The Acoustic Asylum

Ep41 – The Rules of The Asylum: Rule #10 – Float Like a Butterfly and Sting Like a Bee

This week’s episode is all about Rule #10 of the Acoustic Asylum. It’s based on a famous boxing quote that can be applied to guitar playing.
 
Today, we are looking at a famous old quote by Muhammad Ali, which is also rule #10 of the Acoustic Asylum. This is a very powerful rule and, in the episode, we go into depth looking at how you can apply it to your playing.
 
For most people, when they play guitar, their fingers are stiff and rigid, making playing painful. By remembering to let your fingers move around in a relaxed way, you can avoid all the tension. In the episode, I give you some tips on how to keep your fingers relaxed. We also look at how to keep your playing sounding powerful by using dynamics. Take a listen and learn these helpful tips!
 
This episode will help you to learn all about Rule #10 of the Asylum and how to apply it to your guitar playing.
 
You can get more tips, advice, and a powerful new free eBook on the 13 Ways to Escape the Acoustic Asylum from me, Dan Thorpe, by joining the email list here – https://acousticasylum.com/
 
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!

Ep40 – Fixing Your Guitar Playing Technique Like You’re Going Backwards Through Time

This week’s episode is all about a movie-inspired tip that will help your guitar playing. It’s about working your way backwards to find the root cause of an issue and fix it.
 
Today, we are looking at a super useful tip inspired by the movie Memento. It’s all about going backwards to check more than just the surface issue. Taking a look at more than just “fixing” your fingers when you play will help you have a whole-body approach to playing.
 
We tend to just focus on one thing, but in this episode, I talk about the importance of looking at the whole process. Everything from your seating position to your posture can affect your playing and your tone. Take a listen to discover more about this super useful tip that can help improve your playing.  
 
This episode will help you to start looking at the whole process when you are practising so you can have a whole-body approach to playing.  
 
You can get more tips, advice, and a powerful new free eBook on the 13 Ways to Escape the Acoustic Asylum from me, Dan Thorpe, by joining the email list here – https://acousticasylum.com/
 
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!

Ep39 – Pennywise the Clown, Resolution, and Facing Your Fears

This week’s episode is all about the famous character Pennywise the Clown from the horror movie It and how he can inspire you to be a better guitarist.  Today, we are looking at how to make 2024 the best year possible for you when it comes to playing guitar.
 
It’s a new year and a new start. It’s “go-time”, which means it’s the best time to take action and start the year committing to your guitar playing. To help you with that, today I am delving into Stephen King’s character Pennywise the clown and how his story can help you improve your guitar playing.  
 
One of the things we are talking about is the importance of resolution in playing music. Music is often about building tension and resolution. We also look at not giving up when learning, especially songs, and how choosing the right song is key. Finally, we look at facing your fears about guitar playing and overcoming them.
 
This episode will help you to understand the importance of tension and resolution in music, the importance of not giving up on what you’re learning, and facing your fears so you can enjoy practising and playing the guitar more.
 
You can get more tips, advice, and a powerful new free eBook on the 13 Ways to Escape the Acoustic Asylum from me, Dan Thorpe, by joining the email list here – https://acousticasylum.com/
 
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!

Ep38 – Merry Christmas and The Guitarist’s Nice and Naughty list of 2023

Merry Christmas! Today, let's dive into a celebration of festive joy. In this podcast I share some tips, advice, and the unveiling of the Nice and Naughty list of 2023.
On the Nice list, we honour the great musicians we lost this year. These include a diverse range from Tony Bennett, Burt Bacharach, David Crosby, Gordon Lightfoot, and the legendary Jeff Beck. I recall the awe-inspiring performance by Jeff at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club which left a powerful mark on me when I first embarked on my guitar teaching journey. Also on the Nice list is the incredible Jamie Andreas, the dedicated guitar teachers around the globe, and, of course, you! 
However, let's not overlook the Naughty list, where I candidly share a famous name who has earned a spot on my not-so-favourable roster.
We'll also delve into the enchanting realm of guitar-playing gifts, exploring both the thoughtful presents and the quirky offerings that our families love to surprise us with.
Beyond that, we'll take a glimpse into the future, discussing the exciting prospects awaiting us in 2024. I'll be sharing some cool stuff and insights, urging you to start contemplating and planning ahead for 2024 to ensure it becomes the absolute best year you can imagine!
You can get more tips, advice, and a powerful free eBook on the 13 Ways to Escape the Acoustic Asylum from me, Dan Thorpe, by joining the email list here – https://acousticasylum.com/
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!

Ep37 – Nostalgia, 10-Second Tips, and the Melody of Memories

This week’s episode is all about nostalgia and some powerful tips. Today, we are looking at some of the main 10-second tips I’ve shared over the years that can quickly and easily help you improve your playing.
 
I had a little trip down memory lane today, which inspired me to take a look at some of the tips I have shared over the years. I’ve been sharing 10-second tips in my emails for a while now, and I thought I’d select some of the most powerful ones to go over with you. These include tips such as, “The Magic Number 7”, “The Snowball Effect”, “The Power of the Breath”, “Finishing on a High”, and more.
 
These tips cover topics about memorising what you’re learning, looking back and forth at your hands when playing, the cumulative effect of being consistent with your practice, how to use a metronome, how to improve your weak pinky, and many more tips for different areas of your playing. Take a listen and apply these to start improving your guitar playing today.
 
This episode will help you to understand and apply these quick and powerful tips to your playing to make sure you can enjoy your guitar playing to the fullest.
 
You can get more tips, advice, and a powerful new free eBook on the 13 Ways to Escape the Acoustic Asylum from me, Dan Thorpe, by joining the email list here – https://acousticasylum.com/
 
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!

Ep36 – When the Gatekeeper Is Winning… (But How to Make Sure He NEVER Ends Your Guitar-Playing Dreams

This week’s episode is all about not letting negative thoughts win. Today, we are looking at how to overcome defeatist thinking and not give up on your guitar-playing dreams.
 
I’ve spoken about the Gatekeeper before in these podcasts, and today we are looking at what to do when he is winning. Over the years, I’ve heard people say things like “I wasn’t meant to play the guitar.” I always say anyone can play the guitar as long as they are physically able to play and mentally able to process the information.
 
However, the randomness of everything available to learn guitar can make it challenging, and it can be difficult to stay positive on the journey. So, I talk about how to avoid getting lost in this process, I also talk about a funny story of me getting into trouble at school for printing off dozens of pages of TAB. The guitar should be a source of joy and fun, and in this episode, I give you some tips and ideas on how to make sure you’re enjoying the journey.
 
This episode will help you learn how to stay persistent with your guitar dream, how not to give up, and keep improving on your guitar-playing journey.
 
You can get more tips, advice, and a powerful new free eBook on the 13 Ways to Escape the Acoustic Asylum from me, Dan Thorpe, by joining the email list here – https://acousticasylum.com/
 
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!

Ep35 – Winter Warm-Up Rituals for When Your Fingers Feel as Cold as the “Gatekeeper’s” Icy Heart

This week’s episode is all about warm-ups. Today, we are looking at tips that will help you warm up your hands before you play.
 
There’s nothing worse than trying to play with cold hands. This can be frustrating, painful, and can even lead to injuries. It’s especially challenging in wintertime when it’s freezing cold outside. It’s important to get your hands and fingers warmed up to a decent temperature. To help you do this, I give you some useful warm-up tips to get the blood flowing in your fingers.
 
In addition to preventing injury, warm-ups also help you to get the most out of your guitar practice. In today’s episode, I talk about the different issues that might come up when you dive straight into your practice without a warm-up. I talk about ways to avoid the “Death Grip”, strumming mistakes, and other bad habits taught by the “Gatekeeper” of the Acoustic Asylum.
 
This episode will help you start every practice session with a warm-up so that you can get the most out of your guitar playing and avoid injury and pain.
 
You can get more tips, advice, and a powerful new free eBook on the 13 Ways to Escape the Acoustic Asylum from me, Dan Thorpe, by joining the email list here – https://acousticasylum.com/
 
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!

Ep34 – The Strings of Gratitude, and Three Things I’m Grateful for (Including the “Gatekeeper” Himself)

 This week’s episode is all about gratitude and the power of gratitude. Today, we are looking at thankfulness as a guitarist, how gratitude can make people happier, and more.
 
Gratitude is a powerful thing. Being grateful can help you be happier, physically healthier, and feel more optimistic about the future. The guitar can be a frustrating instrument, but focusing on gratitude can help you improve your attitude toward your guitar playing. Every time you overcome a little hurdle, remember to celebrate it and be grateful, even if it’s something small, like being able to play a chord.
 
In today’s episode, I talk about how writing down what you’re grateful for can help you on your guitar journey, I talk about three things I’m grateful for, a trip I took that made me fall in love with music, and more.
 
This episode will help you realise the power of gratitude, the importance of celebrating when you overcome little hurdles, and how to look forward with positivity.
 
You can get more tips, advice, and a powerful new free eBook on the 13 Ways to Escape the Acoustic Asylum from me, Dan Thorpe, by joining the email list here – https://acousticasylum.com/
 
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!
 

Ep33 – Unveiling a Christmas Surprise and the Musical Magic of ‘No Chord Fingerstyle’

This week’s episode is all about the musical magic of the ‘No Chord Fingerstyle’ method and Christmas songs. Today, we are looking at the main reasons why you should learn a couple of Christmas songs and how you can do this.
 
Apart from the wonderful joy and cheer of being able to play a Christmas carol, it’s also a great way of measuring your progress each year when Christmas rolls around. It can be hard sometimes to see your progress day-to-day, but dusting off the old Christmas songs is a great way of seeing how far you’ve come.
 
In today’s episode, I talk about what Christmas songs to learn and how to learn them, the benefits of measuring your progress, where to start if you’re a beginner, and how to “embellish” your Christmas tunes if you can already play them. I also talk about the histories of some famous Christmas songs, the new course I’m releasing called Christmas Crackers, and I’ll play a little medley of the songs in the course for you. To round off the episode, I reveal “The Gatekeeper’s” favourite Christmas song, so take a listen to find out which one it is.
 
This episode will help you realise the benefits of tracking your progress, how Christmas carols can help you do this, and where to start if you want to learn some holiday tunes.
 
You can get more tips, advice, and a powerful new free eBook on the 13 Ways to Escape the Acoustic Asylum from me, Dan Thorpe, by joining the email list here – https://acousticasylum.com/
 
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!
 

Ep32 – Why It’s Essential to Learn the Fretboard, Key Tips, and Common Mistakes

This week’s episode is all about the fretboard. Today, we are looking at learning the fretboard, which is the key to being a solid intermediate guitarist.
 
A lot of people struggle to learn the fretboard. In this episode, I talk about some of the mistakes people make, I give you some tips, and I talk about the massive benefits of mastering the fretboard to keep you motivated to learn the fretboard. Learning the fretboard will allow you to navigate it smoothly, it will make your playing more accurate, it will allow you to transpose your music, and so much more.
 
The key thing about mastering the fretboard is that it allows you to play with confidence, which will improve your tone and overall playing. Knowing the fretboard will also help you bring music to life and have fun while playing. In the episode, I also talk about some of the common mistakes guitarists make when learning the fretboard and some tips to avoid making them.
 
This episode will help you realise the importance of knowing the fretboard. It will allow you to apply your theory knowledge into practice, become a more confident guitarist, and enjoy playing more.  
 
You can get more tips, advice, and a powerful new free eBook on the 13 Ways to Escape the Acoustic Asylum from me, Dan Thorpe, by joining the email list here – https://acousticasylum.com/
 
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!