Play the scale below starting with the first note (C), first finger, on the low E string, at the 8th fret on your guitar. Then play the fourth finger position on the low E string. Next, play the first finger position on the next string down (A). Then play the second finger position on the A string and so on.
Numbers indicate fingers: 1 = index, 2 = middle, 3 = ring, 4 = little
8th fret
|--1--|-----|-----|--4--| - high E
|--1--|-----|-----|--4--| - B
|--1--|-----|--3--|--4--| - G
|--1--|-----|--3--|-----| - D
|--1--|--2--|--3--|-----| - A
|--1--|-----|-----|--4--| - low E
Play the scale from low to high until you are comfortable with it. Then try playing backwards, from the fourth finger on the high E down. Combine the two and see how fast you can “surf” the scale. Good luck and practice hard!

If you have a Mac, you have it made as far as recording software goes. Using the included GarageBand software on your Mac, you can easily record tracks, create layers, add effects, and manipulate the audio.

If you have a PC, you will need to download the free, open source program Audacity. Audacity is not nearly as nice as GarageBand, but it will do the trick for your initial home studio.

If you went the route of my suggested $75 studio setup which includes one microphone, you will capture better sound if you record each audio source separately. In other words, don’t just play your song into the mic. You will need to put the mic against your amp and record the guitar track, then record a second track for the vocals, and so on. Layering the tracks is very easy to do in the software mentioned above.

Good luck and have fun!

There are even cheaper routes that you can take… like using a USB plug-n-play mic, for example. However, if you are even semi-serious about recording, I recommend investing in a foundation of very basic audio equipment that you can then expand on in the future.

Here is my $75 home recording studio:
$24.99 Nady SP1 Microphone and Stand Package (includes mic, mic clip, stand, and XLR cable)
$29.99 ART Tube MP Studio Mic Preamp (includes power source)
$1.99 Musicians Gear Microphone Windscreen Black Foam
$9.29 Hosa XVM105 5′ XLR to 1/8″ cable

This dirt-cheap setup has everything you need to capture sound – the mic is clipped to the stand and connected to the preamp via an XLR cable, and the preamp is connected to your computer via the XLR-1/8″ converter cable.

If you want to upgrade the microphone to something a little nicer, opt for the Shure SM58 for $99.99.

This package would cost a little bit more ($165):
$99.99 Shure SM58 Microphone
$12.99 Musicians Gear Tripod Mic Stand
$7.89 Musicians Gear XLR cable
$2.79 Musicians Gear Basic Mic Clip
$29.99 ART Tube MP Studio Mic Preamp
$1.99 Musicians Gear Microphone Windscreen
$9.29 Hosa XVM105 5′ XLR to 1/8″ cable

As you can see, things can get expensive fast. It just depends on how much you are willing to spend for the initial studio. I found all of this equipment at Musicians Friend with the exception of the Hosa cable, which is from Sweetwater.

Continue reading in part 2 of setting up your inexpensive home recording studio: Music recording/editing software.

Fortunately, I have found a more perfect routine for learning to play music. Over the past few months I have been learning to play piano, and let me tell you, it has been a hell of a lot easier than it was for me to learn guitar. I expected it to be easier, but not this easy. Granted, I did have prior musical experience. And honestly, the piano makes way more sense in terms of physical design than any other instrument. But there has been something else that has made it even easier. My routine!

When I learned to play guitar, I would practice whenever I wanted for however long I wanted to. I would practice everyday for two weeks straight. Then I wouldn’t practice for two months straight. Sometimes I would practice for 2-3 hours at a time. Other times I would practice for 2-3 minutes. My brain had no learning rhythm.

The practice routine that I have been using on piano has helped me on guitar as well.

A more perfect routine to learn guitar
- Practice guitar four days a week. Play Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Or any variant that works for you. Even if you have all the time in the world, your brain needs recovery time.
- Play guitar for 15 minute intervals, taking breaks in between.
- Consistency over quantity. Everything I read says that to learn guitar you should practice, practice, practice. Honestly, though, I stop enjoying it when I do that. After so long I lose touch with what I’m playing and what I liked about it in the first place. Get some quality practice time in on a consistent but conservative basis.

This is my method. What is yours?

Typical Guitar Strings

Perhaps one of your strings broke while you were shredding on some Slayer. Or maybe you’re just getting sick of all the grease build-up from those late night pizza orders. In any case, I’ve put together a simple guide for changing the strings on your electric guitar. Please note, this guide is not compatible with a Floyd Rose Bridge. If you don’t know what that is, (a) do you have a wammy? (b) does it lift your bridge up when you press down on it? If you answered no to either of these questions, you do NOT have a floyd rose. Here is the guide.

Also: Some guitar models will require you to remove the cover on the bottom of the guitar. Others, such as the Les Paul, give you full string access on top of the guitar. So have tools ready as you may need to spill your axe’s guts.

Step 1: Remove old string
The first step is to, obviously, take the old strings off. Loosen the sixth string (the fattest one) first. You will come back to the other ones later. Strum the string as you loosen it to make sure that it’s not being tightened. Once it’s loose enough, unwind the string from the tuning peg and pull the string out from the opposite side. Do this by grabbing the bulb and pulling it out through the bridge. TIP: I find it easier/safer if I cut the string with some pliers before I pull it off.

Never take more than one string off at a time. You can seriously damage the neck of your guitar if you are hasty about relieving the pressure!

Step 2: Clean your guitar
Using a rag with a little bit of warm water, wipe down the newly exposed part of the neck. You will appreciate doing this while the strings are off.

Step 3: String the new string
Feed the sharp end of your new string (the thickest one you have) back through the bridge (and through your body if the guitar is designed so). Rotate the tuner so that the hole is going the opposite direction of the string (perpendicular). Leave some slack on the string before you thread it. Finding the right amount of slack depends on your guitar, so just estimate. I would recommend a couple of inches.

Now bend the string where you plan to thread it, so that the string makes a right angle. The sharp end should be perpendicular to your guitar. Now bend it again slightly after the first bend (see picture).

Bending your new string

Step 4: Tightening the string
Now its time to tighten that sucker up. Turn the tuner in a counter-clockwise direction. As you turn the peg, make sure that the string is falling into place on the fret board and bridge. Note: If your guitar has 3 pegs on one side and 3 on the other, you will change direction for some strings. The third, second, and first strings should be tightened clockwise.

How you wrap the guitar string is a personal choice. I suggest that for the first loop that the string makes, push it above the exposed string. After that, put all of the coils underneath the exposed string. This will help keep your guitar in tune. Most important here is that the string gets wrapped around the peg at least 3-4 times.

Step 5: Tuning and finishing touches
After the new guitar string has been tightened, bring the string into tune. Always tune up. If the string plays sharp, drop the tune way down and gradually tune it back up. Next you will want to stretch the new string out. This will help to keep your guitar in tune. Grab the string using your entire hand, and gently pull away from the pick guard approx 1 1/2″. Re tune the string, repeat stretch, and re tune. Using pliers, cut the excess string from the tuning peg. Leave at least 1/4″ of excess string – I recommend a half an inch for the first couple of days.

Congratulations! You’ve changed 1 electric guitar string! The good news is that you know how to do it now, so the next 5 will go a lot faster.

Playing an E chord, aka E Major chord on guitar

Start by putting your ring finger on the second fret of the second string (relative to you). Put your middle finger on the same fret on the string right below that. Finally, put your index finger on the first fret of the string below that. Your fingers should be close to the fret dividers, but not on top of them.

Here is what you should get (ignore the part when he switches fingering):

Good luck! More tips on learning guitar chords.

Play guitar on your iPhone

You can download Pocketguitar for the iPhone and iPod touch on ModMyiFone.com.

To have guitar sex, you will need a partner. Gender does not matter. Nor does the size of your axe, regardless of what you hear on the TV. Step one in having guitar sex: stand facing your partner with your guitar approx. one foot away from the opposite guitar. Step two, rock until you and your partner achieve guitargasm. Enjoy!

1. Get some gear
To be a rockstar, you need some gear. A guitar is the easiest choice. But honestly, anything will do, as long as you hook it up to an amp. Which brings me to the second item: an amp. You don’t need anything big or fancy. In fact, if you want to acoustic-it-up, that would be just as acceptable. But nonetheless, amps can do you some justice.

2. Walk the walk
If you want to unleash your inner rockstar, you need to start thinking one. Now, don’t get ahead of me here. No need to go poking needles in your arm and sleeping with mobs of young women. But as Keith Richards said, “if you’re going to kick authority in the teeth, you might as well use two feet.” Be a little reckless.

3. Look the smell
The rule of thumbs about dressing like a rockstar:
Be unique. And not like the kind of unique that teachers told you to aspire to be in school. I mean, full on, you-will-get-attention unique. If people aren’t offended by what you’re wearing, you’re doing it wrong. Goodwill is a great store to load up on rockstar attire.

4. Go out side
This is the MOST important step. If you stay locked up in your room with your guitar, you will never be a rockstar. The idolized status requires letting go of social anxiety. Play for the people. It doesn’t matter how horrible you think you are. Make people listen!

There you have it. Now go out and destroy that mask of conformity!

In the video, Weezer frontman Rivers explains how to play Pork and Beans, Say it Ain’t So, Island in the Sun, Radiohead’s Creep, and more.

Learn-to-play Hootenanny with Weezer!