This Saturday is the Coffee Shop Jam, and I’m ready to scream. Nothing’s wrong. I’m just gearing up for the weapons-grade rock vocals required for this Jam’s setlist, including “Arlandria” by the Foo Fighters, “In Bloom” and “Lounge Act” by Nirvana, and—my larynx convulses at the mention of it—“Girl’s Got Rhythm” by AC/DC. These songs all feature high-pitched, raspy rock …
Good Vibrations
What an amazing video: Anyone who’s played a harmonic on the guitar knows that string vibration is a magical, mysterious phenomenon. I’ve heard it compared to a moving passenger train. As the countryside flies by, your teacup is rattling on your saucer: That’s one kind of vibration. But the whole traincar is vibrating too: A second vibration. The traincar is …
New Features: Hot Songs and Cool Buttons
I’ve been in mad-scientist mode this past weekend, making some changes to the site design. What day is it? Where did all these dirty dishes come from? Let me know if you think the work was worth it. What’s Hot There’s now a list of the most popular songs, both on the web and on this website, in the sidebar …
The Heartwood Beat, Issue 16: Chord Chart Update and Restringing Tips
Hello Heartwood Beat Subscribers, I hope you’re all well and enjoying the start of summer. I’m having fun with my most recent writing project: Creating a beginning guitar course that I’ll offer on my website starting this summer or fall. Chord Chart Update I just posted thirty new chord charts, including a trio of toe-tapping Taylor Swift tunes, a round …
Q ≠ Quiet
“Q” was not for “Quiet” on April 30th, when we descended on the Q Cafe for the 2011 Spring Coffee Shop Jam. The show featured my guitar students, and the students of my friends Brady and Mark, who teach bass and drums. The Coffee Shop Jam is always incredible, and this was no exception: Moments of epic grandeur, quiet beauty, …
Another Happy Strummer
I love getting fan mail from musicians using my strum pattern videos. it’s me again, Rob, but really i have to tell you that your videos have changed my guitar playing life…after 45 years of playing the same old DDUUDU (nice enough in its way), i really have all sorts of new rhythm options thanks to your videos…it all just …
How to Teach Guitar: The Role of Empathy
The following is an excerpt from Rob’s Totally Awesome Guitar Teaching Handbook. When was the last time you were terrified trying something new? I’m not talking about the fear of sharks at your first surfing lesson. I mean trying something you really want to do, but you’re worried that Jah had other intentions when he doled out your aptitude. Perhaps …
Connor Does Metallica Justice
My 11-year-old student Connor had quite a week. Last Tuesday he appeared on TV. And on Saturday night, he gave an electrifying performance with his fellow metalheads at the School of Rock Presents: Classic Metallica show. Never have I seen Connor so energized. He had me pumping my fist in the air, screaming the lyrics with him. A couple vids …
Connor’s TV Gig
Yesterday morning I joined my 11-year-old guitar student Connor at The Seattle Channel’s studio to watch him perform for the show Art Zone with Nancy Guppy. Nancy had contacted me a couple weeks ago looking for a rock guitarist to perform on an episode dedicated to young local artists. I sent her links to some of the videos from my …
