The Acoustic Asylum

Ep81 – 9 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Learning Guitar!

I’ve learnt a massive amount over the years about playing and teaching guitar. In this episode, I’m sharing some of those key lessons with you …And specifically, the 9 things I wish I knew when I started learning guitar!
 
This includes the importance of strumming patterns, a story about how my best friend helped me massively in the early days (and why you shouldn’t learn on your own)… Plus, the power of the capo, why you need to be kind to yourself on your journey, and so much more! In short, these little tips cover many of the subtle things that make a big difference!
 
If you enjoyed this episode, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course, which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/
 
Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep80 – Pushing Yourself Out of Your Guitar-Playing Comfort Zone!

I’ve just come home from an amazing family holiday in Cornwall. While there, me and my son, Archie (who is 8) were in the sea, at a waterpark, and we had an afternoon on a giant inflatable water slide. I was very much out of my comfort zone.
 
One thing I urge guitarists to do is get out of their comfort zone every now and then. It’s not easy, but jamming with others, recording yourself, performing – it all makes such a difference to your long-term success.
 
…But you do have to be careful. In this episode, I’m sharing plenty of tips on how to stay resilient, make improvements, and keep motivated when you do. It’s a must-listen if you want to make more progress on the guitar and have more fun.
 
If you enjoyed this episode, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/
 
Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!
 

Ep79 – Key Lessons from a Student’s Crazy Experience of Taking Guitar Lessons

In this episode, we are talking about the crazy world of guitar tuition. In particular, I am sharing a little story from Katherine about her experience of learning guitar with an in-person tutor.
 
Not only are we covering Katherine’s story but I talk about the problem with a lot of guitar tuition, why the “surface level” information many people teach is a waste of time and money, and how a good guitar teacher can help you fix your playing issues. In short, this is the good, the bad, and the ugly of guitar tuition. Of course, there are many great teachers out there but always remember, not all guitar teachers are made equal. I hope this is an eye-opening podcast and you enjoy it.
 
If you enjoyed this episode, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course which will help all beginners, intermediates and those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/
 
Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep78 – Superhuman Strumming!

Today we are talking about the two big issues that most people struggle with when it comes to strumming, the hurdles that many people face, and of course, solutions to help you have more fun strumming your guitar today!
 
That’s because this week, I am releasing my brand-new course called, Superhuman Strumming – it’s a lot of fun and it’s all about giving you the tools and techniques to play real music, spice up your songs, and have a lot of strumming fun starting today.
 
If you enjoyed this episode, you can find out more about the course and the limited-time discounts and bonuses here -  https://fingerpickingfun.com/strumming
 
Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep77 – A Legendary Olympian’s Inspiration in Mastering the Art and Craft of Guitar

As it’s the Olympics at the moment, I want to share with you a powerful little story from one of Great Britain’s greatest-ever Olympians – the legendary Daley Thompson.
 
After struggling on his path to defending his gold medal in the 1984 Olympics, Daley had a pivotal moment during the discus event… and that moment is one that will live long in the memory of anyone watching.
There are two key takeaways from that special moment that all of us guitarists can apply. Listen today, be inspired, and find out how to apply Daley’s lessons to your playing so you can be the best guitarist you can be!
 
If you enjoyed this episode, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course which will help all beginners, intermediates, and those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/
Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep76 – The Art and Science of Writing Songs (How to Get Started)

Is songwriting an art? Is it a science? Well, you tell me.
Personally, I see it as both. In this episode, I’m sharing a simple process with you on how to create some lovely music of your own. Everyone should write a song in their lifetime and anyone can do it!
 
Big thanks to my student, Larry, for inspiring this episode with the brilliant song he wrote for his wife on their 50th wedding anniversary.
 
If you enjoyed this episode, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course, which will help all beginners, intermediates, and those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/
 
Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep75 – Mastering the Last 5% of a Song on the Guitar

If you’ve ever got to the point where you can play a song on your guitar to near perfection, but you make frequent errors at various points… this episode is for you.
Inside we are taking a look at the TWO key things that could be the cause of your issues. Not only that, I also give you some bits of advice to help you play your songs better. Plus, I even share one of the potentially most embarrassing moments in my musical life where I was on stage playing a gig with my band… and I forgot the parts!
If you enjoyed this episode, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course which will help all beginners, intermediates, and those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/
Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep74 – How to Escape the Hell of Constantly Plucking the Wrong Strings!

A lot of guitarists find it extremely frustrating when they pluck the wrong strings!
I know I used to. In this short episode, I’m giving you a few tips to help.
One thing you must remember is that you need good technique and muscle memory. Without the technique, you’ll just build bad guitar playing habits… but if you use precise technique, you’ll find it far easier to end this frustrating feeling… and that’s exactly what we are talking about today!
If you enjoyed this, don’t forget you can get my two exclusive free eBooks today... Including The Guitar Doctor (which will help you fix 35 terrible habits) and The Super Mini Songbook (teaching you stunning songs in unique ways). Get them both for free at - https://fingerstyle101.com/free/
Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep73 – My Three Most Influential Guitar Books (And a Shocking Fact About Most Books)

My studio room is full of books. Not all of them are great, but in each, there is something I’ve learnt, even from the books that aren’t that great!
 
Well, today, I’m talking about three books I’ve used a lot over the years. They’re not perfect, but they are great and they’ve had a big influence on me. The books range from classical guitar to advanced guitar and songwriting!
 
For more help from me, until the 1st of July 2024, you can join my Academy. Enrolment will close after that for a while and you can find out more about the academy here - https://fingerstyle101.com/academy/
 
Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Ep72 – Six of Your Most Common Guitar Questions Answered

I get asked a LOT of questions when it comes to learning guitar. I love to answer them but don’t always get the time to answer everyone’s questions. So today, I thought I’d share some of the most commonly asked questions I get and give you… my answers.
 
We’re talking about how many scales you should learn on guitar, how to move around the fretboard, which guitar teachers I recommend, and if people like Justin Sandercoe and Jamie Andreas are good (honest answers inside)… Plus a whole lot more (including a reference to the awesome character The Riddler from the Batman movies, haha).
 
If you enjoy this podcast and want more help from me, you’ll be pleased to know the Dan Thorpe Acoustic Academy is now open for enrolment for a short while. You get a whole lot of bonuses posted to you just for trying it out and you can find out more about it here - https://fingerstyle101.com/academy/
 
Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!