CHORDS AND PROGRESSIONS:

Guitar chords are one of the fundamental aspects of learning the instrument and expanding your capabilities along the neck. That is why practicing and being able to play basic chord shapes is incredibly important in setting a foundation for your guitar playing. Practicing these chords over and over again and eventually mastering them will eventually allow you to transition to learning and practicing the endless number of chord variations that are out there. Having the capability to know the various chord shapes will also lead you to get better at playing chord progressions, which is essential for playing and writing songs. This is just one example of how different facets of practicing the guitar can blend into one another.

SCALES:

Guitar scales are also one of the most crucial things for guitar players to be practicing during their practice time. Although there are many different scales to learn, practice and work with, they are key to becoming a better soloist and will even improve your understanding of music theory. If you are a beginner, the minor pentatonic scale is a great scale to start with if you are just getting into soloing over songs or chord progressions. In addition to getting better at soloing, practicing guitar scales will also help with finger technique, rhythm, hand strength and finding patterns within different styles of music. If you find yourself wondering what you should be practicing as a guitar player, it could be very beneficial to start with chords, progressions and scales. From there, you can start to branch out and learn more about a fantastic instrument.

STRING GAUGE:

String gauge is one of the most defining factors that play into a guitarist’s decision of what strings to buy. Usually coming in extra light, light and medium gauges, the size of the string plays a part in different styles and sounds of guitar playing. For example, lighter-gauge strings are usually more beneficial for things such as soloing, fingerpicking and even learning the guitar. That is why lighter-gauge strings are probably the best option if you are just starting out. In addition, lighter-gauge strings are great for older guitars, as well as smaller-bodied guitars, which also include parlor acoustic guitars and travel guitars. While lighter-gauge strings may be easier to play, they might not produce the full tone you are looking for in your instrument.

STRING METALS:

Like string gauges, the different metals that strings are made of are also something to consider when buying the right strings for your guitar. Some of the most common string metals used on electric guitars are stainless steel, pure nickel and nickel-plated steel. On acoustic guitars, some of the most common string metals are 80/20 bronze and phosphor bronze. If you desire a bright and warm tone from your electric guitar, steel strings are a great choice. On the other hand, pure nickel strings will produce a more vintage sound. For acoustic guitars, 80/20 bronze strings are a great all-around choice for a clean sound, but they do wear down quickly due to metal corrosion. Overall, there is so much more that goes into buying the right strings for your guitar than some people might think. Whether it is the gauge of the strings or the type of the strings, there are plenty of options that will aid you in getting that perfect tone.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

According to a variety of studies, learning an instrument can positively affect stress levels, perseverance, creativity, memory, confidence, parts of the brain and much more. Since learning an instrument has been shown to increase the volume of gray matter in your brain, this skill can also translate to other parts of daily life. This can include school, work, problem-solving and even decision making. In addition to that, learning an instrument can also give you the ability to share your new skill with others. Even though it may be intimidating at first, the rewards that come with learning an instrument far outweigh the difficulties you may be faced with at the beginning.

SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH OTHER MUSICIANS:

Another benefit of learning an instrument is that you may eventually begin to play and surround yourself with other musicians. This is especially good for gaining more confidence in your abilities as you progress and can even give you the motivation to keep getting better on your own. Playing and practicing music in a group has also shown to increase organization and teamwork skills.

WHERE DO I START?

Finding an instrument that interests and excites you to learn may be one of the most important parts of starting the process of becoming a musician. Do you have a favorite musician in mind? A favorite genre of music? A passion for listening to a particular instrument? These are all things to keep in mind when finding what instrument is best for you. Most importantly, learning an instrument is supposed to be fun, so find something that you enjoy and start practicing!

One of the biggest decisions new guitar players must make is whether to learn to play an acoustic guitar or an electric guitar first. While similar in many ways, the two types of guitars have some big differences. If you’re still considering which type of guitar to learn first, read on below to discover the main differences between acoustic vs electric guitars.

Similarities between Acoustic and Electric Guitars

Before we dive right into the differences between the two, it’s helpful to know how they are similar. Both are string instruments (six strings on each) and produce sound through the vibration of the strings. Both electric and acoustic guitars have long necks, a fretboard, tuning pegs, and are primarily made of wood. However, beyond that, the two types of guitars are very different.

Differences Between Acoustic vs Electric Guitars

Sound

Perhaps the biggest and most noticeable difference between the two types of guitars is their sound. Each one has a very distinct and unique musical style, making them geared towards specific genres of music. While an acoustic guitar is capable of producing sound on its own, an electric guitar needs power and an amplifier to emit any real sound. The amplifier magnifies the sound and allows for more control and manipulation as well as the opportunity to add effects. For this reason, electric guitars are very versatile and capable of producing many different tones.

An acoustic guitar, on the other hand, is more limited in sound as it is not supported by an external amp. Thus, it has a more mellow tone compared to an electric guitar. For those who are interested in playing folk, bluegrass or country music, an acoustic guitar is the best choice while an electric guitar is better suited for heavy metal and hard rock music.

Price

As you might expect, there is a cost difference between acoustic vs electric guitars. In most cases, acoustic guitars are more budget-friendly because they require fewer accessories. Whereas electric guitars require an amplifier and other gear, which can quickly add up in price. However, there are always ways to minimize costs. No matter what type of guitar you choose, be sure to visit a local guitar store in Scottsdale or Phoenix to find the best deal possible before making your purchase.

Strings

While both electric and acoustic guitars have six strings, the types of strings used on each guitar are different. Acoustic guitars tend to use heavier strings made of bronze and brass while lighter steel or nickel strings work best on electric guitars. Due to the heaviness of the strings, acoustic guitars are usually a bit harder to play than electric guitars because more finger strength is required. But with enough practice and plenty of guitar lessons, your fingers will adjust over time.

Shape and Size

Another major difference between the two types of guitars is their shape and size. Acoustic guitars have big hollow bodies with a sound hole in the middle that helps to project the sound. In contrast, electric guitars are solid bodies and do not have sound holes. Instead, sound is projected through pickups (magnetic coils) and an amp. Generally speaking, electric guitars are smaller than acoustic guitars, have thinner bodies, and thinner necks, making them more comfortable to play (especially for beginning guitar players).

However, many newbie guitar players opt to learn on an acoustic guitar instead because of its simplicity (no knobs, wires or accessories) and its portability. For example, you can easily transport it to your guitar lessons in Scottsdale without breaking a sweat or worrying about lugging extra equipment. When choosing between an acoustic vs electric guitar, it all boils down to preference and priorities.

No matter which one you choose, remember that you can always learn to play the other as well!  Once you learn the basics of one guitar, it’s fairly easy to learn to play the other. For help learning how to play either guitar, contact Scottsdale Music Academy or sign up for a free introductory music lesson to see what we’re all about!

Luckily, the teachers at Scottsdale Music Academy are all professional musicians who not only teach music but also play music for a living. Here are their top tips for booking music gigs.

Tips for Booking Music Gigs

1. Think Locally

While it’s every musician’s dream to go on a nationwide major city tour, that’s not always realistic when first starting out. That’s why we encourage our music students to think locally. Instead of looking for gigs across the US, concentrate on local venues in Phoenix, Scottsdale or Paradise Valley where you could possibly play. And don’t just focus your efforts on concert venues or clubs…think coffee shops, restaurants, museums or private parties, anywhere you could gain some experience and add to your resume.

2.  Use Your Connections

Along the same lines of “thinking locally,” it’s also a good idea to use your connections to find opportunities for music gigs. Chances are you know someone who knows someone who’s looking for a musician! Ask around and take advantage of your network. The more personal connections you can foster with promoters, booking agents or local venues, the better your chances will be at landing the gig.

3. Come With a Plan

When you’re reaching out to possible local venues, it’s wise to come with a plan. By that, we mean be ready to show them what you can offer. If you’re contacting venues via email, simply send along a link to your website or Soundcloud profile or links to any videos you might have. But your best bet is to visit the venue in person and play a little something for the owner or promoter. As an extra incentive, bring along a few ideas on how you’d personally help promote the concert or event. This will demonstrate how serious and interested you are about playing there.

4. Make Sure Your Music is a Match

Spare yourself future disappointment by doing your research and choosing your venues wisely. For instance, don’t waste your time contacting a venue that specializes in jazz music when your particular style of music is more rock or acoustic. Only reach out to venues where you know your style of music is wanted or make a habit of asking that question upfront. There are plenty of venues in Phoenix and Scottsdale that cater to a variety of music genres, including yours…you just have to look!

Our last tip related to booking gigs is to always be professional. It should be a no brainer, but sending thank you emails, interacting with the crowd after a performance, and showing up on time all go a long way to help ensure a good reputation and guarantee you’re re-booked in the future.

If you’re not quite ready to book your own gig or need some extra help preparing for it, consider signing up for band coaching. We’ll teach you everything you need to know to guarantee your first live performance goes off without a hitch. From stage presence to setup and audience engagement, you’ll learn it all! Contact Scottsdale Music Academy today to get started!

Luckily, tuning a guitar is pretty simple and straightford. Anyone can learn how to properly tune a guitar. All you need is a little knowledge!

Without further ado, here are three proven ways to tune your guitar to ensure you sound your best at all times.

Electric Tuner

Oh, the advantages of technology! An electric guitar tuner is by far one of the easiest and quickest ways to tune your guitar. When you’re in a rush for time or want truly accurate results, using an electric guitar tuner is the way to go.

To tune your guitar using this tool, first be sure the calibration setting on the tuner is set to 440 Hz as that is the industry standard tuning frequency. Then, simply play a note and the device will show you how close you are to the desired note. To achieve the best results, tune each string one by one, slowing turning the tuning keys until the tuning needle is in the middle. Not only are guitar tuners the quickest way to tune your guitar, they’re also fairly inexpensive ($15 on average) and lightweight, making them super portable, so you can take one with you anywhere you go.

Matching Pitch With A Piano

If you don’t have a guitar tuner on hand, the next best way to tune your guitar is by matching the pitch to a piano or other instrument. This method is best suited for more advanced guitar players who’ve been taking guitar lessons for years, and can easily recognize one note from another. While this method isn’t as foolproof as a guitar tuner, it is extremely useful when playing in a group. To utilize this method, just play the note on the piano and use that as a reference, adjusting the strings on your guitar until the pitch is the same. Pro tip: start with the bottom E string and work your way up.

Pitch Pipe

For Scottsdale and Phoenix guitar players who aren’t 100% confident tuning by ear, but want to learn that skill, using a pitch pipe is another great alternative. A pitch pipe is an excellent tool that enables you to tune your guitar in the same way you would a piano or other instrument. Essentially, a pitch pipe is a small rectangular device with six pipes, one for each corresponding string. The advantages to using a pitch pipe is its ease, portability, and its lack of need for batteries!

No matter how you choose to tune your guitar, remember that precise tuning is a skill that can be learned just like anything else. As always, if you need help learning how to properly tune your guitar or just need some extra guitar tips and tricks, contact Scottsdale Music Academy. With personalized guitar lessons, group music lessons, and a passionate, dedicated team, there’s nothing we can’t help you achieve!