Ok, so maybe you knew that, but how do you determine the correct size for your child? The best indication is arm-length to fretboard length (the neck of the guitar). The student’s arm should not have to reach very far to be able to play the first 3 frets. Use your best judgment to determine the correct size.

If the student can’t reach (or struggles to reach) the first few frets, then the guitar is too big.

However, it is equally important to not have a guitar that’s too small!

Recently one of my students had a growth spurt and still has his 3/4 size guitar. Well, it’s small enough that it is constantly falling off of his leg (where the guitar rests) and he has difficulty sitting up straight because of it. This of course affects his playing, technique, confidence, and willingness to practice.

If you’re still not sure what size guitar to buy, go to your local music store and ask them to size a guitar for your child.

Much Respect,
Andrew
The Musician’s Toolbox

If the action of your guitar is too high, your strings are likely too spring-like. Do you feel like it takes an uncomfortable amount of pressure to press down your strings? You need to have your guitar set up.

Call your local music shop. Ask if they have a tech there who can “set up” your guitar. It might cost a few bucks, but it will be cheaper than buying a new guitar, and you will be investing into your practicing habits. Remember: “Perfect Practice Makes Perfect.”

Don’t worry, it’s not major surgery. Likely what the tech will do is adjust the torsion rod in the neck (if your guitar’s neck is bowed at all, the metal rod inside will help straighten it out), adjust the height and intonation of the bridge, and inspect the other elements that contribute to a good feel.

Take care of your stuff, invest in your practice habits, and get your guitar set up. You’ll be happy you did.

Much Respect,

The Musician’s Toolbox

What good is practicing your music without good lighting? Get a clip on light for your music stand, and save your eyes the trouble. Why make it more difficult for yourself than you have to?

You’ll be glad you invested in a music stand, trust me. You’ll be able to practice for longer periods of time because you won’t be slouching (hopefully) and getting all worn out like a lazy sack of potatoes. And we all know that perfect practice makes perfect, and that there is no substitute for diligent practice.

Wait… you knew that, right?

The Musician’s Toolbox

Learn to play your guitar by actually practicing. What a thought. Everyone else will tell you that all you have to do is this “trick” here, or just subscribe to my “I’ll Make You A Guitar Hero In 10 Minutes” blog.

Oh, Please.

That kind of advertising may have worked on our parents, but not us. We know better. Yes, Yes, we KNOW it actually takes work to get good at something. Just look at the Karate Kid. Man, did that guy have it rough for a few months. But you know what, that Crane Kick move was pretty epic, and he got the girl. How?

Practice.

Alright, so, here I am, yelling it from the rooftops, and there’s only one thing left for you to do. Stop surfing the mindless web (except of course for when you read our fabulous blog to get a kick in the, well, motivational area…) and go practice for a half an hour.

You’ll get better if you do.

Much Respect,
The Musician’s Toolbox

1.) Where you practice is important, so limit your distractions. If you’re not concentrating, you’re not going to make progress.
2.) It’s better to practice 15-30 minutes a day for 5-6 days a week than it is to practice 2 hours only one day a week. Why, you ask? Because it’s the repetition that builds confidence, muscle memory, and accuracy.
3.) Use a metronome or a drum loop of some kind while you practice your warm-ups, scales, guitar chords, etc. Learning to keep a consistent beat will take you far, and you can’t do it with just your imagination.
4.) Keep your guitar tuned at all times. Don’t be lazy with your tuning! Why, you ask? Because you’re building your listening skills as you practice whether you know it or not. Train your brain to hear the notes in tune! Your band will thank you later.

Much Respect,
The Musician’s Toolbox

1.) Slow down.
2.) Make sure you press your fingers down close to the metal fret, and press firmly and HOLD your finger down for a split-second longer.
3.) Use the tips of your fingers.

Concentrate on being accurate, not fast. This will build your muscle memory and will in turn improve your tone.

Much Respect,
The Musician’s Toolbox

However, on a more, philosophical level (metaphysical?), we are humans and we need interaction. And that’s a cliche for a reason. It’s true.

No where in life could this be more true than in music. You need to get out there and experience music with other people. Take some music lessons, ask around your neighborhood, your apartment complex, whatever, go find people that enjoy what you enjoy. Not on Twitter, not on Facebook, not on YouTube, but in the flesh. Learn from other people face to face.

It’s this combination, learning stuff on the internet for free, or for a few bucks, and then going and applying what you’ve learned in real life that will give you real satisfaction.

Much Respect,
The Musician’s Toolbox

I expect it to be finished within the month, and it will feature high quality photos and graphics like the DVD. It will be available for purchase along with the DVD for a reasonable price, probably no more than $10.00.

Andrew Wonacott, President

Slow down your practicing (using a metronome of course) and make sure that you can play the part you’re working on without having to think about it too hard. When it becomes second nature, THEN you can speed up.

The more consistently you practice purposefully and slowly, the faster you’ll get faster. Therefore:

Slower equals faster.

May the metronome be with you, always.
The Musician’s Toolbox

That way, if there’s a part of the song that’s just too fast, you can slow the song down to, say, 70% of the normal speed and then work your way up.

You might want to try the “Amazing Slow Downer” or just google slow down audio.

Much Respect,
The Musician’s Toolbox