Have you ever wanted to learn Western swing? Here’s a superb introduction to the unique chord progressions of this toe-tapping sound, geared toward the rhythm guitarist. Western Swing Guitar Style by Joe Carr offers an excellent step-by-step approach, taking the time to teach you the principles and music theory you need to be able to…
Category: The Skills
The Beginner’s Guide to Microphones
Are you a musician shopping for that first microphone to get your home studio off to a good start? Before you spend any money on a mic, spend just a couple of dollars on some great information—The Beginner’s Guide to Microphones by Brendan Krueger. This book is exactly what it claims to be. It is…
Choosing a Flat Pick for Guitar or Mandolin
Getting into guitar or mandolin picking? One of the first things you will need (besides your instrument) is a good collection of picks. It’s never a bad idea to start out with an assortment—over time some picks will definitely come to the forefront as favorites. Furthermore, until you have a handle on basic flatpicking technique,…
A Rainbow of Natural Dyes
Craftsy folks frequently share a do-it-yourself ethic. While it’s always easier just to buy cheap, pretty yarn at the craft store, some (particularly homesteaders) prefer to create their own dyes. In fact, if you own sheep or other fiber animals, this may be a logical next step to adding value to your products. You can…
7 Guitar String Care Tips
If you play your guitar often, you will find that your strings wear out quickly. Is there a way to extend their life so that you don’t have to replace them quite so often? Yes! Allow us to share a few tips for keeping your strings clean and at their best for as long as…
Choosing Studio Headphones
Whether your headphones are for recording or mixing, attention to quality, shape, and comfort are critical.
3 Guitar Exercises for Finger Independence
Playing the guitar requires flexible fingers. Fortunately, left-hand agility is a skill that can be acquired and improved with practice. These tried-and-true exercises will help you sharpen that skill. Note that you may not be as proficient in these exercises as you might like the first few times out. Always challenge yourself, but respect your…
5 Tips for Left-Hand Guitar Technique
Brushing up on your guitar playing abilities? One area where you might want to put in some work is the left hand. While the left hand is less influential on tone than the right, good left-hand technique is a must for clarity and precision. The left hand is the source of buzzing and incorrect notes….
How Acrylic Paints Are Made
Have you ever worked with acrylic paints and wondered how they are manufactured? Acrylic paints consist of two parts: Binder. Pigment. The Binder Because pigment is a dry powder that does not adhere to canvas all on its own, it must be stuck to the canvas with a binder. The binder also prevents the…
Top 10 Skill-Building Resources
Favorite rainy-day projects from our archives.
