Category: All Posts
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Music Lesson Forum
I’m excited to announce the new Music Lessons Forum hosted on my website. Register for Free to join the conversation. Post your own topic ideas or questions and Michael will reply with unique insights and ideas to help you learn. It’s in the beginning stages but in the future will have posts geared to musicians…
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Custom 7-String Guitar
This custom 7-string guitar is being built by one of my guitar students. He is a lifelong woodworker who owned a custom furniture and cabinet shop for many years. In recent years he has moved to instrument making and has crafted acoustic guitars, electric guitars, mandolin, and a bass. All of the instruments have been…
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Tune a Guitar
Before you can learn to play ANYTHING on the guitar the strings must be tuned. Otherwise even if your fingers are doing the right thing…it will sound wrong. Let me give a few things to think about… Most guitars have six strings arranged in order from the lowest to the highest sounding note. You can…
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Telecaster Mandolin
I really want to get a Telecaster Mandolin made by J.L. Smith Mandolins. The five string model really intrigues me. The single strings would lend themself to bending and other ‘guitaristic’ sounds…but with the tonal range of the mandolin. If you’re interested in learning to play the mandolin, read below to find out about private…
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Build Chords from Scales
Have you ever heard musicians explain the chords to a song with numbers? A guitar player might say something like, “This song is just one, four and five chords in G.” This number system applies to the chords in a given key (or family). Once it’s understood it’s a great tool for learning and memorizing…
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Jazz Ukulele Chords: ii-V7-I
Each genre of music has characteristics that distinguish it from other musical styles. Familiar attributes can be found in the scale patterns, rhythms, and/or chord progressions. Three chords in Jazz music occur more than any other combination. They are referred to as “two. five, and one” and exist in all keys. If you play the…
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Guitar Chord Chart
Guitar Chord Chart As a guitar teacher I am often asked which guitar chords are essential. The answer to this question is debatable but there are definitely a selection of must know chord forms. Below is a collection that I have compiled for the beginner guitar student. By no means is this an exhaustive list.…
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Travis Picking Guitar
After learning the common cowboy chords and strumming patterns many guitar players are unsure how to develop their rhythmic approach to get variety in their sound. One option is fingerstyle guitar. Playing with a pick is an essential skill, but learning fingerstyle techniques will add depth and sophistication to your sound. Sell your beats online…
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Major Scale [part 2]
Introduction: Part 1 Scale Steps: Part 2 In the previous lesson we played the C Major Scale for one octave. In order to play only white keys we must skip over some notes on black keys. If two notes are separated by a note they are said to be a Whole Step apart. To play…
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Chromatic Scale
Before we explore music concepts (ie: harmony, melody, theory) we must understand how music scales are built and used. A Scale organizes pitches (or notes) in a given range from lowest to highest frequency. The range depends on the musical instrument’s playing range. In Western music there are twelve different pitches (or notes). If we…
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Website Design Portfolio
From 2002-2012 Michael owned and operated Stargroove Collective. This was the business Michael worked as a freelance graphic designer, web developer, and marketer. Although he still enjoys computer programming and graphic design…they are only hobbies now. Browse the links below to view samples of Michael’s portfolio. Scroll down to view screenshots of websites designed by…
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Instrument Techniques
Instrument Disciplines Michael’s experience as a performer and training as a composer give him specialized knowledge and insights into many instruments. In addition he is a voracious reader/collector of music text books past and present. As a result Michael has developed unique insights and approaches to various instrument techniques. Lead Guitar C-A-G-E-D System Chord/Scale Grips…
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Endorse Michael’s Work
Please take a moment to post a positive testimonial about my work as a musician, instructor, or designer. Word-of-mouth is essential for me to connect with new opportunities to do good work. Thanks for your kind words and encouragement! Use one of Three options to post your endorsement: 1) Leave your endorsement here: ‘Reply’ Box…
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Mailing List
It’s important to me to stay connected with everyone that supports my music. Over the years I could not have achieved anything without all your grassroots support. In the coming months I will be posting less and less on social media sites. I have come to realize that much of the information I hope to…
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New Website
Thanks for taking a moment to visit my new WordPress website. It is in it’s infancy and will be receiving constant updates and upgrades. My goal is to consolidate all my websites and work into one place. Thanks for your support and encouragement.
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Kill Room Studios | Jam Session
In November 2012 Steve and Diane assembled a band comprised of their favorite Seattle musicians. The group performed for the couple’s anniversary party hosted at Kill Room Studios in Seattle, WA. Michael was invited to join them during the second set. Listen below… Recorded LIVE at Kill Room Studios (Seattle, WA) Engineered and Mixed by:…
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