Guitar Lessons Blog

If you’re in the North Shore area, and you’re looking for a fantastic teacher, check out Sal DiFusco. Sal is a Berklee professor and good friend, and an UNBELIEVABLE MONSTER of a guitar player. Lessons with Sal aren’t cheap, but it’s worthwhile if you’re a professional level player.

Just got off the phone with a colleague in Calgary. If you’re ever in Canada, check him out: visit out his website here!

I’m so excited to announce that due to high levels of demands for lessons and my unique method of instruction, I’ve hired George Woods to be my Associate Guitar Instructor on Mondays.

George is an incredible guy whom I have known since my early days as a student at Berklee, and I know students will appreciate his immense knowledge and patient teaching style!

Do you use your “down time” effectively? Is there time you’re spending on a commute, waiting in line, or otherwise sitting idly that could be better spent reading a book or doing something productive?

I often have gaps in my teaching schedule. When I’m not filling the void in my soul at Pizza Pie-er, I’ll often just sit down and work on a new song, or read a book. Sometimes, when it’s really bad, I end up playing Angry Birds on my iPhone. I don’t recommend this last pass time, though.

One of my very talented friends, Ben Levin, will be releasing his album, Pulse of a Nation in January. Release show will be on December 6th. Check out Ben Levin Group website for more info.

My friend Riley Hagan, an expert bassist and teacher, is now offering instruction in Bass (guitar, upright, electric, etc) in all styles.

Besides being incredibly good looking, Riley is a very talented guy and if you know anybody who is interested in learning bass, please pass his info along!

Bass Lessons with Riley Hagan

Planning the specifics of a student recital in November. Stay tuned!

I have been approached by several prospective guitar students lately asking about the possibility of a group class. I’d like to hear some feedback on this idea. Let me know if this would appeal to you, what kind of format you’d like the most (one hour, once per week?), what kind of pricing would be best for you. I’ve been looking for a classroom that I could rent for this purpose, and the more input I get, the faster I can seriously consider proceeding.

Hope to hear your thoughts!

How often do you change your strings?

Many of my students don’t change their strings until a string breaks. Sometimes this means using the same strings for six months, a year, or longer.

The sound of your guitar is powerfully affected by the condition and quality of the strings you’re using. If you look closely at a set of strings, you will see rust and corrosion. If you lift the string up and look underneath it, you may have the privilege of seeing a solid mass of grime which follows the underside of your string. This is residue from your fingers and particles of the string which have begun to corrode.

How often should you change your strings? Quite simply, as often as possible — although it depends on a number of factors, including how often you play.

It’s probably a good idea for most students to change their strings every 1-3 months. If you haven’t done this, try it. You will notice a big difference in the sound your guitar makes.

If you’re going to be playing your instrument standing with a strap, don’t forget to use strap locks to prevent your instrument from falling.

The best of these snap onto the strap pins on your guitar and come off only when released. Definitely worth the investment.