I bet each and every member here at SAMI, beginner to advanced, has some tips, tricks and helpful ideas that they've come across in learning the guitar or music in general.

Let's  make this an interactive and continual blog that we all can contribute to.

   Examples of some topics may be, but aren't limited to;Practicing, getting a good sound, playing live/gigging, memorizing music, Creativity, Forming a band, Ear Training, Choosing a guitar, Guitar maintenance, Improvising, Safety, Reading music, Effects, Tuning, Auditions, Recording,

Try to limit your submissions to one paragraph if possible. I'll be compiling everyones tips and helpful hints to hopefully include as a feature of the SAMI site in the future.

I'll start! ;

#1:  Always bring extra strings, picks and amp fuses to a gig, session or audition. 

#2:  Pencil lead ( Graphite ) can help keep you in tune. Lift up each string and rub or scrape the graphite into the string slots in the nut. This will keep the strings from sticking and binding in the nut which is the primary cause of most tuning issues.

#3: If you have no electonic tuner available and need a note for reference to tune by ear, a dial tone on the phone is "A", 440hz. "A", the 5th string of the guitar is also 440hz. You can match your A to the dial tone and continue to tune the guitar relative to the A string.

 #4: Don't cut your fingernails the day of a gig, session or audition. You may cut them too short, which can be very painful when playing!

#5: Musicians commonly use superglue if they have a small cut or split fingertip. Keep some in your guitar case, it'll get you through the gig if you need it. 

 #6: If you want to use feedback as part of your style, try this; At sound check, test your overdrive sound and walk to all parts of the stage. Find the spots that help induce feedback and mark them with colored tape. This way you know just where to stand when you want some feedback!