Hey there Reader, Going through some of the free lessons on the website and doing some basic website maintenance which I usually dread…. …Sometimes though— things just come together and are better left alone. Here’s one of those lessons: From the Archives (July 2024) I found this gem on Alternate picking. Alternate picking isn’t sexy but it's so integral to so many styles of guitar music from Metal to Country, Pop to Prog. If you like this article, but want to go deeper— you’ll love The 7 Day...
2 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, I’m often asked “what are you listening to lately?” by friends, guitarists, and my readers. Every once in a while a cool album drops that I feel compelled to share with everyone. Flipping through Apple Music yesterday I stumbled upon this Bach-Weiss recording by Alberto Crugnola, an Italian Lutenist. If you love the sound of a guitar, you’ll absolutely love Lute music. It’s a softer, and more nuanced sound compared to a nylon-string Classical Guitar. Alberto Crugnola Alberto...
9 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, The Memorial Day sales are blowing up my inbox so why not create one of my own? I decided to do the lowest price ever on my 5 Guitar Book Bundle.. $12! Here's what you get... The 7 Day Guitar Practice Routine ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Modal Scale Workout Classical Guitar - A Practical Guide Guitar Triads Complete Guide ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Beginners & Beyond Chord Guide Audio + Music Files Instant Downloads Lifetime FREE Replacement Have questions?Want to know more? Let me know what I can do to...
20 days ago • 1 min read
HelloReader, When I started playing guitar in 1988 (yikes!), one of the many big influences that guided my own guitar journey was Greg Howe. What makes Greg’s solos sound so colourful, fluid, and harmonically advanced? The secret lies in his groundbreaking use of superimposed arpeggios, inventive scale shapes, and rhythmic phrasing. Greg's new book covers ALL of these concepts and more. Now, if you're totally new to arpeggios, fear not... there are a few great free lessons on my website to...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, How has your guitar practice been going? Learning anything new?Let's talk alternate picking! The J-Curve The J-curve describes the typical path of a corrective technique or action from initial loss to dramatic gain over time. Essentially.. Things might get worse before they get better. You could apply the J-Curve concept to all kinds of things in everyday life… but let’s apply to it alternate picking. Phase 1: Where you might be now… You can alternate pick at slow tempos....
4 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, I know, I know… so many Black Friday sale emails.. but this one is a good one!.. and if you’re a practicing Guitarist like me this material will last you for years! 🎅🏼 For a limited time, enjoy ALL 5 guitar books for only $19. 📅 Don’t wait — this is over Monday at midnight! 👉No CODE Needed.Shop Now & Save BIG!» PS -FREE Guitar Triads Book. If you didn't already get it directly from me, you can grab it here whether you want the bundle or not, its my FREE GIFT to you!Guitar Triads...
7 months ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, It's Back to School time again.. and my biggest sale of the year on ALL of my Guitar Books. 🌼 For a limited time, enjoy ALL 5 guitar books for only $15. No Tariffs Here! Sale ends Friday at Midnight! 📅 Don’t wait — this is over Friday at midnight! 👉No CODE Needed.Shop Now & Save BIG!» Until Next Time!, Guitarist & Author - Craig Smith Let's Be Friends! 👇Find me on Social Media👇 Lifein12Keys.com & GuitarPractice.Pro3825 Swanfalls Ter. Sanford, FL 32771 Unsubscribe | Change Preferences
10 months ago • 1 min read
Guitar Newsletter January 30th, 2025 Hey there Reader, Recently I had a great question from a reader about other ways to use the Circle of Keys to find useful information besides just the notes in a particular Major scale or Key. Like, what about the chords? A great way to find all of the Major Chords in a Key is to look at the adjacent keys on either side of the one you want to play IN. For example, in the Key of C Major you see F before and G after, so those 3 chords will be Major type...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read
Guitar Newsletter January 18th, 2025 Hello Reader!, I hope you enjoyed the free Triads book. I had over 2000 downloads this past week! If you missed it, you can still grab it anytime. Here's a little mini-lesson to get you through the weekend. Steve, an email reader had a great question:"What happens if you add the next (diatonic) 3rd to the existing triads in the book?" Answer:You get a Tetrachord built on each scale tone like this. 💡A tetrachord is a musical pattern of four notes that are...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read