http://deftdigits.com Guitar Lessons Tue, 01 May 2012 23:27:19 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 deftdigitshttp://feedburner.google.com http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/hprKDphjCrw/ http://deftdigits.com/2012/05/01/seattle-ukulele-lessons/#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 23:27:19 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=1389 In addition to the guitar lessons I&#8217;ve been teaching for the last few years, I&#8217;m now also offering ukulele lessons in my Seattle studio. I learned how to play the ukulele several years ago, but haven&#8217;t tried teaching it until &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2012/05/01/seattle-ukulele-lessons/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/hprKDphjCrw" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2012/05/01/seattle-ukulele-lessons/feed/ 0 http://deftdigits.com/2012/05/01/seattle-ukulele-lessons/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=seattle-ukulele-lessons http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/vuAtjKM28XY/ http://deftdigits.com/2012/04/10/mistakes-are-good-for-you/#comments Wed, 11 Apr 2012 02:23:08 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=1288 Huh? Read that title again. Mistakes really are good for you. Every mistake you make is a little red flag saying, &#8220;Want to become a better guitarist? Spend some time right here! Fix me!&#8221; Check out this now-famous video of &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2012/04/10/mistakes-are-good-for-you/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/vuAtjKM28XY" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2012/04/10/mistakes-are-good-for-you/feed/ 1 http://deftdigits.com/2012/04/10/mistakes-are-good-for-you/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mistakes-are-good-for-you http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/cKDSV6PViuc/ http://deftdigits.com/2012/03/09/the-guitarists-essentials/#comments Fri, 09 Mar 2012 14:02:38 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=1360 I don&#8217;t like rules. These are not rules. These are my top pieces of advice for guitar students of all ages and skill levels. I use these strategies relentlessly in my own playing. Use a Tuner Keep your guitar as &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2012/03/09/the-guitarists-essentials/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/cKDSV6PViuc" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2012/03/09/the-guitarists-essentials/feed/ 2 http://deftdigits.com/2012/03/09/the-guitarists-essentials/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-guitarists-essentials http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/6jDORaLOojU/ http://deftdigits.com/2012/03/07/fretboard-twister/#comments Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:30:03 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=1284 Here&#8217;s an awesome little finger exercise for guitar. I call it &#8220;Fretboard Twister,&#8221; because it works just like the popular Twister game. Instead of moving your hands and feet to different spots on a floor mat, you&#8217;ll be moving your &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2012/03/07/fretboard-twister/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/6jDORaLOojU" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2012/03/07/fretboard-twister/feed/ 0 http://deftdigits.com/2012/03/07/fretboard-twister/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=fretboard-twister http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/OCdGujcEbfU/ http://deftdigits.com/2012/03/05/how-to-practice-chords-hit-the-bullseye/#comments Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:58:50 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=1343 Practicing guitar chords is very much like practicing darts. When playing through songs, you often need to strum a chord the instant your fingers land on the strings. There&#8217;s no extra time to make adjustments and get the chord re-fingered &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2012/03/05/how-to-practice-chords-hit-the-bullseye/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/OCdGujcEbfU" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2012/03/05/how-to-practice-chords-hit-the-bullseye/feed/ 0 http://deftdigits.com/2012/03/05/how-to-practice-chords-hit-the-bullseye/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-practice-chords-hit-the-bullseye http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/YcqMQz2oB3Y/ http://deftdigits.com/2012/02/20/guitar-lessons-at-off-the-wall-school-of-music/#comments Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:00:04 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=1298 I&#8217;m thrilled to announce that in addition to teaching guitar lessons on Skype and in my Seattle studio, I am now also teaching at Off the Wall School of Music in Wallingford. Since 2010, they&#8217;ve been offering lessons on piano, &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2012/02/20/guitar-lessons-at-off-the-wall-school-of-music/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/YcqMQz2oB3Y" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2012/02/20/guitar-lessons-at-off-the-wall-school-of-music/feed/ 0 http://deftdigits.com/2012/02/20/guitar-lessons-at-off-the-wall-school-of-music/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=guitar-lessons-at-off-the-wall-school-of-music http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/A12M0KpJEFo/ http://deftdigits.com/2012/02/13/the-mother-of-all-major-scale-exercises-part-4-of-4/#comments Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:52:22 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=1290 The final episode in the &#8220;Mother of All Major Scale Exercises&#8221; series is here. (Check out Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 first.) Part 4 combines parts 2 and 3, moving through the Cycle of Fourths with every position &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2012/02/13/the-mother-of-all-major-scale-exercises-part-4-of-4/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/A12M0KpJEFo" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2012/02/13/the-mother-of-all-major-scale-exercises-part-4-of-4/feed/ 0 http://deftdigits.com/2012/02/13/the-mother-of-all-major-scale-exercises-part-4-of-4/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-mother-of-all-major-scale-exercises-part-4-of-4 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/LcLxhPCnd1k/ http://deftdigits.com/2012/02/01/the-mother-of-all-major-scale-exercises-part-3-of-4/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:32:23 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=1265 The &#8220;Mother of All Major Scale Exercises&#8221; series gets even tougher with Part 3. (Check out Part 1 and Part 2 first.) This new iteration of the exercise takes the zig-zagging up and down the fretboard from Part 1 and &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2012/02/01/the-mother-of-all-major-scale-exercises-part-3-of-4/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/LcLxhPCnd1k" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2012/02/01/the-mother-of-all-major-scale-exercises-part-3-of-4/feed/ 0 http://deftdigits.com/2012/02/01/the-mother-of-all-major-scale-exercises-part-3-of-4/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-mother-of-all-major-scale-exercises-part-3-of-4 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/qOA11bY7V0g/ http://deftdigits.com/2012/01/30/how-to-memorize-and-use-the-cycle-of-fourths/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:30:26 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=49 The Cycle of Fourths (a.k.a. &#8220;Circle of Fifths&#8221; or &#8220;Cycle of Fifths&#8221; or &#8220;Circle of Fourths&#8221;) is a representation of all 12 notes in the chromatic scale, arranged into a circle. It&#8217;s most commonly used to easily find the notes &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2012/01/30/how-to-memorize-and-use-the-cycle-of-fourths/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/qOA11bY7V0g" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2012/01/30/how-to-memorize-and-use-the-cycle-of-fourths/feed/ 0 http://deftdigits.com/2012/01/30/how-to-memorize-and-use-the-cycle-of-fourths/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-memorize-and-use-the-cycle-of-fourths http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/X1pFqtfolGQ/ http://deftdigits.com/2012/01/26/new-tool-capo-calculator/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:25:25 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=1218 I&#8217;ve written a new web tool! Check out the Capo Calculator. Choose any set of chords from any song you&#8217;re learning or writing or you already love to play, and the Capo Calculator will show you the best places for &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2012/01/26/new-tool-capo-calculator/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/X1pFqtfolGQ" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2012/01/26/new-tool-capo-calculator/feed/ 1 http://deftdigits.com/2012/01/26/new-tool-capo-calculator/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-tool-capo-calculator http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/KSvMSCK_Yho/ http://deftdigits.com/2012/01/18/the-mother-of-all-major-scale-exercises-part-2-of-4/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:36:41 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=1179 Part 2 of &#8220;The Mother of All Major Scale Exercises&#8221; will be a little harder than Part 1. (Make sure you check out Part 1 before diving into this.) Now we limit the exercise to two strings at a time, &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2012/01/18/the-mother-of-all-major-scale-exercises-part-2-of-4/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/KSvMSCK_Yho" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2012/01/18/the-mother-of-all-major-scale-exercises-part-2-of-4/feed/ 0 http://deftdigits.com/2012/01/18/the-mother-of-all-major-scale-exercises-part-2-of-4/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-mother-of-all-major-scale-exercises-part-2-of-4 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/BItzVc8U5pQ/ http://deftdigits.com/2012/01/10/the-mother-of-all-major-scale-exercises-part-1-of-4/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:15:14 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=1159 A few years ago, I developed what I call &#8220;The Mother of All Major Scale Exercises.&#8221; It&#8217;s divided into four parts. In the video above, I walk you through Part 1. (You can see a brief explanation of the whole &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2012/01/10/the-mother-of-all-major-scale-exercises-part-1-of-4/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/BItzVc8U5pQ" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2012/01/10/the-mother-of-all-major-scale-exercises-part-1-of-4/feed/ 8 http://deftdigits.com/2012/01/10/the-mother-of-all-major-scale-exercises-part-1-of-4/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-mother-of-all-major-scale-exercises-part-1-of-4 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/yoHc9yCE1-0/ http://deftdigits.com/2012/01/06/the-worlds-most-used-guitar-scale-a-minor-pentatonic/#comments Fri, 06 Jan 2012 20:03:35 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=1129 The A minor pentatonic scale is probably the most-used, most-heard, most-seen, and most-demonstrated scale in the rock guitar world. Video instructors use it constantly as the launching point for demonstrating all kinds of pentatonic scale ideas. A minor is a &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2012/01/06/the-worlds-most-used-guitar-scale-a-minor-pentatonic/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/yoHc9yCE1-0" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2012/01/06/the-worlds-most-used-guitar-scale-a-minor-pentatonic/feed/ 0 http://deftdigits.com/2012/01/06/the-worlds-most-used-guitar-scale-a-minor-pentatonic/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-worlds-most-used-guitar-scale-a-minor-pentatonic http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/Qvv_5wgQelQ/ http://deftdigits.com/2012/01/04/grip-strength-training-for-guitarists/#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:18:58 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=1131 One of the surest ways to make guitar playing easier is to supplement your practicing with grip strength training. There are several popular methods for improving your hand strength, and they&#8217;ll all help your guitar playing in subtle ways no &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2012/01/04/grip-strength-training-for-guitarists/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/Qvv_5wgQelQ" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2012/01/04/grip-strength-training-for-guitarists/feed/ 1 http://deftdigits.com/2012/01/04/grip-strength-training-for-guitarists/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=grip-strength-training-for-guitarists http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/FYcp7V65BBo/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/31/deft-digits-guitar-picks/#comments Sat, 31 Dec 2011 22:46:11 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=1119 In case you hadn&#8217;t noticed, Deft Digits Guitar Lessons got a spanking new logo this month. (I had it done at MycroBurst, and was very happy with the results.) To celebrate, I gave myself an awesome Christmas gift: custom guitar &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/31/deft-digits-guitar-picks/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/FYcp7V65BBo" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/31/deft-digits-guitar-picks/feed/ 2 http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/31/deft-digits-guitar-picks/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=deft-digits-guitar-picks http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/E2MvRCl7dzg/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/20/discover-a-guitarist-nels-cline/#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:34:05 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=1076 This is the tenth installment of the Discover a Guitarist series. How I Discovered Nels Cline I can&#8217;t remember how I first heard of Nels Cline (b. 1956). It was probably around 2004, when I played in the jazz band &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/20/discover-a-guitarist-nels-cline/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/E2MvRCl7dzg" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/20/discover-a-guitarist-nels-cline/feed/ 0 http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/20/discover-a-guitarist-nels-cline/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=discover-a-guitarist-nels-clinehttp://www.soundnet.org/concerts/ColtraneFriday.REF.mov http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/oh00h0L8fFg/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/16/practice-what-you-love/#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:07:41 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=1080 You know what you ought to practice. Maybe you have a short list or a long list. My list would last me several lifetimes if I had them. But do you love practicing what you &#8220;ought&#8221; to practice? Or does &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/16/practice-what-you-love/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/oh00h0L8fFg" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/16/practice-what-you-love/feed/ 0 http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/16/practice-what-you-love/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=practice-what-you-love http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/mW9gTjmFV1U/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/14/your-fingers-are-just-fine/#comments Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:53:50 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=1082 Every beginning guitarist I&#8217;ve taught has lamented the supposed inadequacy of his/her fingers. Some are too short, some are too fat, some are too skinny, some don&#8217;t bend the right way, some are too weak. Don&#8217;t let these things get &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/14/your-fingers-are-just-fine/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/mW9gTjmFV1U" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/14/your-fingers-are-just-fine/feed/ 4 http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/14/your-fingers-are-just-fine/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=your-fingers-are-just-fine http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/bl1OSm5y2fc/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/12/the-caged-system/#comments Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:15:00 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=277 The CAGED System for guitar is a method for understanding the fretboard by dividing it into five overlapping chunks. Its name is derived from the five basic major open chords: C, A, G, E, and D. (I&#8217;ll explain why they&#8217;re &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/12/the-caged-system/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/bl1OSm5y2fc" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/12/the-caged-system/feed/ 2 http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/12/the-caged-system/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-caged-system http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/V9COJfj2TUs/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/07/the-magic-guitar-position/#comments Thu, 08 Dec 2011 07:34:04 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=1015 If you&#8217;re new to the guitar, you&#8217;ve probably been frustrated a few times trying to stretch your fingers out to fret the different notes in a chord. Over time, your fingers will improve at doing this, and those chords will &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/07/the-magic-guitar-position/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/V9COJfj2TUs" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/07/the-magic-guitar-position/feed/ 7 http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/07/the-magic-guitar-position/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-magic-guitar-position http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/GZ1gZUP0arI/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/05/the-deft-digits-tea-station/#comments Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:30:56 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=937 Displayed in the photograph to the right is the &#8220;Tea Station&#8221; in the Deft Digits Guitar Lessons lobby. All students, parents, and guests are offered a cup of tea upon entering the teaching studio. It&#8217;s proving to be a big &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/05/the-deft-digits-tea-station/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/GZ1gZUP0arI" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/05/the-deft-digits-tea-station/feed/ 2 http://deftdigits.com/2011/12/05/the-deft-digits-tea-station/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-deft-digits-tea-station http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/saZsL46dkKE/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/11/28/guitar-lessons-for-christmas/#comments Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:28:07 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=935 Is there a musician in your family? Perhaps a young rocker who&#8217;s dying to make some noise? Or a veteran guitar hobbyist who could use a little nudge toward rediscovering a love of the instrument? I present to you the &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/11/28/guitar-lessons-for-christmas/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/saZsL46dkKE" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/11/28/guitar-lessons-for-christmas/feed/ 0 http://deftdigits.com/2011/11/28/guitar-lessons-for-christmas/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=guitar-lessons-for-christmas http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/0yOq8kiui_A/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/11/21/31-ideas-for-a-guitarist-in-a-rut/#comments Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:42:21 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=881 Every guitarist lands in a rut once in a while. While disciplined diligence might allow some people to work their way out, there&#8217;s always an easier path. Try some of the ideas below, and you might skip the giant staircase &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/11/21/31-ideas-for-a-guitarist-in-a-rut/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/0yOq8kiui_A" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/11/21/31-ideas-for-a-guitarist-in-a-rut/feed/ 11 http://deftdigits.com/2011/11/21/31-ideas-for-a-guitarist-in-a-rut/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=31-ideas-for-a-guitarist-in-a-rut http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/BmJ1ZdwpZuY/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/11/14/discover-a-guitarist-guthrie-govan/#comments Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:31:36 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=887 This ninth installment of the Discover a Guitarist series is a guest post from Mark McGuigan. Around five years ago, the majority of the guitar world was unaware of a truly exceptional guitar player from the UK &#8211; a quiet, &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/11/14/discover-a-guitarist-guthrie-govan/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/BmJ1ZdwpZuY" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/11/14/discover-a-guitarist-guthrie-govan/feed/ 1 http://deftdigits.com/2011/11/14/discover-a-guitarist-guthrie-govan/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=discover-a-guitarist-guthrie-govan http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/6zp-fs7WdhA/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/11/07/3-books-every-intermediate-guitarist-should-own/#comments Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:46:25 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=873 I love guitar books. I have about 50 of them lined up on in a bookcase in my teaching studio. I acquired them over the last 12 years, and I have twice that amount sitting in my Amazon wish list. &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/11/07/3-books-every-intermediate-guitarist-should-own/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/6zp-fs7WdhA" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/11/07/3-books-every-intermediate-guitarist-should-own/feed/ 0 http://deftdigits.com/2011/11/07/3-books-every-intermediate-guitarist-should-own/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=3-books-every-intermediate-guitarist-should-own http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/V44v7R66r1A/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/10/31/discover-a-guitarist-prince/#comments Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:00:00 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=813 This eighth installment of the Discover a Guitarist series is a guest post from Jason Priest of Little Rock Jams. When Joe suggested the &#8220;Discover a Guitarist&#8221; series and asked if I would write an article, my first thought was, &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/10/31/discover-a-guitarist-prince/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/V44v7R66r1A" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/10/31/discover-a-guitarist-prince/feed/ 3 http://deftdigits.com/2011/10/31/discover-a-guitarist-prince/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=discover-a-guitarist-prince http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/U8x-fZ_t6a4/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/10/24/discover-a-guitarist-john-petrucci/#comments Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:09:07 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=781 This seventh installment of the Discover a Guitarist series is a guest post from Josh Urban of The Doghouse. John Petrucci &#8211; Cue the epic soundtrack &#8211; it&#8217;s the name that strikes fear into the hearts of the anti-heroes and &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/10/24/discover-a-guitarist-john-petrucci/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/U8x-fZ_t6a4" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/10/24/discover-a-guitarist-john-petrucci/feed/ 3 http://deftdigits.com/2011/10/24/discover-a-guitarist-john-petrucci/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=discover-a-guitarist-john-petrucci http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/qVreW7twgdU/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/10/17/discover-a-guitarist-buddy-guy/#comments Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:07:58 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=766 This sixth installment of the Discover a Guitarist series is a guest post from Donnie Schexnayder of Start Teaching Guitar. One of my all-time favorite blues guitar players is the legendary Buddy Guy. He started out playing in Chicago during &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/10/17/discover-a-guitarist-buddy-guy/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/qVreW7twgdU" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/10/17/discover-a-guitarist-buddy-guy/feed/ 2 http://deftdigits.com/2011/10/17/discover-a-guitarist-buddy-guy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=discover-a-guitarist-buddy-guy http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/N7Gu-cZ6SUE/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/10/14/intro-to-jazz-guitar-clinic/#comments Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:25:00 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=796 I taught a 90-minute &#8220;Intro to Jazz Guitar&#8221; clinic at Hamilton International Middle School yesterday. I met the band director several months ago when he bought my saxophone via Craigslist. He discovered that I&#8217;d studied jazz guitar, and he asked &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/10/14/intro-to-jazz-guitar-clinic/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/N7Gu-cZ6SUE" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/10/14/intro-to-jazz-guitar-clinic/feed/ 0 http://deftdigits.com/2011/10/14/intro-to-jazz-guitar-clinic/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=intro-to-jazz-guitar-clinic http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/HQKg0i6M1l0/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/10/10/discover-a-guitarist-kazuhito-yamashita/#comments Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:33:51 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=734 This fifth installment of the Discover a Guitarist series is a guest post from George Pepper of A Monk&#8217;s Musical Musings. How I Discovered Kazuhito Yamashita First of all I&#8217;d like to thank Joe for this invitation, as I consider &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/10/10/discover-a-guitarist-kazuhito-yamashita/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/HQKg0i6M1l0" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/10/10/discover-a-guitarist-kazuhito-yamashita/feed/ 0 http://deftdigits.com/2011/10/10/discover-a-guitarist-kazuhito-yamashita/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=discover-a-guitarist-kazuhito-yamashita http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/ib8Pfj3dstM/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/10/03/discover-a-guitarist-tommy-emmanuel/#comments Mon, 03 Oct 2011 14:05:36 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=715 This fourth installment of the Discover a Guitarist series is a guest post from Jon Bloomer of Guitar Noize. How I Discovered Tommy Emmanuel Tommy Emmanuel is one of Australia&#8217;s most highly respected guitar players with a career spanning five &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/10/03/discover-a-guitarist-tommy-emmanuel/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/ib8Pfj3dstM" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/10/03/discover-a-guitarist-tommy-emmanuel/feed/ 1 http://deftdigits.com/2011/10/03/discover-a-guitarist-tommy-emmanuel/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=discover-a-guitarist-tommy-emmanuel http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/_SepBKLOydA/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/09/27/discover-a-guitarist-clarence-white/#comments Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:09:21 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=636 This third installment of the Discover a Guitarist series is a guest post from Dave Jacoby of Sans Direction. How I Discovered Clarence White First, there was bluegrass. I got exposed to bluegrass in college around 1992, hearing the Seldom &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/09/27/discover-a-guitarist-clarence-white/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/_SepBKLOydA" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/09/27/discover-a-guitarist-clarence-white/feed/ 0 http://deftdigits.com/2011/09/27/discover-a-guitarist-clarence-white/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=discover-a-guitarist-clarence-white http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/sfL0Jke-FUc/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/09/21/discover-a-guitarist-scott-henderson/#comments Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:00:49 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=610 This second installment of the Discover a Guitarist series is a guest post from JP Holesworth of the Stratoblogster Guitar Blog. How I Discovered Scott Henderson I discovered Scott Henderson in the mid-1980s on bassist Jeff Berlin&#8217;s Players and Champion &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/09/21/discover-a-guitarist-scott-henderson/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/sfL0Jke-FUc" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/09/21/discover-a-guitarist-scott-henderson/feed/ 2 http://deftdigits.com/2011/09/21/discover-a-guitarist-scott-henderson/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=discover-a-guitarist-scott-henderson http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/rPA56cQkYy8/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/09/17/discover-a-guitarist-stevie-ray-vaughan/#comments Sat, 17 Sep 2011 11:44:00 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=575 With this post, I commence a new series on the Deft Digits blog: Discover a Guitarist. Each post in the series (inspired by John Horne&#8217;s great article, 70 Guitarists You Really Should Know About) will profile one prominent player from &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/09/17/discover-a-guitarist-stevie-ray-vaughan/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/rPA56cQkYy8" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/09/17/discover-a-guitarist-stevie-ray-vaughan/feed/ 4 http://deftdigits.com/2011/09/17/discover-a-guitarist-stevie-ray-vaughan/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=discover-a-guitarist-stevie-ray-vaughan http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/vD0Y0UiG3L0/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/08/30/new-online-study-tool-custom-flash-cards/#comments Tue, 30 Aug 2011 23:53:26 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=551 Today I release my latest online tool: Custom Flash Cards. It&#8217;s great for training brains and hands in any skill, but was made specifically for musicians who seek to master music theory, chords, scales, arpeggios, licks, you name it. These &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/08/30/new-online-study-tool-custom-flash-cards/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/vD0Y0UiG3L0" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/08/30/new-online-study-tool-custom-flash-cards/feed/ 1 http://deftdigits.com/2011/08/30/new-online-study-tool-custom-flash-cards/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-online-study-tool-custom-flash-cards http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/TvgXRmCboHQ/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/08/22/why-learn-music-theory/#comments Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:18:34 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=426 Learning music theory is essential for recreating and communicating musical ideas. While some great professional musicians are known to have skipped conventional music theory entirely, they&#8217;ll always be handicapped, unable to articulate musical ideas other than by playing or humming. &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/08/22/why-learn-music-theory/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/TvgXRmCboHQ" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/08/22/why-learn-music-theory/feed/ 0 http://deftdigits.com/2011/08/22/why-learn-music-theory/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-learn-music-theory http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/ME9OZaV7UTM/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/08/16/the-easiest-intro-to-music-theory/#comments Wed, 17 Aug 2011 05:51:26 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=279 The major scale is the root of all music theory. Know it well, and the rest of music theory will become easier than you thought possible. Everything else relates back to the major scale, so it&#8217;s crucial to be familiar &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/08/16/the-easiest-intro-to-music-theory/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/ME9OZaV7UTM" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/08/16/the-easiest-intro-to-music-theory/feed/ 0 http://deftdigits.com/2011/08/16/the-easiest-intro-to-music-theory/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-easiest-intro-to-music-theory http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/YeYROSaI-aE/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/08/08/how-to-find-major-and-minor-chords-all-over-the-guitar/#comments Mon, 08 Aug 2011 21:44:02 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=395 One of the keys to unlocking the guitar fretboard is being able to play the same thing in different places. A great way to get started on this path is learning how to find every major and minor chord everywhere &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/08/08/how-to-find-major-and-minor-chords-all-over-the-guitar/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/YeYROSaI-aE" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/08/08/how-to-find-major-and-minor-chords-all-over-the-guitar/feed/ 3 http://deftdigits.com/2011/08/08/how-to-find-major-and-minor-chords-all-over-the-guitar/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-find-major-and-minor-chords-all-over-the-guitar http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/aMtOKsKWgKw/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/07/26/8-essential-open-chords-and-how-to-use-them/#comments Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:30:24 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=316 What is an open chord? Technically, it&#8217;s any chord employing at least one open string. With that definition, you could make thousands. However, the term &#8220;open chord&#8221; usually refers to one of only eight basic open chords, which I&#8217;ll cover &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/07/26/8-essential-open-chords-and-how-to-use-them/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/aMtOKsKWgKw" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/07/26/8-essential-open-chords-and-how-to-use-them/feed/ 4 http://deftdigits.com/2011/07/26/8-essential-open-chords-and-how-to-use-them/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=8-essential-open-chords-and-how-to-use-them http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/RD99EbsYoes/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/07/16/know-every-note-on-the-guitar-in-9-days/#comments Sun, 17 Jul 2011 01:04:30 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=281 Knowing every note on the guitar is a challenge unique to the instrument. A saxophone has only one way to finger each note, while a guitar usually has a few different strings and four fingers to choose from. String a &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/07/16/know-every-note-on-the-guitar-in-9-days/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/RD99EbsYoes" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/07/16/know-every-note-on-the-guitar-in-9-days/feed/ 11 http://deftdigits.com/2011/07/16/know-every-note-on-the-guitar-in-9-days/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=know-every-note-on-the-guitar-in-9-days http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/mxwmLIz8qxU/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/07/13/listen-to-everything/#comments Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:00:46 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=21 How many distinct sounds can you hear right now? Try to be consciously aware of all of them at once. <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/07/13/listen-to-everything/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/mxwmLIz8qxU" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/07/13/listen-to-everything/feed/ 1 http://deftdigits.com/2011/07/13/listen-to-everything/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=listen-to-everything http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/gLrM8gI_iN4/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/07/03/how-to-hold-a-guitar-pick/#comments Sun, 03 Jul 2011 08:55:18 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=42 Proper picking technique is one of the most-discussed aspects of guitar playing. The overlooked truth is that there are as many picking techniques as there are guitar players. A quick look at some of the fastest pickers out there will &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/07/03/how-to-hold-a-guitar-pick/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/gLrM8gI_iN4" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/07/03/how-to-hold-a-guitar-pick/feed/ 0 http://deftdigits.com/2011/07/03/how-to-hold-a-guitar-pick/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-hold-a-guitar-pick http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/0lDxYjyim1k/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/06/23/always-take-notes/#comments Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:45:09 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=44 I encourage all of my guitar students to take notes during lessons. I provide frequent handouts and digital materials, but these are supplementary to the student's own understanding. <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/06/23/always-take-notes/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/0lDxYjyim1k" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/06/23/always-take-notes/feed/ 0 http://deftdigits.com/2011/06/23/always-take-notes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=always-take-notes http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/A8jAH5DBd8I/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/06/16/3-easy-ways-to-sound-great-on-guitar/#comments Thu, 16 Jun 2011 21:29:33 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=46 The three easiest ways to sound great on guitar are also the easiest to overlook. At any skill level, even if it's your first day, pay attention to these elements of your playing, and you'll immediately stand out. <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/06/16/3-easy-ways-to-sound-great-on-guitar/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/A8jAH5DBd8I" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/06/16/3-easy-ways-to-sound-great-on-guitar/feed/ 2 http://deftdigits.com/2011/06/16/3-easy-ways-to-sound-great-on-guitar/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=3-easy-ways-to-sound-great-on-guitar http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/deftdigits/~3/iNbGwFnIwAM/ http://deftdigits.com/2011/06/13/welcome-to-deft-digits/#comments Mon, 13 Jun 2011 19:59:31 +0000 Joe http://deftdigits.com/?p=133 I hereby announce the launch of Deft Digits Guitar Lessons. Deft Digits is the teaching business of guitarist Joe Walker. That&#8217;s me. I&#8217;ve been playing and teaching since 1998, and I just moved from Southern California back to my hometown, &#8230; <a href="http://deftdigits.com/2011/06/13/welcome-to-deft-digits/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/deftdigits/~4/iNbGwFnIwAM" height="1" width="1"/> http://deftdigits.com/2011/06/13/welcome-to-deft-digits/feed/ 0 http://deftdigits.com/2011/06/13/welcome-to-deft-digits/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=welcome-to-deft-digits