Ask Brendan is a seldom updated column where Guitar Educator, Brendan Burns, answers questions about music and the pursuit of Understanding and Mastering the guitar. Chord Inversions (Tiny Triads) August 2008 Q: I have been playing the guitar for 4 or 5 years.  I’m self taught and can’t read music (except tabs).  Typically, I get [...]

I’ve added all of my old “Ask Brendan” Columns to this blog for posterity and better organization. Over the next few days I’m going to re-read them and see how they hold up. Some of them are close to 4 years old. I’m curious to see how I thought of things back then. Click on [...]

Ask Brendan is a monthly column where Guitar Educator, Brendan Burns, answers questions about music and the pursuit of Understanding and Mastering the guitar. ————————- Where’s My Pick? April 04 Q: Sometimes when I’m playing my guitar, my pick falls into the guitar. Is there a particular or proper way to retrieve the pick? B: [...]

Ask Brendan is a monthly column where Guitar Educator, Brendan Burns, answers questions about music and the pursuit of Understanding and Mastering the guitar. Associating Information February 04 Q: I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed with the information I’m learning. I’m learning a lot of good tools for the guitar and theory in general, but I [...]

Ask Brendan is a monthly column where Guitar Educator, Brendan Burns, answers questions about music and the pursuit of Understanding and Mastering the guitar. Understanding the Guitar Checklist January 04 Q: I’ve been playing guitar for 8 years now, and I’m a little stuck with my playing. I’m not really sure what I need or [...]

Ask Brendan is a monthly column where Guitar Educator, Brendan Burns, answers questions about music and the pursuit of Understanding and Mastering the guitar. Jazz Chords December 03 Q: I’m an intermediate rock guitar player. I’ve been playing for 3 years. Is there anything you can suggest to get started with playing jazz? I don’t [...]

Ask Brendan is a monthly column where Guitar Educator, Brendan Burns, answers questions about music and the pursuit of Understanding and Mastering the guitar. What is a Guitar? November 03 Q: I’ve been playing piano for 5 years and a friend just recently gave me a guitar. I was wondering if you could help me [...]

Ask Brendan is a monthly column where Guitar Educator, Brendan Burns, answers questions about music and the pursuit of Understanding and Mastering the guitar. Over The Rainbow- Solo Guitar October 03 Q: Last month you showcased an easy Solo Guitar arrangement for “Amazing Grace.” Do you have any other Solo Guitar arrangements that would be [...]

Ask Brendan is a monthly column where Guitar Educator, Brendan Burns, answers questions about music and the pursuit of Understanding and Mastering the guitar. Amazing Grace – Solo Guitar September 03 Q: I am a beginning guitarist and I like your Solo Guitar music. Is there any Solo Guitar music you can suggest for someone [...]

Ask Brendan is a monthly column where Guitar Educator, Brendan Burns, answers questions about music and the pursuit of Understanding and Mastering the guitar. Blues & Scale Tones August 03 Q: Brendan, I’m a little stuck in my Blues playing. I’ve been playing mostly chord tones and tensions the past few years and I feel [...]