https://acousticguitar.com lessons, music to play, and how-tos for all guitarists Mon, 08 Jan 2024 23:53:28 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://i0.wp.com/acousticguitar.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/AG_Favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 https://acousticguitar.com 32 32 103806923 https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-use-a-partial-capo/ https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-use-a-partial-capo/#respond Tue, 09 Jan 2024 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=142675 Like a magic trick on your guitar, partial capos hold down some strings while leaving others untouched, changing the intervals between open strings.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-use-a-partial-capo/feed/ 0 142675 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-sidh-beag-sidh-mor-a-traditional-celtic-song-arranged-in-standard-tuning/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-sidh-beag-sidh-mor-a-traditional-celtic-song-arranged-in-standard-tuning/#respond Fri, 29 Dec 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=142604 Most of this arrangement's melody notes are reachable without leaving first position, and all the necessary bass notes are easily played. ]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-sidh-beag-sidh-mor-a-traditional-celtic-song-arranged-in-standard-tuning/feed/ 0 142604 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-solo-by-tony-rice-on-banks-of-the-ohio/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-solo-by-tony-rice-on-banks-of-the-ohio/#respond Fri, 22 Dec 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=142531 Rice’s solo is an exceptional example of how chord shapes and cross-picking can flesh out a tasteful melody-based lead.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-solo-by-tony-rice-on-banks-of-the-ohio/feed/ 0 142531 https://acousticguitar.com/play-tonight-you-belong-to-me/ https://acousticguitar.com/play-tonight-you-belong-to-me/#comments Wed, 20 Dec 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=142529 This simple arrangement allows for easy, primarily open chording.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/play-tonight-you-belong-to-me/feed/ 2 142529 https://acousticguitar.com/sharpen-your-sight-reading-skills-by-playing-duets-part-2/ https://acousticguitar.com/sharpen-your-sight-reading-skills-by-playing-duets-part-2/#comments Fri, 15 Dec 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=142728 This second lesson in a three-part series on learning to sight-read on guitar adds some exercises that are a bit more complex.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/sharpen-your-sight-reading-skills-by-playing-duets-part-2/feed/ 1 142728 https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-play-the-indigo-girls-folk-rock-anthem-closer-to-fine/ https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-play-the-indigo-girls-folk-rock-anthem-closer-to-fine/#respond Sun, 10 Dec 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=142672 With tight harmonies, sturdy twin guitar strumming, thoughtful lyrics, and a bit of vocal countermelody, the song has all the hallmarks of the duo's style.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-play-the-indigo-girls-folk-rock-anthem-closer-to-fine/feed/ 0 142672 https://acousticguitar.com/blues-soloing-basics-learn-to-improvise-on-the-12-bar-minor-pentatonic-scale/ https://acousticguitar.com/blues-soloing-basics-learn-to-improvise-on-the-12-bar-minor-pentatonic-scale/#comments Fri, 08 Dec 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=142719 Understanding these few simple ideas will help make your blues playing more satisfying and musical.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/blues-soloing-basics-learn-to-improvise-on-the-12-bar-minor-pentatonic-scale/feed/ 2 142719 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-in-the-pines/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-in-the-pines/#comments Tue, 05 Dec 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=142595 The arrangement of this song, also known as "Where Did You Sleep Last Night," is inspired by Nirvana’s version.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-in-the-pines/feed/ 1 142595 https://acousticguitar.com/how-great-literature-and-simplicity-can-inspire-depth-in-your-music/ https://acousticguitar.com/how-great-literature-and-simplicity-can-inspire-depth-in-your-music/#respond Sun, 03 Dec 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=142708 Poetry and literature can serve as a wellspring of inspiration for musicians and composers alike. ]]> https://acousticguitar.com/how-great-literature-and-simplicity-can-inspire-depth-in-your-music/feed/ 0 142708 https://acousticguitar.com/getting-started-with-alternate-tunings/ https://acousticguitar.com/getting-started-with-alternate-tunings/#respond Fri, 24 Nov 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=142756 It can be intimidating to change all the notes that you’ve worked so hard to learn, but the new sounds and new ideas you'll discover make it worth the effort.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/getting-started-with-alternate-tunings/feed/ 0 142756 https://acousticguitar.com/expand-your-harmonic-vocabulary-using-django-reinhardts-chord-voicings/ https://acousticguitar.com/expand-your-harmonic-vocabulary-using-django-reinhardts-chord-voicings/#comments Tue, 14 Nov 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=141867 In this lesson, we’ll dive into some chordal innovations you can use to get a Django Reinhardt sound or to simply explore new ways of approaching chords.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/expand-your-harmonic-vocabulary-using-django-reinhardts-chord-voicings/feed/ 1 141867 https://acousticguitar.com/ralph-towner-revisits-the-oregon-classic-guitarra-picante-on-solo-guitar/ https://acousticguitar.com/ralph-towner-revisits-the-oregon-classic-guitarra-picante-on-solo-guitar/#respond Fri, 10 Nov 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=141845 Originally released in 1991 and re-released on this year's ‘At First Light,’ this challenging tune features nearly three dozen different chords.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ralph-towner-revisits-the-oregon-classic-guitarra-picante-on-solo-guitar/feed/ 0 141845 https://acousticguitar.com/play-a-jazzy-fingerstyle-rendition-of-over-the-river-and-through-the-woods/ https://acousticguitar.com/play-a-jazzy-fingerstyle-rendition-of-over-the-river-and-through-the-woods/#respond Wed, 08 Nov 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=141848 Originally published in 1844, the song remains a popular favorite among children and adults to celebrate Thanksgiving and the Christmas season. ]]> https://acousticguitar.com/play-a-jazzy-fingerstyle-rendition-of-over-the-river-and-through-the-woods/feed/ 0 141848 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-jamie-stillways-take-on-red-haired-boy/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-jamie-stillways-take-on-red-haired-boy/#respond Fri, 03 Nov 2023 15:38:31 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=141839 The song is heard often at jams, concerts, and on albums, most recently on Jamie Stillway and Eric Skye’s duo guitar release ‘Over the Waterfall.’]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-jamie-stillways-take-on-red-haired-boy/feed/ 0 141839 https://acousticguitar.com/getting-started-with-classical-guitar-tremolo-picking/ https://acousticguitar.com/getting-started-with-classical-guitar-tremolo-picking/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=141878 Though commonly associated with classical guitar, tremolo technique can be used on steel-string acoustic or even electric guitar to give the impression of a sustained voice. ]]> https://acousticguitar.com/getting-started-with-classical-guitar-tremolo-picking/feed/ 0 141878 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-tracy-chapmans-groundbreaking-hit-fast-car/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-tracy-chapmans-groundbreaking-hit-fast-car/#respond Fri, 27 Oct 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=141863 Thirty five years after its release, this powerful narrative, with its distinctive guitar part, feels as vital as ever.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-tracy-chapmans-groundbreaking-hit-fast-car/feed/ 0 141863 https://acousticguitar.com/work-on-your-sight-reading-skills-through-two-part-studies/ https://acousticguitar.com/work-on-your-sight-reading-skills-through-two-part-studies/#respond Wed, 25 Oct 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=141886 Playing together with a partner in real time is a great way to have to have fun while improving your single-line melody reading.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/work-on-your-sight-reading-skills-through-two-part-studies/feed/ 0 141886 https://acousticguitar.com/fresh-look-at-on-top-of-old-smoky-on-guitar/ https://acousticguitar.com/fresh-look-at-on-top-of-old-smoky-on-guitar/#respond Wed, 18 Oct 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=141829 Singer-songwriter Maurice Tani teaches how to add fresh color and anticipation to a traditional favorite.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/fresh-look-at-on-top-of-old-smoky-on-guitar/feed/ 0 141829 https://acousticguitar.com/adam-levy-performs-and-teaches-sidewalk-chalk-acoustic-guitar-sessions/ https://acousticguitar.com/adam-levy-performs-and-teaches-sidewalk-chalk-acoustic-guitar-sessions/#comments Wed, 11 Oct 2023 13:01:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=142202 “Sidewalk Chalk” is a lovely waltz with a beautiful set of chord changes. It’s also quite approachable and, like so much of Levy’s work, is a joy to play.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/adam-levy-performs-and-teaches-sidewalk-chalk-acoustic-guitar-sessions/feed/ 2 142202 https://acousticguitar.com/explore-double-dropped-d/ https://acousticguitar.com/explore-double-dropped-d/#respond Tue, 10 Oct 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=141082 Lowering your first and sixth strings from E to D opens up enticing new possibilities on both the low and high ends of the guitar.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/explore-double-dropped-d/feed/ 0 141082 https://acousticguitar.com/gordon-lightfoot-the-wreck-of-the-edmund-fitzgerald-guitar-lesson/ https://acousticguitar.com/gordon-lightfoot-the-wreck-of-the-edmund-fitzgerald-guitar-lesson/#respond Fri, 22 Sep 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=141079 Lightfoot recorded the song on a 12-string—specifically, a Gibson B-45-12—but it will work just as well on a six-string.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/gordon-lightfoot-the-wreck-of-the-edmund-fitzgerald-guitar-lesson/feed/ 0 141079 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-dom-flemons-fingerstyle-showstopper-rabbit-foot-rag/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-dom-flemons-fingerstyle-showstopper-rabbit-foot-rag/#respond Wed, 13 Sep 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=141072 This ragtime-inspired composition leaves a lot of room for improvisation and variations on the main themes.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-dom-flemons-fingerstyle-showstopper-rabbit-foot-rag/feed/ 0 141072 https://acousticguitar.com/visualize-and-connect-chord-shapes-all-around-the-neck-for-melodic-improvisation/ https://acousticguitar.com/visualize-and-connect-chord-shapes-all-around-the-neck-for-melodic-improvisation/#comments Fri, 08 Sep 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=141107 Being able to visualize chords all over the neck as they happen is a great foundation for building melodic lines.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/visualize-and-connect-chord-shapes-all-around-the-neck-for-melodic-improvisation/feed/ 1 141107 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-big-sciota/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-big-sciota/#respond Wed, 06 Sep 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=141063 “Big Sciota” is not necessarily easy to play, but if you stick with it, you'll learn a fun and well-known tune and develop some powerful chops in both hands.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-big-sciota/feed/ 0 141063 https://acousticguitar.com/play-sea-shanty-drunken-sailor/ https://acousticguitar.com/play-sea-shanty-drunken-sailor/#respond Fri, 01 Sep 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=141057 This easy campfire arrangement follows a traditional four-bar pattern using just the chords Am, G, and C.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/play-sea-shanty-drunken-sailor/feed/ 0 141057