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Guitar playing tips and inspiration to play guitar consistently, have more fun and see more progress with your guitar routine. Every week your host, Tony Polecastro (from tacguitar.com) shows you a new guitar lick and shares new guitar gear and acoustic guitar music he‘s recently found. Tune out the overwhelm of online guitar lesson noise and let Tony be your guide to focus, fun and progress every Tuesday at 10am.
Episodes
Tuesday Mar 15, 2022
Tuesday Mar 15, 2022
Taylor Guitars raises the bar for acoustic guitars. But how do you know which Taylor Guitar is right for your needs? Stay tuned to hear about some of the best Taylor Acoustic Guitars for 2022.
Taylor Guitars has been at the forefront of guitar making for decades. And they show no sign of stopping. Taylor Guitars was named one of the most innovative manufacturers by Fast Company — but that's just the tip of the iceberg.
Taylor Guitars actually stand the test of time. They look phenomenal. They play incredibly with a variety of tones and body styles to accommodate any player.
I haven't liked every Taylor Guitar I've played, though. Sometimes they're too chime-y or thin. Despite this, I think Taylor still makes some unforgettable acoustic guitars. That's why this episode is covering the five best Taylor Acoustic Guitars.
In addition to hearing about Taylor Guitars, you'll also see...
- Jeff Jewitt
- New York Rangers
- Mike Dawes
- Bluegrass Life
Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
Are you struggling to find good guitar geeks on YouTube? Can't find funny, inspirational, and interesting guitarists on YouTube? Check out this episode for a round-up of the 10 must-follow guitar geeks on YouTube!
There are thousands of guitar personalities on YouTube. How do you know who to watch, who gives good advice, and who you should steer clear of?
This list of must-follow guitar geeks includes some teachers, some musical artists, and usually a combination of both. All of their YouTube videos are informative, entertaining, and interesting.
Honestly, one of the filters I used is whether I'd want to hang out with these YouTube guitar personalities. Whether it was their sense of humor, their technical prowess, their approach to learning, or some combination of all of the above, this is my list of the 10 must-follow guitar geeks on YouTube.
These guitar geeks have wisdom to impart, regardless of whether you're just starting your guitar journey or are years into it. I think they're content is incredibly accessible, entertaining, and educational (most of the time!).
If you have a favorite guitar personality on YouTube, be sure to drop a comment below and let me know who they are! I am always excited to read your comments, and I look forward to exploring some new artists on YouTube!
Tuesday Mar 01, 2022
Tuesday Mar 01, 2022
What can guitar players learn from one of the best banjo players of all time? In this episode, we'll take a closer look at Earl Scruggs, his banjo technique, and how guitar players can apply these techniques to expand their tonal horizons!
I am a huge Earl Scruggs fan. His banjo playing definitely cements him in the hall of fame of banjo musicians. Earl Scruggs was filled with wisdom, which is why I wanted to dedicate a whole episode to the legend. Even though he mostly played banjo, I think there are so many life and technique lessons to learn from Earl Scruggs.
One of the inspirations for this episode came from a video clip of Earl Scruggs. In the footage, he swaps his banjo for a guitar. Without hesitation, Scruggs was able to dive right into the role of rhythm guitar. Scruggs' flexibility and rhythmic prowess allowed for spontaneity and collaboration — something I think all of us could benefit from learning!
As far as specific technique we can learn from Earl Scruggs' playing, I really want to emphasize alternate chord voicing. Additionally, his use of the Carter scratch and the "rolls" in the picking hand can open up a wide variety of tones and rhythms for you to explore.
If you have any questions about Earl Scruggs, the techniques he used, or anything else, be sure to leave a comment on this episode! I always love to hear what you thought about this episode of the Acoustic Tuesday, and I look forward to reading your comments!
Featured in this Episode…
- The Earl Scruggs Center
- Molly Tuttle
- YourGuitarSage
Tuesday Feb 22, 2022
Tuesday Feb 22, 2022
Looking for a technique that can help you stand out with relative ease? Try staccato playing with this in-depth lesson! Add staccato playing to your tonal toolbox and start jamming away!
This episode will dive into a technique called staccato playing. Staccato playing involves using short, punchy notes to create rhythmic drive and tonal separation from other notes. If you've never heard or tried this technique, don't worry — I'll show you how to both use the technique and how to apply it to your playing.
I love staccato playing because it allows rhythmic playing. It has a choppy sound that can give you more options to approach playing a lick or song. When you add staccato to a single-note phrase, it stands out so much more.
In addition to learning how to use staccato playing, I'll also show you how staccato notes can help you control dynamics in your playing. Because it has a loud but punchy tone, you can insert notes without burying others you are playing with.
If you're worried about this being a music theory lesson, you can rest assured that this isn't about music theory. Rather, this lesson focuses on technique rather than note choice. I'll offer plenty of examples of how to use staccato playing, so be sure to leave a comment on which example was your favorite or most helpful!
Featured in this episode…
- Iris Carr Restoration
- Atkin Guitars
- Punch Brothers
- Lost Dog Street Band
- Western AF
Tuesday Feb 15, 2022
Tuesday Feb 15, 2022
It's the king of the flattops, but could the Gibson J200 also be the king of the (guitar) world? Find out by tuning into this episode dedicated to the Gibson J200!
The J200 has been used by incredible musicians throughout the decades. It's got a massive, iconic tone that has carved out its place in the guitar world and pop culture. It's an incredible guitar, which is why I decided to dedicate this episode to it!
From the mysterious history of the Gibson J200 to the way it melded into pop culture around the world, I really cannot stress how much of an impact this guitar had. It's beautiful, stylish, and able to produce a monster tone for an acoustic guitar.
One of biggest reason I love the Gibson J200 is that it's a blank slate. There are so many customizations for the guitar that it can truly be anything you want it to be. Subtle but stylish? Check. Dressed to the nines and flashy? Can do.
In addition to talking about the Gibson J200, you'll have the chance to learn a new lick and get a roundup of the latest acoustic guitar news you can use!
Featured in this episode…
- Tim Kill Custom
- Will McNicol
- Alexandr Misko
- Charlie Parr
- Martin Guitar
- Gibson TV
Tuesday Feb 08, 2022
Tuesday Feb 08, 2022
Drone strings aren't used by many guitar players, but it is a crucial tool for helping you practice and even perform! This video will cover all the basics of using drone strings, when to use them, and how to use this technique to the greatest effect.
I love drone strings because they add so much body to your playing. Depending on what key you're playing in, drone strings can make a huge difference. They can fill out your sound, give you a nice bass-y foundation, and make your playing much more musical.
One of the easiest ways to start experimenting with drone string playing is tune your low E string to a low D. Then, you can play an D minor scale on the middle D string. This can give you a load of melodic phrases.
You can apply this technique to any of your open strings. But there's one important thing to remember: drone strings don't have to be lower than the string your playing melody on. You can use an open G string and play the G minor or major scale on the A string.
My hope is that you walk away from this episode feeling a little more inspired to use drone strings. If you're a guitarist who plays by yourself, drone strings really add depth to your playing. It sounds, almost, as if there was another guitar player backing you up!
So go ahead and try to add some drone string playing to your guitar routine this week. It might just become your new favorite technique.
In addition to discussing drone strings, here's what else is packed into this episode…
- Cristina Vane
- Western AF
- Charlie Parr
- Smithsonian Folkways
Tuesday Feb 01, 2022
Tuesday Feb 01, 2022
No, we're not covering Bob Dylan or Simon & Garfunkel. We're going deeper in the vault. So, are you ready to experience the 10 best, rare acoustic albums from the 1960s?
The '60s were an incredible decade for music. There was so much change, so much turbulence that fueled creative expression and artistic freedom. While titans like The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan typically dominate the music conversations of the decade, I want to try something different this episode.
Instead of rehashing the genius of those artists, I want to take a closer look at some lesser known albums. From Son House to John Fahey, the artists featured in this episode eschewed mainstream success. However, their impact on the genre of acoustic music is huge.
Some of these artists and albums you may have heard of. Some of them may be completely new to you. And that's okay! Part of my mission is to inspire and help you live your best acoustic life. And one way to live your best acoustic life is to expand your music horizons. So, be sure to give a listen to each of the albums on this list and find inspiration in a new light!
Did any of these albums inspire you or make you think differently about how you approach the guitar? Be sure to leave a comment below to let me know what you've found!
Featured on this episode...
- Kenny Wayne Shepherd
- Béla Fleck
- Molly Tuttle
- Adam Grant
Tuesday Jan 25, 2022
Tuesday Jan 25, 2022
Hybrid picking, also known as Chicken picking, is a tricky picking technique. But it doesn't have to be.
This episode will break down this complex technique into 4 simple steps so you can add this technique to your acoustic guitar repertoire!
The basic premise of hybrid picking is to use both your flatpick and your fingers to play a picking pattern. The result is a super-fast, textured, and pronounced sound that is different from both fingerstyle and flatpicking. It's extremely fun once you get it under your belt, and it's sure to turn some heads when you bust it out.
Hybrid picking is difficult because it requires you to maintain control over your flatpick strokes while still executing a fingerpicking pattern. However, when done properly, you'll be able to play some great riffs. For example, this week's TAC Guitar Lick Challenge uses hybrid picking!
By the end of this episode, you'll have four actionable steps to work towards to help you hybrid pick. So, whether you're just looking to add a new technique to your arsenal or there's a specific song that requires you to hybrid pick, I hope this lesson was helpful for you!
If you want to share what you thought about hybrid picking, be sure to drop a comment below and let me know how you use hybrid picking in your guitar routine!
Featured in this Episode…
- The Fellowship of Acoustics New Featured Guitar
- Atelier Rosenkrantz
- J.B. Hart Music Co.
- Dave Grohl's New Book "The Storyteller"
Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
Larrivee Guitars makes incredible guitars that fly under the radar way too often. In this episode, you'll see 5 Larrivee guitars that you must hear. From the classic Larrivee 000-50 Traditional to the robust SD-40, you're going to fall in love with at least one of these guitars!
@LarriveeMedia has been making high-quality guitars for decades. Hailing from Canada, Larrivee was founded by master luthier Jean Larrivee in 1967. The level of craftsmanship and quality is absolutely superb.
Each of the Larrivee guitars on this list offers a different price point and different style. I'm hoping you'll find something that works for your playing needs. Additionally, none of the guitars on this list are subpar — really, truly!
I especially recommend watching to the end of the Larrivee segment so that you can hear about the first solid-wood guitar I bought. That guitar, which I wish I had never sold, was a true swiss army knife of a guitar. Balanced, clear, and able to handle a variety of styles, that Larrivee was one of the best guitars I've ever owned.
Also featured on this episode...
- Easy Eye Sound
- Son House
- Tony Rice
- Stern Pinball
Tuesday Jan 11, 2022
Tuesday Jan 11, 2022
Doc Watson is perhaps one of the most versatile guitarists to grace the music world. In this video, I'm going to extract 9 huge takeaways from Doc Watson's extensive career. You'll learn how to apply these lessons to your guitar journey to help you find more fun, focus, and progress every day.
I chose Doc Watson because he had such a vast career. Whether he was playing banjo, guitar, country music, blues, or somewhere in between, Doc was a legendary musician. The techniques he used changed many genres and inspired generations of guitarists — myself included!
Doc Watson also had some unique approaches to music. I love the way he weaves jokes into he sets, never afraid to use humor. Doc wasn't afraid to tell authentic stories. And, it just so happened that his stories were often humorous, contributing to his incredible stage presence.
While Doc Watson passed away almost a decade ago, guitarists worldwide are still inspired every day by the way he played and the way he lived. I hope you learned some invaluable lessons today. Even if you take just one or two of these lessons from Doc Watson's life, I hope they help you find fun, focus, and progress on your guitar journey!
Featured in this episode...
- The North American Guitar
- Iris Guitars
- Blind Guitars
- Trey Hensley
- Machine Gun Kelly