Two-hand tapping on guitar isn't easy. It's even harder on acoustic guitar. But what if there was an easy, step-by-step guide for learning how to tap on acoustic guitar? Tapping on guitar is an advanced technique. It provides a bright, ethereal sound (as long as you're not using overdrive or distortion!). And, for most of the guitar's existence, it's been used primarily on electric guitar. It's that classic shredding sound that was popularized by Eddie Van Halen and other electric guitarists. Bu...
Aug 02, 2022•47 min•Ep. 257
Colter Wall's guitar playing is like no other. Here are 10 lessons you can learn from this real country guitarist that'll help you progress on your guitar journey. Colter Wall has captured the hearts and minds of the country, folk, and bluegrass world. His guitar playing is incredibly unique. From the way he strums to the stories he spins, I truly hope this episode gets you to check out his work. But you're also going to learn some important lessons about playing acoustic guitar through the lens...
Jul 26, 2022•47 min•Ep. 256
Epiphone guitars have quite the reputation. But does their street cred match up with how they sound? Check out my list of the 10 best Epiphone acoustic guitars ever made. @OfficialEpiphone guitars are kinda known as the less desirable branch of the Gibson family. They aren't as expensive, are made with cheaper parts (usually), and don't have the same prestige as a Gibson guitar. But does that really matter? Doesn't it all come down to the sound? Fortunately for you, that's probably the biggest c...
Jul 19, 2022•39 min•Ep. 255
Learning closed position, moveable chords can unlock your understanding of the fretboard. More importantly? You will be able to play a song or lick in any key, anywhere on the fretboard. In this lesson behind the lick, you'll learn all about closed position moveable patterns. Closed position movable patterns involve NO open strings. That means that you can easily move the pattern to a different key without a capo or a changing your tuning. Closed position patterns truly unlock the fretboard for ...
Jul 12, 2022•37 min•Ep. 254
Charlie Parr is one of the most under-the-radar living guitar legends out there. He's known for his wild country blues and roots sound. In this video, you'll learn how to sound like this guitar legend and learn some tips and tricks from my years of knowing and playing with him! Charlie Parr is first and foremost a folk artist. He's incredible talented, humble, and dedicated to carrying on the traditions of folk music. Whether its hill country blues or a one of his original compositions, I highl...
Jul 05, 2022•49 min•Ep. 253
Gibson has an incredible history of making some of the best acoustic guitars. But after 100 years, which ones are their best acoustic guitars ever made? Whenever I talk about Gibson Guitars, I'm always sure to upset, puzzle, dazzle, and mystify some folks. So, before you go any further, I want you to know this is just my perspective on things. Take it for what it's worth. I've played thousands of guitars for even thousands of more hours. When I made this list I wanted to remove some of the super...
Jun 28, 2022•48 min•Ep. 252
Drop D tuning can open up an entire new sonic soundscape, but do you know how best to practice your shapes and scales in this alternate tuning? On today's episode of Acoustic Tuesday, you're going to get a lesson behind the acoustic guitar lick of the week. Every Tuesday, I offer you a quick lesson on learning an awesome lick. But this week, you'll get to see the theory, rationale, and benefits behind learning the lick this week. Specifically, this lick focuses on drop D tuning for the acoustic ...
Jun 21, 2022•37 min•Ep. 251
Ever wondered what slide is the best for playing slide guitar? Brass? Bronze? Glass? Heavy? Light? All this will — and more — will be covered in this episode of Acoustic Tuesday! Bottleneck slides are perhaps the most important piece of gear for playing slide guitar...besides your guitar, of course! That's why I've dedicated a whole episode to discussing the importance of picking out the right slide. There are so many choices out there. It can be totally overwhelming. And sometimes, when you're ...
Jun 14, 2022•33 min•Ep. 250
Resonator guitars have so many myths tied to them. They have to be played differently. They're way too expensive. They are only good for one style. But is any of this actually true? On today's episode of Acoustic Tuesday, you'll get a chance to see my top 10 favorite resonator guitars. This list is made up of many different resonator guitars at different price points. Every guitar on this list is a great bang for your buck regardless. I love resonator guitars because they have some great punchy ...
Jun 07, 2022•35 min•Ep. 249
Synthesizers. BOOMING snare hits. Shredding. The 80s aren't known for acoustic guitar playing. But that's will change in this episode of Acoustic Tuesday! We'll be taking a look at the 10 best acoustic guitar albums of the 80s, paying close attention to some of the best flatpickers and fingerpickers of that decade. I'm not talking about one-off power ballads that use an acoustic guitar in the intro. I'm talking about whole albums that pushed the genre of acoustic guitar music. You'll recognize s...
May 31, 2022•34 min•Ep. 248
Santa Cruz Guitar Company has been making some of the best guitars on the market for almost 50 years. Check out this episode to see why these guitars make tones like no other guitar can. From the classics like the Vintage Southerner to the tiny but mighty Firefly, there's something for everyone on this list. I've had the pleasure of playing many guitars in my life, and @SantaCruzGuitarCo has always had high standards, and excellent craftsmanship. In addition to talking about my 8 favorite guitar...
May 24, 2022•35 min•Ep. 247
Harmonics on acoustic guitar can be tricky! You can't rely on the gain of your amp, which means accuracy is super important. This episode will cover everything you should practice to start playing harmonics on acoustic guitar. Before we go any further, you might be wondering what harmonics are. Harmonics create a bell-like tone you can make on your guitar by gently placing your finger above certain positions on the fretboard and plucking the string. It creates an overtone on the guitar. The end ...
May 17, 2022•34 min•Ep. 246
Chord modifications, or mods, can elevate your rhythm and lead guitar playing. If you're ready to transform your open chords into deeper, complex chords with just a few adjustments, stay tuned! This episode will cover chord modifications by way of learning a lick. We'll start by seeing how chord modifications come up in the guitar lick I call "cement mixer." This lick reveals so much about playing within a chord shape. "Cement mixer" is the perfect gateway into chord mods. There's a perception t...
May 10, 2022•31 min•Ep. 245
The Byrds were pioneers of psychedelic and folk rock. While acoustic guitars weren't their main axes, there are still plenty of lessons to learn from this incredible band. The Byrds have a rich history of rocking out and pushing the boundaries of rock. They weren't afraid to crossover into different genres. And, as a result, they took a variety of different techniques and applied them to non-traditional situations. From the way they modified chords to how they reimagined certain arrangements, th...
May 03, 2022•33 min•Ep. 244
What if I told you my favorite acoustic 12-string guitar was less than $300? This episode will cover my top 10 favorite acoustic 12-string guitars. From the high-end to the low-end, you'll get a wide variety of takes on 10 guitars. 12-string guitars are known for their full, rich sound. It gives a natural chorus sound to an acoustic guitar. They can be a little difficult to play. Sometimes they're even harder to tune. But I promise, it's well worth your time. The 12-string guitars that made my t...
Apr 26, 2022•34 min•Ep. 243
I messed up a few weeks ago. I made a top 10 guitar YouTube channels to follow. But there weren't enough acoustics. All that changes this week. This week, we're taking a look at my favorite acoustic guitar YouTube channels. From the more popular to the under the radar, this list is sure to dazzle and delight you. Did I mention there are no electric guitarists? The whole point of the episode is to get you learning. However, I have a big caveat. YouTube is a super easy way to get distracted. You c...
Apr 19, 2022•36 min•Ep. 242
They take your breath away, step on your toes, sound like pianos, and play like a summer's breeze. Signature guitars are more than just a marketing gimmick — mostly. In this video, we're looking at the 10 best signature guitars. There's a perception that signature guitars, also known as spec guitars, are only for really serious guitarists. That's because most of the guitars are 1) expensive, 2) built to an artists' specifications, 3) use high-quality materials. No expenses spared. While there ar...
Apr 12, 2022•35 min•Ep. 241
Guitar scales are incredibly important. But they're also a little overwhelming. Why are there so many? Why is it all complicated? Does it have to be? This episode is all about a acoustic guitar scale that I think simplifies a lot of things. To illustrate this, we'll start by learning a lick in the key of E. I'll continue by illustrating how and why this lick works. You'll see what the lick teaches about the horizontal scales, how to apply the lick in your playing, and so much more. Think of the ...
Apr 05, 2022•33 min•Ep. 240
Slide guitar is zippy, twangy, and classic. On today's episode, you're going to learn how to use a bottleneck slide to bring those classic tones to your acoustic guitar. In 6 easy steps, I'll show you how to hold the slide properly, which tunings to use, and how to make single-string melodies! Slide guitar is the open sky where the buffalo roam and where the waves lap the shore at sunset. It evokes a different time and place that the all-too-digital world we live in now. I've always been drawn t...
Mar 29, 2022•32 min•Ep. 239
Look, I'm not saying Taylor Swift is like the Beatles of pop music right now, but she's a huge deal. Which is why this episode is dedicated to T-Swift and the incredible wisdom we can get from her guitar playing. Taylor Swift's career is prolific. And through ever phase of her career, the acoustic guitar has been a mainstay. Whether it's her debut album or her folk revival albums of the past couple of years, she has fine-tuned her playing over the years. Taylor Swift has so many tricks up her sl...
Mar 22, 2022•33 min•Ep. 238
Taylor Guitars raises the bar for acoustic guitars. But how do you know which Taylor Guitar is right for your needs? Stay tuned to hear about some of the best Taylor Acoustic Guitars for 2022. Taylor Guitars has been at the forefront of guitar making for decades. And they show no sign of stopping. Taylor Guitars was named one of the most innovative manufacturers by Fast Company — but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Taylor Guitars actually stand the test of time. They look phenomenal. They p...
Mar 15, 2022•34 min•Ep. 237
Are you struggling to find good guitar geeks on YouTube? Can't find funny, inspirational, and interesting guitarists on YouTube? Check out this episode for a round-up of the 10 must-follow guitar geeks on YouTube! There are thousands of guitar personalities on YouTube. How do you know who to watch, who gives good advice, and who you should steer clear of? This list of must-follow guitar geeks includes some teachers, some musical artists, and usually a combination of both. All of their YouTube vi...
Mar 08, 2022•36 min•Ep. 236
What can guitar players learn from one of the best banjo players of all time? In this episode, we'll take a closer look at Earl Scruggs, his banjo technique, and how guitar players can apply these techniques to expand their tonal horizons! I am a huge Earl Scruggs fan. His banjo playing definitely cements him in the hall of fame of banjo musicians. Earl Scruggs was filled with wisdom, which is why I wanted to dedicate a whole episode to the legend. Even though he mostly played banjo, I think the...
Mar 01, 2022•31 min•Ep. 235
Looking for a technique that can help you stand out with relative ease? Try staccato playing with this in-depth lesson! Add staccato playing to your tonal toolbox and start jamming away! This episode will dive into a technique called staccato playing. Staccato playing involves using short, punchy notes to create rhythmic drive and tonal separation from other notes. If you've never heard or tried this technique, don't worry — I'll show you how to both use the technique and how to apply it to your...
Feb 22, 2022•30 min•Ep. 234
It's the king of the flattops, but could the Gibson J200 also be the king of the (guitar) world? Find out by tuning into this episode dedicated to the Gibson J200! The J200 has been used by incredible musicians throughout the decades. It's got a massive, iconic tone that has carved out its place in the guitar world and pop culture. It's an incredible guitar, which is why I decided to dedicate this episode to it! From the mysterious history of the Gibson J200 to the way it melded into pop culture...
Feb 15, 2022•32 min•Ep. 233
Drone strings aren't used by many guitar players, but it is a crucial tool for helping you practice and even perform! This video will cover all the basics of using drone strings, when to use them, and how to use this technique to the greatest effect. I love drone strings because they add so much body to your playing. Depending on what key you're playing in, drone strings can make a huge difference. They can fill out your sound, give you a nice bass-y foundation, and make your playing much more m...
Feb 08, 2022•27 min•Ep. 232
No, we're not covering Bob Dylan or Simon & Garfunkel. We're going deeper in the vault. So, are you ready to experience the 10 best, rare acoustic albums from the 1960s? The '60s were an incredible decade for music. There was so much change, so much turbulence that fueled creative expression and artistic freedom. While titans like The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan typically dominate the music conversations of the decade, I want to try something different this episode. Instead of reh...
Feb 01, 2022•31 min•Ep. 231
Hybrid picking, also known as Chicken picking, is a tricky picking technique. But it doesn't have to be. This episode will break down this complex technique into 4 simple steps so you can add this technique to your acoustic guitar repertoire! The basic premise of hybrid picking is to use both your flatpick and your fingers to play a picking pattern. The result is a super-fast, textured, and pronounced sound that is different from both fingerstyle and flatpicking. It's extremely fun once you get ...
Jan 25, 2022•34 min•Ep. 230
Larrivee Guitars makes incredible guitars that fly under the radar way too often. In this episode, you'll see 5 Larrivee guitars that you must hear. From the classic Larrivee 000-50 Traditional to the robust SD-40, you're going to fall in love with at least one of these guitars! @LarriveeMedia has been making high-quality guitars for decades. Hailing from Canada, Larrivee was founded by master luthier Jean Larrivee in 1967. The level of craftsmanship and quality is absolutely superb. Each of the...
Jan 18, 2022•34 min•Ep. 229
Doc Watson is perhaps one of the most versatile guitarists to grace the music world. In this video, I'm going to extract 9 huge takeaways from Doc Watson's extensive career. You'll learn how to apply these lessons to your guitar journey to help you find more fun, focus, and progress every day. I chose Doc Watson because he had such a vast career. Whether he was playing banjo, guitar, country music, blues, or somewhere in between, Doc was a legendary musician. The techniques he used changed many ...
Jan 11, 2022•39 min•Ep. 228
