5 Essential Guitar Accessories

When new clients and students ask me, "What do I need to play guitar?", I'm quick to say that all you need is passion to learn and a guitar to play. I also like to recommend 5 essential guitar accessories to go along with your guitar. For seasoned players, this may sound trivial to you. Continue reading for a parallel to your guitar essentials and tools for living a successful life.  

1. Guitar Stand- (Price $9-$10) Any Guitar Stand will do. This will help prevent your new or old guitar from getting damaged by kids running through your home. Even if you don't have kids running around, it is good to have your guitar on a stand for stability and to prevent falls, dents, cracks, scratches, and breaks from occurring. It also allows for easy accessibility for playing. With it being out of the case, it maintains a constant cool environment. This helps prevent warping and splits.  

2. Guitar Case- (Price $15-$140) The case is the only way to travel with your guitar. Some people keep their guitars in a case but if you aren't traveling, keep it out on your stand. You are more apt to play it when you can visually look at it every day. With the exception of your guitar stand, you can carry all of your accessories in your case when you travel. Of course the hard shell cases are more expensive but worth it in the long run. Soft shell or Gig bags are affordable and lite weight. They are good for first time guitar players that travel locally with their guitar. If you are planing to take your guitar with you out on the road or on vacation, then spend the extra cash on a hard shell. Most dealers will offer the case with the purchase. That is usually when you'll get your best deal on one.

3. Guitar Tuner- (Price $15-$20) Your best friend can be your tuner. I would invest in a nice clip on one for an acoustic and a nice plug in for an electric. Over time you will not use your tuner as much but it will save you a lot of time and frustration when you are starting out playing. I have also found that when the sounds of other musicians doing sound checks and just the noisy sounds of a coffee shop can get in the way of getting your ear into a great tune. Having a tuner gets you over that hurdle with out embarrassing yourself or your friends. People may only get silent when you are ready to start to playing, so you want it to be in tune when they are.  

4. Guitar Picks- (Price $4 for 12) When you go to buy your guitar pick, you will notice the various selections. Don't get sold on colors and size. You are looking for thickness and grip. If you are playing acoustic guitar, then you will need a medium to thin pick. Electric guitarist usually go for a thicker less flexible pick. I recommend Dunlop Nylon USA picks. I have never had one to break, ever. Keep about four or five picks in your case and around your playing spots at home. You are going to lose one here and there, later on it is like finding loose change around your house.

5. Guitar Strap/Strap locks- (Price $7-$10) Having a strap enables you to stand and play. I would recommend you get strap pegs installed on your guitar if they don't have them already. It takes the stress and weight off the head of the guitar. It also frees up your playing arm. I also mention strap locks to my clients and students. Mainly for electric guitars, strap locks lock the strap to the guitar, preventing the strap from coming off during play. They come in many different styles and looks. If you aren't confident about putting them on yourself, take them to a shop.

Now, let us look at the parallel in tools for a successful life...

1. Accessibility- (Price- Free) Just like the guitar stand allows you to have your guitar in a safe and accessible location for playing, making yourself accessible to the possibilities of success is essential to living a successful life.

2. Boundaries- (Price- Free) Just like the guitar case provides protection for your guitar, having healthy boundaries as you live and go about your life is essential to living a successful life.

3. Discernment- (Price- Free) Just like the guitar tuner can line up all the strings on the guitar for a great sounding guitar, having discernment can help you tune into what is going on in and around your life, which leads to much success.

4. Peace- (Price- Free) Just like the guitar pick brings out the crisp sound of your guitar strings, having peace can help you bring out the best in you and others around you, this leads you to a successful way of life.

5. Balance- (Price- Free) Just like the guitar strap brings balance and freedom to the guitarist to move and play, having balance can help you stand tall and solve many of life's situations that usually hinder your success.

In my next blog post series, "How Playing Guitar Can Change Your Life", I'll be sharing with you in more detail the parallels that I have found in playing guitar and living a successful and happy life.

3 Medical Reasons to Play Guitar

Doctors are saying that playing an instrument and listening to music can be like medicine. Neurologist are prescribing it for Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, stroke and depression. The beauty and power of music can bring clarity at times when the brain is out of balance. A student's father recently reminded us of Albert Einstein's interest in playing the violin. It is said that Einstein would retreat to playing his violin when he faced a difficult problem. I'm not Einstein but when I'm facing difficult situations or problems, I find my self retreating with my guitar to a quiet place to sing and play. 

1. Playing Guitar can strengthen your mind. Learning to play guitar (or any instrument you like) often challenges the student to think outside of the realm of every day activities. Playing can help you train your brain to focus quickly on what you are playing or learning to play. 

2. Playing guitar can alleviate  feelings of depression. Taking time to play a little everyday will be an escape for those who feel overwhelmed with work, school, and/or relationships. It is a chance to drift and focus on something other than your worries. Take note that this isn't a cure for depression but it can ease the feeling.

3. Playing guitar can promote hand-eye coordination. This is why it is good to have a mentor to teach you guitar. They have struggled through the moves. They can help you make fluid movements on the guitar. For people who are struggling with hand-eye coordination (children especially) it can become a great tool and gage for development. 

Just know that the number one reason to play guitar is to have fun! Playing should never be a task that brings pain. I don't like it when parents force their children to learn an instrument. I have children and I'm a musician but that doesn't mean that they have to be one too. Naturally my children enjoy music, dance, karate, coloring, painting, and creative activities. Notice that all of that is art based. Being a musician or a guitarist is an art form. The above three medical reasons to play guitar could very well be replaced with, 3 Medical Reasons to be an Artist. We all have an artistic side to us. Tapping into that side is like medicine to the heart, mind, body, and soul. Do your self a favor, pick something up and get creative! 

David Wayne Manning, DWM Guitar

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5 Song Writing Tips For Beginners

Music is such a major part of my life. I can listen to a song and it take me back to the moments I have shared with others. I emotionally can be taken away to another state of mind by just listening to a song. Some songs just remind me of people, places, or causes. This week a song called "Wavin' Flag" by K'naan, reminded me of my friend Roland. The struggles he has faced in life are similar to what is mentioned in the song.



Song writing is and should be an out pouring of the life you live or have lived. Some people sing of things that just market to others. It is really just the simplest of tunes that have stood the test of time. Glen Hansard wrote a song called "Paper Cup" and it is every bit of what it sounds like. I can picture him sitting in a dinner with some paper cup in front of him and the lyrics just flowed. Over the years I have been inspired to write songs. Some have made it and others have been forgotten, thankfully. Here is some helpful tips and ideas for beginners to keep in mind when song writing.

1. Clear Your Mind-If you are setting out to write, take time to clear your head and heart. Don't try to recreate the wheel. How ever you are feeling at the time let it go and just be in the moment. Give your self a few moments of silence and concentration.

2. Collect Your Ideas-Having a concept is a great place to start when writing. Also have a notebook and pen on hand. I am always writing catchy lyrics down at work or when the moment hits. Writing down your thoughts and ideas about songs can come in handy when you actually get the chance to write. Don't be afraid of common topics. You can't sing too much about love, but if that is all you have been writing about then try and think out of the box once in a while.

3. Collage Your Music-If you have been playing a cool riff that you "made up"; bring it to the table. Starting with really great music is good. The mood and energy that the song reflects can produce the lyrics. Just be open to a variety of changes in a song. Don't get hung up on keeping to the norm. Try mixing and matching different music you have been playing.

4. Convert Your Words-Putting music to poetry or messages is much harder than what people think it is. It takes years of practice and plunders to master it. Many years ago, I could get up in front of a group of young people and sing a catchy made up tune on the fly. Shooting from the hip isn't going to work when someone is funny about their lyrics. Take time to read the words and get the full message. This will help in that process.

5. Close Your Session-If you are writing with others, set up time for breaks and a time to finish for the day. We have all heard the stories by artists who talk about being in the studio all night writing the next big hit. Keep in mind, they get paid big bucks and have nervous musicians and producers with deadlines. So, enjoy the freedom to adjust later. Sometimes walking away from it for a couple days is good. Make sure you set up a way to record what you finish with. That will allow you to pick up where you left off next time.

Have fun writing. Be creative. Writing music and songs is still an art form. Don't be afraid to share your stuff with others. You don't have to be a rock star or some amazing singer to write. Sometimes it just takes a little patience and creativity to express the next big hit.



-David Wayne Manning, DWM Guitar
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5 FREE Music Apps That Work

Well G4 almost got it right! Considering they are trying to sale you the sponsored products. In today's fast growing app market, guitarist, have a lot to gain! Apps are so excess-able and easy to use! I have had my fair share of useless apps. I have, like dozens of others, fell victim to a marketed app that just didn't hold up to what it claimed. Many of my clients ask me about the apps that I use. I have a 1st Gen iPad. Here are a few of the must haves for guitarist and musicians!

Ultimate-Guitar.com -- This Tab and Chord app is a huge player in the world of online tabs and chord charts. The site itself is one of my favorite! As a guitarist and music lover, the site is a gold mine for information, news, and so much more. The app is just as useful! The only downside is that they offer exclusive features and apps that don't come for free but with a subscription. I was subscribe for a while and at the time didn't find the features very useful. Since then, they have updated and added some that are very appealing! It maybe worth the money!

Amplitube- This nifty app is almost like an amp. It has effects built in and you can run it through an amp like a guitar peddle. With the iRig hook up you can plug right in and play along with other music on your device. You can pay for additional effects. The graphics are great and the sound is too. The only problem I have had in hooking it up through a system was the volume control. When you switch from one effect to another you either lose or overly gain volume. Besides that, for the price, it is a must have app for free!

Pro Metronome- They say timing is everything! With this digital metronome you can change the beat and sounds. It also lights up with the rhythm and you can change the tempo at any given time. Though amplitube and UG has one, this stands alone and you can quickly access it. It is great for those of us who want to work on keeping our timing in line with a steady beat. And we all love free stuff, get this must have app for free!


Music Studio 2- This app is loaded with many features for those of us who like to have fun with sounds and background beats. Once you learn how to use all the features and can roam about the app with out feeling like a lost dog, you'll be glad you spent the money on this app. You can download a lite version and check it out for free. If you like it then you'll spend at least $15 on the full version. For now, get the lite version for FREE!


Over all, stick to the basics. Let apps be a tool. Remember, most of these apps are for your entertainment. When you get serious about recording or performing, then the apps go to a whole new level and price. You always get what you pay for. These apps are mostly free but offer an up sale to make money. Read the reviews, don't just mindlessly download them. It could just be a waste of time and money! Until next time, enjoy your guitar playing journey and remember to...

...HAVE FUN PLAYING GUITAR!

David Wayne Manning, DWM Guitar Lessons
DWM Guitar
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Tune Up Your Guitar Tuning

Tuning, one of the key essentials to playing guitar. For the beginner, a guitar tuner is his R2-D2, his right hand man, and most used tool. Some teachers tell students to learn by ear. I say it takes time to tune by ear. Recently I showed a client how to tune by ear and I don't know if he picked it up right away but he did get the concept. Here is a great video explaining how to tune by ear, just in case R2-D2's batteries are running low or you left him out in space some where!

So, I want to encourage you as a guitar player to learn different methods and styles of tuning. It can add a totally different sound to your playing. For the most part, you should stick with what you know and have been taught. Tuning by ear or to the guitar itself is key in helping you match different notes. You'll begin to recognize certain notes throughout your guitar playing journey. This will mold you into a guitar playing machine and rock "god" in no time!! 

If you have any questions or concerns about playing guitar or tuning for that matter, feel free to comment or contact me through Facebook, twitter, or by email. Thank you for subscribing as well!

-David Wayne Manning, DWM Guitar

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