Learning An Instrument Can Last A Lifetime. If you want it to..
Start Your Guitar Journey The BEST Way
Happy New Year! 🎉
If you’re receiving this email, you are someone who has interacted with one of my Guitar, Bass or Ukulele courses that I create (So firstly.. a HUGE thank you for that!)
Starting from today, I will be sharing a regular newsletter that contains advice, guidance, gear/music recommendations, FREE materials ( there are two in this email!) and private links to course and lesson discounts (I’m giving away a whole course for free to readers of this email! Read on for further info..)
I hope you’ll join me in this newsletter, but if you wish, you can unsubscribe at any time.
✨ Your Guitar Journey
It's that time of the year when resolutions are made and ambitions are set in motion. If learning to play the guitar, or developing your ability is on your list, then get ready for an incredibly rewarding journey. Here are some simple ways I recommend you approach your playing and development.
Embrace the Beginner Spirit - Remember, everyone starts somewhere, and your journey is as unique as your favourite riff or melody. Don’t become overwhelmed. Learning an instrument can last a lifetime, if you want it to - so ensure you soak up the excitement of these early stages and look forward to the road ahead. And don’t apply so much pressure, that you're draining the fun from the process.
Celebrate every small victory. Progress, not perfection, is the key.
Setting Goals and Building Habits - This is a strong way of ensuring success. And a practice schedule can be paramount in helping achieve this. I have provided a free PDF for you, at the link below. It’s a guideline, not a rigid set of instructions. Try to apply some structure, but always have an eye on making this process fun, and not a chore. At all times, we want to be encouraging and discovering our unique, creative abilities:
Alongside the more formal practice of chords & scales etc, make time for experimentation. Reverse the chord progressions you know. Chop up the order of chords from your favourite songs. Fingerpick the tracks you’ve been strumming. Select chords at random and see what they sound like together (you’re now literally composing your own music). Be free. Be confident. Be creative.
Learn With What You Love - Music and creativity comes in endless forms. And there is always something new to be discovered. But very often, the best way to ensure you continue your learning journey, is to be practicing along to the songs you love. (especially in the very early stages of learning an instrument).
Many beginners are asked to play ‘happy birthday’, or ‘twinkle twinkle little star’ in their first lesson, due to their familiarity. But often, this approach lacks captivation.
Usually, the songs you most adore will have something you can take from them. If the guitar chords are too complex, you can play a simpler version of them. If that’s still too tough, then you can follow the root notes played by the bass. If the lead guitar is too fancy, maybe the keyboard line can be transposed and played on the guitar instead. Maybe your favourite artists have an easier song you can start with and then progress towards the others. Mine were Nirvana’s ‘Come As You’ Are’ and the verse chords of ‘About A Girl’ (E Minor & G Major). After my first lesson, I spent that week learning a riff played across two strings and I tried my best to master those two chords. It was a beautiful experience! I could binge Nirvana and begin my journey with this instrument in the best way.
And then.. as you progress and develop, you should explore every inch of this musical landscape. Check new bands, new genres, different playing styles, strumming patterns, chord variations.. the list goes on and on.. and that’s something to be excited about.
🧡 Charity
I am co-founder of a music charity - TIME: Together In Musical Expression. We believe that music is for everyone. We’re an Essex-based charity devoted to breaking down barriers and bringing people of all ages and abilities together to experiment, grow, and have fun through music. We have a particular focus within disability, mental health and dementia.
You can learn more about TIME and how to support our service here:
❗️ FREE COURSE ❗️
If you’ve read this far - THANK YOU! Now you can grab the big freebie.
I am making my course - ‘Guitar Songs: 6 Iconic Guitar Riffs’ - FREE to all readers of this email. Simply follow this link and you will be able to download all of the video lessons and accompanying PDF’s:
Guitar Songs: 6 Iconic Guitar Riffs
There are some great riffs here! And they work through a beginner to more advanced level. Give me a shout if you have any questions about the content.
👉 Recommendations
John Martyn - Over The Hill: I’m very late to this tune. Decades in fact! It was a random discovery on Spotify and I’ve fallen in love with it.
Rick Rubin: The Creative Act - A Way Of Being (Book): An easy to digest book that is packed with inspiration. I’ve been obsessed since it was given to me at Christmas. It can be dipped in and out of. Opened at a random page. Or absorbed over a few big sessions. Every entry point will provide a moment of creative inspiration. Highly recommended.
🌍 Links
All of my classes can be found on Skillshare. The link below gives you 1 month FREE access to every course I’ve made and the entire Skillshare site. They have classes on creativity, business, productivity.. pretty much anything you can think of. So, have a little look around for free here:
Follow me to get more guitar, bass & ukulele related chat & tutorials:
Feel free to reach out to me at any time.
Thank you for reading.
Marc