Open Voicing Chord:An open-voicing chord is a chord where the notes (or chord tones) are spaced farther apart than in traditional closed voicings. On the guitar, this often involves utilizing…
The CAGED SystemThe CAGED system is like a key that unlocks the guitar fretboard! It’s named after five basic chord shapes—C, A, G, E, and D—that every guitarist learns early…
Octave (Musical interval)An octave is like a note’s “big brother” or “little brother”! It’s the same note, but it sounds either higher or lower. For example, if you play the…
Fretboard Diagram:A fretboard diagram is a picture that shows you where to put your fingers on the guitar to play different notes or chords. Imagine the guitar neck is like…
Natural Notes on GuitarNatural notes are the “plain” notes on the guitar that don’t have any sharps (♯) or flats (♭). Think of them as the alphabet of music: A,…
Fretboard Memorization vs. Visualization: Which One Do You Need?When it comes to dominating the guitar fretboard, understanding the fretboard layout is crucial. But should you focus on memorizing every note,…
How to Memorize the Guitar Fretboard Fast and EffectivelyDear fellow guitarist,Memorizing the guitar fretboard can seem like a huge task at first, but with the right strategies and consistent practice,…
Tom Hess Guitar: Is This the Right Fit for You? Sometimes, as an advanced guitarist, you get this advice that entirely changes how you grasped playing the instrument so far.…
Is Guitar Tricks Good for Beginners? I wrote this post after Jay, one of my students, asked me to recommend an online system for learning intermediate guitar so he could…
GuitarZoom Review: The Real Deal for Aspiring Guitar HeroesMy Unexpected Path to Guitar LearningPicture this: Joe, a total guitar novice, staring at a dusty acoustic guitar in the corner of…