Guitar Mojo Tip: learning songs - some people have asked me how do I get the songs to sound more like the original artists? Some people fake it with the wrong chords or a home made version they learned from a friend or many of the so-so YouTube version.

Here's my tip - look at 3-4 YouTube versions and see which ones are the closest but ... the best way is to go to the original artists and break down what they are doing - what tuning - what voicing - what's the little signature notes or accents that make the song. 

I usually spend 1/2 to 1 hour on a song - chart it out - double check it with the original artists or the best version and then you have it. If you take the time to practice it will pay off. Enjoy!

How to get paid acoustic gigs - solo or duo entertainer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27d1fo1VrM8&feature=c4-overview&list=UUO-7VjchnA5uiLW_8o-Jk5Q 

Well, here's what I do. Put together a video - have 30-50+ songs ready to go for a night. Email message facebook youtube any information over to the potential club owner or person on charge of music. Be nice and follow up - go in person and see them - drop off a business card or song list. Ask if you can book one night and go from there - do a good job and chances are they'll have you back. Best of luck ... now get out of the garage and go for it. Peace

Acoustic Guitar Finger Picking … Root/Fifth or (1-5 bass notes)

Form a G major chord (320003 or 320033) Take your right hand and put your thumb on the low sixth string (E) Then place your 1st finger – 3rd string (G)  2nd finger – 2nd string (B) 3rd finger 1st string (high E) last but not least rest and anchor your 4th finger or pinky on the pick guard just under the strings.  Now rock the low bass note G with the open D (called 1-5).   This is the G alternate bass picking found in many country and pop songs.  Repeat slow and work it up faster. Use a 1 on the down Low G then do a ( & a or up down) for the 1,2,3 fingers then alternate the D bass note.  Repeat back and forth G – D chucka G-D chucka.  The key is to keep the pinky planted and a steady beat.

You can use this technique for most all chord shapes but you need to alternate the bass notes (1-Root and 5-Fitfth) accordingly.  Example E – E&B, F - F&C, G - G&D, A – A&E, B -  B&F#, C – C&G, D – D&A

For more information – free lessons, charts and videos

http://www.acousticcoffeecovers.com/

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO-7VjchnA5uiLW_8o-Jk5Q

https://www.facebook.com/AcousticCoffeeCovers

Guitar Mojo: 4 tips for the beginning to intermediate player

1 - Mr. Steadie Eddie ... think like a train
A lot of acoustic players either just have one or two patterns they try to shoehorn into everything or if they do pick up on the groove their pattern changes randomly. Acoustic guitar is a rhythm instrument so the strumming pattern has to be rhythmically consistent with and utilize dynamics (loud and soft as needed) Practice with the recording or use a metronome or click track ... it really helps.

2 - Feed off the drummer ... find the beat of the song
Strumming patterns can imitate a drum groove. What's the accent beat 1 and 3, 2 and 4? Feel the groove and play the main beat louder the other beats softer. Muffle your right hand against the strings to add variation. Use bass notes as much as you can.

3 - Use power chords ... A, E & Drop D
Create open ringing sounds with cheat chords. Asus, Dsus, E chords up and down the neck and let the high b and e stay open. Utilize as many open strings as possible and learn some nice substitute chords that work well over basic chords. 

4 - Complement the other guitarists - use a Capo
If you are playing with more than one guitarist, play in different registers. Or if one is strumming have the other guy picking or playing higher chord voicings. Two acoustic guitars playing almost the same thing gets to muddy. Also learn to use a capo and play in another complimentary key - just transpose the chords as needed.