Huss and Dalton has been making beautiful, fine-tuned acoustic guitars for decades now. But how do you tackle their catalogue and find the right one for you and your budget? On today's episode, I'll walk you through my 5 favorite Huss and Dalton guitars. The origin of this episode is born from a major snafu on my end. However, Huss and Dalton's incredible customer service and lasting value they provide to customers led me to making this episode. Huss and Dalton is known for making powerful guita...
Feb 28, 2023•37 min•Ep. 287
Muddy Waters is one of the most, if not the most, influential blues guitarist. But what acoustic guitar lessons can we learn from his approach to music? In this episode, we'll cover 10 aspects of Muddy Waters' playing. Each lesson focuses on a different technique, approach, or stylistic choice. From minimalism to alternating octaves, there's something to learn no matter your skill level. So much of the blues is rooted in history, and there are plenty of blues musicians prior to Muddy Waters that...
Feb 21, 2023•47 min•Ep. 286
The world is filled with endless ways to discover new music. With algorithms, recommendations, and endless scrolling, where can you turn to find consistently high-quality musical inspiration? In this episode, we'll be covering the 13 best places to discover new music. The best part about this list is, they're all YouTube channels! Whether you live in the remote forests of Alberta or the land down under, as long as you have an internet connection you can discover new music! I chose this list of p...
Feb 14, 2023•46 min•Ep. 285
Imagine a world where carpal tunnel, aching shoulders, and back pain from playing simply vanished. Turns out you can make that world a reality with a few tweaks to your playing routine! On today's episode, we're scaring off the pain gremlins with some tips, tricks, and pointers on preventing use injuries while playing guitar. Before I go any further, though, you need to know that I am not a doctor. If you want to try any of these physical exercises or stretches, please check in with your physici...
Feb 07, 2023•39 min•Ep. 284
Which is better to buy: vintage guitars or new guitars? While it might seem obvious to some, you can evaluate the strengths and weaknesses on an 8-point rubric. And when you walk it through these considerations, you might be shocked at the results. Figuring our whether a vintage or new acoustic guitar is right for you can be as standardized as you want it to be. You can go by feel, you can do a pros and cons list, or you can borrow my 8-point guide to determine your direction. I get asked all th...
Jan 31, 2023•46 min•Ep. 283
How many times have you been told to humidify your guitar? How do you know if you need to? What if I told you there was a simple rule to keep your guitar in good condition for generations to come? On today's episode, we're talking about the **special** relationship between humidity and your acoustic guitar. You've likely heard plenty of horror stories about too much humidity or not enough humidity. But what's the goldilocks range? I've heard from plenty of guitar makers, players, and collectors ...
Jan 24, 2023•41 min•Ep. 282
How do you learn a new song? Where do you begin and how do you set yourself up for success? On this episode, I'll show you how to break any song down into five essential guitar skills. Learning a new song is a daunting process. There are so many elements of a song to consider. From determining the style you need to play to the technical aspects of soloing and improvising. By using this simple framework, you can establish a starting point for learning a song. Rather than focusing on a song note f...
Jan 17, 2023•33 min•Ep. 281
Do you ever dream of having a guitar only to realize it's five—maybe 10!—times outside your budget? It's probably because of one of these seven factors that determine a guitar's price. In this episode, we'll explore why some guitars are more expensive than others. After decades of experience playing, buying, and selling, I've picked up on seven main factors that determine price. Some of the factors are fairly fixed. Some of them are tied to market conditions. But all of them come together to det...
Jan 10, 2023•46 min•Ep. 280
Learning how to play guitar ain't easy. It's like hopping on a train: difficult to get on, easy to fall off, but there's nothing like it once you're on. On today's episode, I'll go over the common pitfalls beginner guitarists face at the start of their journey. From never setting a goal to the comparison mindset, discover how you can thrive in your guitar journey. I've seen thousands of beginner guitar players play for a few weeks and then never pick up the guitar. This episode will guide you aw...
Jan 03, 2023•37 min•Ep. 279
You've got the inspiration, the drive, and the courage to record your first song on acoustic guitar. But how do you truly record your guitar's tone without being a sound engineer? On this episode of Acoustic Tuesday, you'll get a crash course in using microphones to capture the sound that you want out of your acoustic guitar. From choosing the right microphone to placement in your recording space, we'll go through the basics you need to know. One brief disclaimer though: I am not a sound enginee...
Dec 27, 2022•34 min•Ep. 278
Grab your guitar and add some "Big Bill-isms" into your life! It's time to infuse the Chicago acoustic blues legend Big Bill Broonzy into your life. Before I go any further I want to acknowledge Chris Walz from Old Town School of Folk Music and Tom Feldman from Play Country Blues. Many of the lessons I teach today come from these two. I'm grateful for their instruction and be sure to check out their channel's below. Now, back to Big Bill Broonzy. There are so many elements that make up his signa...
Dec 20, 2022•43 min•Ep. 277
In true countdown fashion, I'll be ranking 11 of my favorite Martin Guitars. There are hundreds of guitars, lines, and years to choose from. Which one will take my number one spot? Martin Guitar has been in the business longer than most American companies. With immigrant roots, Martin Guitars revolutionized the guitar multiple times in the 1900s. From dreadnought builds to X bracing, they've made some incredible strides. Today, they're one of the most recognizable acoustic guitar brands. They're...
Dec 13, 2022•45 min•Ep. 276
You already know listening to music makes you a better musician. But what happens when you listen to some of the most revolutionary, insane, and technically dazzling acoustic guitar music? This episode is dedicated to some of the best acoustic guitar instrumental albums. I'll go through 12 different albums that any acoustic guitar player needs to know. I know I've done episodes like this before. All I'll say is that this is filled with deep cuts that you probably haven't heard before. Why? Becau...
Dec 06, 2022•42 min•Ep. 275
Why do you sound so good in the shower? Can you replicate that sound on your acoustic guitar? What's stopping you from getting that cathedral sound? It all comes down to reverb pedals. On this episode, we'll talk about using reverb pedals on acoustic guitar. Using pedals on guitar feels like mixing oil and water, but it's easy and intuitive once you understand how to do it. Reverb can feel like a particularly tricky effect on the acoustic guitar, but I promise it's worth adding. I'll start by gi...
Nov 29, 2022•38 min•Ep. 274
What started off as a mild interest in this builder has become an obsession. So what's the big deal about a guitar maker hailing from the Czech Republic? Furch Guitars focuses on making high-quality guitars at a relatively affordable price. Sounds like the pitch from almost any guitar company, right? Here's the thing about Furch Guitars, though… Furch Guitars make exceptional Swiss-Army Knife guitars. Whether you want to finger pick, flat pick, plug-in on stage or play in your bedroom, these gui...
Nov 22, 2022•30 min•Ep. 273
I used to think using a delay pedal on acoustic guitar was crazy. Now, I recommend every acoustic guitar player to get a delay pedal. Why? Delay pedals have the ability to fill space. When you're playing by yourself, it can feel empty sometimes. By using a delay pedal, you can almost hear harmonies and dissonance when your playing a run, practicing scales, or playing melody and fills. Besides filling space, using a delay pedal helps you learn to groove. Because of the delay in notes, you have to...
Nov 15, 2022•33 min•Ep. 272
You told yourself you'd be a guitar player this year. Have you met your goals and aspirations? Or are you guilty of telling yourself one of these 11 lies? Watch now to learn how to find progress again. Every year, thousands of people pick up the guitar. They dream of playing songs, solos, and licks that sounds like their guitar heroes. Every year, though, people give up on playing guitar or don't touch it for months on end. In this episode, we'll talk about what's going on when this happens. I'v...
Nov 08, 2022•35 min•Ep. 271
Billy Strings is one of the best instrumentalists of our time. Hands down. But what can you learn from Billy Strings? Even if you're picking up a guitar for the first time? From drone strings to using chromatics, there's something every guitarist can learn from Billy Strings. Primarily a flatpicking guitarist, Billy Strings is also a talented finger picker, electric guitarist, and banjo player. Billy's life experience, emersion in the musical world, and consistency has led him to being one of th...
Nov 01, 2022•35 min•Ep. 270
Blade angles. Metal or plastic. Weight. Thumbpicks come in a variety of specifications, which makes choosing the right one important. See which thumbpick is fit for you in my top 10 countdown of the best thumbpicks to use! Using a thumbpick is an easy way to change up the tone on your guitar. If you enjoy fingerpicking, this will give you a brighter attack. However, you can also use a thumbpick like a flatpick—it's just attached to your thumb! Because the thumbpick has a sharper attack, you can ...
Oct 25, 2022•31 min•Ep. 269
Jeffrey Foucault is a triple threat. He rights bone-chilling lyrics, is an incredible guitar player, and has an unforgettable voice. So what can you learn from the master of the Americana genre? If you haven't heard of Jeffrey Foucault, I'm going to feature some great clips that'll help you open your eyes to his artistry. More importantly, though, you're going to learn 10 lessons from Jeffrey Foucault. From emphasizing the "one" to using your personal experience in songwriting, there's so much y...
Oct 18, 2022•36 min•Ep. 268
Immerse yourself in the world of guitar-themed podcasts. These 10 guitar podcasts are sure to keep you motivated, inspired, and committed to playing! I'm a huge fan of podcasts. Whether it's more story-based or interview style, there are so many great podcasts being made. When it comes to guitar geek content, though, there's a handful I find myself turning to time and time again. From the family of @Fretboard Journal podcasts to @Cory Wong and his podcast "Wong Notes" I am always surprised at ho...
Oct 11, 2022•31 min•Ep. 267
Songwriting and the craft behind it are mysterious. From lyrics to melody to rhythms, there are so many pieces to juggle. To help you get inspired and write your first song, check out these 12 songwriters to help kickstart your songwriting journey! Writing a song is a daunting process, but it doesn't have to be. It should be a liberating process that allows you to express yourself. If that doesn't sound like your process, I want you to check out some of the songwriters in this episode. There's a...
Oct 04, 2022•30 min•Ep. 266
Resonator guitars can make the bluesiest, dirtiest sounds—making them unmatched as instruments. But does this Michigan-based small bench luthier make the best resonators? Mule Resonator Guitars makes, in my humble opinion, some of the best resonator guitars. There are so many reasons why I love Mule Resonator Guitars, from the human-centered design to the community. This episode outlines the biggest reasons why Mule Resonators are simply the best in the industry. I know that's a big statement—co...
Sep 27, 2022•28 min•Ep. 265
Fretboard Summit is a HUGE guitar festival held every year, sponsored by Fretboard Journal. But is it worth it? Check out my highlights from this intensely guitar-geek festival. It was a whirlwind, but the Fretboard Summit festival truly opened my eyes up. From the incredibly talented musicians showcased—day after day, night after night—to the BIGGEST lesson I've learned, I cannot recommend this festival enough. There are so many incredible folks I met, and so many more I'm looking forward to me...
Sep 20, 2022•30 min•Ep. 264
Bourgeois acoustic guitars are stunning. The problem? They come in so many models and customizable options. In this video, I'll go over the 5 Bourgeois Guitars that are sure to knock your socks off. Bourgeois Guitars, based in Maine, make about 400 guitars a year. Started By Dana Bourgeois, their small team is dedicated to quality, tone, and consistency. The result? Some of the consistently best guitars I've ever played. In the comments below, be sure to let me know which Bourgeois Guitar you're...
Sep 13, 2022•29 min•Ep. 263
Learn cross picking on acoustic guitar in just 4 easy steps with this simple, easy-to-use approach! Cross picking is a picking pattern that involves skipping strings in your picking pattern. It doesn't use fingers, instead opting for a pick. It's a great way to get that cascading finger pick sound but with more bite! The hardest part of cross picking lies in switching pick directions. While normal strumming strikes all the strings in one direction, cross picking has you alternating pick directio...
Sep 06, 2022•24 min•Ep. 262
Looking for music documentaries that'll inspire you? Whether you're a hardcore guitarist or just getting started, these music docs will get you rearing to grab your guitar and start playing again! About this time, every year, I start thinking about movies. With the sun setting earlier and school starting again, it feels like the perfect time to watch a movie. And, if you're bemoaning the end of a summer concert series, music documentaries are a great workaround. Whether you're just starting out ...
Aug 30, 2022•30 min•Ep. 261
What do Eric Clapton, Richie Havens, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and John Denver have in common? They all played Guild acoustic guitars. They make good guitars, but are they worth the hype? In short, absolutely. Guild Guitars makes some incredible acoustic guitars. Whether you're looking for a punchy sound that will stand out in a jam session or a mellow, dark guitar that'll evoke a woodsy spirit, you're sure to find a Guild that'll suit your needs. I've had the luxury of playing most of these guitars, b...
Aug 23, 2022•43 min•Ep. 260
Is a $50 guitar pick worth it? Is a wooden pick right for you? Does plastic reign supreme? All this and more will be revealed in this episode on my 10 favorite guitar picks ever made. Guitar picks are the cheapest way to experiment with your sound. The thickness, material, and shape can all have huge impacts on your acoustic guitar's tone. From super-hard mandolin picks to sharper tortoiseshell picks, you're going to hear how some of these picks impact your tone. Whether you want round, woody to...
Aug 16, 2022•42 min•Ep. 259
Modern fingerstyle guitar is, quite possibly, the greatest extension of the instrument — an orchestral sound contained within one instrument. But there's so many modern fingerstyle guitarists out there. Where do you begin? On this episode of Acoustic Tuesday, you'll hear about 15 modern fingerstyle guitarists you need to check out. From commercially successful artists to up-and-coming Youtubers, you're going to see some incredible guitarists. What I love about this style is that it pushes the gu...
Aug 09, 2022•51 min•Ep. 258
