New York City when he stops and asks the store owner who is opening up shop for the day,” Do you know how I get to Carnegie Hall?  The busy shop owner hardly pauses to think about the question just asked to him and says “Yeah, practice, practice, practice!”

So what do I find as important as that obvious tip for improving technique for many guitar and mandolin players?  You’re looking at it.

The plectrum (or lowly “pick” )  can have a huge effect on one’s Continue reading You can pick your friends but… →

I have often suggested to my students that leaving their guitar or mandolin cradled on a secure instrument stand is a sure way to end up practicing more often.   I know this holds true for myself.  If the instrument is in view and displayed on a stand, I am much more likely to walk by and pick it up and play, even if just for a few minutes.  Most of the time a few minutes becomes many minutes and before you know it you are spending some quality practice time without really ever intending to. Continue reading Stand by your guitar…man →

These clever, convenient and inexpensive little Snark tuners are a blessing in many situations, but they seem to have an effect on my students that seems a bit disconcerting…. Continue reading Snark Tuners…….Friend or Foe? →