Now for flats, you know, they look like the letter "b" and make you want to throw your guitar out the window. Don’t despair, help is on the way. Here they are:

F: Bb
Bb: Bb Eb
Eb: Bb Eb Ab
Ab: Bb Eb Ab Db
Db: Bb Eb Ab Db Gb
Gb: Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb
Cb: Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb Fb (very ugly!)

Once again we have a pattern, (more…)

What are Key Signatures? Ever notice all those funny sharps and flats at the beginning of music? You know, the ones you are supposed to remember and use throughout the entire piece of music. Sometimes there are a couple sharps, other times you see some flats (and decide to not play that piece of music). That is a key signature. It is kind of like the thumb print for a key. So the key of “G” for instance has a key signature with one #, namely “F#.” No other key has that signature, only “G.” Now if you know a key’s signature you can figure out its scale. If we have the key of “G” and know that its signature is “F#” then the scale contains the notes: G A B C D E F# G. In other words, it has one of each letter name (”A” through “G”) and and accidentals (sharps or flats) in the signature are thrown in too. Here is another example “Bb” (”B - flat”). It has a key signature of two flats “Bb” and “Eb”. So its scale is: Bb C D Eb F G A Bb. Also notice that key signatures never use both sharps AND flats, it is either sharps OR flats. That will be crucial in remembering them. Here goes… (more…)

I’m currently in North Carolina so I thought I would write a bit on humidity. I live in San Diego, so I’m not used to moisture in the air. It really effects the sound of your guitar! After all it is a piece of wood. Ideally a guitar should be kept at 50% humidity. So in the arid South West we usually only worry about low humidity. Not only will changes in humidity effect the sound of your guitar, it can also do damage. You should never subject your guitar to extreme temperature or humidity. I always say don’t do anything to your guitar that you wouldn’t do to yourself. So if you need air conditioning so does your guitar. As to humidity, if you live in an area that is subject to extremes buy a hygrometer (which measure the relative humidity 0% being dry and 100% being get out your umbrella). like

If you find you need more humidity get something like a dampit:

If your in North Carolina like me, take alot of showers, but leave your guitar in its case.

Do you suffer from nails that break? Here are a few things that will help:

1) File them everyday. And when you file them use one of those files that has lots of different strengths. Start with the rough file and go through all the different levels until you get to ultra fine, that is the one that looks very smooth and feels like it doesn’t do anything. That will create a glassy look that is less likely to tear.

2) Do everything with your left hand. Open doors, turn keys, write (okay maybe that’s a little extreme).

3) Don’t let them get to long. Nails don’t need to be very long to be effective. If you keep them short they are less likely to break.

4) Take Gelatin supplements. They are supposed to strengthen your nails.

5) Wear gloves. Especially if you are moving something heavy. You will probably hear some Michael Jackson jokes, but at least your nails won’t break.

If anyone has any other ideas please comment.

Learning guitar (or any instrument) is a lot like learning a language. Now, I took Italian in College, and shortly there after traveled to Italy. But, when I got there I found it tough to put two words together, much less carry on a conversation. A similar thing happens in music. You study and practice, day in and day out, and when you sit down to play for a friend its tough to play two chords well. What to do? Emmerse yourself in music. To learn a language and be fluent you need to hear it everyday, being spoken by native speakers. To learn music you need to hear it everyday by its best performers. So gets some great CDs of guitar music and surround yourself in it. Here are some albums I would suggest you start with:

John Williams - Great Performances - The Great Paraguayan: Solo Guitar Works by Barrios



Pepe Romero - Tárrega: Recuerdos De La Alhambra & Albéniz: Asturias, Jeux Interdits



David Leisner - Villa-Lobos: The Complete Solo Guitar Works



Manuel Barrueco - 'Cantos y Danzas'