Nelson BC Guitar Lessons And Music Academy

Feather on the Clyde by Passenger is such an amazing tune, it is simple but oh so powerful and super fun to play! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYDtnhZAb3g

My zoom-lesson-set-up! (I cleaned my desk for the picture though haha)

The final video in my "Bob Marley Tutorial Trilogy" is for Is This Love. Check the lesson here: https://youtu.be/rP6UH2wiAZs

The 2nd of three Bob Marley tutorials I will be releasing: Redemption Song! Backing Track and Lesson PDF available for patrons: https://www.yourguitarworkshop.com//redemption-song-chords/

Another Free-Lesson-Friday :-) Today I tackled Stir it up by Bob Marley. We take a look at the bassline and the strumming+chords. Super fun to play! https://www.yourguitarworkshop.com/guita/stir-it-up-chords/

Don't know what to do over spring break? Here's a project for ya :-) https://www.youtube.com/watch

Since a few of my students are working on this wonderful tune, I thought it would make a lot of sense to make the lesson available for all to enjoy :-) Enjoy Blackbird by the Beatles :-) https://www.yourguitarworkshop.com//blackbird-guitar-less/

I just released the second (and final) tutorial on Django Reinhardt's solo over Minor Swing. These videos are the first in a series I'm working on: Gypsy Jazz Guitar - A Django Journey If you want the full lesson follow the first link, if you want to check the video on youtube, follow the second one or click the image :-) https://www.yourguitarworkshop.com/guit/minor-swing-guitar/... https://youtu.be/DCM7KCNve9M

I have started working finally being able to play Gypsy Jazz or "Manouche" Properly, so I thought I'd start with the godfather of the genre himself: Django Reinhardt https://youtu.be/9QRgtl9UBpA

YAAAY! Today I finished the Tommy Emmanuel - Day Tripper tutorial!!! The outro was tricky, not because of it being complicated but just because it is so darn fast. (It is way faster in the recording) Check the Full Tutorial here: https://www.yourguitarworkshop.com//day-tripper-lady-mado/... Check the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch

It is a bit of an advanced fingerpicking tune, but fun to play. Maybe it'll give you something to do over the Christmas Holidays?

I still have a ways to go with this tutorial... But I think after spending 12+hrs in my office, I think I'm calling it for today. Another day tomorrow :-)

Never lose the groove in order to find a note - Victor WootenNever lose the groove in order to find a note - Victor Wooten

I've been interested in the inner working of learning for quite some time. So many things that hold us back, ideas, misconceptions, but also people in our lives who don't yet understand that our brain isn't a fixed thing and give us well-meant-but-poor-advice. Our brains evolve, grow, develop. When things are tough, it doesn't mean we can't, it isn't a sign of inaptitude! The feeling when you struggle is the feeling of your brain expanding, making new connections. You should... love it and look for more of it. In the gym we sweat, work hard, and we know that's the way you build muscle! Why would it work any different for our brains? When things are effortless, it just means you're not working out, it is like a stroll at lakeside park. I also believe that encouraging a student, believing in their ability to overcome the tricky bits, trusting that the process of good practice will yield good results, enjoying the process of learning, etc. These things are as important, or maybe more important than a good explanation of the things that students are trying to learn. Reading the first chapters of Limitless Mind revealed some amazing stories about how magical our brains really are. Someone losing half(!) of her brain, but still end up doing a masters degree and becoming an incredible therapist. Just a single encouraging sentence on an assignment making all the difference in someone's life. Very inspiring!

Tommy Emmanuel is a magician on the guitar and his interpretation of Day Tripper/Lady Madonna is a good example of that. If you're up for it, check out the free lessons at Your Guitar Workshop which is my other guitar related endeavour :-)

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas :-) Nice having the lights up in my studio, first time I felt like bringing that into my work space and it feels lovely!

I have been playing a lot of Tommy's tunes but because the steelstring kills my fingernails I often play these pieces on my classical guitar. In some cases I find the sound of the nylon really well suited for his music. In this case, since it is a tribute for his brother, I have found it to work exceptionally well and I hope you like it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM-15-BxM8w

Always wanted to play Day Tripper by the Beatles? Well, if you want you can start with Tommy Emmanuel's version :-) Even playing just the bass line from the video is really cool :-) https://youtu.be/m8Pue1LGLR0