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Motivation

Inspiration - Go Grab It - By Chris Standring
We all get discouraged from time to time in our musical journey. It's only natural. "Mom, can I get a guitar for my birthday? - I really want to learn how to play guitar" - is often how it begins. Then lessons start and it's just all too much for many and most give up. This is the first 'wheat from the chaff' separation.
Humility In Music - By Mark Stefani
It's kind of funny. No one that I know really likes or appreciates someone who comes across egotistically, even if they can "back up the talk" with their acquired skill. Yet there's a fine line between being perceived as egotistical and being perceived as confident, and the case can clearly be made that the best and most successful musicians are those who exude confidence with a healthy ego.
Are You A Bad Student? - By Tom Hess
I wasted years of valuable time, thousands of dollars and much frustration in my pursuit to become a great guitarist and "make it" as a professional musician. If I knew then what I know now, I might have been able to turn pro a lot faster than I actually did.
Keeping It Simple - By Mark Stefani
Simplicity. Such a basic concept, but one that manages to elude so many people in so many ways, and never is this more evident than in the field of music. I'd like to spend this edition discussing this basic issue, and explain why I feel that it's so important to never lose sight of this proven formula for success.
Assessing Your Goals - By Mark Stefani
Goals, goals, goals. Anyone who knows me is aware of the fact that I'm a goal-driven person by nature, regardless of what the particular quest may be. Of course, I'm not exactly the only individual with a fondness for setting goals, but I am routinely reminded of how important it is to have our priorities aligned properly, if we wish to fulfill them.
Inspiration Wanted - Apply Within! - By Chris Standring
Every musician goes through mental road blocks when it comes to improving. Often we just don't know what we should be working on. This article shows you where to find all the inspiration you need to get to that next level.
Climb Every Mountain - By Jamie Andreas
Every piece of music you work on is its own mountain. It is easy to get 80% of the way up the mountain, any interested party can do that. Closing in on that last 20%, well, that separates the men from the boys, as they say.
Fire & Inspiration - By Tom Hess
Find out what truly inspires you to want to play music, write music, jam with your friends, etc. Whatever it is for you, go there and marinate in that inspiration. Get your mind in that place and focus on it.
If You Believe, You Can - By Tom Hess
If you believe that you can, and will, overcome your greatest challenges, you will find a way, or you will seek help from a teacher, trainer, coach or mentor that will help you through it. If you don’t believe you can achieve, your done, it’s over, because you won’t.
The 80/20 Law - By Tom Hess
Have you ever noticed how some players, who practice less, seem to make more progress than others who practice more? That can be really frustrating for people in the second group.
Take The Test- by Tom Hess
On the surface, it may seem too simple or too obvious how one can define one's purpose and reasons behind an ultimate goal. I assure you it is not.
Develop Your Vision - By Craig Bassett
Guitarists...Want to learn how to maintain your focus and motivation? This guitar lesson tells you THE most powerful way!
Natural Talent - By Jamie Andreas
Having "talent" is not the primary factor in whether or not you will become a good or great player. Your burning desire and desperate need to play, coupled with the correct understanding and approach, are the most important things you must have.

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Recommended guitar courses from GuitarMadeSimple.com

Level 1 & 2: "Guitar Made Simple" By Chris Standring

From absolute beginner to solid intermediate, this course walks you through absolutely everything necessary to give you a strong grounding in a wide variety of guitar styles. You will learn open chords, strumming patterns, single line melodies, 25 well known songs, notes on the fretboard, sight-reading, Blues, rock, classical, single string improv and venture into a little jazz, and much much more. All with audio, video, TAB and traditional music notation. More info and order Guitar Made Simple here

"Move over Mel Bay! 'Guitar Made Simple' is an extremely well thought out beginners program, with a very thorough and personal approach to help you easily learn how to play the guitar... correctly! So much more than trying to learn alone with just a book, this brilliant system connects with you as if an instructor is right with you in your own home. Well done Chris!" - Corky James LA studio guitarist with Avril Lavigne, Hilary Duff, Kelly Clarkson, Leann Rimes, Backstreet Boys, Liz Phair, Nick Lachey and Mandy Moore

Level 2 & 3: "Play What You Hear" By Chris Standring

From intermediate to advanced level, this highly acclaimed course teaches you how to "play what you hear". You will learn the jazz vocabulary and understand how to improvise using this vocab over many different harmonies. You will learn to hear major, melodic minor and blues scales and learn harmony and how to see it all very simply on the fretboard. Over 300 audio examples and tons of play along tracks. More info and order Play What You Hear here

"By far the most innovative and effective ear training program for guitarists I have seen! Simply the best learning method to come along since Jamie Abersold. Chris has hit on something really good and much needed today Players of my generation learned to play on the bandstand as we were forced to "play what we heard" and if we didn't, we had to get it together pretty darn quick. This course will help speed up that learning process rapidly. I will recommend this course to my students highly!" - Ron Eschete Concord Recording artist and educator

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