The Steve Stine Podcast
The Steve Stine Podcast is about more than just music — it’s about life, faith, and finding meaning in the everyday. Join Steve as he shares honest stories from decades of experience as a musician, educator, husband, father, and believer navigating the highs and lows of life. Each episode offers heartfelt conversations about purpose, spirituality, personal growth, and staying inspired — even when life gets messy or uncertain. Whether you’re picking up a guitar, walking through a season of change, or just looking for encouragement to keep going, you’ll find something here to lift your spirit. With special guests, personal reflections, and real-world insights, this podcast is for anyone seeking a deeper connection to their creativity, their calling, and their faith.
Episodes
Want a soloing shortcut that actually sounds bigger, bolder, and more musical? We break down a simple three-string shape in A—5-7-8 across the third, second, and first strings—and turn it into patterns that inject rock grit into blues vocabulary. You’ll hear how one added color tone and the classic “blue note” open the door to fresh phrasing without leaving home base on the fifth fret.
We start by ...
Ever wonder if learning more music theory will actually make your playing better, or just add noise to your practice? We unpack the real value of theory for guitarists by separating the essential language—keys, diatonic chords, song form, and chord tones—from the advanced tools that only matter if they serve your goals. You’ll hear how to use theory to communicate fast in rehearsals and jams, improvise with...
Ever feel like your practice sessions are busy but not better? We dig into a simple, reliable way to turn scattered effort into musical progress by pairing long-term plays with short-term wins—and then slicing through both to make actual songs and solos. No fluff, just a clear path to move from shapes and theory to sound and feel.
We start by reframing what practice is for: long plays like clean pi...
We break down the hidden skills that make guitar progress stick: deep listening, patience, consistency, mindset, and confidence. Then we connect theory and fretboard knowledge to real musicality so you can play with certainty and stop getting lost in songs.
• multi‑level listening for chords, intervals, dynamics, and structure
• mapping songs mentally from intro to solo to breaks
• long‑ter...
One note can say everything—if you know how to shape it. We dig into the practical craft of turning scales and theory into expression by focusing on what we call vocal tools: bends, slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and vibrato. The thread running through it all is control. It’s not enough to know a technique exists; you have to own it so it lands with intention, confidence, and feel.
We start by refr...
Your solos don’t have to sound like scale drills. We dive into chord chasing—the practical way to switch your note choices with each chord—and show how a handful of smart targets can transform C–G–Am–F into a melodic story. Instead of sprinting across the fretboard, we stay in one position, highlight the notes that define each chord, and reveal how separate pentatonic shapes fuse into the full C major scale...
Want that gritty, blues-soaked lead tone that just works over almost anything? We walk through the simple logic behind the pentatonic scale and show how one movable shape can unlock both minor bite and major sweetness without drowning you in theory. Starting from the sixth string as your map, we find the root note you need, drop the classic first-position box, and get practical with clear fingerings that he...
Forget memorizing the entire fretboard at once. We start where it counts most: the sixth string, the low E. You’ll learn a practical map that turns guesswork into certainty by pairing the chromatic scale with the guitar’s visual cues. We break down the “BE” shortcut so half steps make sense, show how to lock F, G, A, B, C, D to odd-numbered frets, and explain why that single sequence instantly improves your...
What if your next gig felt clear before you even picked up the guitar? Steve walks through his complete prep system for tackling a massive score like Jesus Christ Superstar with a small ensemble and tight rehearsal window, turning complexity into confident, musical performance.
We start with bird’s-eye listening to map the architecture of each song—intros, verses, bridges, and drops—so the emotiona...
Stuck practicing the same riffs and wondering why your playing won’t budge? We dig into the real reasons progress stalls and share a step-by-step way to turn scattered effort into steady gains. This isn’t about buying another pedal or memorizing another scale shape. It’s about practicing with intention, tightening your groove, and building a system that exposes weaknesses, connects skills, and keeps you acc...
Tired of a stubborn pinky, tangled timing, and runs that fall apart when you speed up? We walk through a compact, repeatable practice plan that fixes the real causes of sloppy playing: uneven finger strength and poor synchronization between fretting and picking.
First, we break down a focused 20-second hammer-on and pull-off cycle that you can do anywhere on the neck. You’ll learn how to pair index...
What makes a guitar solo truly musical? Is it technical prowess, scale knowledge, or something deeper? In this revelatory exploration of improvisation, Steve Stine strips away the technical complexities to focus on what really matters: creating authentic guitar solos that respond to what the music is asking for.
Forget about simply memorizing more scales or arpeggios. Steve challenges the conventio...
Moving beyond scales in improvisation requires balancing technical knowledge with creative expression. We need to develop both our "guitar brain" and our "music brain" to create authentic musical moments.
• The guitar brain encompasses technical skills like scales, arpeggios, theory, and fretboard knowledge
• Most guitarists get overwhelmed practicing too many disconnected t...
Steve Stine shares seven essential tips for older adults beginning their guitar journey. The focus is on creating sustainable practice habits, maintaining physical comfort, and finding joy in the learning process regardless of age.
• Start simple and celebrate small wins to build confidence and motivation
• Practice in short, consistent sessions rather than overwhelming marathon sessions
• ...
What would a seasoned guitarist tell their younger self after decades of playing? Steve Stine from GuitarZoom Academy dives deep into this thought-provoking question, offering valuable insights for players at any stage of their journey.
Reflecting on his formative years, Steve expresses gratitude for his passionate dedication that developed strong technical abilities and ear training skills. Howeve...
Ever felt stuck in your guitar journey despite watching countless tutorials or taking sporadic lessons? Steve Stine unpacks a revolutionary approach to guitar education that's transforming how passionate players finally break through their plateaus.
The GuitarZoom Academy isn't another course or membership site—it's a dynamic learning ecosystem built on daily human connection. Unlike...
Steve Stine shares four practical methods to improve finger dexterity that can be practiced in short bursts throughout the day without overwhelming yourself. These focused exercises target specific skills with both hands while emphasizing quality over speed, helping you develop control and synchronicity between your fretting and picking techniques.
• The "20-second exercise" develops fret...
Two pivotal moments almost made me quit playing guitar – These challenges taught me valuable lessons about persistence, plateaus, and reconnecting with passion after difficult times.
• Progress isn't linear – plateaus are normal and require persistence
• Practice consistently but efficiently – "practice on the days that you eat"
• Balance learning new challenging skills with ...
What does it really take to build a sustainable career in music while maintaining your sanity and relationships? In this revealing episode, Steve Stine pulls back the curtain on his musical journey and sets the record straight about a common misconception.
"I do not own Guitar Zoom. I have never owned Guitar Zoom," Steve clarifies early in our conversation. Working for Dan Denley's c...
Setting up the proper mindset for guitar practice transforms how effectively you use your available time. We explore strategies to optimize practice sessions regardless of whether you have 20 minutes or 2 hours to play.
• Begin with a proper warm-up routine for both physical and mental preparation
• Develop core daily exercises combined with rotating weekly practice concepts
• Practice ment...
Popular Podcasts
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.