A Fitness Guide for Guitar Players

You might or might not know this, but playing the guitar – especially for extended periods of time – puts an immense amount of strain and pressure on certain parts of your body. You might not feel anything and there might not even be any danger signs for months, or years, but continued and sustained pressure on joints, nerves, muscles and bones usually manifests itself in the form of injuries after the passage of a few years.

Which is why working on your fitness, being healthy, and keeping yourself in good shape as a guitar player is so important. It allows you to play better, play in a healthy manner, and have a long and healthy life as well as a career in music.

1. Warm-ups

Warm-ups should be an essential part of your pre-game ritual. It is important because warming-up helps loosen up the bones and joints in the body, prepares them for the rigors associated with playing the guitar and prevents your arms and hands from any short-term or long-term injuries. A good warm-up regime would consist of stretching the muscles and joints in your arms and legs, and perhaps even a light cardio would be good. Doing so releases the tension in your muscles, improves blood circulation and get the blood flowing, and makes the overall experience of playing less-stressful.

2. Body Workouts

Working out has tons of benefits and is great for the body, regardless of whether you play the guitar or not (but especially if you do play). It gives you more energy and a clearer mindset. If you workout on a daily basis, you will automatically notice a significant improvement in your guitar-playing (such as with your practice sessions), as well as in your overall lifestyle. A good workout refreshes your brain and may even be the source of inspiration. Join the gym, go for yoga, go for a bike ride, go for a morning jog, and the positive effects will certainly manifest themselves whenever you sit down to play.  

3. Eating Healthy

Like working out, this affects your overall well-being in general, and eating healthy would mean that your body remains healthy and physically and mentally-fit, translating to you becoming a better guitar player in the long run. Eating healthy (and drinking healthy, for that matter), is essential for energy – as it keeps laziness, obesity, etc. at bay – and prevents the body from breaking down. A good intake of water every day is as important as eating healthy, as it flushes out toxins, protecting your organs and joints – all whilst providing you with the energy and focus that you need during the day.

4. Hearing

As a guitar player, one of the most important thing – aside from your fingers of course – will be your ears. While the human ears are built to last, they should still be protected. For starters, avoid prolonged exposure to loud music as it can seriously harm your hearing ability, especially in the long run. Wear earplugs when performing on the stage, for instance, or whenever you’re exposed to loud music. As a matter of fact, I recommend using one of those in-ear monitor (IEM) devices that professional musicians use.

5. Ergonomics

Ergonomics refers to interacting with certain things in a manner that is safe and healthy for the human body. For a guitar player, it refers to your posture (when sitting down), and how you hold and play the guitar (interact with it) for the time that you have it. Playing a guitar should never hurt – in both the short as well as the long run, and making sure that it doesn’t happen can only be accomplished through good ergonomics. For guitar players, the different between good or bad ergonomics could be in the way you hold the guitar, the way you sit or stand with the instrument, and how relaxed or tense your body is while playing (which is why warming up is essential!). You can read more about this, plus how certain features of the guitar affect you on this link.

Why Being a Guitar-player is the Best Thing Ever

1. You can officially refer to yourself as a rockstar!

…And maybe live the life of one as well! Yes getting called a rockstar sounds pretty cool. Being a guitarist allow you to do just that, and if you make it big, you’ll be able to live the life of a true rock star as well!

2. The bragging rights.

Playing the guitar is one of the best things ever! But do you know what’s even better than playing the guitar? Telling people that you play the guitar! Yes, the bragging rights that come with being a guitar player are pretty cool.s

3. Not everyone can play the instrument.

Learning the guitar and getting good at it is something not everyone can do, or tries to do. If you’re good with the instrument, it means that you’re part of an elite group of people who have mastered the art.

4. Making music is good for the soul.

They say listening to good music is good for the soul. I say making good music is better for the soul! It is a great form of therapy, and a great form of self-expression as well. Playing your favorite songs on the guitar all alone in your room can be one of the most relaxing experiences ever. Besides, musicians are said to be a more happy and lively bunch of people.

5. And it’s good for the mind as well.

Learning the guitar, learning songs, tabs, and chords, teaching the guitar and playing the instrument is a great form of mental exercise. The increased concentration and mental stimulation associated with making music will keep you sharp, mentally-active, and improve your ability focused. Above all, it will improve your creativity and hone your creative skill.

6. Meeting people

As a musician, you will come across many different people from all walks of life. You’ll meet other musicians, who might have a lot common with you. You’ll meet other talented artists, singers, songwriters, guitarists and musicians along the way. You will meet, speak and connect with fans from all over the world. And that is the beauty of music – it transcends language, geographical and social barriers by bringing people together!

7. Connect with audience.

Your music will allow you to connect with your fans. Your fans and people who like your music will be able to relate to you, and relate to your music and its lyrics. They will cheer for you, cheer you on when you take the stage, and that is by far one of the best feelings in the world!

8. Better luck with the ladies.

As extra/added incentive of being a rockstar is the sex appeal that comes with it. It is said that musicians generally tend to have better luck when it comes to the opposite sex (something that I can personally vouch for as well). And above all, women DO seem to have a thing for guitar players, don’t they.

9. Networking opportunities.

One of the good things about meeting people is that it opens up a world of opportunities for you. For instance if you’re performing live, and someone likes your skills, you might be asked to perform somewhere else – at a wedding or a private function, for instance. Or agents or talent-hunters might provide you with representation.

10. Make a career out of it.

As a guitar player, you could take up music fulltime if you want to, and earn your bread through doing what you love to do (and what in the world could be better than that!). Guitar players can pursue playing full time, and make a living out of it as well.

11. The money.

It might not be a lot of money (at least when you start off), but trust me, there is serious money to be made in the music biz. I’ve already spoken about some great ways guitar players can make money, and the fact is that once you reach a certain level as a musician, and diversify by exploring multiple income avenues available to you, you’ll certainly be able to earn your livelihood (and maybe even more) as a musician.

12. There’s never a dull moment in life.

Playing the guitar is a fantastic way to kill some time. As a guitar player, there will never be a dull or a boring moment in your life. Your guitar will be like a companion, always there when you need it. You can use it to kill time, chill out, or entertain (and impress) friends or family.

Ending Words

So what are your reasons of being a guitar player/musician? Why do you think it is one of the best things to do out there? Do leave your thoughts in the comments below.

I personally recommend reading this hilarious piece on tend reason for being a guitarist. Seriously, read it, it’s brilliant!

Using a Metronome to Improve Guitar-Playing

A metronome is a brilliant little tool that helps enhance and improve your technique, speed and control on the guitar, among other things. If you’re a beginner, or learning to play the guitar, I would strongly recommend getting one as soon as possible. Because if you want to see yourself become better and play well, the use of a metronome while practicing is essential.

The modern metronome is an electronic device, which produces an audible pulse, beat or a click after set intervals. It allows you to control the time element of your guitar-playing. It is essential when it comes to developing a good sense of speed and tempo, and controlling the tempo and other elements of your guitar-playing.

Timing is an essential element of playing the guitar. People who are learning to play the guitar tend to give more attention to notes rather than timing. However both these elements of playing the guitar are equally important, as well as connected to one another: if you play the right note at the wrong time, it would be equally as bad as playing the wrong note at the right time, for instance.

And trust me, nothing’s quite as bad as a musician with poor timing!

And that is where a metronome comes in!  

Think about the foot-tapping that most people do when their favorite song plays on the radio. They tap their foot to the rhythm of the song, and that is precisely what a metronome allows you to do. Guitarists usually use drum beat for the same purpose during performances.

The speed, or the ‘tempo’ of a metronome can be changed. For beginner’s it is recommend to start off as slow as possible, work on their technique at a slow speed and work their way up from there. Here’s how guitar players should practice with a metronome:

1. Learn the notes WITHOUT the metronome. First things first: learn the notes without thinking about the timing.

2. Fire up the metronome, and start off slowly. Find a point where it feels comfortable; where its not painstakingly slow, or too quick. It all depends on what you’re playing, and of course your level of proficiency with the guitar.

3. Try finding areas where you’re having trouble. Some parts will be easy; however some will be tougher to play. As you increase the tempo, you’ll notice that you have problems playing certain things, and in particular areas at certain tempos, and that is where a metronome really helps. As the metronome relentlessly clicks away, these touch spots will become obvious; make sure that you address them (DO NOT AVOID THEM!). Slow things down and play those parts again in order to determine where and what you’re having trouble with.

4. Turn off the metronome, and try playing a chord or a note that’s easy, and one that you had a problem with earlier. Play this repeatedly, until you begin to get more comfortable at it. Go as slow as you want; what’s important is that you iron out any issues that you might be having with your guitar-playing. When you think you’ve nailed, it try adding notes in front of and behind the one you were practicing, gradually adding more notes to either side, and steadily increase the tempo of your playing as well.

5. Turn the metronome on once more, and play the same note. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover an instant improvement with the same notes you were having trouble with earlier, and you’ll also be able to push the metronome to a higher level. Rinse and repeat to find trouble spots this way, and use the same technique to iron them out.

Good luck!

Everything You Need to Know About Fender Stratocaster

Fender Musical Instrument Corp – or simply Fender – make what are widely considered to be some of the best guitars and music instruments in the world!  One of their most famous guitars – a wildly-popular choice among musicians and guitar players – is the Fender Stratocaster.

The solidbody electric guitar known to us as the Fender Stratocaster (and in many cases, referred to as the Strat for short) was designed by none other than Leo Fender himself. It was introduced in 1954, and since then has gone on to become one of the most popular solidbody electric guitars in the world (if not the most!).

Its unique, signature double-cutaway design has gone on to become the template for many electric guitars produced by other manufacturers over the years. However the Stratocaster’s design is just one of the many things that have made this guitar into the legendary instrument that it is today.

For instance the Stratocaster was a symbol of innovation when it first saw the light of day all those years back. It featured a single-coil pickup array consisting of 3 pickups, a Tremolo tailpiece that was an original design, a double-cutaway body, a bridge that allowed guitar players to adjust string length/height, among other different features.

Anyone who’s ever used a Stratocaster would tell you that it feels and sounds fantastic. It is well-liked by rock artists because of its distinguished and unique rock tone. However Strats are not compared to be hardcore rock or metal guitars – especially when compared with something like the Gibson Les Paul. The Strats’ forte is that it is a more well-rounded instrument, which can be used to play many different genres, such as rock and blues, in particular.

Today, all Fender Stratocasters have ash or alder bodies, with the signature Stratocaster double cutaway ‘Comfort Contour Body’ design, bolt-on maple necks, 25-1/2” scale length, maple or rosewood fingerboard, the same 3 single-coil pickups with a 5-position pickup switch, synchronized tremolo, 2 tone knobs and 1 knob for volume, and finally, a lacquer finish for the vintage look and a polyester-based finish for the modern look.

There are a load of different Stratocaster models to choose from as well, which can essentially be divided into 5 main categories: (1) The Fender Stratocaster – including the Standard Strat and the Deluxe Strat to name just two, (2) The Squier Strats – the low-cost/entry-level versions of the Fender Strats, which include the Standard, Deluxe and Affinity, (3) The Classic Strats – which, as the name implies, are modeled to look like some of the vintage Strats and include the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s models, (4) The USA Stratocaster guitars – all of which are made and manufactured in the States and include models such as the American, the American Deluxe, American Vintage and American Special, and finally (5) Custom Shop models which are custom Stratocaster models, including Signature models such as the Buddy Guy Stratocaster, Van Halen’s ‘Frankenstrat’, John Mayer’s, Malmsteen’s, David Gilmour’s, Eric Clapton’s and Jeff Beck’s signature Stratocaster models (and these usually cost a good amount of money!).

You can have a look at these models and read more about them on the Strat’s Wiki page.

The Stratocaster is hence a part of music history. Millions of Strats have been sold, and you might (or might not) be surprised to know the names of famous musicians who have rocked the Strat for much of their career and were big big Strat fans – from Jimi Hendrix, to Mark Knopfler, Bruce Springsteen as well as Yngwie Malmsteen, to name only a few.

If you’re in the market for a new electric guitar, a Strat would be recommended. Yes, they won’t come cheap, but if you’ve got the budget, it will be well worth the investment. However if you’re a beginner who’s buying his first electric or looking to upgrade to an electric from an acoustic guitar, I would recommend getting something like a Squier Strat – it’s essentially the same instrument (apart from using cheaper wood and electronics and being mass-produced) at less than half the price! The Strat models listed above could perhaps be categorized in this way:

Entry-level/Low-cost: Squier Strats, Fender Stratocaster Standard

Mid-range: Deluxe, Classic, American Highway One

High-end/expensive/collectible: American (all), Classic, Custom Shop

6 Essentials to Learning the Guitar

The guitar makes for a great instrument in many different ways – it’s a great companion on the road, portable, easy to learn, sounds great, and won’t put a very big dent in your pocket (well, that depends on how deep your pocket really is!). People love the warm sound of an acoustic guitar, it can be a great thing to have with you in a gathering or at a part, for instance, or impress your friends (or that special someone for that matter), can be a great boredom-killer, and as we’ve discussed on this blog in length, you can actually make a career out of it, and earn your living as a full-time guitar player!

If you’re looking to learn the guitar, and if you’re really serious about doing so, here are a few pieces of advice you would do well to heed:

1. Practice Makes Perfect

"All I did was practice, practice, practice" - Rudolf Serkin (pianist)

Yes, practice really does make perfect! This might seem like a very obvious thing to tell a guitar player, but the single-most important thing when it comes to learning the instrument is practice. This is probably what every professional and successful musician will give you as advice – and trust me, its good advice!

Practice is essentially repetition, and a big part of learning any instrument is learning-by-reptition, and perfecting your motor skills – which essentially means that your fingers get so used to doing something that they’re able to do it on auto-pilot, without any need for you to tell your fingers what to do. It is called ‘finger-memory’, and it is why the musicians that you see on the stage do what they do so effortlessly. Finger-memory comes with regular and constant practice.

Get as much of it as possible, but more importantly, try putting in a few quality hours of practice time every week. Because when it comes to practicing, quality takes precedence over quantity. You do not need to sit

2. Perfect the Basics

“When you're a dancer, you start with the basics. You don't all of a sudden do a grand jete and pirouette. You start with first position, second, third.” - Rita Rudner

One of the most essential things about playing the guitar and learning to play the instrument is starting off from, and learning and perfecting the basics. This is essential, vital even, because if your base is strong, it will allow you to be a more technically-proficient and skilled guitar player.

While this bit of advice goes for any and all guitar players out there, it is especially applicable to beginners and aspiring musicians and guitar players who have little to no musical education. Always start off from the basics; learn the chords, notes and scales. Learn rhythm, lead, strumming, picking, and take your time when learning the essentials – do it properly, and try perfecting each thing and move on to the next only when you sound better. Learn aural skills, music theory, composition, and improvisation. Get your technique right when it comes to your posture, grip, right and left-hand wrist-action, strumming and picking, etc.

I personally recommend enlisting the help of a professional guitar instructor. Yes, such lessons are usually quite expensive, however at the end of the day, it will be worth the investment, especially if you’re serious about learning the playing the instrument.

3. Motivation, Persistence and Hardwork is Key

“Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” - Raymond Chandler

“Sometimes you want to give up the guitar, you'll hate the guitar. But if you stick with it, you're gonna be rewarded.” -Jimi Hendrix

As an aspiring musician and a beginner guitar player, you should know what you’re getting into: learning to play the instrument is anything but easy! In the beginning, you won’t know your strums from your frets, you will have problems doing basic stuff such as holding down the strings, you will sound awful, and it won’t be a very pleasant experience in general. Your fingers will hurt, and you might feel uncoordinated, awkward and clumsy.

Above all, after weeks and hours upon hours of practice, you might feel like you’re not getting anywhere, or you’re wasting your time and that maybe you don’t have the ‘talent’ or the ‘ability’ to be a guitar player.

At such a stage, it is essential to remain motivated. For this purpose, I suggest sitting down with your guitar instructor, and setting realistic and achievable short-term goals or milestones for yourself, and reward yourself each time you achieve a goal, such as after learning a new chord or scale.

I also recommend keeping your long-term goals in sight, and keep asking yourself this important question: why did you want to learn to play the guitar in the first place? Visualize yourself playing on the stage, or playing like one of your favorite musicians.

In addition, I recommend connecting with other fellow musicians and artists in your area, as well as online. Speak with these people about your problems, try seeking guidance, and try learning from them. If you get the opportunity to play in a band, go for it!

4. Get a Guitar Teacher

“Most people who choose not to work with a teacher either don't care enough about one's own musical progress to invest the time and money in him/her, or don’t understand how much a great teacher can help a student in more ways than one may have realized.” – Tom Hess

I spoke about this in point # 2 above, but allow me to explain.

A good guitar instructor will nurture and develop you as a musician, and will help you become a much more technically-adept guitar player. In addition, it will save you from a lot of frustration, and allow you to learn the instrument at a much more quicker, more efficient pace. Like Hess says, think about athletes and sportsmen, why do they need a coach?

A good instructor will help you achieve your goals in the best manner possible, and by taking the most efficient route. Sitting down with an instructor every single day ensures that you get daily practice, and having someone to report to gives you extra motivation to work harder.

5. Get a Good Guitar

This one’s pretty self-explanatory. While I would never recommend shelling hundreds or thousands on a new guitar, especially if you’re a beginner (unless you want to!), there are plenty of good guitars that can be had on the cheap. Yamaha, for instance, makes some excellent acoustic guitars, whereas you can’t go wrong with either a Squier or an Epiphone guitar if you’re in the market for an electric guitar.

Try looking for bundles, which is essentially a gig bag that contains all basic guitar equipment, such as the guitar itself, a tuner, metronome, extra strings, guitar stand, strap and a few other goodies all in one single bundle.

This Yamaha FG700S acoustic guitar bundle on Amazon not only comes with an excellent acoustic guitar, but a ton of goodies – all for under $300.

6. Have Fun!

Because that’s what it’s all about, and that is why you started playing, right?