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...
Student Profile: Jesse Peery
Student Profile: Jesse Peery

Jesse Peery has been building things his entire life, first while growing up on his family’s East Tennessee farm and later as a mechanical engineer. But there’s always more to learn about what makes things work, which is what led him to Guitar Craft Academy. "I enjoy...

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Practicing Tip from Ryan Madora: Self-Motivation
Practicing Tip from Ryan Madora: Self-Motivation

The most difficult part about practicing is physically sitting down to do it. We all have obligations, work, families, and social engagements that easily get in the way. Suddenly, another week goes by without any progress. I think it’s important to figure out how to...

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Student Spotlight: Brandt Jewell
Student Spotlight: Brandt Jewell

Brandt Jewell jokes that he's the black sheep of his family. Although his family members aren’t musical at all, he says he found himself drawn to guitar from an early age. After hearing an iPod commercial featuring the U2 song “Vertigo,” Brandt decided he wanted...

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How to Repair a Back Bowed Guitar Neck
How to Repair a Back Bowed Guitar Neck

(Mark Lacey is an instructor at Guitar Craft Academy Nashville and the owner of Lacey Guitars.) What Causes a Guitar Neck to Back Bow? Ideally, a guitar neck should have a small amount of forward relief, approximately 0.008 inch, so that the strings won’t...

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