Blog

How to Improve Playing Speed: A Complete Guide for Musicians

Improving your playing speed as a guitarist can be frustrating at times, but rewarding in the end. It is a journey that combines practice, technique, and smart self-analysis. Whatever instrument you play,  becoming faster and cleaner takes commitment and the...

How to Know Your Guitar Frets Are Dying

Playing guitar should feel natural, with every note ringing clearly and smoothly. But sometimes, an unwanted buzz, muted note, or sudden loss of sustain interrupts the music. For many players, this points to one of the most frustrating problems: dying frets. These...

How to Clean an Acoustic Guitar

Cleaning your acoustic guitar helps preserve its sound and beauty for years to come. A clean, well-maintained instrument is easier to play and has a richer, more consistent tone. While consistent maintenance is important, the key to a beautiful instrument is using the...

The Science of Sound: How Does a Guitar Work?

The guitar is one of the most popular and versatile instruments in the world, found in nearly every genre of music from country and blues to rock and classical. But have you ever wondered how this six-stringed instrument actually produces sound? Whether you're a...

Why Do Guitars Lose Their Tune?

Your guitar is an intricately designed instrument that will provide the desired chords and tone when properly tuned. Unfortunately, as any musician knows all too well, there are times when even the most cherished instrument will fail to hold its tune properly. This can be the result of all sorts of issues. Here are some common reasons to consider that will cause your guitar to slip out of tune more often than it should.

Tools Needed to Build Your Own Guitar

Have you ever wondered what it takes to build your own guitar? Crafting an instrument from scratch is a blend of artistry, precision, and passion. Whether you’re a musician seeking a custom instrument or a beginner exploring the world of luthiery, the process starts...
Join our Summer Songwriters Club!
Join our Summer Songwriters Club!

There's no denying Michael Anderson's songwriting bona fides — he's penned tunes for Pam Tillis, John Fogerty and a slew of other notable artists. He became an instructor at Musicians Institute's Hollywood location in the early 2000s, and his Songwriting 101 class is...

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A Closer Look of Guitar Luthier Students at Work
A Closer Look of Guitar Luthier Students at Work

Even if it doesn't look like it from the outside of our Nashville facility, there's plenty of creative activity happening in our classrooms right now as our acoustic and electric craft students work steadily toward the completion of their project guitars. In just a...

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Faculty Spotlight: Dave Johnson (Video)
Faculty Spotlight: Dave Johnson (Video)

Dave Johnson, one of our instructors at Guitar Craft Academy Nashville, is a former accountant who switched careers after deciding he wanted to do something he was passionate about. He started Scale Model Guitars in 2003 and has never looked back. "I never have a...

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Iconic Guitars: the CF Martin OM
Iconic Guitars: the CF Martin OM

For the next installment in our ongoing series delving into the history of iconic guitar models, we spoke with Marty Lanham, owner of Nashville Guitar Company and an instructor at Guitar Craft Academy Nashville, about the CF Martin OM. Could you talk about the history...

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Graduate Profile: Colton Sipp (Video)
Graduate Profile: Colton Sipp (Video)

Alum Colton Sipp is on his way to becoming a luthier extraordinaire with his work at Novo Guitars. Hear about how his experience at Guitar Craft Academy Nashville prepared him for his career in luthiery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRt6QYjPCTo&t=117s

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