Tips For Guitar Playing Success
Learn how to quickly boost your guitar playing skills with these easy tips, tricks and helpful hints from successful guitarist, instructor, author and producer, Marlene Hutchinson. Known for her popular Learn to Play Guitar in a Day! program, as seen by millions on PBS, and featured on NPR and CBS, Marlene has a wonderfully simple way of helping you move through your challenges and advance your guitar playing skills.
Episodes
Planning a trip? Take your guitar along for the ride—it's fun to play wherever your travels take you! In this episode, Marlene talks about her own guitar travel experiences, along with her tips and tricks so your beloved instrument arrives in tip top shape and ready to be played!
Road Trip Guitar Advice episode Airplane Travel with Your Guitar episode How to Play 3 Cool Vacation Themed Songs episode
Start Your Free 7-day Yo-Guitar ...
In honor of Earth Day (April 22), this is the perfect time to learn more about tonewoods—the beautiful and essential woods used in acoustic guitar construction.
In this episode, Marlene explores a variety of wood species and explains why only certain ones are suitable for crafting acoustic guitars. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation for how these materials shape both the sound and sustainability of your instrument.
Episode Link Marl...
April is International Guitar Month—and what better time to celebrate our beloved instrument!
In this week’s episode, Marlene shares 7 fun and inspiring ideas to honor all things guitar. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, these simple ideas will help you reconnect with your instrument and keep the joy of playing alive all month long.
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Tax season rolls around every year, so instead of dreading it, why not make it a little more enjoyable?
In this episode, Marlene shares five songs with a tax-related theme—just for fun… and to make your time more enjoyable—and, hopefully, a little less taxing!
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Join our Guitar Tips Community! Don't miss out, our next jam session is April 15th!
Tis the season to celebrate Passover and Easter—and no matter which one you observe, music is a meaningful way to make the occasion even more memorable.
In today's episode, I’m sharing a selection of Easter and Passover-themed songs that you can start playing right away. Whether you’re gathering with family or simply enjoying the spirit of the season, these tunes will help set the perfect tone!
Past episodes Marlene mentioned: Pete...
March is Women’s History Month, and we’re celebrating by shining a spotlight on three legendary women who helped redefine guitar music.
In this episode, Marlene dives into the stories, innovations, and lasting impact of Bonnie Raitt, Nancy Wilson, and Joni Mitchell.
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Join our Guitar Tips Community! Don't miss out, our next jam session is April 15th!
Spring cleaning isn’t just for your house—it’s great for your guitar too!
In this episode, Marlene walks you through 8 practical steps to clean, polish, and inspect your guitar so it stays in great condition and ready for your next jam session.
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Join our Guitar Tips Community! Don't miss out, our next jam session is April 15th!
Marlene's Guitar Courses & Learning Resources Y...
Luck o' the Irish!☘️ In this episode, we explore more Irish songs to play on guitar. They're perfect for acoustic players looking to expand their Irish tune repertoire—especially with St. Patrick's Day just around the corner!
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Join our Guitar Tips Community! Don't miss out, our next jam session is March 18th!
Marlene's Guitar Courses & Learning Resources Yo-Guitar Video Librar...
Want to add some Irish flair to your guitar music for St. Patrick’s Day? Then this episode is for you!
In this episode, Marlene shares two traditional Irish tunes, explores their backstories, and offers her recommendations for bringing them to life on your guitar.
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Join our Guitar Tips Community! Don't miss out, our next jam session is March 18th!
Better posture. Less tension. Stronger voice.
In this episode, Marlene shares what’s inside a Heart and Throat Yo-Guitar video session, including heart-opening poses to release the upper body, improve breathing, and support healthy vocal function. A perfect reset for singers, speakers, and guitarists alike.
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Join our Guitar Tips Community! Don't miss out, our next jam session is M...
Acoustic guitar TLC (tender loving care) is essential for keeping your instrument playable, healthy, and enjoyable for years to come.
In this episode, Marlene shares fundamental care tips, practical recommendations, and simple hacks to help you protect and maintain your acoustic guitar.
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Join our Guitar Tips Community! Don't miss out, our next jam session is March 18th!
All You Need Is Love by The Beatles is a timeless classic and a perfect song to play on guitar. In this episode, Marlene walks you through how to play this feel-good favorite, breaking it down in a simple, guitar-friendly way. Afterall, love is all you need - and, well, a guitar!
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Join our Guitar Tips Community! Don't miss out, our next jam session is February 18th!
Love songs are a great addition to any guitar repertoire—especially with Valentine’s Day just around the corner! In this episode, Marlene shares three simple love songs you can easily learn and play on your guitar.
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Join our Guitar Tips Community! Don't miss out, our next jam session is February 18th!
Marlene's Guitar Courses & Learning Resources Yo-Guitar Video Library Learn ...
Fun fact: most people quit their New Year’s resolutions by the second Friday in January, but that doesn't have to be you. In this episode, Marlene walks you through how to check in on your guitar resolution progress and make adjustments (if needed) so you can keep moving forward—because you’ve still got 11 months to reach your goals!
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Building on last week’s episode, Marlene dives deeper into how to maximize your practice time, covering what to play and how to use your time more effectively.
Here arethe links for the previous episodes Marlene talked about! Maximizing Your Practice Sessions Tension Relieving Exercises for Guitarists 6 Exercises to Improve Finger Strength & Dexterity
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Practice builds habits—and habits make better guitar players. In this episode, I break down 6 simple steps to create a practice routine that works for you and your life.
Here's the April 2020 episode link Marlene talked about!
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Join our Guitar Tips Community! Don't miss out, our next jam session is January 21st!
Marlene's Guitar Courses & Learning Resources Yo-Guitar Video Lib...
It’s easy to set a guitar playing goal—but reaching it is another story.
In this episode, I reveal the secret to achieving your guitar resolutions, share a real example, and walk you through a simple process to set and reach your own guitar playing goals.
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Join our Guitar Tips Community! Don't miss out, our next jam session is January 21st!
Happy New Year!🎉 The start of a new year is the perfect time to set a new guitar-playing goal and focus on meaningful progress.
In this episode, I share 15 guitar-learning ideas to help you shape a realistic and motivating guitar goal for 2026. Choose one of these ideas—or create your own—and make sure it’s realistic and achievable for you over the next 365 days!
This episode originally aired on 4/16/20
Playing the traditional New Year’s Eve song Auld Lang Syne at midnight can add a special vibe to your celebration. It’s easy to play, which makes it perfect for getting creative.
In this episode, Marlene demonstrates three different rhythm patterns you can try with this classic three-chord song. She also shares a bit of the song’s background, so tune in and get ready for your New Year’s Eve gig!
This episode originally aired on 12/...
Christmas songs are a joy to play, and even more fun when you get creative with them! In this episode, Marlene will walk you through three unique patterns that combine strumming AND drumming techniques to use while playing The Little Drummer Boy. So tune in and discover how to bring an extra layer of rhythm and creativity to this holiday favorite!
This episode originally aired on 12/10/24
Be Your Own Drummer episode
YouTube: Marle...
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