Unleash Your Inner Rockstar

Performance Opportunities at Blue Guitar Studio!

Are you ready to take your guitar skills to the next level?

At Blue Guitar Studio, we believe in providing our students with opportunities to showcase their talent and gain valuable performance experience. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced player, our regular performance events, including Band Camp and Recitals, offer a platform to:

Build Confidence: Perform in front of a live audience and feel empowered.

Sharpen Your Skills: Practice under pressure and refine your technique.

Connect with Others: Share your passion for music and meet other guitar enthusiasts.

The Benefits of Performance

Performing live offers a multitude of advantages for guitarists of all ages and skill levels:

Improved Technique: The pressure of performing often motivates musicians to practice more diligently and focus on technical accuracy.

Enhanced Musicality: Live performance encourages creativity and improvisation, allowing musicians to express themselves freely and explore new musical ideas.

Increased Confidence: Performing in front of an audience can significantly boost self-esteem and confidence.

Meet New People: Performing at live events provides a chance to connect with other musicians and music lovers.

Personal Satisfaction: The thrill of performing and sharing your music with others can be incredibly rewarding.

Performance Opportunities at Blue Guitar Studio

At Blue Guitar Studio, we offer a variety of performance opportunities throughout the year, including:

Band Camp: Immerse yourself in a week-long intensive music camp where you'll learn new skills, collaborate with other musicians, and perform in a band setting.

Recitals: Showcase your progress and perform solo or ensemble pieces in our twice-yearly recitals.

Blue Guitar Studio Summer Recital 2024

How to Prepare for a Performance

Preparing for a performance requires careful planning and practice. Here are some tips to help you get ready:

1. Choose Your Repertoire: Select pieces that you enjoy playing and that are appropriate for your skill level and the audience.

2. Practice Regularly: Consistent practice is essential to improve your technique and build muscle memory.

3. Learn the Music Thoroughly: Memorize your pieces and practice them slowly and accurately.

4. Develop Stage Presence: Practice performing in front of a mirror or record yourself to work on your stage presence and body language.

5. Manage Performance Anxiety: Use relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and visualization, to calm your nerves.

6. Have Fun: Remember to enjoy the experience and share your passion for music with your audience.

Join the Blue Guitar Studio Community

Whether you're a seasoned guitarist or just starting out, Blue Guitar Studio offers a supportive and inspiring learning environment. Our experienced guitar instructors will help you develop your skills, build your confidence, and prepare you for future performance opportunities.

Enroll in Blue Guitar Studio’s guitar lessons near you today and start your musical journey!

Learn Guitar in Vancouver: Your Journey Starts Here

Learn Guitar in Vancouver:
Your Journey Starts Here

Are you ready to strum your way to musical mastery?

Blue Guitar Studio offers top-notch guitar lessons in Vancouver for all ages and skill levels. Whether you're a beginner just starting out or an experienced player looking to refine your technique, our expert instructors are here to guide you every step of the way.

Why Choose Blue Guitar Studio?

• Personalized Instruction: Our lessons are tailored to your individual needs and goals.

• Experienced Instructors: Our highly qualified instructors have years of experience teaching guitar.

• Flexible Scheduling: We offer flexible scheduling options to accommodate your busy lifestyle.

• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Our studio is equipped with top-quality instruments and equipment.

• Fun and Engaging Learning Environment: We believe that learning guitar should be enjoyable.

Our Vancouver Guitar Classes Cover a Wide Range of Styles:

• Rock and Roll: Learn to play your favorite classic rock and modern rock songs.

• Blues: Explore the rich history of blues music and learn to play iconic blues riffs and solos.

• Jazz: Develop your improvisational skills and learn to play jazz standards.

• Classical: Master the art of classical guitar and learn to play intricate pieces.

• Pop and Contemporary: Learn to play popular songs from today's charts.

Don't Wait, Start Your Musical Journey Today!

Contact us to schedule your first lesson: info@blueguitarstudio.com

927 8th Avenue West
Vancouver, BC

Let's make music together!

Exploring Different Types of Guitars: A Comprehensive Guide

Welcome to Blue Guitar Studio’s comprehensive guide on different types of guitars! Whether you're a beginner looking to start guitar lessons or an experienced player seeking to expand your collection, understanding the diverse world of guitars is essential. Join us as we delve into various types of guitars, their unique features, and how they can enhance your musical journey.

1. Acoustic Guitars:

   - Steel-string Acoustic: Discover the versatility of steel-string acoustics, perfect for folk, country, and rock enthusiasts.

   - Nylon-string (Classical) Guitar: Dive into the warm tones of nylon-string guitars, ideal for classical and flamenco styles.

2. Electric Guitars:

   - Solid Body Electric: Explore the world of solid body electrics, essential for rock, blues, and metal genres.

   - Hollow Body & Semi-Hollow Body Electric: Uncover the vintage charm of hollow and semi-hollow body guitars, favoured in jazz, blues, and indie music scenes.

3. Bass Guitars:

   - Electric Bass: Elevate your groove with electric bass guitars, essential for rock, funk, and jazz bands.

   - Acoustic Bass: Experience the rich resonance of acoustic bass guitars, perfect for unplugged performances and small ensembles.

4. Specialty Guitars:

   - Resonator Guitar: Delve into the soulful sounds of resonator guitars, a staple in blues and bluegrass music.

   - Baritone Guitar & Travel Guitar: Explore the unique tones of baritone and travel guitars, ideal for alternative rock and on-the-go musicians.

Whether you're interested in acoustic, electric, bass, or specialty guitars, our guide has provided insight into the diverse world of guitar types.

Ready to take your guitar playing to the next level? Contact us today to schedule a guitar lesson and embark on your musical journey!

Unlock Your Child's Musical Potential with Blue Guitar Studio in Vancouver BC

Unlock Your Child's Musical Potential with Blue Guitar Studio in Vancouver BC

Music is a timeless gift, enriching lives with creativity and self-expression. At Blue Guitar Studio in Vancouver BC, we understand the profound impact music can have on a child's development. With our comprehensive range of lessons in drums, bass, ukulele, guitar, vocals, music production, and recording, we're here to help your child embark on a musical journey like no other.

Age-Appropriate Instruments for Every Child

When it comes to choosing the right instrument for your child, age plays a crucial role. Here's a breakdown of suitable instruments based on age groups:

Preschoolers (Ages 4-6): Introduce your little one to the world of music with instruments that are easy to hold and explore. At Blue Guitar Studio, we recommend pint-sized drum sets, rhythm sticks, xylophones, and child-sized ukuleles. These instruments encourage playful experimentation, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of music.

Elementary School Aged (Ages 7-11): As children develop stronger motor skills and concentration, they're ready for more complex instruments. Our instructors suggest the guitar, ukulele, or piano, all of which provide a solid grounding in music theory. We tailor our lessons to engage younger guitar students, incorporating familiar melodies and simplified chords to make learning both fun and rewarding.

Catering to Diverse Interests and Learning Styles

At Blue Guitar Studio, we understand that every child is unique, with distinct interests and learning styles. Here's how we cater to their individual preferences:

Spotlight Seekers: If your child craves the spotlight, they'll thrive with instruments like the electric guitar, ukulele, or singing. Our lessons empower students to play melodies and take center stage with confidence.

Rhythm Enthusiasts: For children drawn to rhythm and groove, we offer lessons in drums and percussion instruments like bongos or cajons. Our instructors nurture their inner beatmaker, providing a dynamic and engaging learning experience.

Vocal Virtuosos: Is your child passionate about singing? Learning an instrument like the piano, guitar, or ukulele can enhance their vocal skills and deepen their understanding of music theory. Our lessons focus on building accompaniment skills and fostering a love for harmonizing melodies.

Tailored Learning Approaches for Every Child

At Blue Guitar Studio, we recognize that children have different learning styles. That's why we offer a personalized approach to music education:

Kinesthetic Learners: If your child learns best through hands-on experiences, instruments like the violin, guitar, or drums are ideal choices. Our instructors emphasize physical coordination and movement, making learning both enjoyable and effective.

Auditory Learners: For those who excel at learning by ear, we recommend instruments like the guitar, piano, or flute. Our lessons encourage students to experiment with sounds and melodies, honing their auditory skills and musical intuition.

Visual Learners: If your child benefits from visual aids, instruments like the piano or guitar are excellent options. With clear visual layouts and fingering charts, they can easily grasp musical concepts and progress at their own pace.

Experience the Joy of Musical Exploration at Blue Guitar Studio

At Blue Guitar Studio, we believe in the power of hands-on learning. Our diverse range of instruments, including guitar, bass, drums, ukuleles, keyboards, and production technology, allows children to explore their musical interests under the guidance of experienced teachers. Whether your child dreams of strumming a guitar or producing their own music, we're here to support their journey every step of the way.

Choose Joy, Choose Music

Ultimately, the most important factor in selecting a musical instrument is your child's enjoyment and engagement. At Blue Guitar Studio, we strive to make music learning a fun and rewarding experience, sparking a lifelong passion for creative expression and self-discovery.

Ready to unlock your child's musical potential? Contact Blue Guitar Studio today to schedule a trial lesson and embark on a musical journey filled with joy and discovery!

Unlocking the Power of Song-Based Learning in Guitar Lessons

Learning to play the guitar is a journey filled with excitement, challenges, and endless possibilities. Whether you're a seasoned musician or just starting out, one effective method that continues to stand out is song-based learning. Rather than focusing solely on technical exercises or theory, song-based learning puts the emphasis on playing songs from the get-go. This approach offers numerous benefits that can accelerate your progress and make the learning experience more enjoyable and rewarding.

1. Immediate Engagement

One of the most significant advantages of song-based learning in guitar lessons is its ability to engage students immediately. Instead of spending weeks or months practicing scales or rudiments before playing anything recognizable, students dive straight into learning songs they love. This instant gratification keeps motivation levels high and fosters a deeper connection to the instrument from the start.

2. Contextual Learning

Songs serve as real-world examples of the concepts and techniques being taught. Instead of learning abstract principles in isolation, students see how they apply in a musical context. For example, learning a chord progression within a song helps students understand its application in various musical scenarios. This contextual learning not only enhances comprehension but also makes the learning process more meaningful and memorable.

3. Development of Ear Training

Song-based learning naturally develops the ear. As students listen to and play along with songs, they train their ears to recognize melodies, chord progressions, rhythms, and nuances in tone. This ear training is invaluable for developing musicality and improvisational skills. Over time, students become better equipped to play by ear, transcribe music, and even compose their own songs.

4. Building a Musical Repertoire

Learning songs builds a repertoire, which is essential for any guitarist. Having a repertoire of songs you can play confidently is not only satisfying but also opens up opportunities for jamming with others, performing live, or even recording your own music. Song-based learning ensures that students continually expand their repertoire, covering a diverse range of styles and genres that suit their preferences.

5. Flexibility and Personalization When Learning Guitar

Song-based learning offers flexibility and allows for personalized instruction, catering to the diverse musical tastes of Vancouver's guitar enthusiasts. Students can choose to learn songs on guitar that resonate with them, whether it's a classic rock anthem, a modern pop hit, or a timeless jazz standard. This customization ensures that lessons remain engaging and relevant to the student's interests, keeping them motivated to practice and improve.

6. Integration of Theory in Guitar Lessons

While song-based learning primarily focuses on practical application, it also seamlessly integrates music theory. As students learn songs on guitar, they naturally encounter various theoretical concepts such as chord progressions, scales, modes, and song structures. Rather than learning theory in isolation, students see how it directly applies to the music they're playing, reinforcing their understanding and making theory more accessible and practical.

7. Cultivating Creativity

Playing songs sparks creativity and inspires students to explore their own musical ideas, a vital aspect in Vancouver's vibrant music scene As they become more proficient, students often experiment with embellishments, variations, and improvisations within the songs they're learning in guitar lessons. This creative exploration not only enhances their playing but also encourages them to develop their unique musical voice.

Ready to Level Up Your Guitar Skills? Start Your Song-Based Learning Journey Today with Guitar Lessons at Blue Guitar Studio!

Unlock the power of immediate engagement, contextual learning, and musical creativity with song-based guitar lessons in Vancouver. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned player, our personalized approach will help you build a diverse repertoire, develop essential skills, and most importantly, have fun making music. Don't wait any longer—take the first step towards becoming the guitarist you've always wanted to be. Contact Blue Guitar Studio now to learn more or get started on guitar lessons!

Six Steps to Finding the Perfect Guitar Teacher

Finding the right guitar teacher can make a significant difference in your musical journey. Whether you are a beginner looking to learn the basics or an experienced player seeking to improve your skills, selecting the right instructor is crucial. Here are some tips to help you choose the right guitar teacher near you:

1. Determine Your Goals: Before starting your search for a guitar teacher, it is essential to identify your goals and what you want to achieve through lessons. Whether you want to learn a specific style of music, improve your technique, or prepare for performances, knowing your objectives will help you find a teacher who can meet your needs.

2. Research Local Guitar Teachers: Start by researching guitar teachers in your area. Look for instructors who specialize in the style of music you are interested in or have experience teaching students at your skill level. You can search online using terms such as “guitar teacher near me”, ask for recommendations from other musicians, or check local music schools and stores for referrals.

3. Read Reviews and Testimonials: Reading reviews and testimonials from current and former guitar students can give you valuable insights into the teaching style and effectiveness of a guitar teacher. Look for feedback on the instructor's communication skills, teaching methods, and ability to help students progress.

4. Consider Location and Schedule: When choosing a guitar teacher, consider factors such as location and schedule. Find a teacher whose studio or location is convenient for you to travel to, and whose availability aligns with your schedule to ensure regular and consistent lessons.

5. Ask About Experience and Qualifications: Inquire about the teacher's experience, qualifications, and background in music education. A teacher with a solid musical background, performance experience, and teaching credentials is more likely to provide high-quality instruction.

6. Discuss Lesson Structure and Curriculum: Before committing to guitar lessons, discuss the teacher's lesson structure and teaching methods. Make sure the instructor's approach aligns with your learning preferences and goals to ensure a productive and enjoyable learning experience.

Choosing the right guitar teacher near you is a crucial step in your musical journey. By following these tips and conducting thorough research, you can find an instructor who can help you achieve your musical goals and develop your skills as a guitarist.

Want to learn more about guitar lessons at Blue Guitar Studio? Contact us to inquire about lessons or to book your first guitar lesson!

Electric vs. Acoustic Guitar

Should I learn to Play Electric or Acoustic Guitar?

This is a frequent question that we hear when people begin to play guitar. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and the genre(s) of music that you are interested in playing. Below, we’ll outline some reasons why you may want to choose one or the other when deciding what type of guitar to play.

ACoustic Guitar

If you are interested in accompanying yourself while you sing your favourite Beatles or Ed Sheeran songs, then an acoustic guitar would be a safe bet. Here is a list of genres that may be a better fit for acoustic:

• Pop (Ed Sheeran, Justin Beiber, Billie Eilish, etc.)

• Folk/Country/Bluegrass (John Denver, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash etc.)

• Classical/Flamenco

• Singer/Songwriter

• Campfire versions of songs

  • Note: Any classic songs can be played and covered on acoustic guitar, even if they were originally played on an electric guitar. The nice thing about an acoustic is that you can bring it anywhere and it doesn’t require power.

Electric Guitar

If you are interested in playing rock music or want complete control of your volume, then an electric guitar may be a better fit for you. An unplugged electric guitar can be whisper quiet for practising in your bedroom at night, or it can be plugged in and cranked up loud when you want to rock out or join a jam session. Below are some genres that are better suited to an electric guitar:

• Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Modern Rock (Led Zeppelin, Metallica, White Stripes)

• Metal

• Blues (B.B. King, Eric Clapton, etc.)

Learn to Play Guitar

If I have an electric guitar can I still learn acoustic songs, or vice versa?

Yes. Most of the time you can play a Metallica riff on an acoustic guitar or an acoustic Ed Sheeran song on an electric. The main difference will be there are some techniques that are more commonly found on either the electric and acoustic respectively. For instance, because the strings on an electric guitar are lighter we typically do a lot more bending and vibrato which is much better for soloing and can sometimes be impossible on acoustic. Because of the heavier strings on an acoustic we typically don’t do bending and will opt for sliding instead, and focus more on strumming and fingerpicking techniques. With some of the new generation of acoustic guitar players (Sungha Jung , Mike Dawes etc. ) we are starting to see a lot more percussive slap and pop techniques that would not be nearly as effective on electric guitar.

Guitar Lessons at Blue Guitar Studio in Vancouver

Learned guitar techniques and skills are mostly going to transfer. If you decide on getting one type guitar now and another type of guitar later, most of the techniques you learn on one guitar will transfer over to another. You may just need to add a few things to your tool kit but the basics of technique remain the same, and our instructors are happy to fill in any knowledge gaps during guitar lessons.

So there you have it! Ultimately, it’s up to your genre preferences, how portable you want to be, and what your budget looks like. But rest assured that learning to play on one type of guitar versus another won’t greatly impact your ability to learn guitar and play the songs you love.

Book a Guitar Lesson

If you’d like to learn more about guitar and start playing your favourite songs, send us an email and we’ll be happy to get you booked in for a first lesson! Blue Guitar Studio also offers lesson discount packages and our instructors are excited to get you playing whatever guitar you choose.

Lessons at Blue Guitar Studio

Hi everyone! I just wanted to give you a quick update on lessons at the studio! We are still providing both in-person and online lessons, so whether you’d like to come in to the studio or do your lesson from home - it’s totally up to you! I will say that if you are a brand new student who is just beginning guitar, it can be helpful to come in to the studio for the first few lessons as it can make the introductory lessons a bit easier, and allows you to get better acquainted with your instructor. After you’re more familiar with the guitar and the structure of the lesson, if you’d like to switch to online lessons then it’s totally doable!

If you’re just beginning with the guitar, we have plenty of guitars at the studio for you to use, but you are more than welcome to bring your own guitar in if you have one already. Our lessons are primarily song-based to keep students engaged and excited to keep learning. All of our instructors at the studio have post-secondary education in music and are active working musicians, so we’re very in tune with what’s going on in the current music scene. We’re able to teach any genre/style that you’re into, and we’ve found that the best way for students to learn is to play the music that they enjoy listening to, so let us know what you like! We can adapt songs so that students of any level can play what they’re interested in right away.

If you have any questions about our lessons or would like to book your first lesson, you can contact us by using the form on our Contact page! We look forward to hearing from you and getting you rocking!

Thoughts on Jimi Hendrix

In the hundreds of students I’ve taught over the years I’ve seen lots of requests for guitar players like Santana, David Gilmour, and Eric Clapton, yet oddly enough Jimi Hendrix is very rarely requested! If I had to take a guess I would think it's because people think he is out of their reach. There are some songs however, like "Wind Cries Mary", which make for a great study on rhythm chops, double stops and interesting harmonic choices that are simply unparalleled. Here is a cover of Paul demonstrating the song. Contact us for more info on lessons so we can dig into some stuff like this!

Why I use Hybrid Picking

What is hybrid picking? Before I answer that question I will start off by saying that it is the singular technique that helped me advance my playing, it redefined my sound, and opened my world to sounds I was not yet privy too. In short, hybrid picking is the combined usage of the pick (held between the thumb and index finger) and middle plus ring finger to pluck the strings. The combined result is the balanced attack of the pick as well as the colourful snappiness of the fingers.  

Noted hybrid pickers include Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Danny Gatton (cited by Guitar World as the greatest unknown guitar player in the world), Brad Paisley, Joe Bonamassa and Ian Thornley of Big Wreck. 

The famous La Grange riff from ZZ Top is a fantastic entry into the world of hybrid picking. 

At first glance this riff is deceptively simple. No more than two notes are played at once and it is entirely contained between 3 strings. It is entirely possible to play this riff with just a pick and it would probably sound fine, but it would not sound like the original recording. The trick here is to hybrid pick. By delegating the pick to play the open A string and the middle and ring finger to pluck the 4th and 3rd string, the sound transforms. The snappy attack from the fingers adds a twang and dare I say charm to the riff and is contrasted by the weight of the pick on the open 5th string. This hybrid sound is nuanced and full of character. By simply taking advantage of the digits on our right hand which otherwise would be dormant, we can use what we have and create, well magic. 

Other uses for hybrid picking include arpeggios (splitting a chord into individual notes):

Chickin’ Pickin’ to obtain the cliche country twang sound:

In this example the palm muted notes are alternate picked, the double stop is played by the ring and middle finger. This sound is hard to replicate, you could, in theory use an upstroke on the double stop. Yet when the attempt is made, it simply does not sound the same. My main theory for this reason is that there is a delay albeit a small one from the time the pick hits the bottom string to the string above. The result is a sound with less punch. The combined attack of the two notes, played instantaneously by the fingers has grit, twang, and all the country guitar goodness you could ask for. 

 My last and favorite use is playing open voiced or spread triad chords. 

In open voiced chords the A string is skipped, the result is a wider open sound. By playing the bass note with the pick and the higher two notes with the middle and ring finger, a harmonious sound is achieved. By working through the various inversions and voicings, a new approach to playing chords can be quickly added to your palette. These voicings blend well with other instruments without muddying up the sound.  

So, why do I use hybrid picking? After many years of classical guitar where I learned to play fingerstyle, followed by a rebellious stage of rock/blues guitar where I played exclusively with a pick. I found myself at an impasse. The solution was simple. Combine the two approaches I had learned over the years. The result continues to be a source of inspiration, and some days a source of pride. The sound is unmistakable, instantly recognizable, and within a few months of practice can be added into your playing as well. 

Holiday Treats

Big thanks to our student Ron and his partner Cindy for making our studio a bit more festive with this amazing holiday/guitar display. Check out Cindy's company Grammies Goodies XO for some super cool stuff!

Guitar studio decoration!

Maya guitar solo

Check out our student Maya showcasing her amazing skills on the solo for Hotel California! Can you believe she been studying with Lenny for only 9 months! Can't wait to see what's next!

Desmond on bass!

These are the moments that really remind me why I’m a music teacher! Thanks to Desmond and all of our amazing guitar, drum and bass students for always showing and bring a great attitude to learning. You make our job so fun!

Music Lessons at Blue Guitar Studio During Coronavirus

Blue Guitar Studio will continue to offer in-person lessons, while also providing online lessons for students who are unable to come into the studio.

With the continuing development of Coronavirus (COVID-19), there have been a number of changes in our typical daily routines. This public health issue has put a stop to many extracurricular activities, especially group activities. 

Music is one of a few activities that we are able to continue with, even while others have had to stop. As of now, Blue Guitar Studio will continue to offer lessons in our Vancouver studio. As a small, local business, we appreciate the continued support that our students provide us, and we are eager to continue helping you reach your musical goals.

We are also offering lessons online using Skype and FaceTime. We are lucky to have online platforms provide us with the opportunity to continue teaching and learning music, even in this uncertain time. For more information on online lessons please check out our new Online Lessons page. 

To ensure health and safety in the studio, we are regularly cleaning the studio and equipment, and are asking our students and staff to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before and after every lesson. We also ask that students please bring their own instrument to the lesson to reduce the handling of equipment. 

Please stay home if you are experiencing sneezing, coughing, or illness. We are happy to provide online lessons or reschedule lessons within the cancellation period. If you’re unable to attend lessons, please let us know at least 24 hours in advance. If you’re not able to provide us with 24 hours’ notice, we will be happy to create a customized lesson video for you to use at home.

From all of us at Blue Guitar Studio, we appreciate everyone who supports our business and shares in our passion for music, creativity, and community. We look forward to seeing you in lessons (online or in studio)!

--
Paul Lambert
Owner/Instructor
Blue Guitar Studio

Chord Substitutions

Chord substitutions can be a great way to take a simple progression of chords and add extra colour and feel. On guitar this can be done to all the open chord shapes with some simple modifications. These can be used on songs you already know and are also great as a writing tool to generate new ideas. Here is my top ten chord substitutions for singer/songwriters. 

Let’s take “All Of Me '' by John Legend: The chords are Em, C, G, D. 

With embellishments we can try Em7 Cadd9 Gmaj7 Dsus2

Let’s look at another example “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley. The chords are 

C Am x2  F G C G 

C F G Am 

F E7 Am

With embellishments we can try,

Cmaj7 Am7 x2 Fmaj7 G5 Cadd9 G

Cmaj7 Fmaj7#11 G5 Am9

Fmaj7 E7 Am9 

Embellishments don’t have to be used all the time. You can add and take away notes from the chord you are playing to add brief moments of change. This works especially well on repetitive chord progressions. If the song you are playing requires a capo all these embellishments still work and sound great higher up on the neck of the guitar.  If you have any more questions or want to bounce some of your songwriting ideas of us we’d be happy to help. - Adrian

Target Notes - Improving your guitar solo

One of the most common scenarios we see with guitar students is as follows: “I’ve been playing guitar for a few years, I picked up some songs and guitar soloing concepts from YouTube but now I have hit a plateau”. What I normally do with students who come to a lesson is first to jam with them on some sort of progression (likely a 12-bar blues). I will play some rhythm guitar and listen to them solo. After a few minutes I will stop and it’s time for some feedback. Here is what I typically notice upon first listen: The student has a decent technical ability (sure, improvements can always be made but I don’t get too hung up on that at first), they know how to play around the pentatonic scale in the first position (sometimes the second and third etc), but in general their ideas seem somewhat repetitive and meandering. What causes this you might ask? Lack of knowledge about target notes in the scale.

For our purposes I am going to be talking about an A minor Blues progression and the accompanying A minor pentatonic scale. If you are soloing over the 1 chord of the progression (the A minor chord in this case) then you have 3 target notes at your disposal. The A C and E notes. There are 5 notes in the A min pentatonic scale (or any pentatonic scale for that matter). These are A C D E and G. Most students simply play all of these notes and end on any of them at any given point. The problem is 2 of them do not match the tones of the chord (A C E as listed above). This leads to an instability in the resolution of the line and often has a sense of something being unfinished. So what do students do when they land on one of these unstable notes? They end up playing more notes and more notes until their solo sounds like a run on sentence.

What we need to do is identify what the target notes of the chords are and then practise resolving your guitar lines to them. This will allow some resolution to the end of each line and then promote more “space” in your soloing. That is why players like B.B. King or David Gilmour get away with so little in their solos… because they resolve their notes properly! I have attached a pic of the target notes in the pentatonic boxes 1 through 5. I would suggest creating a backing track or having a friend just play an A min chord (or whatever chord you choose - just make sure you pair it with the correct pentatonic scale ie: B min chord with a B minor pentatonic scale), and you practise choosing ONE and only target note to begin with and end your all of your lines on it. Think of it as a period at the end of a sentence. It will break up your soloing in a nice way and it won’t sound like a run on sentence. This will then allow you to utilize more space and you won’t feel like you are running out of ideas so quickly. I’ll come back to this concept next week and discuss how to target the rest of the notes in the blues progression but master the 1 chord first before moving to other chords in the progression.

The importance of a guitar, bass, drum set up

First of all for the purpose of this blog I am using “guitar” as an example but this will apply to any instrument such as bass, or drums as well.

I have taught 1000’s of guitar lessons and have noticed one important detail that is easy to overlook. As a beginner guitarist having a comfortable instrument is really important and just as important is having a comfortable guitar set up!

First of all what is a comfortable instrument? Size matters. This is pretty simple but one that is not obvious to many people at first. It is important to have a guitar that is comfortable for your size. If you are struggling to wrap your arm around the shoulder of the acoustic just to reach the strings then this guitar is too big. As a general rule many smaller people and children under 12 could benefit from not using a full size acoustic. Many students who have come to me with a full size dreadnought acoustic and are struggling , often times are blow away when I put an appropriately sized guitar in their hands (either a 1/2 size, 3/4 size or parlour size guitar). Suddenly they aren’t struggling as much and it appears as though a weight has lifted!

Once the student has chosen a comfortable instrument the next most important thing to consider is your set up. The common analogy I use is having a bicycle tuned up and functioning at it’s best. Have you ever ridden a nice bike that hasn’t had the gears lubed or brakes tuned up? It’s not pleasant. I’ve played many good quality instruments at guitar stores that are set up horribly! I wonder how they continue to stay in business. Anyhow a common scenario I see is guitars where the string height is too high off fretboard (called string action). This makes doing any difficult fingering, such as barring, bending, extra difficult! If this is the case I would strongly suggest you take your guitar in to a guitar tech for a set up and ask for the string action to be lowered. Most guitar stores offer a free set up within a year of purchase so I would also look into that. Alternatively, ask your guitar teacher their opinion and they should point you in the right direction. Good luck on your learning and if you have any more questions or want to come into our Vancouver studio for guitar lessons, bass lessons, or drum lessons for a lesson please don’t hesitate to contact us! info@blueguitarstudio.com

Student Appreciation!

Today I thought I would deviate from my normal lesson post on guitar, bass, or drum concepts. I’ve been thinking lately how lucky we are to have such a loyal student base. Some of our students have been with us for 10 plus years. We get to work with a wide range of students with different interests, age levels, and experience levels. Part of what makes the job so rewarding is the wide variety of people we get to see. It never gets boring when day after day we are exposed to such a unique set of interested.

Another perk of the job as a music teacher is how we get to keep our ears sharp. Thanks to my students I actually know who Billie Eilish, Big Thief, and Muse are. I get to dig in to the songs, learn them and teach them. I then get to absorb and assimilate some of the ideas and they inevitably come out when I’m back to writing my own music! Amazing. Without this constant exposure to new music, I would probably have been stuck on the music I listened to when I was a kid and budding guitar enthusiast.. primarily bands like Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Soundgarden and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Anyhow, that’s my brief ramble for today. Thanks for the continued support Blue Guitar Studio students and for taking time to pursue such a rewarding, timeless and healing hobby as music.

Have a great day and well see you at your next lesson.

Paul

How long should I practise everyday?

A common question we get from guitar students of all levels is, “How long should I practise,” and, “How should I structure my practise session?”

Both are very good questions and I’ll do my best to answer them. For this post I will answer the first question and will deal with the next question in my next post. 

“How long should I practise”?

The most important element in practising is consistency. I’m sure you all know this from other endeavours but I cannot stress this point enough. I would love to see students practising 5 days a week. In terms of how long one should practise per session, it is going to be dependant upon the goals of the individual. Here are a few common scenarios that we see at our Vancouver guitar lesson studio:

1. Hobbyists: these are students who just want to be able to play some of their favourite songs and perhaps be able to join in on a casual jam session with some friends. I would suggest a minimum of 15mins per day. I have found this to be a great time frame, which can suit a variety of different schedules types (working professionals, students etc). The key is to ensure you are practising the right way for 15mins! As mentioned, I will discuss the best possible routines in my next post. 

2. Amateur to Advanced: These are students who are past the point of learning songs and are looking to improve their improv skills; are possibly preparing for gigs and performances; or even preparing for music college auditions - in this case you are going to need more time with your hands on your bass guitar, electric or acoustic guitar, or drum kit. You are going to need more time to hone your technique, and more time working on theoretical concepts of music such as scalar knowledge and even more time applying that theory to the guitar. You need to be practising constantly and hitting enough repetitions in order to actually use any of that theory in an applicable way. I would suggest a solid hour practise session day.  

All of this of course is dependant on many factors and this is just a guideline. The more you practise, the quicker you are going to progress so please feel free to add more time to the routines. The only thing you must remember is CONSISTENCY. I have seen countless students begin taking music lessons with a bang. They practise a lot (far more than what we recommend), they make quick progress, and then eventually start losing momentum due to the inability to balance all of life responsibly with unmanageable practise routine they have set for themselves. They eventually stop progressing and worst case scenario stop playing altogether! Most of our students who have been the most successful have a daily routine that is sustainable. If you are extra motivated and do not tend to suffer from the prior affliction than by all means continue adding more time to your routines. 

Just remember Patience and Persistence are you two best friends when it comes to improvement.

If you are interested in finding out more about our lessons please visit our contact page here!

Electric or acoustic guitar? What should I start learning on and when can I switch instruments?

When students come to us for guitar lessons a common question we hear a lot is “what should I start learning on? Acoustic or electric guitar?”

My answer is always make your decisions based on the kind of music you like to listen or want to learn. If you want to learn how to play rock music such as the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Nirvana, Led Zeppelin etc.. then I would suggest starting with electric. If you want to play campfire songs and more pop based stuff I would suggest acoustic. There seems to be a lot of misconception about having to learn the basics on acoustic before being able to move to electric. 

Whichever you choose will have a natural carry over to the other instrument should you decide to switch at some point. Inevitably, most guitarists end up with both an electric and acoustic. Electric guitar can be a bit easier to play in the beginning due to the lighter strings but the guitar soloing techniques may be more demanding. Acoustic can be much better for leaning how to fingerpick. One thing to keep in mind is there are number of techniques in rock and blues soloing that can only be done on an electric which is why I suggest choosing electric if you are wanting to learn this kind of style of music. 

Other considerations:

Size matters! If you are a smaller person you may want to consider a 3/4 size acoustic or looking into a parlour size guitar. These are excellent guitars with a full length neck but a slightly smaller body shape. You can also get 3/4 electrics aswell but because electric guitar is naturally a bit smaller and thinner most people don’t have to go smaller than a full size. 

If you want to take lessons with us we do have extra acoustic and electric guitars in each of our teaching rooms which you can use during the lesson. This may better inform you what the best instrument is for your needs. If you are interested in taking lessons feel free to reach us at info@blueguitarstudio.com 

Happy holidays and good luck on your quest for the right guitar!

Paul