Simon Morel

Gigging guitarist/guitar teacher. Lessons in person/online and video lessons at Patreon & YT. Gigs with Soul, Ska and Funk bands all over Australia.

Close-up of fingertips pressing down on steel acoustic guitar strings on a fretboard

How to Stop Guitar Finger Pain (Without Quitting)

How to Deal with Sore Fingertips When Learning Guitar Every guitarist goes through a phase where their fingertips feel tender, bruised, or downright raw. If you are experiencing guitar finger pain, know that it is completely normal and entirely temporary. Your fingers simply need time to adapt to pressing metal strings against wood. The good

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Home guitar practice rig showing a tube amp, UA OX Amp Top Box, Rodecaster Pro 2, and Roland monitors set up on a sit-stand desk

Building a Guitar Practice Rig You’ll Actually Use

Most home practice setups fail before you even pick up the guitar — too much friction, too many cables, too much faffing before you’re actually playing. Here’s the exact signal chain I use, from amp to interface to Audacity, plus the setup details and practice techniques that turn recording software into one of the most useful tools in your rig.

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Frustrated adult beginner guitarist sitting with guitar feeling stuck on a playing plateau

How to Break Through a Guitar Plateau (When You Feel Stuck)

Hitting a guitar plateau does not mean you lack musical talent. Instead, it simply indicates that your current practice routine has served its purpose. By separating casual playing from structured practice and replacing vague goals with micro-milestones, you can break out of the open-chord bubble and reignite your progress.

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Fender Stratocaster Fretboard

Guitar Music Theory for Adults: Unlock the Fretboard Easily

Practical Fretboard Logic: The 20% of Theory That Unlocks 80% of the Neck Many adult beginners believe that learning music theory requires years of boring academic study. However, standard textbook theory is often completely impractical for everyday guitar playing. As a result, many adults give up and rely entirely on static chord charts. Fortunately, practical

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Playing Acoustic guitar

“I Have Bad Rhythm”: How Adult Beginners Can Master Strumming Timing

“I Have Bad Rhythm”: How Adult Beginners Can Master Strumming Timing Many adult beginners firmly believe that they were born with terrible musical timing. However, rhythm is not an innate genetic gift that you either have or lack. Instead, rhythm is a trainable physical habit built through correct muscle movement. As a result, anyone can

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Electric or Acoustic - how to choose the right option for you

Should You Switch From Acoustic to Electric Guitar? A Guide for Adult Beginners

“I’ve been learning on an acoustic guitar. Should I try electric instead?” It’s one of the most common questions I get from adult students in my studio, and the short answer is simple: yes, if it makes you excited to pick up the instrument. The longer answer depends on your musical goals, your lifestyle, and

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