The Acoustic Asylum

Ep145 – Wax On, Play On: The Karate Kid Approach To Learning Guitar

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 10:16:51 -0300

In today’s episode, I talk about how the story of Karate Kid relates to guitar learning. Often, students ignore the importance of repeating good habits, but being consistent and precise when learning makes all the difference.

A lot of people assume they know the fundamentals, but few have mastered them. It’s key to learn these basics of guitar, as having full knowledge of them allows you to really enjoy the guitar and make progress.

If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free, special one-finger arrangement of Amazing Grace – ideal for those who are new, stuck, or just want a beautiful song to play. Get it at - fingerstyle101.com/amazing

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep144 – The Rules of the Asylum: Rule #29 – Stop Torturing Yourself With the Way You Learn Guitar

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 04:43:00 -0300

In today’s episode, we’re talking about a new rule of the Asylum: stop torturing yourself with the way you learn. Most guitarists quit because they think they’re not good enough, but often it’s cause the way they’re learning is actually torturing them. There is a better way.

I take you through the most common mistakes people make and how to avoid them. Listen to discover the best ways you can approach your learning that will help you feel better about your playing and enjoy the journey.

If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free, special one-finger arrangement of Amazing Grace - ideal for those who are new, stuck, or just want a beautiful song to play. Get it at - fingerstyle101.com/amazing

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep143 – A Strange Memory Trick Hidden Inside This Beautiful Guitar Piece

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 04:15:00 -0300

Today, we’re going to talk about one of the Gatekeeper’s favourite pastimes, which is making you remember less. We’re going to flip it on its head so you can remember more and easier. I’m going to give you a test and a fun piece to play that will help your memory.

A lot of students are frustrated about having poor memory, but there’s a method and technique to remembering. Take a listen to the episode to learn all about this memory trick that will help your guitar playing.

If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course, which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at - https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep142 – Why It’s Essential to End the Death Grip for Your Guitar Playing

Thu, 28 May 2026 06:21:52 -0300

Today, I’m going to talk about fixing the death grip. Most people might tell you to press harder, try harder, get more calluses, but this isn’t the case. The death grip is the main cause of buzzing, frustration, and in the episode, I take you through practical tips on how to conquer it, once and for all.

The death grip is like your fingers being stuck in the mud, it will affect your chord changes, it will cause tension, and it will prevent you from having clear playing. Take a listen to the episode and start fixing your death grip today.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep141 – The One Phrase in Guitar Teaching That Drives Me Mad

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:19:00 -0300

In today’s episode, I talk about the one phrase in the world of guitar teaching that I detest. This phrase is incredibly frustrating, and students really hate it, and I can see why. It’s the kind of phrase that sounds innocent, but when you think about it on a deeper level, it’s awful.

For people who are serious about learning, this phrase is at the crux of frustration when learning through YouTube and private tutors. You have to have a plan when learning guitar. Different people want different elements for their plan, and it’s all about balancing fun and structure. Take a listen to hear all about the best plan and how to fight against this crushing phrase.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep140 – The Rules of the Asylum: Rule #28 – Don’t Fear the Recording

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:51:07 -0300

Today, I want to talk to you about a rule of the asylum – don’t fear the recording. Something I encourage people to do is to record themselves playing on a fairly regular basis. I want to give you some clear advice on doing this, so it doesn’t put you off recording yourself.

Recordings are brutal because they often show you things you can’t see yourself. But one thing that’s important is to record yourself playing something you know how to play, even if it’s just two bars, rather than something you’re still learning. Listen to discover more tips I have, so recording yourself is a pleasant experience and not a horror show.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep139 – The 6 Villains Ruining Guitar Progress Everywhere

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:52:45 -0400

In today’s episode, I want to talk about the six villains that are ruining guitar progress everywhere and how to defeat them. These villains include notorious figures such as the Time Thief, the Overwhelm Monster, the Coordination Chaos, the Musicality Void, and more!

Take a listen to this fun, character-driven take on issues that plague most guitarists, how to face them head-on, and beat them once and for all. I’ll take you through each issue and discuss ways to avoid getting bogged down by these villains and achieve progress with your playing.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep138 – The Critical 3Ps of Guitar Playing That Make Or Break Your Music (Especially After 50)

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 02:28:00 -0400

Today, we’re talking about one of the most important things in guitar playing – the 3 Ps of guitar playing. Ignore them at your peril, they’re the key to staying relaxed, having fun, and playing well. These are the core essentials of playing guitar.

If you get one wrong, you’ll struggle to a certain degree, if you get two wrong, things are going to be harder, and if you get three wrong, you’ve probably already smashed up your guitar. Take a listen to discover the 3Ps of guitar to learn how to improve your playing with ease and simplicity.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep137 – The Rules of the Asylum: Rule #27 – Stop Being Your Own Worst Enemy on Guitar

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 04:05:00 -0400

In today’s podcast, I talk about the new rule of the asylum: stop being your own worst enemy. I offer some tips on how to counter this kind of thinking, including not letting a bad day lead you to spiral. We all tend to get stuck in some negative thinking, but it’s important to interrupt that and try to finish on a positive note.

Always aim to end your practice sessions by playing something fun you enjoy and try not to push yourself too hard. Everybody should have a simple piece that they can play and have fun with. If you do make the odd mistake, it’s ok! Take a listen to discover more tips on how to apply this rule!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep136 – The Joy of Getting Lost on the Guitar (The Right Way)

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 04:08:00 -0400

In today’s episode, I talk about the good side of getting lost in my garage. I often talk about avoiding YouTube rabbit holes, but the difference is getting lost in content that is contained, like books and magazines. The point with the guitar is to be selective, but also to have fun.

So if you have a bunch of courses or books on guitar playing, great! Turn off the internet and use them. Once a month,

have a dabbling day and go through your materials in a no-pressure way. You might discover some new things or rediscover some things you’ve forgotten. Make sure though not to let yourself feel overwhelmed.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep135 – The Rules of the Asylum: Rule #26 – Stop Going Through the Motions

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 03:15:00 -0400

In today’s podcast episode, we have a quick rule of the Asylum: do not just go through the motions. You should make the effort to make sure every single note shines. I’ll show you some examples of how to liven up your strumming and playing.

I talk about some easy ways you can experiment and practise to bring your music to life. It’s all about enjoying your playing, but also finding a way to add that wow factor. Give it a listen and discover how you can make your playing sound better!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep134 – The Insanely Cool Power of Bass Runs

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 03:06:00 -0400

Today, we’re talking about a cool, fun technique you can do on the guitar: bass runs. Bass runs are a great way of linking chords together and making them sound much more melodic and interesting.

In the episode, I show you some simple examples of how to try this out. I use two chords to show you how to easily link them, and talk you through how to play this at home. Take a listen and give it a go!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep133 – Start 2026 With a Bang (The Tip Nobody Talks About)

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 03:19:00 -0400

In today’s episode, I’ll talk about making 2026 the best year for you on the guitar. It’s great to have a plan for the coming year, however, I want to talk about what you’ve achieved in the past year and how you’ve progressed.

Chances are, in 2025, you practised a hundred hours, and you’ve got to take some time to take stock. Did you master a chord change? Did you learn a barre chord? Did you learn a song? All of these are worth celebrating. Take a listen to hear how to take stock of your past year and how to carry on into the new year!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep132 – Avoid the Mishaps of Santa’s Workshop: How to Pick a Good Guitar

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 16:19:30 -0400

With the arrival of Christmas, Santa’s elves are getting busy. While they are skilled at all kinds of fun toys, they are not the best luthiers, i.e., they’re not the most skilled guitar builders.

So to avoid getting a patchy guitar from Santa’s workshop, I’m offering some advice on how to pick a proper guitar. Take a listen and hear all about my experiences with Santa’s elves.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep131 – How to Unlock Your Secret Guitar Superpower

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 08:20:00 -0400

I’ve spoken before about the Gatekeeper of the Acoustic Asylum. The Gatekeeper represents a lot of what’s out there in the guitar world. So today’s episode is all about beating the Gatekeeper as he tries to take your dreams and crush them. The best way to defeat the Gatekeeper is to become the best guitarist you can be. One way you can do this is by working out melodies as a way of honing your skills. In the episode, I offer you some tips and tricks on working out melodies and honing your skills to develop your guitar superpowers. Take a listen and unlock your superpower! If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course, which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at - https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/ Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep130 – Time Management Secrets to Get the Most Out of Your Playing

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:18:00 -0300

If you’ve followed my lessons and podcast for a while, you’ll know about my T.E.S.T. method. Today we’re going to talk about one of the key elements of the method – Time Management. So many people struggle with it, often they don’t have a practice routine.

In the episode, I give you some advice on how to tackle this common issue. You can create a “to-do” list, which will really help you organise what you need to focus on. This will help your practice be more structured and productive. Take a listen for detailed advice!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep129 – An Interview on Flamenco, Lifelong Learning, and New Goals with Tomas Michaud

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 01:11:00 -0300

Today, I'm bringing you a fantastic interview with Tomas Michaud. Tomas is a flamenco guitarist who has some great advice to offer on all things guitar. In the episode, we talk about Tomas’ continued journey of learning as an established and incredible tutor and guitarist.

Tomas offers some excellent tips on how to avoid getting too fixated, but still stay motivated. We also chat about fun topics such as the reality of touring, the beginning of the guitar journey, going off on tangents, favourite chords, and more! Take a listen and enjoy!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep128 – The Rules of the Asylum: Rule #25 – The Magnifying Glass

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 07:35:04 -0300

In today’s episode, we’re talking about a rule of the asylum, which is using the magnifying glass. A lot of people learn songs by practising the whole song. However, if you’re struggling with a song, it’s a really good idea to break it down.

I talk about how to break down a song, giving you several examples of how to simplify learning a song. It’s all about working on the individual parts that make up the whole of the piece. This will highlight any underlying issues, so you can fix them. Take a listen and enjoy!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep127 – When Words Fail, the Guitar Speaks (How to Play Expressively)

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 03:05:00 -0300

In today’s episode, I’m going to talk about David Gilmour and a very interesting quote of his. A lot of people think they might have anything in common with David Gilmour, but there's a reason it's worth learning about your guitar heroes.

You don't need to be as famous as David Gilmour to express yourself on the guitar. There's so much you can do! I'll show you a couple of examples of what you can jam. It's a great way to have fun and express yourself. Take a listen and enjoy!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep126 – The Ideal Guitar for You: A Guide

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 03:22:00 -0300

Today, I want to talk about your guitar. It’s all about making sure the guitar you play is comfortable for you. Ideally, the best way to find the best guitar for you is to go to a physical guitar shop and try several guitars.

It’s important to remember that it’s all about your fingers, your body, and what you like the feel and sound of, without thinking about brand names or what others think. Take a listen to the episode to find out the tips and advice I have for finding the best guitar for you!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep124 – Beating the Curse of Terrible Practice

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 10:41:13 -0300

In today’s episode, I talk about the worst way to practise or learn a song and how to avoid this. Time is limited, and you don’t want to end up feeling like you’re wasting it, struggling to learn a song. When you’re learning a new song, you really want to break things up into smaller sections to learn.

This is where the 10x Method really helps. In the episode, I talk about how to use and apply the method to streamline the process of learning a song, so you don’t forget what you are learning. Take a listen and improve your process!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep123 – An Interview on Arranging, Improvisation, and Getting the Best Out of Yourself with Robert Lunn

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0300

Today, I'm bringing you a super fun interview with Robert Lunn. In the episode, we had a great chat on some really important topics, including why playing gig-ready, simple yet stunning arrangements of songs is so important, how to keep the passion when learning songs, and how Robert created a wonderful piece which started off as an exercise to just learn some new software!

Robert is a great chap, so I hope you enjoy (and listen to the end for a funny story from Robert). Take a listen and enjoy!

If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at - https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep122 – Travel, Music & Practising Guitar When You’re on Holiday

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 11:21:11 -0300

Today’s episode is all about my recent trip, discovering music when you travel, and taking breaks from the guitar. When you travel, music is everywhere. It’s really fun discovering different street musicians and even taking trips down memory lane when you hear your favourite songs.

Travelling for me often means stepping away from the guitar, but this can also be beneficial. There are even studies that show that spreading out your practice can help you learn better. On the other hand, new environments and experiences can also help fuel your motivation! Take a listen to the episode and enjoy!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep121 – An Interview on Jamming, Bluegrass, the Blues, and Performing with Confidence with Andy Schneider

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 13:05:01 -0300

In today’s episode, we have a great interview with Andy Schneider. We had a chat on a whole variety of topics, such as getting ready to play live, bluegrass jamming, how to get started with the blues, and why playing with others is so powerful!

Andy's a super nice chap to chat to, and I found that after this interview, I couldn't help but go have a good ol' jam of my own. I hope Andy and this interview inspire you too!

There’s a lot to enjoy here, especially if you've dreamt of playing live but haven't done so yet. Take a listen and enjoy!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep120 – The Paul Simon Way of Playing

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 12:10:09 -0300

Today’s episode is a fun story about Paul Simon and his way of playing. As a guitarist, Paul Simon does his own thing, and he does it really well. His sophistication, style, and the different elements of his playing often go unrecognised thanks to his incredible songwriting skills.

So in today’s episode, I discuss the different facets of Paul Simon’s skills as a guitarist, a songwriter, and a singer. One of the most beautiful things he talks about is the guitar being a source of comfort for him. I show you some little tunes you can play too when you turn to your guitar for comfort. Take a listen and enjoy!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep119 – An Interview on Blues, Jamming, and Playing Guitar for Life with Brian Sherill

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 06:22:55 -0300

In today’s episode, we continue with another special interview, this time with Brian Sherrill of Active Melody. Brian is one of the coolest guitar players and best online teachers, who’s blues playing is brilliant.

In the episode, Brian and I talk about the journey, the process of guitar playing, and the really important mindset shifts that a lot of guitarists need. Brian talks about his own journey with guitar, how he became a guitar teacher, and the things he finds key to guitar playing.

He discusses how to go from scales and technique to making real music. The common frustrations faced by beginner guitarists, and what to work on to master the basics of chord changes. At the end of the episode, I pose a fire-round of questions to Brian about guitar playing. Take a listen and enjoy!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep118 – The Rules of the Asylum: Rule #24 – Embrace Technology, But Don’t Let It Take Over

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 12:15:29 -0300

In today’s episode, I talk about the benefits of technology and the importance of not letting it take over. I think AI can be a great tool, but it’s never going to play the guitar for us. I chat about one of my favourite films, Terminator 2, and the interesting message we can take from it.

One of the main reasons that some of these technologies and apps don’t stick is that they are trying to take over the process of learning, and nothing can do that. I talk about why this is the case, the key parts that can’t be skipped or replaced in the learning process, and the things that AI still can’t do. Take a listen and enjoy!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep117 – An Interview on the Principles of Technique With Jamie Andreas

Sat, 19 Jul 2025 05:04:00 -0300

Today’s episode is a special one. It’s an interview with Jamie Andreas who has a unique way of talking about technique and has been a huge influence on my own teaching.

In the episode, Jamie talks about how she started playing guitar, discovering classical guitar, and her own experience of teaching guitar. She discusses how she developed her teaching approach and how important it was for her to be able to teach anyone guitar.

She discusses how to approach chords, the importance of keeping your fingers relaxed, and more. Listen to the episode and discover Jamie’s incredible journey, experience, and expertise.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep116 – Fretboard Fireworks: 6 Tips to Break Out of the Box

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 06:15:01 -0300

In today’s episode, I dive into six fretboard breakthroughs that changed everything for me. If you struggle with learning the fretboard, then this will help you change that. Learning the fretboard can be fun, and it can open up so many doors in your playing.

Over the years, I’ve developed six specific techniques for teaching students the fretboard. In this episode, I discuss some of these, including fretboard hopping, playing real jams, memory-building tricks, the scavenger hunt, and more. Take a listen and learn all about how to conquer the fretboard.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep115 – The Rules of the Asylum: Rule #23 – Being the King or Queen of the Jungle

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 14:58:00 -0300

In today’s episode, I talk about a new rule of the Asylum, which is being the King or Queen of the Jungle. This is inspired by The Lion King musical, which has a classic hero story. In terms of guitar playing, every guitarist goes through this journey.

In the episode, I talk about how guitar playing can take us to a different dimension, the transformation we undergo as guitarists, and how beneficial this can be. I describe the hero’s journey for those who aren’t familiar with, how to not let doubt creep in, and how to take the next step on your journey. Take a listen and enjoy!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep114 – 12 Notes, Limitless Options

Sat, 14 Jun 2025 07:06:57 -0300

In today’s episode, I talk about a really inspiring quote. On guitar, we only have twelve notes, but we have limitless options of what we can create with them. We can play about and create beautiful melodies and sad melodies.

In pop music, people tend to stick to familiar and comfortable chords and patterns, but music allows you to branch out and discover something unique. In the episode, I also play some examples of the fun you can have with the same notes, how to experiment with rhythm, and how to improvise. Take a listen!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep113 – The Rules of the Asylum: Rule #22 – The Secret to Building Chemistry with Your Guitar

Fri, 02 May 2025 11:21:03 -0300

In today’s episode, I talk about chemistry, specifically your chemistry with music, your guitar, and your love of learning. Chemistry is key to good playing, iconic bands, relationships, and it’s all about passion.

The buzz, the enjoyment, is what you want to have when you pick up the guitar. To make sure you have this, play the songs you love, the songs that mean the world to you. You have a relationship with the guitar, it’s important to keep the chemistry alive.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep112 – The Arthritis Comment That Caused a Stir

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 15:02:26 -0300

In today’s podcast episode, I want to talk about an aggressive comment I got recently. If I didn’t have thick skin, I would have been hurt by it, but as it is, I’m not really fussed about it. The comment was about arthritis, and I know arthritis is brutal, I have had family members suffer from it.

I know there is no cure for arthritis, but guitar playing, when done mindfully, can help maintain mobility and reduce stiffness and pain. When I shared this, a lot of people responded with their lived experience and how guitar playing has helped them. It’s important to always use good core fundamental technique and never play through pain.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep111 – The Fun Daily Jam Every Fingerpicking Guitarist Can (and Should) Do

Sat, 12 Apr 2025 05:12:00 -0300

Today we have a short episode that is all about exercises on the guitar – what to avoid and how to see progress. Often, guitar exercises are far too complicated. Simple, technical exercises that you can do every day will help you to see a lot more progress.

I talk about how you can create your own exercises that cover the basics, allowing you to work on your technique. These exercises don’t have to be boring, so I show you how to make exercises useful and enjoyable to play! Take a listen and discover how to create your own!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep110 – The Rules of the Asylum: Rule #21 – Being a Daydream Believer

Sat, 05 Apr 2025 05:10:00 -0300

Today’s episode is all about a new rule of the Asylum – being a daydream believer. Yes, this is inspired by The Monkees’ song, and it’s all about believing in yourself. Visualising is an excellent way of improving your self-belief, so today, I talk about two forms of visualisation.

One is visualising yourself as an excellent guitarist, and the other form is visualising the mechanics of playing, which helps your memory. The second form helps because visualising the movements will help you solidify the movements. I also discuss some of the pitfalls of the first form of visualisation, how to avoid them, and how to find balance! Take a listen to learn all about it.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep109 – When Guitar Gods Get Nervous: Clapton’s Story

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 05:15:00 -0300

Today’s episode is all about one of Eric Clapton’s proudest moments. It all happened when he was asked to play on an album with one of the greatest musicians of all time. The thing that makes the story stand out is that it shows even the greats of guitar get nervous.

In the episode, I share Clapton’s story and what he had to say about his incredible and unique experience. But all of us have been there on a smaller scale – feeling nervous about playing in front of others. Everybody gets nervous, and everybody thinks there’s someone better out there, even the greats. The key is just to stay relaxed.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep108 – The Rules of the Asylum: Rule #20 – Face Up to Your Michael Myers

Sun, 23 Mar 2025 08:12:00 -0300

Today we’re going to talk about a new rule of the Acoustic Asylum. There are many rules to escape the Asylum and beat The Gatekeeper. Today’s rule is face up to your Michael Myers. On the guitar, we all have our Michael Myers, things that we fear. He’s very much like the fear of failure.

So how do you overcome that? In today’s episode, I discuss the steps you can take to face your fears and overcome them. You have to face up to these things, otherwise they will get you and you won’t be able to enjoy your playing or your guitar journey.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep107 – The Rules of the Asylum: Rule #19 – Enjoy The Game of Tones

Sat, 08 Mar 2025 09:41:00 -0400

Today’s episode is about a new rule of the Acoustic Asylum that’s all about embracing the Game of Tones (yes, that’s a pun on the TV show Game of Thrones). This rule is about tone. Make a game of improving your tone.

The best players out there spend a lot of time working on their technique because it helps their tone improve so much more. Tone comes from the fingers. I’m going to play you some examples of different tones in the episode and give you advice on how to improve your tone. Take a listen and enjoy!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep106 – Double Trouble Blues

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 12:14:30 -0400

In today’s episode, we’ll talk about music, cinema, and blues. Movies were probably one of my main introductions to music. I fell in love with movie soundtracks and, as a result, with music. Inspired by movies and doubleheaders in cinema, for the March lessons in the Dan Thorpe Acoustic Academy, I have a doubleheader of blues coming up.

I’ve created two blues lessons, both very different. In the episode, I also play a little preview of what will be in the lessons. The idea behind the lessons is about filling out the sound when you’re playing. It’s fun stuff that will make your playing sound great. Take a listen and find out how to get the lessons!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep105 – How The Exorcist Reminded Me I Wasn’t the Only Struggling Guitarist

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:10:00 -0400

In today’s episode, I talk about the horrors of guitar playing, kind of. I was reminded by the movie The Exorcist that often people put on bravado about how scary something is, whether it’s a movie or their struggles with the guitar. People often downplay how much they practise, how hard they find it.

It’s important to be honest if you’re struggling and it’s hard. That honesty goes a long way. If you open up to people that you find it difficult, they’re more likely to do the same, or they can share some advice with you. It’s important to lose the bravado and stop downplaying everything. It doesn’t help anybody.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep104 – The Rules of the Asylum: Rule #18 – Top Up Your Inspiration Jar

Sun, 16 Feb 2025 10:30:00 -0400

In the latest episode, I discuss a new rule of the asylum, which is to top up your inspiration jar. It’s an imaginary jar filled with your inspiration, dreams, and reasons why you want to play. Often when you first start out playing the guitar, this jar will be full, which makes you motivated to pick up and learn the guitar.

But with time, and the challenges most guitarists face when starting out playing, the jar starts getting emptier and emptier. It’s important to never let that jar empty, this will help you keep your motivation strong and your practising consistent. In the episode, I offer some tips and advice on how to keep your inspiration jar full, so take a listen, and keep at it!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep103 – The Power of Community

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -0400

Today I talk about the power of community. It’s such an important thing in the world of music. Learning an instrument like the guitar can be a lonely experience. In the episode, I suggest a number of ways you can connect with other guitar players and musicians.

Some of the suggestions I discuss include jamming with others, performing in front of others, and more. Community is really important, and it’s great to find people who are supportive, encouraging, and are on a similar level to you. Take a listen and get involved in the guitar community!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep102 – The Rules of the Asylum: Rule #17 – Be at One With Your Guitar

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 08:16:32 -0400

Today’s episode is about a new rule of the Asylum. It covers every single thing you ever do when you play guitar. The rule is – be at one with your guitar. It’s about having the guitar connected to you, rather than battling it. The goal is to have the guitar be an extension of you.

If you’re battling the guitar, you might tense up and hold your breath, which shouldn’t be the case. It shouldn’t feel like you’re fighting your guitar. In the episode, I give you some tips on how to make sure you’re connected to the guitar, including posture, breathing, warm-ups, and more.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep101 – The Rules of the Asylum: Rule #16 – Find Your Treasure

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 05:14:00 -0400

In today’s episode, I want to talk about a new rule of the Asylum. It’s called Find Your Treasure. There are going to be certain things that are like gold to you, things that you love to play, little riffs or styles that you enjoy. It’s key to find these early on in your playing.

In the podcast, I’ll show you some examples of things you might enjoy, things that could become your treasure, and I offer some advice on how to find your treasure. When you find your treasure, this will make your guitar journey more enjoyable. These are the small things you can have fun with and that you’ll want to play forever. Enjoy the episode!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep100 – The Hundredth Episode

Sun, 02 Feb 2025 03:16:00 -0400

Today we’re celebrating a really big milestone of the Acoustic Asylum podcast – Episode 100! I started this podcast two years ago on a bit of a whim. In these one hundred episodes, I’ve covered some really cool topics. I’d like to thank everyone for listening and coming along on this journey!

I want to give you something to celebrate – I’m giving away a physical copy of my book 13 Ways to Escape the Acoustic Asylum. In the episode, I look back at my own journey with teaching and playing guitar, and things that we all share in common when it comes to struggles and overcoming challenges. Take a listen, and learn how you can win a copy of my book!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep99 – A Love Letter to Dyads

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 10:59:52 -0400

Today’s podcast is all about dyads. In case you aren’t familiar with them, dyads are just two-string chords. In the episode, I discuss a number of ways you can use dyads, such as bass & treble string dyads, and in particular, I’ll talk about twisted dyads.

Playing dyads is a fantastic way of unlocking the fretboard. Dyads free you up to play mini chords up and down the fretboard. In the episode, I also play some examples to show you how you can add more drama and interest to your playing. Take a listen and have a go at playing dyads!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep98 – The Rules of the Asylum: Rule #15 – Stop Driving With the Brake On!

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 07:45:13 -0400

In today’s episode, I talk about a new rule of the asylum that can help guitarists let go of the brake they’re holding on their playing. One common issue is that players let themselves get frustrated. In the episode, I offer some advice on how to overcome frustration.

A lot of guitarists make life harder for themselves by comparing themselves to others. So in today’s podcast, I offer some advice on how to avoid this and some good reminders that can help you on the journey so you don’t hold yourself back.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep97 – The Guitar Struggles Shared By the Stars

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 07:58:29 -0400

In today’s episode, I talk about a legendary musician who once struggled on the guitar. Even brilliant guitarists experience challenges. They make it look easy, but when you get to the root of it, they all struggle. I offer some perspective and advice on the shared challenges faced by every guitarist.

Most guitarists struggle in the early years. One great piece of advice is to not worry about what happened in the past, and focus on improving the key elements in your playing now. It can also be useful to remember the human side of stars who have struggled. I make some suggestions on how to find out more about legendary musicians’ experiences learning guitar.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep96 – The Rules of the Asylum: Rule #14 - Embrace the Magic Number 7

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 09:24:56 -0400

Today’s episode is about a powerful little thing that will help you learn faster and enjoy your playing more. The magic number 7 is very simple, it’s about memory. A lot of people struggle to learn seven things at once and remember them. To beat the barrier of this magic no. 7, you want to break things up.

When it comes to guitar playing, people often just try to learn a song and remember it in one go. If they then try to play it again later, they’ll struggle to remember anything. If you’re learning a big piece of music, break it up. In the episode, I go into detail on how and why you should do this, and how this can help you to improve your playing overall.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep95 – Why Learning Guitar As an Adult Can Be Harder

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 13:59:25 -0400

In today’s episode, I want to share some things I’ve noticed over the years about the difference between adults and kids learning to play the guitar and why sometimes it is harder learning the guitar as an adult. A big thing I’ve noticed is that kids are often more patient than adults. They don’t mind playing the same piece again and again, whereas as adults, we often rush into wanting to learn as many songs as possible.

Another thing I’ve noticed is kids don’t beat themselves for making mistakes. Whereas as adults, we sometimes focus on perfection. It’s a useful mindset to have – embarassing mistakes, and not being too negative about it. I share some more details on why learning guitar as an adult might be harder, and what you can do to make it easier for yourself.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep94 – The Rules of the Asylum: Rule #13 – Grow Your Guitar Playing Like Bamboo

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 09:20:30 -0400

In today’s episode, I share another rule of the Acoustic Asylum. The rule is all about growing the bamboo. Bamboo is a plant that takes a long time to grow underground before you can see it flourishing above ground, and guitar playing is very similar to this. A lot of the time in the early days, it is about getting the solid foundations of guitar playing, so you can reap the benefits later on.

I discuss the importance of “Core Fundamental Technique” and how laying these good foundations of technique can help you in the future. One of the examples I go into is chord changes. Learning basic chord changes and perfecting them allows you to experience exponential growth in the number of songs you can play. Finally, I discuss the natural ebb and flow of playing guitar and the importance of holding onto your belief in the journey.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep93 – Making 2025 the Best for Your Guitar Playing

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 06:31:39 -0400

Happy New Year! Today’s episode is all about how to get the most out of your guitar playing in 2025. I offer some advice on how you can improve your guitar playing by being consistent. It’s about staying persistent and seeing incremental improvements.

It can be tough to stick with it and do the hard work. You might ask yourself, is it worth it? Of course it’s worth it, being able to play an instrument is up there with the best achievements people have. So, it’s important to remember the 1% rule of making things even a little bit better. If you do that, you will succeed!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep92 – Christmas Joy and Motivation

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 21:16:23 -0400

Today’s episode is all about the joy of Christmas and that warm and fuzzy feeling of the holidays. In the episode, I talk about guitar Christmas gifts, motivation for 2025, and the struggle we all might face in finding motivation to practise.

If you struggle, it’s important to remember that it’s temporary. It’s important to think of it as a test that you can overcome. I talk about the Krampus and the Gatekeeper’s attempts to hold you back. It’s important to just enjoy and embrace the good feelings of the holidays that can help you stay motivated.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep91 – The Final Weeks of 2024 and How to Get the Most Out of Them

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:49:38 -0400

In today’s episode, I talk about the last few weeks of this year and how to get the most out of them when it comes to your guitar playing. The main thing is to pick a manageable goal, one that isn’t too demanding and that you can actually manage in the time there is. It’s important to pick something that is a challenge, but one that you can achieve.

In the episode, I offer advice on how to break things down into smaller parts when setting a goal. I give some examples of a goal you could pick and how to break it down so it’s realistic and still a bit challenging. If you end the year strong, it will give you great momentum going into the new year.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep90 – The A to Z of Strumming

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 17:22:14 -0400

The other day I sent out an email on the A to Z of Strumming, with a series of tips for improving your strumming. In today’s episode, I cover some of those tips, going into depth looking at them. Some of these include the way you attack the strings when strumming, chords, improvisation, listening to music, patterns, and more.

When it comes to mastering chord changes, pick just one set of chords and practise changing back and forth between them back and forth. I talk about how to liven up your strumming, by covering some core skills which will allow you to improvise more. I’ll also play some exciting strumming patterns you can learn. Take a listen and enjoy!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep89 – Why This Time of Year Is Truly Wonderful for Guitarists!

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 13:55:23 -0400

It may seem early, but today we’re talking about Christmas and brushing up on your Christmas songs. Every year you can enjoy learning Christmas songs and take the opportunity to refresh the songs you’ve already learnt and improve them so that they get better.

A fun way to learn several Christmas songs at once is through a medley, so in the episode, I also share a fun Christmas medley with you that I’ve created. You can learn this medley as part of my Christmas Crackers course. Now is the perfect time to get started on learning one or even a medley of Christmas songs.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep88 – Overcoming Negativity

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 13:59:27 -0400

Today we’re talking about when negativity smacks you around the head and how to overcome it. I discuss a student’s experience of wanting to quit, and how, frequently, we’re being too hard on ourselves.

The important thing is perseverence. You just have to keep going and try not to be too hard on yourself. Sometimes sharing some tips you have learnt with beginners can help you feel great about how far you’ve come. I share some advice on how to not get stuck in the negative mindset.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep87 – The “Growth Mindset”

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 12:56:38 -0300

In today’s podcast, I’m talking about the peaks and troughs of learning guitar. Often life gets in the way, but it’s normal and natural to have moments when your progress accelerates and when it slows down a little bit. It’s important to enjoy the journey.

One thing that I discuss that is very useful is the “growth mindset”. It’s all about believing in your ability to develop through hard work and dedication. I talk about the importance of using this form of thinking for your guitar journey.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep86 – The Fingerpicking Bootcamp

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 06:58:00 -0300

In today’s podcast, I’m talking about my new course, The Fingerpicking Bootcamp, which is a clear, actionable, fun course designed to give you something for the short term and the long term. Long term, you don’t want to burn out or injure yourself, but short term you want to see results and that’s what this course is all about.

I talk a bit about all the things we cover in the 21 days of the course, including rhythms, triads, Travis picking, fingerpicking patterns, riffs and pumps, and more. I also play some examples of the different patterns you can learn in the course and discuss some of the super useful bonuses you’ll get with the course.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep85 – Sleep, Strumming, and Dynamics

Sun, 06 Oct 2024 15:26:46 -0300

In today’s podcast, we’re looking at three things that can improve your guitar playing. First off, I talk about the importance of sleep. I talk about the three stages of sleep, sleep hygiene and the importance of getting a good night’s sleep. Maximising your sleep is certainly going to make you feel more focused when practising.

In the second part of the episode, I talk about expanding your dynamic range in your strumming and how to improve your strumming overall. I cover a range of tips and tricks and also offer advice on what picks to use for strumming.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep84 – Trusting Your Ears

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 10:56:35 -0300

Today’s episode is all about the bad habit of relying on your sense of sight too much. I use an example that Billy Joel brings up about a wrong notation for one of his songs. It often happens that people rely on their eyes over their ears. Sometimes you might be misreading some notation, but it’s important to trust your ears so as not to make mistakes.

In the second part of the episode, I give you a fun little challenge to test your ears. I play a couple of chords and give you the chance to work them out for yourself before revealing the answer. It’s useful to do little challenges like this to train your ears.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep83 – The Nitty-Gritty Specifics of Guitar Playing

Sat, 14 Sep 2024 01:05:00 -0300

Today’s episode is all about the nitty-gritty specifics of guitar playing. When learning songs on guitar, you really have to go into the details. Guitar tuition these days unfortunately can be a bit too broad and it can make it challenging for guitar players looking for specific tips.

It’s not just enough to learn the song, you need to look at all the details. Instead of doing the whole song, break it down into smaller chunks, and focus on the details. I talk about a lot more tips to help you zone into the piece properly and make it easier for yourself when learning the song.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep82 – The Lego-Inspired Building Blocks of Guitar Playing

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 12:00:36 -0300

As a dad, I have spent a fair bit of time building Lego with my so Archie. Recently we went to the Legoland Discovery centre and had a great time… And the cool thing is, there are two strong comparisons between Lego and the guitar, and that is what we are talking about today.

When it comes to Lego, there are two main ways to use it, I find. Number one is to follow the instructions precisely and build what is on the box. Number two is to just take random bricks and build your own ideas. On the guitar, we can do something very similar to help you improve your playing, make more progress, and have fun. Listen today for how. Don’t forget to keep enjoying the process of building the blocks of your guitar playing!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep81 – 9 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Learning Guitar!

Sat, 31 Aug 2024 02:30:00 -0300

I’ve learnt a massive amount over the years about playing and teaching guitar. In this episode, I’m sharing some of those key lessons with you …And specifically, the 9 things I wish I knew when I started learning guitar!

This includes the importance of strumming patterns, a story about how my best friend helped me massively in the early days (and why you shouldn’t learn on your own)… Plus, the power of the capo, why you need to be kind to yourself on your journey, and so much more! In short, these little tips cover many of the subtle things that make a big difference!

If you enjoyed this episode, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course, which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep80 – Pushing Yourself Out of Your Guitar-Playing Comfort Zone!

Sat, 24 Aug 2024 02:18:00 -0300

I’ve just come home from an amazing family holiday in Cornwall. While there, me and my son, Archie (who is 8) were in the sea, at a waterpark, and we had an afternoon on a giant inflatable water slide. I was very much out of my comfort zone.

One thing I urge guitarists to do is get out of their comfort zone every now and then. It’s not easy, but jamming with others, recording yourself, performing – it all makes such a difference to your long-term success.

…But you do have to be careful. In this episode, I’m sharing plenty of tips on how to stay resilient, make improvements, and keep motivated when you do. It’s a must-listen if you want to make more progress on the guitar and have more fun.

If you enjoyed this episode, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep79 – Key Lessons from a Student’s Crazy Experience of Taking Guitar Lessons

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 01:00:00 -0300

In this episode, we are talking about the crazy world of guitar tuition. In particular, I am sharing a little story from Katherine about her experience of learning guitar with an in-person tutor.

Not only are we covering Katherine’s story but I talk about the problem with a lot of guitar tuition, why the “surface level” information many people teach is a waste of time and money, and how a good guitar teacher can help you fix your playing issues. In short, this is the good, the bad, and the ugly of guitar tuition. Of course, there are many great teachers out there but always remember, not all guitar teachers are made equal. I hope this is an eye-opening podcast and you enjoy it.

If you enjoyed this episode, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course which will help all beginners, intermediates and those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep78 – Superhuman Strumming!

Sat, 10 Aug 2024 02:44:00 -0300

Today we are talking about the two big issues that most people struggle with when it comes to strumming, the hurdles that many people face, and of course, solutions to help you have more fun strumming your guitar today!

That’s because this week, I am releasing my brand-new course called, Superhuman Strumming – it’s a lot of fun and it’s all about giving you the tools and techniques to play real music, spice up your songs, and have a lot of strumming fun starting today.

If you enjoyed this episode, you can find out more about the course and the limited-time discounts and bonuses here - https://fingerpickingfun.com/strumming

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep77 – A Legendary Olympian’s Inspiration in Mastering the Art and Craft of Guitar

Sat, 03 Aug 2024 02:30:00 -0300

As it’s the Olympics at the moment, I want to share with you a powerful little story from one of Great Britain’s greatest-ever Olympians – the legendary Daley Thompson.

After struggling on his path to defending his gold medal in the 1984 Olympics, Daley had a pivotal moment during the discus event… and that moment is one that will live long in the memory of anyone watching.

There are two key takeaways from that special moment that all of us guitarists can apply. Listen today, be inspired, and find out how to apply Daley’s lessons to your playing so you can be the best guitarist you can be!

If you enjoyed this episode, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course which will help all beginners, intermediates, and those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep76 – The Art and Science of Writing Songs (How to Get Started)

Sat, 27 Jul 2024 02:19:00 -0300

Is songwriting an art? Is it a science? Well, you tell me.

Personally, I see it as both. In this episode, I’m sharing a simple process with you on how to create some lovely music of your own. Everyone should write a song in their lifetime and anyone can do it!

Big thanks to my student, Larry, for inspiring this episode with the brilliant song he wrote for his wife on their 50th wedding anniversary.

If you enjoyed this episode, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course, which will help all beginners, intermediates, and those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep75 – Mastering the Last 5% of a Song on the Guitar

Sat, 20 Jul 2024 03:22:00 -0300

If you’ve ever got to the point where you can play a song on your guitar to near perfection, but you make frequent errors at various points… this episode is for you.

Inside we are taking a look at the TWO key things that could be the cause of your issues. Not only that, I also give you some bits of advice to help you play your songs better. Plus, I even share one of the potentially most embarrassing moments in my musical life where I was on stage playing a gig with my band… and I forgot the parts!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep74 – How to Escape the Hell of Constantly Plucking the Wrong Strings!

Sat, 13 Jul 2024 02:16:00 -0300

A lot of guitarists find it extremely frustrating when they pluck the wrong strings!

I know I used to. In this short episode, I’m giving you a few tips to help.

One thing you must remember is that you need good technique and muscle memory. Without the technique, you’ll just build bad guitar playing habits… but if you use precise technique, you’ll find it far easier to end this frustrating feeling… and that’s exactly what we are talking about today!

If you enjoyed this, don’t forget you can get my two exclusive free eBooks today... Including The Guitar Doctor (which will help you fix 35 terrible habits) and The Super Mini Songbook (teaching you stunning songs in unique ways). Get them both for free at - https://fingerstyle101.com/free/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep73 – My Three Most Influential Guitar Books (And a Shocking Fact About Most Books)

Sat, 29 Jun 2024 02:26:00 -0300

My studio room is full of books. Not all of them are great, but in each, there is something I’ve learnt, even from the books that aren’t that great!

Well, today, I’m talking about three books I’ve used a lot over the years. They’re not perfect, but they are great and they’ve had a big influence on me. The books range from classical guitar to advanced guitar and songwriting!

For more help from me, until the 1st of July 2024, you can join my Academy. Enrolment will close after that for a while and you can find out more about the academy here - https://fingerstyle101.com/academy/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep72 – Six of Your Most Common Guitar Questions Answered

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 08:23:57 -0300

I get asked a LOT of questions when it comes to learning guitar. I love to answer them but don’t always get the time to answer everyone’s questions. So today, I thought I’d share some of the most commonly asked questions I get and give you… my answers.

We’re talking about how many scales you should learn on guitar, how to move around the fretboard, which guitar teachers I recommend, and if people like Justin Sandercoe and Jamie Andreas are good (honest answers inside)… Plus a whole lot more (including a reference to the awesome character The Riddler from the Batman movies, haha).

If you enjoy this podcast and want more help from me, you’ll be pleased to know the Dan Thorpe Acoustic Academy is now open for enrolment for a short while. You get a whole lot of bonuses posted to you just for trying it out and you can find out more about it here - https://fingerstyle101.com/academy/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep71 – The Wildly Varying Sounds of the Blues

Sat, 22 Jun 2024 03:25:00 -0300

I quickly realised when I started teaching guitar that not many students would ask me to teach them to play the blues… but pretty much all of them would LOVE it when I would introduce them to blues guitar – especially the sounds of Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, and Stevie Ray Vaughan (and the first blues song I ever loved, which was by Led Zeppelin).

In this episode, I’m playing a whole variety of blues styles and sounds for you, from a B.B. King minor blues to an Eric Clapton-style shuffle, and more.

There’s so much you can do with the blues and if you want to learn it, then in the new Dan Thorpe Acoustic Academy lessons coming on July 1st, you will learn a stunning blues piece. You can find out more about the Academy here - https://fingerstyle101.com/academy/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep70 – A Four-Step System to Skyrocket Your Motivation

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 03:21:00 -0300

One of the most important things you can do on the guitar is to get absolute clarity on what it is you want to achieve.

Well, in this episode I’m going over a four-step system to help you make massive progress on the guitar.

These have been inspired by author Brian Tracy and adapted as well as simplified for you to use right away. It’s powerful stuff and I highly recommend you apply this today!

For more help from me, you’ll be pleased to know the Dan Thorpe Acoustic Academy is now open for enrolment. One of the big perks of membership is that the “5-Star” Award inside the Academy and my coaching will both help you make big progress and get clarity with your guitar playing. You can find out more about it here - https://fingerstyle101.com/academy/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep69 – Why You Should Master the Ins and Outs of The C Chord (And Its Lovely Variations)

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0300

One piece of advice I like to share with students is this… beware of learning too many chords.

Instead of using those old chord books that are full of 10,000s of guitar chords, you can get a lot more mileage instead from playing just one chord such as C Major… And then learning all the variations of this chord.

This is fun and a lot of the time you only need to add or remove a finger to get lots of different flavours from a chord!

If you enjoyed this, don’t forget you can get my two exclusive and free eBooks today... Includes the Guitar Doctor (which will help you fix 35 terrible habits) and The Super Mini Songbook (teaching you stunning songs in unique ways). Get them both for free at -https://fingerstyle101.com/free/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep68 – The Instant Secret to More Interesting Rhythm

Sun, 16 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0300

Most people play guitar with a very mechanical straight feel.

Well, today I want to tell you why that isn’t always the best thing to do.

In fact, if you want to add instant excitement to your music and play with more life, soul, and vibrancy, then the little tips I’m sharing in this episode will help you right away!

If you enjoyed this, don’t forget you can get my two exclusive and free eBooks today... Includes The Guitar Doctor (which will help you fix 35 terrible habits) and The Super Mini Songbook (teaching you stunning songs in unique ways). Get them both for free at -https://fingerstyle101.com/free/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep67 – My Embarrassing Bad Rhythm Skills (And How I Quickly Fixed Them)

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0300

Back when I was learning guitar, I had no rhythm.

I wasn’t born with no rhythm, I just hadn’t developed my rhythm skills. This meant when I played guitar, I was all over the place. It also meant that I had a few slightly embarrassing moments.

In this episode, I’m sharing with you a key story that helped awaken me to my bad rhythm, and exactly what I did to fix it. These simple little tips will help you too, so listen today and apply these tips for better rhythm!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep66 – How to Beat the “I Don’t Have Enough Time to Practise” Issue

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 09:37:45 -0300

One of the biggest problems a lot of people say is that they simply “do not have enough time to practise” their guitar playing.

While that is true for some extremely busy folk, we often all have a few pockets of time where we can pick up the guitar and play something…

…So in this episode, I’m going to give you some key tips on making more time to practise, why motivation is possibly more important than time, and the silly game on my phone that once threatened to ruin my practice time (but what I did to beat that).

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep65 – The One Technique That Can Sky-Rocket Your Progress (and Some Fingerpicking Magic)

Sun, 09 Jun 2024 01:06:00 -0300

Today, I want to share with you my #1 method for helping you to make more progress on the guitar every single day.

This will help you practise more effectively, and it’s a super simple technique that all guitarists can benefit from – no matter if you’re a beginner or intermediate guitarist…

And this is especially powerful if you’re an adult learning guitar and lacking confidence or you are unsure how to make progress on the songs, scales, and chord progressions you are learning.

Listen today, enjoy, and let’s get you making more progress!

If you enjoyed this, you can get my two exclusive and free eBooks today... Includes The Guitar Doctor (which will help you fix 35 terrible habits) and The Super Mini Songbook (teaching you stunning songs in unique ways). Get them both for free at – https://fingerstyle101.com/free/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep64 – The Rules of the Asylum: Rule #12 - The Pygmalion Effect

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 01:33:00 -0300

Today, I want to share a fascinating story from the 1960s that can help you change your guitar playing forever.

It’s a simple and sneaky study that shows doing this one thing can blow up your progress massively – meaning you’ll have so much more fun on the guitar. Plus, we are breaking some annoying myths that people believe in when it comes to learning guitar as an adult or if you feel you have no “natural talent”.

Listen today and enjoy, because if you apply what you learn here, you will be more likely to make better progress from this day forth!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep63 – The Devil on Your Shoulder

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 01:02:00 -0300

Today, let’s talk about the devil on your guitar-playing shoulder.

It’s dangerous, most of us are plagued by it, and if you put too much pressure on yourself, it’s likely this devil is screaming down your ear.

The good news is, with one simple shift, you can change all that and you can turn the negativity into something much more positive. That will ensure you truly enjoy your guitar playing forever – and you beat the Gatekeeper of the Acoustic Asylum and his devilish henchman… for good!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep62 – Unlocking the Secret to Instant Guitar-Playing Creativity

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 08:58:20 -0300

Trying to be creative on the guitar is one of the most daunting and scary thoughts for many guitarists.

…But if you want to be more creative, then listen today because I’m teaching you a super simple and incredibly fun step-by-step method to be more creative today.

I’m playing these examples on the acoustic guitar but they work perfectly for electric guitar too. The great thing is, being creative is fun, it’s great for the brain and it’s great for the fingers – I aim to get all my students to do something creative on the guitar every lesson! So give it a go.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep61 – The Perfect Blend of Creativity Versus Structure When Playing Guitar

Sun, 02 Jun 2024 08:28:00 -0300

If you ever want to jam, but don’t know how to begin, today’s episode will help.

We’re talking about the sliding scale of creativity versus structure and how to get the right blend.

The truth is, when jamming on the guitar, we need to have both of the above. On the one hand, if you are only trying to be creative without any structure, it can be hard to make music that sounds good. On the other hand, if you just have structure, it can be hard to jam and explore new things.

So, listen to today’s episode for more on how to get the ideal blend between both being creative and having structure within your jams. I’ll take you through an example of how to do this and some tips on getting the most out of your playing – especially when you want to jam!

Don’t forget you can now get my two exclusive and free eBooks today... Includes The Guitar Doctor (which will help you fix 35 terrible habits) and The Super Mini Songbook (teaching you stunning songs in unique ways). Get them both for free at - https://fingerstyle101.com/free/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep60 – A Brutal Truth About Learning Guitar (And the Two Types of Guitarists)

Fri, 31 May 2024 08:16:00 -0300

During my many years of teaching, I’ve taught two specific types of guitarists.

One type is the student who is full of positivity, resilience, and open-minded thinking. The other is the type who is struggling and looking for a way out.

It’s a hard truth and some people don’t like to hear it, but that’s what I’ve found. So, today, I want to explain why this is the case, why it’s probably not your fault if you’re the latter type, and why “natural talent” very rarely has anything to do with it.

Most of all though, I want to share with you a few tips to help you become the type of guitarist who finds solutions, enjoys the journey, and loves playing the guitar so much… you literally never want to stop. These tips are especially useful if you’re an adult learning guitar. I hope you enjoy this episode and thanks for listening!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep59 – How to Have Endless Fun Jamming This Beautiful Guitar Chord

Wed, 29 May 2024 03:10:00 -0300

Today, I want to give you some simple tips on jamming one chord on the guitar. Yes, just one chord.

Many students want to be able to jam and create beautiful music on the fly… but the problem is they do not know where to begin. This often leads to them getting frustrated, giving up on jamming, and then missing out on all the benefits that being creative has!

For some tips on this, listen to this quick episode today for how to jam, fingerpick, strum, and Travis pick, why you should pick one single chord to begin with, and exactly what to do for some jamming fun.

This works great on both electric and acoustic guitar, and it will help you play sus chords, Major 7th chords, dominant chords, and more… but the key point is, this will give you more fun when learning guitar as an adult!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep58 – A Proven Guitar-Playing Motivator from George Orwell’s 1984!

Sat, 25 May 2024 07:30:00 -0300

Motivation is one of the biggest factors that will decide if you stick with the guitar or quit.

Therefore, you must do what it takes to keep your motivation up at all costs… but of course, you don’t want to get too excited because when the inevitable pitfalls get in the way it can be like a sugar crash and your motivation may plummet…

Today’s episode is all about a proven study on increasing motivation from the University of Pennsylvania… and it’s all about the power of Double Think! Follow the simple tip inside today’s episode and you can’t fail to be a more motivated guitarist!

Don’t forget you can now get my two exclusive and free eBooks today... Includes the Guitar Doctor (which will help you fix 35 terrible habits) and The Super Mini Songbook (teaching you stunning songs in unique ways). Get them both for free at –https://fingerstyle101.com/free/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep57 – A Super Simple Way to Be More Creative on Your Acoustic Guitar Today

Fri, 24 May 2024 07:05:00 -0300

I love being creative on the guitar.

Many guitar students out there also want to be creative, but often have no idea where to begin. Well, in this little episode, I share with you a very simple tip on creativity.

It involves one chord, one strumming pattern, and one simple concept. With just a little bit of practice, anyone can do it… And the great thing is, according to various studios, being creative is proven to help reduce your brain age.

Inside, you’ll hear me talk about a super interesting study from the BBC on identical twins and how the study proved that being creative can help reduce your brain age.

…Plus, I play a very cool ‘50s chord progression based around the chords of C Am Fmaj7 and G and show you how to bring them to life!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep56 – Guitar Lessons from the Biggest Boxing Match of All Time!

Thu, 23 May 2024 14:01:55 -0300

In this episode, we’re talking boxing and how elite-level sports and learning guitar have more in common than you might think.

I use the fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk to explain some key concepts for learning guitar as an adult. Some of the highlights include how it’s crucial to think outside the box, why most people teach guitar the way they were taught, and the big problem with that.

It’s a short episode, but it’s like a Rocky montage – short, sweet, and right to the point.

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep55 – Two Tried and Tested Ways to Freshen Up Your Guitar Playing (Plus an Unusual Tip)

Tue, 21 May 2024 11:04:35 -0300

It’s May, and it’s spring.

Yeah, I know, it has been spring for a while… but if you want to make more guitar-playing progress at this time of the year, this episode will help.

In today’s episode of the Acoustic Asylum, I’m giving you two tried and tested ways to have a “spring clean”. One involves something in the physical world and the other in your mental space – but both are effective for getting clarity and making progress.

Plus, you get to find out about my lack of DIY skills, hear me jamming a little acoustic piece, and discover the reason why strumming just a few simple chords on your guitar can help you to recharge at the end of a busy day.

…Not only that, I’m also sharing with you a weird bonus tip that can breathe more life into your practice space!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep54 – Sneaky Ways to Make Progress on the Guitar in Less Time

Sat, 18 May 2024 06:30:00 -0300

Do you practise with absolute focus? Or do you practise guitar in a “wishy-washy” way?

Well, today, I’m sharing some interesting little insights into how to practise your guitar in a more optimal way…

This includes exactly what I did back when I was learning guitar and I only had 10 minutes per day… How I would “practise” on the bus (even though I didn’t have my guitar with me)…

...And one thing you can put in your practice room that will make you a more creative musician and guitarist today.

Enjoy!

You can now get my two exclusive and free eBooks today... Includes The Guitar Doctor (which will help you fix 35 terrible habits) and The Super Mini Songbook (teaching you stunning songs in unique ways). Get them both for free at - https://fingerstyle101.com/free/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep53 – Why You Should Read the Autobiographies of Your Guitar Heroes

Wed, 15 May 2024 05:16:23 -0300

Let’s talk about autobiographies.

In today’s podcast, I’m sharing some little gems of inspiration I have read from a variety of guitarists in their autobiographies. You’ll hear stories from Neil Young, Eric Clapton, and bizarrely, even Andrew Ridgeley (from Wham!).

I find that when guitarists and musicians talk in interviews about their experiences on the guitar, they rarely go into much detail… BUT when it’s in their autobiographies, we hear so much more. It’s super interesting to read about their struggles, successes, and highs and lows.

Not only are these interesting for us guitarists, but these stories can be massively inspiring too!

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep52 – A Simple Way to Get Rock-Solid Clarity on Your Guitar Journey!

Fri, 10 May 2024 07:30:00 -0300

Distractions are everywhere – especially in the guitar world!

Today’s episode is dedicated to avoiding all these crazy distractions when improving our guitar playing!

There’s one really big tip I want to share today.

…And it’s been working like a charm for my students – especially for Ryan, who is a super busy father, coach of the kids’ soccer team, and is very busy with his career.

Listen to Ryan’s experience and how he is now on the path to achieving his guitar goals simply because we have been doing one simple and specific thing each week.

Use the simple tips in the podcast and you too will get some clarity in your playing!

You can get more tips, advice, and a powerful new free eBook on the 13 Ways to Escape the Acoustic Asylum from me, Dan Thorpe, by joining the email list here – https://acousticasylum.com/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep51 – Two Epic Chord Progressions (And How to Use Them!)

Tue, 07 May 2024 10:48:58 -0300

Let’s talk about chord progressions.

…And specifically, two super popular chord progressions that I love and that get used in a tonne of songs!

When I started off learning guitar, I never used to think about chord progressions.

That was a huge mistake because learning just a few chord progressions could have saved me a tonne of time… It would have given me a better understanding of how music works, improved my aural skills, and given me more confidence.

Listen today and discover how to put this simple knowledge into practice and have lots of fun with these two chord progressions!

The funny thing is both of these chord progressions use the exact same four chords… yet when you change up the order of the chords, the whole tone of the song changes. It’s simple, but it’s powerful stuff!

You can get more tips, advice, and a powerful new free eBook on the 13 Ways to Escape the Acoustic Asylum from me, Dan Thorpe, by joining the email list here – https://acousticasylum.com/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep50 – Improving Your Aural Skills

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 10:58:46 -0300

Today, I want to talk a little bit about connecting the dots in music.

One of the key things about music and being a musician is being able to know where the notes are that you hear in your head. This ability is what separates a beginner guitarist from an intermediate guitarist.

In today’s episode, I give you a little way of testing your aural skills. I play a little riff and set you the challenge of trying to work it out by ear. It’s as simple as starting out by finding the first note. I’ll also give you some advice on how to work stuff out without just randomly trying to guess the notes.

This episode will help you learn how to work stuff out by ear and improve your aural skills, which will help you enjoy your playing more!

You can get more tips, advice, and a powerful new free eBook on the 13 Ways to Escape the Acoustic Asylum from me, Dan Thorpe, by joining the email list here – https://acousticasylum.com/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep49 – How to Never Forget Anything You Love to Play on Guitar

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 11:26:50 -0300

Have you ever learnt something on the guitar, enjoyed it, but then later on… forgotten all about it?

…You’ve spent all that time learning it, only to not play it again, and then, of course, you have to spend time re-learning it. That’s the sort of madness that would make the malevolent Gatekeeper of the Acoustic Asylum proud.

Well, today I want to show you a simple plan to help you so you never forget to practise the things you love. As well as that, I’m sharing a story about Led Zeppelin getting lost in Iceland, why some folk should not try to be too organised, and how I started learning guitar with a dusty old book in pre-internet times (and how that was a good thing in some ways).

It’s a fun episode with my tips as well as me talking about various guitar styles such as acoustic, blues, rock, classical, Travis picking, fingerpicking, and even flamenco guitar!

You can get more tips, advice, and a powerful new free eBook on the 13 Ways to Escape the Acoustic Asylum from me, Dan Thorpe, by joining the email list here – https://acousticasylum.com/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep48 – My Guitar Hero

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 13:40:54 -0300

This week’s episode is all about a guitar hero of mine, Kurt Cobain, who passed away thirty years ago, on April 5th.

I have many guitar heroes, people like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, James Taylor, Chet Atkins, and so many more, but Kurt Cobain was one of my favourites. He was in the band Nirvana and he was only 27 years old when he died. In this episode, I talk about my own discovery of Nirvana and Kurt Cobain, and I also talk about the album Nevermind. Nirvana did some really cool stuff, including some amazing covers, and you could see the direction they were heading in before Kurt died.

Kurt Cobain was a really underrated guitar player. A lot of people have tried to teach or recreate his solos, but unsuccessfully. He was a student of classic music, which showed in his playing. Whether or not you’re a Nirvana fan, I think there is a lot to appreciate listening to Kurt’s music. Sometimes it’s good to look back at your early guitar heroes who made you passionate about music.

This episode is all about guitar heroes and the journey of discovering music.

You can get more tips, advice, and a powerful new free eBook on the 13 Ways to Escape the Acoustic Asylum from me, Dan Thorpe, by joining the email list here – https://acousticasylum.com/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep47 – The “3D Method” of Fingerstyle Arrangements

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 14:36:58 -0300

Let’s talk fingerstyle arrangements.

There’s a secret to playing fingerstyle arrangements… Especially ones that sound great, but aren’t painstaking to learn.

In this episode, I’m sharing with you these secrets all broken down into three simple steps.

You’ll discover some key advice the great guitarist, George Benson, once shared on a TV show called Guitar Star.

Plus, I talk about what you can do today to start making more progress on the guitar, why listening to very experienced guitarists may not be such a good thing…

…And you’ll get to hear my brand new and exciting Travis picking arrangement of “You’ve Got to Walk That Lonesome Valley”, which I hope will bring a smile to your face today.

This episode will help you learn how to play fingerstyle arrangements and have more fun on the guitar.

You can get more tips, advice, and a powerful free eBook called 13 Ways to Escape the Acoustic Asylum from me, Dan Thorpe, by joining the email list here – https://acousticasylum.com/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep46 – One Lick, Endless Fun!

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 20:04:31 -0300

Today, I want to talk about licks and the importance of having just ONE powerful lick in your tool belt.

So many people want to teach you dozens of licks, sometimes more... but the problem is, many licks don't work... at least not in a practical setting. That's why having one lick you can use, jam, and mould into different forms is super powerful. In this episode, I take one of my favourite simple licks and give you multiple examples of how to jam it.

Plus, I share with you a secret of why treating lead guitar like rhythm guitar is super important and some words of wisdom from the great Tommy Emmanuel… And stick around till the end where I tell you all about some tips from my brand new spiral-bound book, The Six String Lifer's Handbook.

This episode will help you learn how to have one lick you can jam with and develop.

You can get more tips, advice, and a powerful new free eBook on the 13 Ways to Escape the Acoustic Asylum from me, Dan Thorpe, by joining the email list here – https://acousticasylum.com/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep45 – A Tone Test

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 12:29:06 -0400

This week’s episode is all about a little tone test I’m doing on three different acoustic guitars.

It’s really important to find a guitar that suits you and inspires you to pick up the guitar every day. One of the best ways to choose a guitar is to try out several guitars and do a little tone test on them. In today’s episode, I’m showing you how to do this by doing a little tone test of three of my acoustic guitars so that you can hear the difference.

We look at the importance of trying out different styles of playing on the guitar to get a feel for the tone and to be able to see how it fits your style of playing and what you are looking for. I do a quick bit of strumming and play some blues on each of the guitars, which highlights the differences in tone of the three acoustic guitars. I also give some tips and advice on what type of pieces and how many to play when trying out a guitar.

This episode will help you learn how to do a tone test when trying out different guitars.

You can get more tips, advice, and a powerful new free eBook on the 13 Ways to Escape the Acoustic Asylum from me, Dan Thorpe, by joining the email list here – https://acousticasylum.com/

Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!