When most people start learning guitar, they usually want to do one thing as quickly as possible: play something that actually sounds like music. That’s why simple riffs can be such a great starting point. Before full chords, barre chords, or longer songs, a good riff can help beginners start building coordination in a way that feels fun and satisfying. You get to work on finger movement, timing, picking, and string crossing, but without the frustration of trying to change be

Jazz fusion can be a weird category. Depending on who you ask, it either means electric jazz with funk and rock influences , or basically anything with a Fender Rhodes and a backbeat . Some players use the word very loosely. Others act like there’s a strict fusion council handing out official approval stamps. So for this list, I wanted to take a practical approach. Instead of trying to define fusion in the most academic way possible, I’m focusing on tunes that the fusion worl

R&B has produced some of the most beautiful and memorable songs ever written. From smooth soul ballads to groove-heavy classics, this style of music has influenced everything from pop to funk to modern neo-soul. But here’s the good news for guitar players: many of the classic R&B songs are surprisingly simple to play. Unlike some rock or jazz tunes that rely on complex harmony or fast playing, a lot of R&B music focuses on feel, groove, and strong melodies . The chord progres

I think for most guitarists who start looking into scales, it can feel overwhelming, especially online. It looks like there are a bajillion scales . It’s hard to figure out where to start… and more importantly, why  you should even learn some of them. At the same time, maybe you’ve watched a great guitarist play something incredible and thought: “I wanna do THAT.” So in this post, I’m giving you 12 guitar scales you actually need. My criteria for a “needed” scale is simple: I

If you’ve been playing guitar for a while, there’s a good chance someone told you this at some point: “Just learn the CAGED system and the whole fretboard will open up.” And on paper, that sounds great. Five shapes. Connected across the neck. Suddenly, everything is “mapped.” But if you’re honest, you might also recognize this feeling: You know the shapes…You can move them around…But when it comes time to actually play music , you still feel stuck. So let’s get this out of th

If you play guitar, you’ve probably had this thought at least once: “I should probably learn how to read music…” Not because you want  to, but because it feels like something you’re supposed  to do. And if you haven’t learned yet, there’s often a quiet guilt attached to it. Like you’re missing some essential step. Like you’re not a “real” musician yet. So let’s clear this up early: Yes, it’s okay if you don’t learn how to read standard notation on guitar. And for many guitar

If you’re an anime fan and  a guitarist, welcome back. 😄 This is a follow-up to my first “5 anime songs you can play on the guitar” post — same idea, same format: 5 iconic (or sneakily awesome) anime picks , with performance videos + tabs  so you can actually learn them instead of just thinking about learning them . 👉 Haven’t read the first one yet? This post is a continuation of my original article, “5 Fun Anime Songs You Can Play on the Guitar.” If you want even more beg

Another wonderful group of guitarists just completed the Jam Session Workshop! Everyone was very new to the concept with "playing in a group", let alone improvising in front of other people! It was great to see everyone grow over the three classes. For this workshop, the great Daryl Baker joined us on drums at the end. A fantastic time as always! Check out the Jam Session Workshop page for info on how you can attend the next one! -R

If you’re an intermediate guitarist, you probably know this feeling: You can play a bunch of things. You’ve learned scales. Chords. Licks. Maybe even some theory. …but somehow you still feel stuck . And the worst part is: you’re practicing. You’re putting in time. So why doesn’t it feel like you’re getting better? Here’s the truth: Intermediate progress becomes quiet. Beginner progress is loud (new chords, first riffs, first songs). Intermediate progress is more like… the s

If you just started playing guitar and everything feels awkward… good. 😄 Not because you’re doing it wrong , but because the first few weeks are basically your hands learning a new language.  It’s clumsy at first, and then one day you realize you’re doing things that felt impossible two weeks ago. (And if you’re currently thinking “Wait… is it supposed  to feel this hard?”, I wrote a separate post about that here: “Is it normal for guitar to feel difficult at first?” ) Th

Your 2025 Ontario Guitar Studio recital performers! Once again we had the Ontario Guitar Studio Christmas recital, and it was a blast for everyone! The 2025 Ontario Guitar Studio Christmas Recital Program As always, we enjoyed performances of all genres from classical, Jazz, Funk, R&B, and rock. Ontario Guitar Studio recital stage It was held at the Noah Studio Takadanobaba location in the big C room. A great cozy space for performers and attendees. Performers of all ages we

So in this blog, I'd like to talk about a tune I get a lot of questions about from students in my lessons, which is Stevie Wonder's ...

A realistic guide for parents of beginner students So your child is starting guitar lessons. Awesome! Whether they begged for it or you...

Most players think they need more time  to get better. But in my experience teaching, that’s rarely the real problem. The issue isn’t...

So in today's blog, I wanted to share some words of wisdom and advice that have stuck with me and really helped me out in my life of...

We just finished our first jam workshop! It's been highly requested by my students, and was glad to finally put it on. This workshop is aimed at players in the higher beginner or intermediate levels who have knowledge of scales, chords, and some basic improvisation skills, but want to actually learn how to use these skills in an actual jam session setting. This workshop is was held over three 55 minute sessions containing all of the materials needed to properly "jam" with ot

Let’s be honest. Most of us have gone through a gear phase . You think, “If I just get that one pedal, that one pickup, or that one...

If you've ever recorded yourself playing guitar and thought, “Ugh… why does this sound so sloppy?” You're definitely not alone. Sloppiness isn’t about talent. It’s not even really about speed. Most of the time, it comes down to control —timing, tension, and consistency. The good news? These are all fixable . You’re probably just a few tweaks away from sounding way cleaner and more confident. Let’s dig in. 🎯 1. Timing Is Everything Sloppy playing is usually a timing issue f

So city pop has been making waves again in recent years — and if you’re a guitarist, you’re in the perfect spot to join the party. In...

A lot of students tell me they want to write original music. Which is awesome. But here’s what I’ve noticed: They often skip one of the...