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Guitar Lessons

What I’ve learned from playing guitar for 25 years.

I started playing guitar when I was 10 years old.

I wanted to do it because my friend David played. He was good.

As good as a fifth grader can be I guess.

I used this no-name-brand electric guitar that belonged to my dad. It was black with a white pickguard. It looked like a Stratocaster, but it had these buttons on it that must have acted as a pickup switches. I think there were three of them, big and wide and white and smooth – like lightswitches almost. Maybe 3/4 of an inch wide and 1 1/2 inches long. In my mild internet research I’ve not been able to find them. Maybe you can. If you do let me know.

Anyway.

The guitar worked fine (despite it’s sketchiness and homemade aesthetic). I took lessons at a local music store and learned out of a song book. I think I made it all the way through the first book… possibly started the second. But after 3 months of lessons I was done.

I’ve told my guitar-playing origin story before (on this very website) so I’m not going to go into it again. But it turns out I just wasn’t ready to play the guitar. Fine. No big deal. As a 10 year old I was more into Nintendo.

A few years later I picked the guitar up again – this time an acoustic one (strangely enough, that very same acoustic guitar is sitting within arms length – you can even hear what it sound like here or here).

I also picked up a Jimmy Buffett song book. This was before ultimate-guitar.com was a thing… and definitely before youtube was a thing. I muddled my way through tabs and chord charts in the song book and was well on my way.

That was 1995. I was thirteen. I’m writing this in 2020. Twenty five years of solid guitar playing.

I really haven’t put it down since.

But recently I’ve been thinking a lot about the 10,00 hours rule (which may or may not be true). I figure I’ve probably accrued close to 10,000 hours of guitar time. If not, I’m getting close. Now that hasn’t been 10,000 hours of deliberate practice… Jesus Christ I can’t even imagine. But it is about 25 years of non-stop guitar. It’s not like a took a year off. Sure there have been weeks when the guitar never got picked up, but nowadays I hardly go a day that I don’t play.

So I was wondering if there is any lesson or point or meaning or purpose to these past 25 years of guitar.

Here’s what I’ve come up with…

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Guitar Lessons

The Best Hobbies for Kids: How to Get Them Started

Today’s post is a ANOTHER awesome guest article written by Julie Morris.  She runs http://juliemorris.org

Normally I keep the focus of my articles on guitar tips (how to learn the guitar faster, practice more efficiently, etc).

Sometimes it’s good to take a step back and look at learning as a whole.  It’s tough for us to learn something new.  Getting starting can be confusing or even daunting.  Julie gives us some tips about how to ease kids into a new hobby.

Here’s Julie:

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Guitar Lessons

Can I Rent an Acoustic Guitar? Also…How Much Does a Beginner Acoustic Guitar Cost?

This post may contain affiliate links.  Please read my disclosure for more info.
can i rent a guitar

In a previous article I talked about how much guitar lessons cost – specifically – how much you can expect to pay for guitar lessons themselves. But what about hidden (or not so hidden) costs of playing the guitar?

And how much does a beginner entry-level guitar cost?

Can I rent a guitar?

How expensive is it to play the guitar?

These are all good (and smart) questions, and (lucky for you) the answers are pretty straightforward…

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Guitar Lessons

UPDATE: Gear Review: Jim’s Pick: The Most Grippy Pick in the Universe

Check Jim’s Website for current prices and pick selections

About a year ago I wrote a review of Jim’s Picks. If you’re not familiar with the product:  they’re textured sticker grips (think adhesive sandpaper) that have been cut and manufactured to adhere to any guitar pick.  You can buy just the grip, or you can buy a pack of picks with the grips already attached.

You can read the full review here.

Since then, Jim has updated his guitar picks based on consumer feedback (which I have to say – is awesome:  he heard the feedback and made an even better product).

I was lucky enough to get my hands on some samples and here’s what I think:

Sticker Size and shape:

By far, the biggest criticism of the original Jim’s Picks, had to do with the sticker size and shape.  The large circle stickers took some trial and error (and sometimes cutting) to get the ideal placement.  If you placed it too low the sticker grip would hit the strings (not good).  \

The grips have been reshaped into a large wide oval.  This makes placement more obvious, and it resolves the issue of hitting the strings.  Jim also offers smaller oval grips for smaller picks (e.g. jazz picks).

More picks and grips

To add more value, Jim has increased the pick quantity from 3 picks to 6 picks (for the same price).

Still Worth It?

Absolutely!  If you have trouble holding your pick, or if you find that it slips and slides and moves around while you’re playing – it’s definitely worth picking up a pack of Jim’s Picks.

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Best Guitar Stuff Guitar Lessons

Best Halloween Guitar Songs (2020 Update)

halloween-guitar-songs

I really dig Halloween.

I’ve loved it since I was a kid.

As an adult it holds an even more special place in my heart – my wife and I met on Halloween and were married on Halloween (separate Halloweens… obviously).

I love Halloween music.

But sometimes guitar songs get the shaft on Halloween.

While I love Monster Mash and Ghostbusters… they’re not exactly “guitar songs”.  Don’t get me wrong, there are excellent versions of these songs being done on the guitar.

But I’m talking about songs that either highlight some wicked electric guitar, or can be played easily on an acoustic guitar.

So, as your resident online guitar teacher and guitar music recommender, I’ve compiled a list of the best Halloween songs to play on the guitar.

There are some obvious choices and some that are less popular but worthwhile.

Here we go….

The Less Obvious Halloween Songs

Little Ghost (The White Stripes)

This song is cute and creepy.  A ghostly love song with some strong mandolin, but easily played and translatable to acoustic guitar with simple open chords.   You can probably get by with just I – IV – V chords (not necessarily in that order).  Capo your guitar up around the 7th or 8th fret to get that mandolin sound.

My Fathers House  and/or Nebraska (Bruce Springsteen)

Open chords, all acoustic.   Both of these Springsteen songs have a mystical creepy vibe.  Nebraska (about actual murderer Charles Starkweather) is smart, calm, and poignant.  Sung from the perspective of Starkweather.   My Father’s House is essentially a dream.  Not so scary as it is ethereal and sad.  Neither of these songs have anything to do with Halloween… but they feel right for this time of year.

Blue Moon (The Marcels)

Chosen explicitly for its inclusion and use in the soundtrack to An American Werewolf in London.  I love the movie.  The choice of the song at this particular moment in the film feels wonderful.  Jarring and hilarious.  The Elvis Presley version also works earlier in the film… but there is something about the way this song hits that makes me love it.  Also… easily played on the guitar with open chords.

Hangman and the Papist (The Strawbs)

Again – not a Halloween song, but a disturbing song nonetheless.  It starts off with organ and quiet guitar and progressively builds as the story unfolds.  I’m not going to spoil it, but listen for yourself.

Oh the Vampyre (A.A. Bondy)

First of all, if you don’t know A.A. Bondy – check him out.  He’s a great singer/songwriter and this song demonstrates how you can tie in sadness, hope, and love into a funny little song.   It’s short and sweet and I could listen to it over and over.

Smoking too Long (Nick Drake)

Most of Nick Drake’s music has a steady mix of melancholy (Things Behind the Sun) or hope (From the Morning).  It’s easy to close your eyes and let it wash over you.  This song is different.  Smoking too Long was written by Robin Frederick.  You can find more details about the song (including the chords) on Frederick’s website here.    Drake’s recording is sad and lonely and seems to jump rather than flow to the end of the song.  Again… not Halloween… but it feels good to sing and listen and play in the fall.

The Popular Halloween Guitar Songs

You know these songs (if you don’t, you better get to know them).   They work anytime of year… and they all work really well on the guitar.

Bad Moon Rising (CCR)

I put a Spell on You (CCR)

Highway to Hell (AC/DC)

Don’t Fear the Reaper (Blue Oyster Cult)

Abracadabra (Steve Miller Band)

Werewolves of London (Warren Zevon)

Season of the Witch (Donovan)

Bark at the Moon (Ozzy Osbourne)

Sympathy for the Devil (The Rolling Stones)

Psycho Killer (Talking Heads)

Runnin’ with the Devil (Van Halen)

Remember Me (from the movie Coco)

That’s it!   Did I miss any?  Leave them in the comments below and I’ll add them to the list!

Jake Posko does Online Guitar Lessons and Coaching as well as in-home lessons in the Annapolis, Maryland area including: Annapolis, Edgewater, Severna Park, Pasadena, Crownsville, Arnold and Kent Island, inquire about lessons by e-mailing him at jake@jakeposko.com

(Photo Credit: FHgitarre)

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Guitar Lessons

It’s Never too Late…

Today’s post is a guest article written by Julie Morris.  She runs http://juliemorris.org/.  A little while back I got an email from Julie:  

Last year, at 53, I started learning how to play guitar. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do, but despite constantly telling my clients not to get in their own way, I’d been getting in mine for years. Telling myself that I was too old to learn an instrument and that I’d be terrible at it anyway.

Well, I’m still pretty terrible, but with each new chord learned, I feel a sense of achievement.

Check out Julie’s website here

Here’s Julie:

It’s Never Too Late to Learn Something New

 

One of the best qualities a person can have is curiosity. Truly successful people never stop learning. They genuinely want to learn new skills that can make them better people. Sometimes they learn on their own, sometimes online and sometimes with a group of friends. Here are a few skills you might want to try next as you try to become one of these kinds of people.

 

Playing a Musical Instrument

 

Learning to play a musical instrument is a great place to start. It will help improve your memory and even make you better at math. You don’t even have to leave the house – there are tons of both free and paid resources online to help you learn just about any instrument you want. Start with YouTube’s music section to find what you’re looking for. If you’d rather have a written guide, just do a few online searches and you’ll be in business. To learn, you’ll have to consistently practice, so set a daily practice time and stick to it.

 

You can also buy instruments online, but do some research to get advice on how to buy a good quality instrument such as a tuba, flute or cello. Make sure you’re getting the right size, look for the right brands and more. There are healthy benefits to learning how to play instruments. For example, as you learn how to play a tuba, you’ll improve breathing and strengthen your core muscles.

 

Playing a musical instrument also helps you to socialize in a way you wouldn’t have been able to do before. You’ll meet new people and develop the teamwork and camaraderie that only comes from working together.

 

Bodybuilding

 

If physical activity is more your thing, consider bodybuilding. This is a great activity to do with a buddy, especially if they are knowledgeable on the topic, and you’re a beginner. If you don’t have a friend like this, you should hire a trainer for at least a couple of sessions to teach you the basics and get you on the right road. Start with a basic plan – look at your body and decide what area you want to focus on. Don’t try to bulk up too much right away. Focus more on gaining the right type of weight with quality muscle over a longer period of time. Make sure you also build recovery time into your routines. Working out for hours on end every day doesn’t give your muscles time to rest, which is when they can grow.

 

Become a DJ

 

If you enjoy music and have an encyclopedic knowledge of music, becoming a DJ might be right up your alley. You’ll have to determine which kind of DJ you want to be – a club DJ where you would keep the dance floor moving, a performer where you would focus on displaying tricks such as cutting and scratching, or a mobile DJ where you would play music for parties, weddings, corporate events or other gatherings. If you want to be a party DJ, get familiar with software such as Spotify or iTunes. If you want to go the club or recording route, you’ll need to invest in specialized software and start practicing. Eventually, you’ll want to record some demos so you’ll have samples of your work as you continue to grow.

 

Learning one of these new skills will help keep your mind – and your body – sharp. Grab a friend and try something new out, whether your passion is music, bodybuilding or something else entirely. You’ll never know until you try, so get out there and learn!

 

Photo from Pexels

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Guitar Lessons Guitar Lessons Online

Gear Review: Jim’s Pick: The Most Grippy Guitar Pick in the Universe….

This post may contain affiliate links.  Please read my disclosure for more info.

UPDATE:  Jim has updated his picks and grips… check out the update here

One of the most popular articles on this site has to do with how to hold your pick and keep it from slipping out of your fingers

(check out that article if you’re looking for tips to keep your guitar pick from slipping and sliding around in your fingers while playing)

If you’re interested in trying out something new that will keep your pick from slipping…  JimsPick are worth a try. 

A few days ago I received an email from Jim asking if I’d try out his new patented and trademarked picks.  Of course I’ll try them out!  He was kind enough to send over some samples.

Here’s what he sent:

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Guitar Lessons

Unlikely Rockers… The Newest Addition to the Annapolis Music Scene…

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You wouldn’t think it to look it at them.  Four kids from The Naval Academy’s Primary School (NAPS) goofing off and playing like typical 9 year olds.

 

Let’s be clear… these are not typical 9 year olds.

 

When the lights go down these four kids are transformed into The Dark, The Red, and The Hell (formerly  Radioactive Rockers, formerly The Five Fires).   This four piece band specializes in hard, sweet, rock music.

 

While most kids spend their time at recess playing games – these guys were forming the next big rock band to come out of Annapolis.

 

Their debut show opened with an intense, fast and steady-paced version of “Seven Nation Army”.

 

Rowan Harriman keeps time on the drums, Zacca Jackson pounds out a relentless and perfect melody on the piano, Charlie Drayton provides the signature riff on guitar, and James Cravens belts out the lyrics and adds lead guitar to the mix.

 

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It’s hard to imagine that just a short two months earlier these guys were only friends and classmates with ephemeral dreams of playing music (and being rock stars).

 

Perhaps it was the looming concert deadline, perhaps just hard work and dedication, or maybe it was the weekly practice sessions and private lessons that led to the band’s success.

 

Weekly lessons and band practice sessions were facilitated Severn River Music – a local in-home music lesson service.  Instructor Diane Riccobene and owner Jake Posko provided guidance and structure to help mold the kids into a cohesive unit.

 

Posko was skeptical having run group lessons before.

 

“Group music lessons can be hit or miss.  They’re a great way for beginners to get their feet wet and learn the basics of an instrument.  But I’ll be honest… I didn’t know what to expect when these guys said they wanted to form a band.”

 

Posko was beaming with pride after the performance, seemingly convinced that the hard work of the kids had paid off.

 

“These guys did it. After that first practice session I wasn’t sure, but they really came together as a band.  I gotta say I’m most impressed with the way these guys worked together constructively.  It’s incredible to see kids their age collaborate with something like this.”

 

After the opening song, those of us who were lucky enough to score an invite to their basement concert debut erupted in applause and screams.

 

Without missing a beat the band finished off with a pounding rendition of “We Will Rock You” by Queen.

 

And then – like magic –  The Dark, The Red, and The Hell transformed back into tour typical nine year old kids…. and like true musicians they left the audience wanting more.

 

The Dark, The Red, and The Hell are currently working in the studio to prepare for their upcoming worold tour.   Stay tuned on Facebook for updates. 

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Guitar Lessons

How Long does it REALLY take to learn the Piano?

This post may contain affiliate links.  Please read my disclosure for more info.

Usually I write about guitar stuff…

But I thought I’d switch it up and talk a bit about my piano experience.

I learned to play the piano much differently than the way I learned to play the guitar.

With guitar – I was (and am) self taught.  I took a month or so of lessons when I was 10, but they didn’t last.

I learned piano very differently.

I was probably about 20 years old and decided to take a piano class in college.  It was a group class with one instructor and we worked our way through a beginner piano book.

I loved it.

It was so different from guitar.

So let’s break this down with different piano examples.  Here are two beginner categories… see which one you fit in:

  1. Basic Piano Skills (as few weeks)
  2. Singing and Play Piano at the Same Time (a few weeks to a few months)

Before we start: The difference between traditional playing and “playing by ear”.  Many people can sit down at a piano and play a melody or even a complicated piece without having to learn to read music.  This is generally what is meant by “playing by ear”.  In other words, you listen to a piece of music and slowly begin to figure out how to play it by a sort of trial and error process.

For some, playing by ear is easy and natural.  For others it is very difficult.  Regardless, it is skill that can be learned and developed.  In fact, it should be learned and developed.  But it isn’t the end game.

Traditional piano playing involves reading music.  Learning to read music is like learning to read a new language with a new alphabet.  It’s a combination of language learning and math skills.  And it takes time to understand.  This can be a major barrier when learning to play the piano (or any instrument for that matter).   It is, however, necessary.

Basic Piano Skills

This is where I started, and this is where most teachers or classes will start.   During your first lesson or class you will most likely learn how to read music at it’s most basic level.  You’ll learn how the keyboard is laid out.  You’ll learn where the notes are.  You’ll learn some rhythmic patterns.

For some, this will be new and exciting.  For others, it will be tedious.

The good news is that once you understand these basic principles, you’ve got the tools to start learning quickly.

By the end of your first lesson you should be able to play some simple songs and melodies.  If you take lessons once a week and practice every day, you’ll be playing more complicated songs using both hands in just a few weeks.

If you don’t practice you won’t make any progress.

Singing and Play Piano at the Same Time

For a lot of people… this is the goal.  You want to be able to sit at a piano and play a song while singing a long.  It’s awesome.  It really is.

But it can be tricky.  Not only do you have to think about what keys you’re hitting and accurately play the piece of music…. you have to focus on singing the right words and melody.

There is a lot going on.

If you already have a solid foundation of music (let’s say you’ve been singing for years).  This level of playing will come much more naturally.

On the other hand, if you’re pretty new to music… it may be a bit more difficult.

My advice would be to pick a song and immerse yourself in it.  Learn the piano part.  Learn the vocal part.  Practice every day.  Go slow. Then faster.

A note about Practice

I’ve written a lot about how to practice.  Usually it’s focused on the guitar… but it doesn’t really matter what instrument… the methods are the same.

Make sure you are taking the time to practice deliberately.  In other words – don’t just sit down to the piano play Chopsticks or Mary Had a Little Lamb every time.  Practice the stuff that is hard.  That’s how you get better and learn faster. 

A note about Progress

In order to make progress when need to be able to measure progress.  And in order to do that, we need goals.

Too often people come to me and ask, “How long will it take me to learn the piano?”

I’ll say: “What are your goals?” or “Why do you want to learn the piano?”

They’ll respond with things like: “It looks fun”, “I’ve always wanted to play the piano”, or “I want a new hobby”

While these answers are admirable – they’re not specific.

When attempting to learn a new instrument, we need to have specific goals.  Here are a few:

  • I want to learn a specific song on the piano
  • I want to be able to play a song for my spouse
  • I want to be able to perform
  • I want to be a professional piano player
  • I want to learn jazz piano
  • I want to learn ragtime piano (my favorite)

You get the idea… you need a specific goal to work towards.  Not only with this keep you motivated and disciplined, but it will provide you with a metric to measure your progress.

The Best way to learn piano the fastest (online)

Obviously having an excellent private teacher will help you learn the fastest.  But not all of have the time, or can afford a private teacher.  Taking a piano class (like I did) is great as well.

The downside with both of these options:  They are expensive and can be time consuming.

If you’re looking to save money, I usually recommend YouTube for free lessons and tutorials.  Youtube is nice because it’s free.  But it can take awhile to find they right lessons and tutorials.  There also isn’t any quality control… anyone can throw up a video and call themselves a piano teacher.

If you’re looking for something with a bit more structure (but cheaper than an actual piano teacher) I usually recommend Playground Sessions.  This is pretty much the gold standard for online piano lessons.   There are a fair amount of online piano lesson services… but I couldn’t find any that I like as much as Playground Sessions.

I like them for a few reasons:

  1. They have lessons for every skill level (including a complete beginner to the piano). 
  2. They update and add new content every month (super important). 
  3. They teach you to play by using notation (i.e. reading music) AND by ear. 

The last reason is enough to give them a try.  Being able to read music (though tricky at first) will make learning piano so much easier…. and playing by ear make you progress even faster.

Let me know if you have questions, comments, or suggestions about learning to play the piano.  I’m a beginner like a lot of you so I’m always looking for new tips and tricks!!

Jake Posko is the owner of Severn River Music – proudly and happily providing in-home guitar, piano, drum and music lessons in the Maryland area including: Annapolis, Edgewater, Severna Park, Pasadena, Crownsville, Arnold and Kent Island, inquire about lessons by e-mailing him at jake@jakeposko.com

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Guitar Lessons Guitar Lessons Online

What Does it Mean to Get Your Guitar Set Up?

This post may contain affiliate links.  Please read my disclosure for more info.

I recently got an e-mail from a reader asking about getting their guitar “set up”.  I realize that I often recommend folks get their guitars set up, but I don’t often explain it.

Sometimes you may hear a guitar player talk about their set up.

But what does it mean to get your guitar set up?

Should you get your guitar set up?

Short Answer: