Klaus Crow, Author at GUITARHABITS

10 Reasons Why You Are Never Too Late to Learn

photo from Istockphoto istock_000003543692xsmall
While I started playing guitar at an early age, I know many guitar players who started out in their 30’s, 40’s, 50’s or even in their 70’s. And yet these players do an amazing job.

Maybe when they were young it just wasn’t the right time. They probably couldn’t find the right teacher or were busy learning other life lessons.

You might think yourself while you read this : “I am probably too old to learn.” Well I think you’re never too old to learn, you grow old when you stop learning. Guitar playing is not about how old you are when you start out. Guitar playing is about passion, creating and having fun with it.

I am always inspired by the passion and motivation of guitar players. While you can achieve a lot with discipline, you achieve the most with passion and motivation. You need to find out why your passionate about guitar playing and how to motivate yourself in the progress. These are the two key elements in achieving your goal.

So let me convince you why you should still learn to play the guitar today and fulfill that long lasting dream of yours:Continue Reading

12 Ways How to Transcribe What You Hear

By Klaus Crow 16 Comments

Wouldn’t it be great if you could figure out the chords, melody and rhythm to a song without the need of video tutorials, sheet music or Tabs?

Of course that would be awesome! Well, since we’re on it, let’s dive in.

Here are 12 ways to develop this wonderful skill. Read, listen and learn.

How to Memorize Lyrics, Chords and Chord Progressions

By Klaus Crow 39 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

One of the things I have always had a hard time with is memorizing lyrics. I see this in people around me as well; finding it difficult to memorize chords and chord progressions. So based on my experience and some research I’ve done I give you some tips to overcome this obstacle.

But why do we need to memorize and remember lyrics and chord progressions? What’s the use of that?

Well, let’s say one of these days you’ll have to perform in front of an audience somewhere, somehow.
Maybe with a band or on your own…

or a friend asks you to perform a few songs at his wedding or birthday party…
or you would like to accompany a singer…
or you want to play some nice songs to entertain a few people on a holiday in the south of France while drinking a cold beer…
or just to try out a guitar in the guitar shop in town.

Back to Basics

By Klaus Crow 1 Comment

photo from Istockphoto guitar man
As a musician there are so many things that will distract you from making music. We get caught up in all the stuff we can use to enhance our music… or so we like to think.

A better guitar, a more powerful amp, more and more effects, the best sequencer, the latest plugins, always looking for updates and upgrades. I admit I’m guilty as charged. I always thought: “If I only could have that plugin, sequencer or this effect, life would be much better”. I’ve been there, done that, but I’ve come clean. I realized it took my eyes off the ball and I lost a lot of precious time because of it. Now I’m back to basics.

I focus on playing guitar. Practicing and writing. That’s my main goal. Why? Because I love it. I also try to be basic in my lifestyle. Although I’ve got stuff like everyone else, I get rid of the things I don’t need. When you go basic, you automatically create more time for your music and social life. The more basic you get, the more time you have left.

What do I do apart from practicing and writing?Continue Reading

« Previous Page