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Guitar Lessons Ithaca Blog

Essential Gear Guide: Must-Have Accessories for Every Ithaca Guitarist

Nestled in the heart of the Finger Lakes…

Why Guitarists Should Memorize Standard Forms

For aspiring and seasoned guitarists alike, the journey…

Keeping The Form While Improvising with Confidence

Soloing on the guitar within the framework of a song's…

Solos Aside: 15 Common Mistakes Amateur Jazz Musicians Make

The journey through jazz is one of continuous discovery,…

Crafting Your Unique Spin: A Guide to Personalizing a Cover Song

Covering a song is an art form in itself, offering musicians…

Harnessing True Power: The Path to Musical Mastery on the Guitar

In the pursuit of excellence, whether in sports, martial…

Beyond the Guitar: How Learning Other Instruments Enriches Guitarists

Embarking on a musical journey that transcends the six…

Gospelizing Your Progressions – Infusing Blues, Jazz, R&B, and Soul into your progressions

Today, we're diving into the exciting world of gospel guitar…

The Art of Modal Harmony

Modal harmony, a concept that reshaped jazz in the mid-20th century,…

Mastering Difficult Passages in Music: A Strategic Practice Guide

Every musician encounters challenging passages in their repertoire…

Jazz Standards Reimagined: Exploring Diverse Musical Styles

Jazz standards serve as a universal canvas for musical…

The Many Benefits of Using Fake Books for Guitarists

For guitarists, whether seasoned or just starting, mastering…

Jazz Standards: A Canvas for Self-Expression

Jazz standards, with their timeless melodies and harmonic complexities,…

Mastering Ear Training for Guitarists

Ear training is an essential skill for any musician, especially…

Discover the Best Guitar Instructors in Ithaca: Unlock your Musical Potential!

Are you ready to unleash your inner rockstar? Look no further!…

Tips for Collaborating with Other Musicians

Collaborating with other musicians can be one of the most rewarding…

The Science Behind Guitar Sound and Tone

The guitar is not just a musical instrument; it's a marvel of…

Understanding the Role of the Guitar in Various Music Genres

The guitar, with its rich tones and versatile nature, has cemented…

Balancing Melody and Rhythm in Guitar Playing

In the art of guitar playing, melody and rhythm serve as the…

Guide to Recording Guitar at Home

In the era of digital technology, recording guitar at home has…

How to Develop Your Own Unique Playing Style on Guitar

Every guitarist has a unique voice, a distinct style that sets…

Introduction to Slide Guitar Techniques

Slide guitar is a technique that creates a smooth, gliding sound,…

The Power of Fun in Music Lessons: Cultivating a Lifelong Love for Playing

The ultimate goal of music education extends beyond mastering…

Fingerpicking: the Gentle Art of Guitar Expression

Fingerpicking is a captivating technique that allows you to create…

Guitar Effects Pedals: Creativity with Sonic Innovation

Guitar effects pedals are like a palette of colors for a painter…

A Step-by-Step Guide to Tuning Your Guitar

Tuning your guitar is the first step toward creating beautiful…

Understanding Guitar Scales for Soloing and Improvisation

Guitar playing is an art of endless possibilities, and at the…

Tips for Creating Original Guitar Solos

A guitar solo is more than just a sequence of notes; it's an…

Writing Chord Charts

Hello, fellow guitar enthusiasts! Today, let's dive into a valuable…

Conquering Guitar Practice Plateaus: Strategies to Ignite Your Musical Growth

Every guitarist embarks on a journey of continuous improvement,…

The Influence of Guitar in Different Cultures

The guitar, with its mesmerizing strings and versatile sound,…

Lowering the Action on Acoustic Guitars

Guitar action is all about the space between the strings and…

How to Get a Great Guitar Sound

Whether you're strumming soothing chords, shredding electrifying…

Capturing Your Sound: Guitar Recording Techniques at Home

Now that we have finished Guitar Lessons Ithaca Student Album…

Essential Skills for Improvisation

Improvisation is a key aspect of playing jazz, blues, rock, and…

Spotlight on Fingerpicking Styles

In the intricate world of guitar playing, fingerpicking stands…

Celebrating the Release of Dennis Winge’s 10th Instrumental Album “Digital Interfaith”

A Milestone in Musical Excellence: "Digital Interfaith" by Dennis…

Unlocking Creativity: Tips for Songwriting

Embarking on the journey of songwriting is a thrilling adventure,…

Mastering the Basics: Essential Tips for Beginner Guitarists in Ithaca

Are you stepping into the vibrant world of guitar playing in…

Ithaca’s Musical Landscape: A Symphony of Guitar Learning Opportunities

Greetings, aspiring guitarists and music enthusiasts of Ithaca!…

Guitar Legends: Exploring Famous Guitarists and Their Iconic Signature Styles

Guitarists have carved their names into history not only through…

Overcoming Challenges in Learning Lead Guitar

Embarking on a journey to master lead guitar is both exciting…

Dive into the Joy of Holiday Music with Guitar Lessons Ithaca!

Hello, aspiring guitarists and music enthusiasts! As we dive…

The Joy of Creating the Annual Student Album

At Guitar Lessons Ithaca, we believe in nurturing musicianship.…

How to Put On New Guitar Strings

Putting on new strings can seem like a daunting task, but with…

Striking the Right Note: Understanding Guitar Intonation and How to Perfect It

Guitarists know that tuning is a fundamental aspect of playing,…

Mastering Tone Settings on Stratocasters and Similar Guitars

Your guitar is not just an instrument; it's a canvas of sonic…

Mastering Tone Settings on Les Pauls and Similar Guitars

The Gibson Les Paul, a legend in its own right, carries a distinctive…

Mastering Strumming Patterns: Elevate Your Guitar Playing with Rhythm and Technique

Strumming is the heartbeat of your guitar playing, injecting…

Learning Guitar Tabs: A Beginner’s Guide to Unlocking the Fretboard

For aspiring guitarists, learning to read sheet music can sometimes…

Exploring Exotic Harmonic Territory with Students

Today's lesson at Guitar Lessons Ithaca was a true adventure…

Embracing Long-Term Success in Guitar Playing

Learning to play the guitar is a magnificent journey, one that…

How to Choose the Best Teacher or Guitar School

The guitar has come a long way, and it's no longer something…

Guided or Self-Explored: Guitar Lessons vs. Self-Taught Learning

Embarking on the journey of learning the guitar is an exciting…

Mastering Guitar Amid the Hustle: Crafting an Effective Practice Routine for Busy Lifestyles

In the midst of our busy lives, finding time for guitar practice…

The Power of Student Jam Sessions: Unleashing Musical Potential

Embarking on a musical journey is an exhilarating experience,…

Building Hand Strength and Dexterity: Elevating Your Guitar Playing with Exercises and Techniques

Mastering the guitar is not just about knowledge; it's also about…

How to Cut the High Cost of Cheap Guitar Lessons

Yes, you read that correctly. Opting for cheap guitar lessons…

Beginner’s Guide to Guitar Types: Finding the Perfect Fit

As a beginner guitarist, the journey of learning to play the…

Refer to This When You’re Feeling Frustrated on Guitar

We all experience frustration on the guitar at times.  We encourage…

10 Essential Guitar Chords for Beginners: Building the Foundation

As a beginner guitarist, mastering a few fundamental chords is…

How to Accompany Singers on Guitar

Mastering the Art of Accompanying Vocalists: A Guide for Guitarists   Accompanying…

Harmonizing Melodies: A Guide to Transposing Songs for Guitar

Imagine finding a song you love, only to discover that it doesn't…

Expanding Horizons: The Joys of Progressing on Guitar

Hello fellow guitar enthusiasts, I wanted to take a moment…

Stretches for Guitar Playing: Enhance Flexibility and Control Tension

Greetings fellow guitar enthusiasts! Today, we're diving into…

Improvisation Wisdom from Dizzy Gillespie, part 3

Standard Notation for Guitar

Music notation is the universal language that allows musicians…

Improvisation Wisdom from Dizzy Gillespie, part 2

In our previous post, we explored the brilliant improvisation…

Improvisation Wisdom from Dizzy Gillespie, part 1

Today, we're diving into a nugget of wisdom straight from the…

10 Iconic Guitar Riffs Every Player Should Know

Great guitar riffs have the power to transcend time, captivating…

Guitar Maintenance and Care: Preserving Your Musical Companion for a Lifetime

Your guitar is not just an instrument; it's a creative outlet,…

Exploring Open Tunings and their Creative Potential

Open tunings are like secret doors into uncharted musical territories,…

Musical Styles from Around the World

Here is a compilation I made of all the main musical styles in…

Tips for Mastering Barre Chords on Guitar

Barre chords are a rite of passage for every guitarist. While…

Learning to Find Your Unique Musical Voice on Guitar, part 4

In parts 1 to 3 we explored ear training, rhythm/ timing, technique,…

Learning to Find Your Unique Musical Voice on Guitar, part 3

In parts 1 & 2, we addressed the skills of ear training,…

Learning to Find Your Unique Musical Voice on Guitar, part 2

In part 1, we discussed how, in order to develop your own unique…

Learning to Find Your Unique Musical Voice on Guitar, part 1

Once I heard the singer Jai Uttal respond to a fan who had said…

Once You’re In, You’re in for Life, part 2

Practice opportunities follow you everywhere you go.  Do you…

Once You’re In, You’re in for Life

Improving your musicianship is a quest that permeates nearly…

You Can’t Hear What You Can’t Hear

As a musician, it’s good to think that you’re good at what…

Who Cares About Your Musicianship, Anyway?

Let’s face it: non-musicians don't care about musicianship;…

So, You’ve Got Talent. Now What?

What really is musicianship and how do you develop it?  Dictionary.com…

Welcome to the Guitar Lessons Ithaca Blog – Unleash Your Guitar Potential!

Hello fellow guitar enthusiasts and aspiring musicians and welcome…