Is it a Guitar, or is it a Boat?

Posted on July 20, 2010 | Leave a comment

Is it a guitar, or is it a boat?
Not a question you hear every day.
I got a big kick out of this video of a guy riding around
in a little boat that is also a giant guitar.
Or is it a big guitar that is also a little boat?
Singer/songwriter Josh Pyke has outdone himself with this little gem.
It’s really quite delightful and will put a grin on your face.
Grins are good.

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Posted in FUN STUFF

String Thing: Tune, Learn, Play. Repeat.

Posted on May 20, 2010 | 1 comment

Brand new edition of String Thing
just came out!
 String Thing is the official
 Getting Started With Guitar newsletter, filled with free lessons,
news flashes, interesting links,
and other goodies for guitar learners.
Grab the brand new issue here!

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Ride Along with Me to My Gig

Posted on May 10, 2010 | Leave a comment

It’s always fun to have some good company on the road,
so I’m inviting you to come with me on this gig.
Ready to go?

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Posted in FUN STUFF

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The Passion of a Six-Year-Old!

Posted on May 7, 2010 | 4 comments

Wow, was this amazing little girl BORN with the guitar in her hands??

I’ve never seen anything like it, have you?
How does this video make you feel?

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Posted in FUN STUFF

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Esoteric Songwriting Secret, Revealed!

Posted on April 28, 2010 | 1 comment

After you watch this hilarious video, grab your guitar and try this chord progression: / G / D / Em / C /

Let us know what you come up with.

Now, go be brilliant!

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Hello, New England! Live Concert w/ Lisa

Posted on April 12, 2010 | Leave a comment

Lisa McCormick performs in rare concert appearance, Saturday, May 8, 7:30 pm. Historic Claremont Opera House, Claremont, NH. Special “On Stage” seating in a classically restored vintage opera house, intimate cabaret setting. $15 Tickets: 603-542-4433, or online at ClaremontOperaHouse.com.

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Posted in NEWS

Happy Birthday to Me to You

Posted on April 2, 2010 | 3 comments


On the eve of my birthday, I am inspired to give presents! Here’s a brand new hot-off-the press song, “Levitate”, recorded on location hours after writing it. And if you happen to be inspired to try to learn to play it, you can download the lyrics and chords for free. Enjoy! Click Here for lyric sheet.

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Posted in Uncategorized

Learn to play an Irish jig!

Posted on March 10, 2010 | 2 comments

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone! Here’s a free guitar lesson and free tablature to help you learn to play a traditional Irish jig called “The Butterfly”.
Enjoy!
Special prize if you post your rendition on YouTube!
HERE’S THE FREE GUITAR LESSON
HERE’S THE FREE TABLATURE

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Posted in NOTES from LISA'S STUDIO

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A Very Sad Loss Today

Posted on February 28, 2010 | 2 comments

Today I mourn the loss of T-Bone Wolk, a dear friend and jaw-droppingly amazing musician. T-Bone passed away unexpectedly last night.

The most amazing and inspiring musician I have ever known, T-Bone was best known for his role as bassist for Hall & Oates, and the Saturday Night Live Band.

But the “Big Time” was only part of his musical life. A deep appreciator of sharing the love of making music, T-Bone championed a lucky handful of us “Smaller Time” singer-songwriters.

He was incredibly supportive and enthusiastic about my music, and working with him was nothing short of thrilling.

I was privileged to work with T-Bone on three of my CD’s, and one unforgettable live concert. And even more privileged to know him as a dear friend. Deeply kind, hilariously funny, tender and warm, and a rare precious musical talent, T-Bone will be dearly and terribly missed.

Rest in peace, my friend. And, thank you.

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At Seventeen

Posted on February 24, 2010 | 6 comments


I’m working on learning to play the song, “At Seventeen”, by Janis Ian, as I’m creating a tutorial of lessons on it to post on Guitar Tricks. It’s a beautiful guitar song, and I’m having a ton of fun poring over YouTube videos of Janis Ian at a wide variety of ages, playing the song on her acoustic guitar. This is how I learn to play it like she plays it.

Such an evocative song, it almost makes me squirm. Is this just a girls’ song? I don’t know. Guys, what do you think?

It is causing me to think about where I was at, at seventeen. What a time, what an age to be. I remember I used to sling my guitar onto my back (no case) and ride my bike across town to my friend Jeannie’s house, where we would sing Beatles songs for hours and scheme about how we were going to run away to Liverpool, England, locate Paul McCartney, and convince him to fall in love with us.

What’s wrong with this picture?

Anyway, I’d love to hear what Janis Ian’s “At Seventeen” brings up for you. Please respond and let me know your thoughts.

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Posted in NOTES from LISA'S STUDIO

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