Learn Guitar your way with a TakeLessons expert

Trying to decide between the ukulele vs guitar? In this article, music teacher Anthony S. discusses the differences between the two instruments, as well as how to choose which one is right for you.  Ukulele vs Guitar: Key Differences Transitioning From Ukulele to Guitar As a music teacher, I have been asked by many parents over the years if learning to play the ukulele is a good starting point for children who want to learn the guitar. The ukulele is a very good first instrument, however

Looking for some beginner-friendly country songs to play on guitar? Here, Katy, TX guitar instructor Zachary A. shares some of his favorite classic country songs that are easy to learn and fun to play... Whether you're a fan of country music or not, there's no denying the appeal of the acoustic guitar when it comes to playing traditional country songs. In this blog post, we'll take a look at the best country songs for guitar.  Country music has changed a lot over the past couple decades,

Odds are that if your child is taking guitar lessons, your child chose to play the instrument. Unlike stringed instruments, piano, and classical instruments, kids usually choose to start playing guitar. Kids guitar lessons are a great start, especially when they are geared to your child’s age, but the only way your child will really progress with the guitar is through regular practice. Practicing is a unique challenge when it is an instrument that a child chooses to play. People tend to

Is it really necessary to learn guitar scales? If you'd rather just focus on chords and songs, you're not alone. But here, Austin, TX teacher Samuel B. shares why practicing your scales will ultimately make you a better guitar player down the line... I'm a 25-year veteran of playing the guitar. In seventh grade, I took an introductory class to both the guitar and keyboard, in which I received only a "B" as I pretty much neglected the keyboard altogether. Besides, I'd taken piano lessons

Playing famous guitar solos and licks can be really fun. Plus, if you're hoping to impress someone, a well-known lick can go a long way. We've picked out a handful of rock guitar licks that sound great and are at an intermediate level of difficulty. All of them were originally played on an electric guitar with a set level of distortion and overdrive, but feel free to add your own twist. Try playing them with a clean sound, or even on an acoustic guitar if you want to try a different sound.

The song "Pumped Up Kicks" has been a huge hit for indie rock group Foster the People, spending eight consecutive weeks at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S., and even earning a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.  Following the breakthrough success of the song, Foster the People have now earned their place alongside similar genre-defying bands like Phoenix and MGMT. And best of all, this catchy song is easy to play.  There are four main chords you'll

What makes a great guitar song? Between the soaring electric guitar classics and the mellow acoustic numbers, practically anything is possible with the instrument. The power of the guitar spans across genres and musical eras and has played a key role in countless popular tunes.  Whether you’re looking for a famous song to learn on guitar or want to discover some of the best players of all time, this list will point you in the right direction. Our top 50 acoustic and electric guitar songs r

When you think of Kurt Cobain, what comes to mind? The voice of a generation? A tortured artist? An incredible musician? While all of those labels may be true, they only scratch the surface of who Cobain was.  The recently released documentary Montage of Heck explores Cobain's life in depth, and we learned a lot about him that we didn't know before. Here are just a few things we learned. Why is Kurt Cobain So Famous? Here are a few reasons why Kurt was one of the most famous musicians o

Looking to bring a deeper dimension to your acoustic guitar playing? These fingerpicking patterns are the perfect option to make rich and beautiful music today. Many guitar players focus only on strumming patterns or guitar solo licks and miss out on the beauty of fingerpicking. Becoming a well-rounded guitar player means building up skills in both hands — not just your fretting hand — and basic fingerpicking skills are a must for many guitar styles. Learning how to fingerpick takes t

When it comes to playing the guitar, there are many different kinds of styles you can explore. Of course, you’ve probably heard of acoustic and guitar songs, but then there is also jazz, country, funk, and blues guitar music, among many other styles. On top of that, you may discover the world of classical guitar music. But what exactly are classical guitar songs?  Classical guitar music most often refers to a style of guitar music that was popular in the 1700s and 1800s. To perform thi