Matthew West, Guitarist

While this post is intended for absolute beginners, it is always a good idea to examine and reevaluate your right-hand technique, regardless of your current playing level. I still use these exercises to analyze my technique and ensure I've set…

Over the years, I've had the privilege of teaching many students. It has been an absolutely amazing experience to see each student grow in their abilities and mature into wonderful musicians and people! As a teacher, one thing I've observed…

Hello Everyone! I've been quiet for a little while, but I'm happy to once again be able to reach out with guitar related blog posts, lessons, and videos!

One thing that has been on my mind recently is repertoire. I…

Whether a beginner or advanced player, we all have the joy of playing the right-hand exercises by Mauro Giuliani (1781-1829). These studies have such an amazing impact on player development and right-hand technique that it's no wonder that the 120…

As guitarists, we’ve all faced the challenge of reading sheet music. We often completely avoid this task by reverting to learning pieces by ear or even using tablature. While there are advantages to each of these approaches, they still have…

Developing finger independence is a crucial skill for all guitarists. But it's also a skill that takes a lot of time to master. After more years playing than I'd like to admit, I still find myself returning to building finger…

Learning all of the notes on the fretboard can be an intimidating task! I definitely struggled with learning all of the notes for many years. However, over the past several months, I've been thinking about ways to make this process…

The quick answer is YES! We have all heard the saying that "Practice Makes Perfect." However, how we practice is equally important to improving our technique and musicianship. In this article, we will explore different practicing techniques to help you…

So, you've decided that you are more into the docile tones of the acoustic over the radical sounds of the electric axe. Now you are left with the task of choosing an acoustic guitar! What an awesome reason to take…

Like most guitarists, you are probably interested in the recording process. Every musician loves the idea of hearing a mastered version that represents their hard work and passion for songwriting, as well as playing their instrument. However, many musicians are…