ArtistWorks Blog

Yesterday, we published nine brand new online guitar lessons to Jared James Nichols’ blues rock guitar course at ArtistWorks.

Last week, we published two brand new online banjo lessons to Tony Trischka’s bluegrass banjo course at ArtistWorks.

Improvisation is at the heart of jazz piano, allowing pianists to express their individuality and creativity in real time. But for many jazz pianists, mastering improvisation can feel like a daunting task. With the right approach and practice, however, any pianist can unlock their improvisational potential. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned musician, here are the top five essential improvisation techniques every jazz pianist should know.

On Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 1:00 pm PT / 4:00 pm ET, ArtistWorks will host a free virtual live-streamed event featuring fingerstyle jazz guitar master and our newest ArtistWorks instructor, Sean McGowan.

We are absolutely ecstatic to announce that our newest course, “Fingerstyle Jazz Guitar with Sean McGowan,” is officially here! As of 9 am PT, the course is officially live and open to all students.

The banjo is an iconic instrument in bluegrass music, and mastering its unique sound often begins with understanding its tuning. While the standard G tuning is widely used, exploring alternate banjo tunings can open up a world of new sounds and creative possibilities. In this blog, we’ll delve into the various banjo tunings that are popular in bluegrass music, how they influence the sound of your playing, and how you can incorporate them into your practice routine.

The mandolin is a staple in bluegrass music, known for its bright, punchy tone and rapid, percussive strumming. But beyond its technical brilliance, what truly brings the mandolin to life in bluegrass is the dynamic expression a player can infuse into their playing. Mastering mandolin dynamics allows you to convey emotion, build intensity, and create engaging musical narratives, making your playing resonate with listeners. In this blog, we'll explore key techniques to play with expression on the mandolin, especially within the bluegrass genre, and why learning from masters like Sierra Hull and Mike Marshall can elevate your skills.

Embracing the Evolution of Bluegrass BanjoBluegrass banjo is known for its high-energy, driving rhythms and intricate fingerpicking patterns. While traditional techniques and songs form the backbone of bluegrass music, modern players are increasingly incorporating non-traditional techniques to add a fresh, creative edge to their playing. In this blog, we’ll explore how you can expand your bluegrass banjo repertoire with innovative approaches, and we’ll highlight some of the best resources available to learn from the masters, such as Tony Trischka, Noam Pikelny, and Alison Brown.