The Skills – Page 2 – Homestead on the Range

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,…… Continue reading Choosing a Flat Pick for Guitar or Mandolin

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…… Continue reading A Rainbow of Natural Dyes

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…… Continue reading 7 Guitar String Care Tips

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…… Continue reading 3 Guitar Exercises for Finger Independence

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.…… Continue reading 5 Tips for Left-Hand Guitar Technique

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 powdery pigment…… Continue reading How Acrylic Paints Are Made

Category: The Skills