One of the biggest questions I get asked is:
“How do I actually start getting gigs?”

Whether you're dreaming of playing in bands, backing artists, or even doing your own solo thing — getting your first few gigs can feel like trying to get into a club without a valid ID. (Although this isn't the only way to make money as a guitarist. Give this a read!)

But here’s the truth: you don’t need to be the best player in town — you just need to be good, prepared, and easy to work with.

Let’s break down how to get started, even if you're new to the scene.

1. Start Local and Small (That’s Not a Bad Thing)

Forget stadiums — your first few gigs might be:

• A local open mic night

• Backing someone else’s original set

• Filling in for a cover band

• Playing acoustic at a café

• Performing at a mate’s birthday or wedding

That’s all great. Gigs like these build your confidence, teach you how to play in front of people, and (this is key) start getting your name around.

2. L...

So, you want to be a professional guitarist? Nice. It’s a big goal — and yeah, it’s possible. But here’s something most people won’t tell you: you don’t need a music degree to make it. In fact, here's some pros and cons for studying guitar at university.

I know that might go against what your teacher, your parents, or the guy at your local music shop says… but I’ve been through the degree route and the real-world grind, and trust me — there’s more than one way to make this career happen.

Let’s break it down...

Do You Really Need a Music Degree?

Short answer? Not necessarily. 

Sure, music uni can be great for some things:

• You get structure, regular practice, and exposure to theory

• You’re surrounded by other musicians (which is motivating)

• You might even meet a few future collaborators

But here’s what they often don’t teach:

• How to get work

• How to network

• How to manage the business side of being a musician

• How to actually make money with

  ...

Let’s be honest — learning guitar online can feel like chasing your tail. One minute you’re watching a tutorial about barre chords, the next you're down a rabbit hole about alternate picking, and somehow you still can’t play that song you love without messing up halfway through. Is it actually possible to learn guitar online?

I’ve been there. The internet is full of lessons, tips, and “must-know” tricks… but knowing where to start — and what actually matters — is a whole different story.

Why Learning Guitar Online Feels So Confusing

There’s no shortage of free tutorials out there. YouTube alone could keep you busy for the rest of your life. But here’s the problem:

• There’s no clear learning path — Just scattered lessons with no real structure

• A lot of it is taught by people who’ve never worked in the music industry professionally

• And there’s no one to actually help you when you get stuck

Learning online can work. But if you want to make proper progress, you’v...

How Learning to Sight-Read Guitar Changed My Career (And Why You Should Start Now)

The Skill Most Guitarists Avoid

Sight-reading is one of those skills that most guitar players tend to dodge. It’s not often taught, and for many of us, TAB and our ears are the main go-to tools. That was definitely the case for me for years. I remember my music teachers saying a guitarist who could sight-read was worth their weight in gold — and as I got more serious about music, I understood why. Sight-reading on guitar is tough. Unlike piano, where each note has one clear place, the guitar lets you play the same note in multiple spots. Middle C can be played in at least two different places on the fretboard — and some notes appear in three!

It wasn’t something I took seriously early on. I avoided it for the same reasons many of us do — it’s intimidating, it feels slow, and honestly, I didn’t think I needed it. But when I decided I wanted to go professional, I knew I had to change that. If you wan...

Dorian vs. Mixolydian: Which Mode Should You Use in a Blues Solo?

When it comes to soloing over blues, most guitarists start with the pentatonic scale — and rightly so. It’s powerful, expressive, and easy to play. But what if you’re ready to go deeper? What if you want your solos to sound more colorful, more intentional, and more musical?

That’s where Dorian and Mixolydian come in.

In this post, I’ll break down what these two modes actually are, how they sound, and when you should use them in a blues solo. I’ll also show you how I personally approach this in real-world playing — no theory gatekeeping, just practical tools for making music. Oh! if you're not sure how you should be practicing scales like these, check out this guide on how to practice scales the smart way.

What Are Dorian and Mixolydian Modes?

Let’s strip away the jargon and keep it simple.

• Dorian mode is like a minor scale with a raised 6th.

• Mixolydian mode is like a major scale with a lowered 7th.

Ever hear a chord in a song that makes you go, “Whoa — where did that come from?” Chances are, you’ve just heard modal interchange in action.

In this post, I’m going to break down what modal interchange is, why it sounds so cool, and how you can start using it to spice up your own playing — whether you're writing, improvising, or arranging. No jargon, no gatekeeping. Just real-world musical tools.

If you’re still building your foundations, here’s a simple guide on how to learn guitar step by step that will make all of this much easier to apply.

What Is Modal Interchange (a.k.a. Borrowed Chords)?

Modal interchange is when you temporarily “borrow” chords from a parallel mode — that is, a mode with the same root note, but a different quality.

So if you’re in C major, you might borrow a chord from C minor, C Dorian, or C Phrygian — just for a moment — to add color and contrast.

These borrowed chords create unexpected emotional twists. They sound dramatic, rich, or mysterious — bec...