Hey Reader, This week’s video is a little different. Instead of working through a song, we’re looking at the secret to getting smooth, clean legato technique. If you’ve been playing for a while but your hammer-ons and pull-offs still feel a little uneven, this one should help. A lot of good legato playing comes down to control rather than speed. Getting the notes even and clear first makes everything else much easier. This lesson is aimed more at intermediate players, but you don’t need to be...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, This week we’re digging into “The Enemy Within” by Rush. Alex Lifeson’s guitar part is a great study in rhythm, timing, and chord voicings. There’s plenty of movement in the part, and getting the accents and transitions clean is where the real challenge comes in. Don’t worry about playing it up to speed right away. Slow it down, pay attention to the rhythm, and get each section comfortable before putting it all together. Whatever your level, there’s some good stuff to work on in...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, Most guitar players think getting better means learning another song or another scale. Sometimes the fastest progress comes from going back to something you already know. Pick one song you can play comfortably and spend a few minutes really listening to yourself. Is your timing steady? A lot of players naturally speed up during easier parts and slow down when something feels difficult. Playing with a metronome, drum track, or even tapping your foot can help you hear those changes...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, Whether you love the Eagles or just want your solos to sound more musical, this week's lesson has something for you. I'm using Don Felder's solo from "One of These Nights" to show how great solos tell a story. We'll look at how ideas develop from beginning to end, why leaving space is just as important as the notes you play, and how simple call-and-response phrases can make your guitar sound more expressive. These are concepts you can use with any style of music. The goal isn't to...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, If your chord changes still feel a little clunky, this week's lesson is for you. I'm sharing three simple techniques that can make moving between chords feel much more natural: the Anchor Finger, the Slide Finger, and the Common Pattern. These are little "shortcuts" that many players overlook, but they can make a big difference. This lesson is especially helpful for beginners, but even intermediate players may pick up a few ideas to make their playing smoother. I also show how...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, This week’s lesson is Something for Nothing by Rush. If you enjoy digging into Rush songs, this one is a lot of fun to play. It has some great riffs, interesting chord movement, and that unmistakable Lifeson style that keeps things engaging without being overcomplicated. I’d put this lesson in the “all levels” category because there’s something here for everyone. More experienced players can work on the details and feel, while newer players can focus on the main rhythm parts and...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, This week we’re looking at three Alex Lifeson riffs that make great finger exercises. The lesson is built around “Spirit of Radio,” “Jacob’s Ladder,” and “Xanadu,” but you don’t have to be a Rush fan to get something from this one. These riffs are great for working on finger independence, clean movement, and getting your hands to feel more relaxed across the fretboard. Take them slow at first. The goal isn’t just speed, it’s control. Once the fingers know where they’re going, the...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, This week we’re looking at “I Can’t Tell You Why” by the Eagles. This one sits in that easy-to-moderate range, and it’s a really nice lesson for working on feel. The parts are not too busy, but they do ask you to play clean and listen closely. What makes this song work is the space. You don’t have to overplay it. Let the chords ring, keep the rhythm steady, and try to keep everything smooth. It’s a good one for building control without feeling like you’re forcing it. Check it out...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, This week we’re looking at “Sister Golden Hair” by America on acoustic guitar. This is a great easy-to-moderate tune if you want to work on steady strumming and clean chord changes without getting too complicated. The song has that relaxed feel, but the timing still matters. Try not to rush the changes. Let the chords ring and keep your strumming hand moving naturally. It’s one of those songs that sounds good even when you keep it simple. Check it out here: Sister Golden Hair Rock...
5 months ago • 1 min read