guitar Archives

Dating back some 800 years, the guitar, a wood instrument. Strung with various horse hairs and now metal strings. Produce sound by strumming, picking (bow).

September 20, 2023September 23, 2024

Capo

Finding A Replacement Capotasto

Fender, D’Addario or Kyser

Gear – Capo (Capotasto)

20 mins a day, now includes a capo.

I’ve checked all around the shop, the office, and the home etc. Everywhere. As you know from the post title, I had to find a replacement Sweetwater – D’Addario arrives and we are back in business. For those who need more information on the guitar clamp, the clamping mechanism is in use when a player places the capo on a desired fret to ‘shorten’ the fretboard, bringing the nut to the higher number frets. Ideally, we picked this one up, for both acoustic and 6-string electric guitars.

Quickly, I’d like to note the missing accessory. The original is somewhere around the house, but it is noted here – the Sweetwater – Kyser. A great piece of kit, black, easy to use for those of you who might want to start practicing with a capo. Both are great capo options the Sweetwater – D’Addario or Sweetwater – Kyser, get yourself one today.

If you’re looking for other guitar accessories, give this a shot – @GuitarZoom 20 mins a day, might be your; ticket to guitar stardom.

While you’re shopping those of you who refinish, build or part out guitar builds… or looking at improving your guitar acumen with a capo. It’s important to set the action or correct the truss rod in those guitars (acoustic, electric, bass and classical guitars) that have them (which is most). That said, be sure to check out what’s called luthier gauges for quick and easy measurements and action changes. A nice-to-have, this hand tool is a great addition for those who maintain their guitar or bass arsenal.

September 12, 2023September 24, 2024

20 Mins A Day

Learn How To Play The Guitar, In Just 20 mins

Nose To The Grind – 20mins A Day

Lab Work – Grinding Out Practice Time, Self-Improvement

Today, I added strumming the guitar ‘guitar grind’ back in the mix. Grind you say?

Yes, the grind. I’ve never been musically inclined, nor formally taught, trained or had a significant amount of time to dedicate to the craft. So, in order to chip away at this theory of the ‘grind’… today, I’ve found 20 – 30 minutes (per day) to pick up the guitar and learn something; anything. Whether it be lessons, chord progression, song practice, music theory, finger position, scales, strumming and more. Like I said, just trying to chip away at the rust, if there was any rust built up over the years.

Check out my recent post on the D’Addario medium celluloid picks. I’ve found them to be useful when dealing with finger slippage, mostly due to sweat. I also added Vincent’s post on 50+ Easy Guitar Songs for Every Beginner. As a beginner, novice I am. Not horrible might be away to describe the journey.

Online Resources, Content Creators

The lessons and songs plays nicely in the sandbox, guitar in hand, for 20 – 30 minutes. They cover “I Wanna Be There” by Blessed Union Of Souls, “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley, “3am” by Matchbox 20, “Learning To Fly” by Tom Petty and “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd. I wouldn’t say this was easy for me as a struggling novice. Additionally, Vincent’s collection includes other online talent with distinction – a quick search, and you too can play along with @Guitar Zoom – for Chord Work via Steve Stine, @MartyMusic – for the “3am” lesson by Marty Swartz, and “The Secret to Strumming Learning To Fly” by Tom Petty, via @Lauren Bateman.

So, what am I getting at here? What’s the catch? I’ll leave you with this: Whether it’s learning the guitar outright, formal music lessons, finger positions etc. from a music perspective, or general reading, try it for 20/30 mins a day. Dedicate the time to developing this habit, a new habit. Good habits are hard to find, and that’s the value in what we’re targeting in this post. Yes, this post is specific to guitar learning, and may be more about ‘writing’ for me, writers block or fatigue. I’m a firm believer in finding new skills, making new connections and pushing myself further than the day prior. Final note, I’ve had access to a guitar since college, over 20 years ago. It’s time to pick it up, tune it, and start learning today.

Good luck with your own activity to start today, grind away

January 30, 2021September 29, 2024

Guitar Notes Video

Sharps, Odd Numbered Frets and Memorizing

Scales, Guitar Mechanics, & Tabs

Lab Work – Guitar Notes Video – Quickly Learn Notes at Scale

Need help with scales?

Check out Steve Stine, covering notes and the circular note pattern see more…

So, you’re looking for help, Steve can help. In this video, he (Steve) goes over notes and how to work within the system of octaves. I’m not going to try to cover what he does so well in this @GuitarZoom video. I looked for an easy way to learn the fretboard, sharps, and a way to memorize the notes on the fretboard. There are literally ten’s of thousands of videos, so what makes Steve’s videos different? Pace, memorization, easy-to-listen, easy to rewind and play again… all of the above. Like anything, you make it, what it is or it becomes. There are other @GuitarZoom videos and lessons on – skool.com. and learning packages highlighted on the site, but this one is a practical process to learn the fretboard, scales, repeating scales and octaves.

Honestly, I’ve not gone to ‘skool’ any more than the videos that are available via YouTube. However, when trying to accomplish 20 mins of practice a day. I go to this video so that I can memorize how the guitar is setup, the scales, octaves and how the guitar is setup. And working within the guitar system or repeating scales.

Take your time, keep practicing and master those notes. Shout out @GuitarZoom. Interested?

August 31, 2020September 25, 2024

Luthier Gauges

Fix String Height; Guitar Action

Stew Mac Gauges

Tech | Tools – Luthier Tools

Luthier Tools; Gauges

Someday, I’ll learn I’m not much of a luthier, but I do build, tinker and repair my own. I recently completed my first DIY build, using a premade body and genuine guitar parts – EMG Tele Pickup Set, Fender Telecaster neck and Wilkinson tuners. Now, I’m venturing into higher quality builds, like an American Tele body with full US-made parts for an American Parts Tele. As I work on these projects, I realize that I’ll need some gauges. These luthier gauges seem like they could be useful to have around. They are defintely worth the investment if you’re working on installing new quality tuners or building a fresh guitar.

If you’re in need of quality DIY guitar parts, I recommend checking out eBay, Stewmac, or Amazon a peek. They offer a variety of wood selections, premiere quality, American-made stock necks, and more. With the right tools and skills, you can fully fabricate, build and play a new guitar in just a few days (minus sanding and glue time). It’s a wild concept, but it’s possible. Speaking of gauges, this handy gauge set can help you adjust the action on both acoustic and electric guitars. Ultimately, the string height will determine the pressure needed to play a note or chord. This gauge set is a great option for DIY builds, parts builds or working on pre-made guitar stock from the Stewmac shop. While you’re shopping, be sure to check out what’s called a capo or capotasto, for quick and easy scale changes. A nice-to-have, this hand tool or accessory is a great addition to your learning arsenal, allowing you to alter your guitar’s scale in seconds and enhance your guitar skills.

As usual leave a comment below, let us know what you’re thinking?

August 18, 2020October 4, 2024

Guitar Lesson Video

Sandercoe – Justin Sandercoe – Aint No Sunshine Guitar Lesson

Lab Work – Guitar Lesson Video – Justin Sandercoe covers “Ain’t No Sunshine” Easy Guitar Lesson by Bill Withers

A classic YouTube guitar less video, guitar lessons online, see more…

Guitar lessons online from Justin Sandercoe known as @justinGuitar, who teaches us how to play “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers. Justin has been cranking out guitar videos for a long time (2010 or 2011). As a native Tasmanian guitarist, he has got the skills, and has been sharing guitar knowledge online since the early 2010’s.

I’ve have known about him and watched his videos since around 2014. This cover of a Bill Wither song is a great example of how, once you have the basics down, you can move on to more complex songs and general chord progression and more. I started working with Justin online sometime after I picked up a second-hand acoustic guitar in the 2014 timeframe.

My goal was to restart the learning process, as I had previously struggled with the F chord. It was just matter of practicing, building hand strength, and so on. I thought I would never master that chord, I still haven’t.. but I can play it consistently.

So, I still have to make a conscience effort in order to set time up in my day to train and go over the things (skills I do have) on a monthly basis, but I made a commitment to try and play 20 mins a day minimum. My plan is to play more often, for a longer period of time as we closed to the end of the year.

If you’re picking up a guitar for the first time or have a family member or friend starting out, Justin can help with all the basics… holding the guitar, strumming, chords etc., all good practice before you might start in studio lessons.

Justin Guitar has over 1.5M subs, 1.2K videos on his channel @justinGuitar. Check out his lessons, website and more videos and others like it on YouTube or check out our other videos found under the video category on our website.