Guitar Archives | Page 10 of 33

Strumming pattern – The Stand

By Andy@Musicademy | September 8, 2011

Taken from Hillsong United, this is another common and useful pattern for moving a slower song along. It fits nicely with the changing accents in the rhythm of the melody too. Just be careful not to make it your only default strumming pattern for slow songs. Other posts you might like: Our archive of strumming […]

Ask the expert – why so many 16th note picking patterns?

By Andy@Musicademy | August 1, 2011

Kathleen Trissel emails: “Does the Intermediate Acoustic Guitar Box set utilize 8th note strumming patterns, and not all 16th note patterns? It seems all the patterns I’ve seen are 16th note patterns. I have a default strumming pattern, d d u u d u, that I always fall into. Also, do you cover combining finger picking and […]

Capos – a crutch for lesser guitar players or a stylistic tool?

By Andy@Musicademy | July 22, 2011

We had some customer feedback recently which we’d like to share with you: “When I purchased the Intermediate Electric Guitar DVDs it was because you advertised it as being a good way for an acoustic player to make a transition to electric. I have played acoustic for years and I have always used a CAPO […]

Pedaltrain Mini – downsizing my rig

By Andy@Musicademy | July 1, 2011

Of late I’ve been talking a bit downsizing and portable-izing (is that a new word?) my guitar rig. This is partly because I can’t be bothered to lug big heavy stuff anymore, partly because I’m trying in vain to get it all on my motorcycle (yes really!) and partly because I think so many dream […]

Gear Confessional – my pedal rig (for those who care!)

By Andy@Musicademy | June 7, 2011

I’ve started to downsize my rig lately. Partly because a) I can’t be bothered with multiple trips to the car, b) lots of amp and pedal companies are starting to cotton on to the convenience factor of smaller more portable gear, c) I sometimes take my rig on my motorbike (seriously!) and d. I think […]

Strumming Pattern – Hungry, Kathryn Scott (Vineyard)

By Andy@Musicademy | May 31, 2011

Here is a strumming pattern for Hungry which I’ve taken from the original Vineyard UK album, Hungry. This strumming pattern closely follows the original drum groove at the top of the song.

Ask the Expert – finger pain when picking

By Andy@Musicademy | May 23, 2011

Tony emails a medical question: I have a very puzzling question. I have been playing guitar for around 10 years and alternate picking is one of my strengths. I generally pick pretty hard and hold the pick at a grip of 6.5 if 10 being a death grip. Just last night when playing at moderate speed […]

Review of the Intermediate Electric Worship Guitar Course in Worship Leader Magazine

By Andy@Musicademy | May 5, 2011

Worship Leader Magazine have given a great review to our new Intermediate Electric Worship Guitar Course DVDs. Here is the review in full: Virtually every church has some sort of worship team/band these days – sometimes a different team (or teams) for each different venue or age group. In the old days, all you needed […]

Strumming Pattern – Our God Saves by Paul Baloche

By Andy@Musicademy |

Here is a strumming pattern to Our God Saves which I’ve taken from the original Paul Baloche version. Again another syncopated pattern similar to some of Paul Baloche’s other songs. This works well with the very U2 esque lead guitar dotted 8ths part on the album.

Strumming Pattern – Agnus Dei

By Andy@Musicademy | April 25, 2011

I’ve taken this version of Agnus Dei from Michael W Smith’s album Worship. There is no acoustic guitar in the version per se but this will work if you are leading worship on guitar. The pattern itself is refreshingly different and provides a sense of rolling consistency as the accents on the beats change in […]