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Power Practice
My 2020 got off to a flying start with a gig on New Year’s Eve. The very next day, I was recording tracks in preparation for the NAMM® show, where I’d be representing Yamaha Guitars. Nothing motivates...
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Sibling Harmony
Q: How many guitars does a guitarist need? A: Just one more! Yes, it’s a joke, but one with a ring of truth to it. I imagine most seasoned players would give that answer if they’re being totally...
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Phrase to Amaze
The first five years of my guitar playing life were spent studying rhythm guitar, not lead. For some reason, I had no desire to learn scales, arpeggios and melodies. Focusing my attention strictly on...
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Slide Rules
Even in the peaceful daily moments, my mind is working overtime. The other day, I started to wonder how many notes I play per song at a typical gig, so I did the math. A four-minute song at 100 bpm...
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Flip the Switch
I took the above photographs at my studio and Hawaiian coffee farm, showing my friend and model, Colleen Boland, with a TransAcoustic LL-TA (left) and CSF-TA (right). One of the best years of my life...
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Neck and Neck
I tend to buy footwear based on the functionality, fit, comfort, color and (being the diva that I am) how they look! Running shoes need to provide cushioned support, while deck shoes are great for my...
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Twin Lead Guitars
The blessing and curse for guitar players is that we have so many techniques and improvisational tools to choose from. Making a decision on what to play comes down to experience, taste and making sure...
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Learning to Speak the Language of Music
I started playing guitar at the age of thirteen. Two years later, I was performing live in local clubs. I wasn’t all that interested in playing cover songs, but I knew I needed to learn the original...
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Scales, Shapes and Contours
In last month’s posting, I explored the value of a music education and the career opportunities it can provide. Of course, it takes much more than an education to forge a pathway to superstardom....
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How to Play the High Notes on Your Guitar
I’ve always loved how logical the piano keyboard is. Seven octaves (plus a minor third) of chromatic tones, color-coordinated in ebony and ivory to indicate the sharps, flats and naturals. Better...
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Tips for Playing Nylon-String Guitar
As a musician, I rely on my cache of instruments to create the tones and textures needed for each individual recording session, project and performance. Could I play most pieces of music on just one...
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How to Play Guitar and Sing at the Same Time
Something magical happens when you hear the sound of your voice vibrating freely with the body of an acoustic guitar. It’s where melody meets harmony and a deeper understanding of music can be felt and...
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Tips for Playing and Singing Solo
In a recent blog article, I explored the physical skillsets required to sing and play guitar at the same time. But it also takes desire, focus and hard work — and, sometimes, the heart of a lion — to...
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How to Record Guitar and Build a Song Around It
I’ve been composing and recording music professionally for the past 25 years. My creative process and the way I capture musical ideas evolves constantly with the latest advancements in digital...
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Tips for Playing Rhythm Guitar
Most budding guitarists spend more time developing their melodic chops than perfecting their rhythm skills. Yet any professional will tell you that 95% of covering the gig depends on playing solid,...
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A Guide to Effects Settings for Acoustic Guitars
We generally think of an acoustic guitar as an instrument without amplification. After all, its naturally generated sound emanates from the sound hole, with a rich tonality that’s shaped largely by the...
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How to Keep Falling in Love with Guitar
My love affair with the guitar began in my early teens. I was initially drawn to the physical shapes and vibrant colors, but I think the sound of the instrument is what really got to me. The fact that...
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Spotlight on Second-Generation Yamaha Revstar Guitars
I love demonstrating the latest Yamaha guitars at trade shows. These events allow me to interact with the Yamaha, Line 6 and Ampeg teams, as well as with dealers and fellow guitar players. At the 2020...
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Focus on the Focus Switch
Every year, musical instrument manufacturers release exciting new innovations in digital technology — things like processors that replicate analog devices with stunning accuracy, or recording...
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Yamaha Guitars at 2022 NAMM: A Preview
As I write this, we are six weeks, three days, 42 minutes and 16 seconds away from NAMM, but who’s counting? Well, actually, I think a lot of people in the music industry are, and you can be sure they...
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