Ultimate Guitar Academy

Hey there students - we have just sent out a huge list of workshops and jam sessions that we're running these holidays.

They're free for all enrolled students, and they really are the best way that we can help you with your guitar playing. I hope to see you there ⚡️🎸

Writing out scales is a great exercise. If you can't apply the major scale formula like this, then ask your guitar teacher. You'll become a better guitarist and musician because of it.

Good jamming fun a few weeks ago 👍

Random note from a student. Thanks Alexis!

I often talk to students about how much guys like John Petrucci practice. It really is an intentional decision of discipline and relentless effort and work. It’s no accident.

If you’re serious about your guitar playing, you need to do the same (particularly if you’re an HSC music student).

Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn’t work.

How well do you know your chords?

Try using this Random Chord Generator to give you the name of a chord to play. You have 5 seconds to play the chord. For added difficulty, recite it's composition as well 🎸⚡️

Guitar Chord Quiz - Ultimate Guitar Academy Ultimate Guitar Academy Chord Quiz Random Combo Generator RANDOM CHORD GENERATOR Scoreboard Reset 0 Correct 0 Incorrect 0 Total Include Alterations Your Random Chord ???…

EGO PLAYING

In the weight lifting scene, the term “Ego-Lifting” refers to lifting heavy weights to feed your vanity, typically while sacrificing technique and quality. This can result in an injury, and is ultimately a waste of time because it’s not what your muscles need.

While this makes me sound like an old cranky guitar teacher… I do see a lot of this in guitar, particularly with beginners. It’s not uncommon for a brand new guitarist to try learning Master Of Puppets or Thunderstruck. On some rare occasions, they might learn these well, but just about every beginner who attempts these songs ends up struggling and playing with poor technique, which we need to spend weeks correcting.

I know that many of these songs are fun to play, and while I love the enthusiasm and motivation, this effort could be applied to working on songs at their current level. Songs that will help improve their playing, not hinder their technique.

So whatever you’re up to in your guitar journey, I encourage you to work on content from your current level. Practice what your teacher has given you, and worry about the harder songs when you get there. After all, this will actually be the fastest way to develop proficient skills and eventually learn how to play those harder songs at a high standard.

Remember that there isn’t much point to a good song played poorly.

… I promise I’m not an old cranky guitar teacher 😬