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Inspiration and Motivation

Guitarists passing on hard-won knowledge โ€” how to practice, how to record, how to finish something, and how to keep going when it stops being fun. Written since 1996, and still being written.
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68 columns of 2,622  ยท  page 2 of 2
Guest Columnists
Tom Hess

Top Secrets Of Common Sense, Part 1

Tom Hess

Getting it done? Or wishing you had? Maybe it's not too late to make your future.

February-March 2006
Guest Columnists
Tom Hess

Plans Are Not Goals

Tom Hess

How will you achieve what you really want (goals) without knowing why you want them, and how you will get there (plans)? Let's discuss.

December-January 2005
Guest Columnists
Tom Hess

Can You Really Become a Great Guitar Player?

Tom Hess

What separates those who do from those who don't? Here's how you can succeed where others have failed.

June-July 2005
Guest Columnists
Paul Adams

The Power Of Creative Limitation

Paul Adams

How limitation can actually be the vehicle that propells one toward their own statement of purpose.

February-March 2005
Guest Columnists
Drew Vics

You've Gotta Start Somewhere, Grasshopper

Drew Vics

Drew Vics stresses the importance of a good foundation.

February-March 2005
Guest Columnists
Peter Neri

The 5 Stages Of Guitaritis

Peter Neri

You've had it, you know you have.

December-January 2004
Guest Columnists
Drew Vics

Just Play It

Drew Vics

Drew Vics paraphrases the famous Nike slogan and applies it to the six string.

August-September 2004
Guest Columnists
Tom Hess

For Love Or Money

Tom Hess

Neo-classical guitarist Tom Hess discusses the motivations of a true artist.

June-July 2004
Guest Columnists
Tom Hess

Why Aren't You A Better Guitarist?

Tom Hess

Tom Hess is back with the twenty concepts you need... and the five things to forget.

December-January 2003
Guest Columnists
Jamie Andreas

Climb Every Mountain

Jamie Andreas

Virtuoso classical guitarist and instructor Jamie Andreas on how to make progress, real progress, in your abilities.

October-November 2003
Guest Columnists
Tom Hess

Originality (When And How)

Tom Hess

Tom Hess takes an original approach to the subject of originality in music.

October-November 2003
Guest Columnists
Tom Hess

Musical Frustration

Tom Hess

Stop pulling out your hair, read the latest gem from Mr. Hess.

June-July 2003
Guest Columnists
Brian Loyd

The Four Big "W's"

Brian Loyd

Hard questions to ask yourself before your next recording session begins.

October-November 2002
Guest Columnists
Tom Hess

Perseverance - It Will Make You Or Break You!

Tom Hess

Neo-classical guitarist Tom Hess will break you of your tendency to quit.

February-March 2002
Guest Columnists
Jamie Andreas

Natural Talent

Jamie Andreas

Virtuoso classical guitarist and instructor Jamie Andreas discusses a controversial topic, is talent born, or made? You decide.

August-September 2001
Guest Columnists
Curtis

Are you Experienced?

Curtis

Playing guitar in a purple haze, with no concept of the real world? Curtis relates his own take on musical devotion.

April-May 2001
Guest Columnists
Joe Bochar

My Vee-Jay Told Me That Britney Was Cool

Joe Bochar

Ready to experience horrific encounters with pop culture? Take a ride with Joboj.

February-March 2001
Guest Columnists
Steve Booke

The Advantages Of Being A (Recording) Slut

Steve Booke

Acoustic, electric, if it's got six, Steve Booke plays 'em. He's here to reveal the essence of recording legacy.

October-November 2000
Guest Columnists
Will Landrum

Recipe For Success

Will Landrum

Do you wonder if you could ever be as good as your favorite guitar player? Will Landrum is back with good news.

June-July 2000
The Power To Release
Dan McAvinchey

The Final Word?

Dan McAvinchey

McAvinchey signs off on the popular series; what will the future bring.

June-July 1999
The Power To Release
Dan McAvinchey

Thinking Long Term

Dan McAvinchey

The odds of doing anything significant in the music business are long from the start, but artists who can't think beyond the short term have it thousands of times harder.

February-March 1999
The Power To Release
Dan McAvinchey

Cooperation

Dan McAvinchey

No man is an island. No indie label is an island either. The importance of cooperation.

June-July 1998
The Power To Release
Dan McAvinchey

Managing Expectations

Dan McAvinchey

How to keep from destroying your confidence by setting realistic expectations for your recording projects.

April-May 1998
Guest Columnists
David Knopfler

How Much Is That Fender In The Window?

David Knopfler

British guitarist David Knopfler recalls the days when the Stratocaster was held in esteem as the instrument of choice--if you could afford one, that is. A tale of how dreams can come true, and how old feelings never quite die.

April-May 1998
Guest Columnists
David Knopfler

You Can't Play Lead Guitar Until The Fat Lady Sings

David Knopfler

British guitarist David Knopfler has a few words to say about the separate lead guitarist vs. rhythm guitarist identities.

February-March 1998
The Power To Release
Dan McAvinchey

Finishing The Job

Dan McAvinchey

Are you a half-finisher? Always eighty percent complete? How you can finish what ya started.

June-July 1997
The Power To Release
Dan McAvinchey

Confidence - Build It, and They Will Come

Dan McAvinchey

Did you ever wonder where confidence comes from? How is it possible to have confidence at times, and suddenly lose confidence at critical moments?

April-May 1997
Guitar Meltdown
Dan McAvinchey

Originality - The Holy Grail?

Dan McAvinchey

Sometimes it seems every guitar riff and chord progression has been done to death. How you can avoid the tendency to copy.

February-March 1997
The Power To Release
Dan McAvinchey

The Role of Inspiration

Dan McAvinchey

How to trigger inspiration by understanding what causes it, and more importantly, what causes it for you.

December-January 1996
The Power To Release
Dan McAvinchey

The Importance Of Now

Dan McAvinchey

Don't fall into the same old trap of convincing yourself that now is not the time.

October-November 1996
The Power To Release
Dan McAvinchey

Are You Worthy?

Dan McAvinchey

Not quite ready to release that record yet? You may be underestimating yourself.

August-September 1996
The Essentials
Dan McAvinchey

Completing Your Release in Your Lifetime

Dan McAvinchey

An article designed to help you on the road to achieving your dream of completing your first CD release.

June-July 1996
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