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adamharkus · 8 days
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WordPress plugins: A revaluation
With the advent of Google’s March update and chargeable stats for Jetpack, how can you re-optimise your WordPress plugins? Google’s March update was a kick in the teeth for many bloggers, and to add insult to injury, along came a chargeable model for Jetpack stats. My initial reaction was to bin Jetpack altogether, it’s bloatware after all, but after I calmed down, I had a re-think. Maybe it…
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adamharkus · 19 days
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Can I Teach Myself How To Play Guitar?
By Shawn Leonhardt for Guitar Tricks and 30 Day Singer Of course, you can! Many musicians have learned to play guitar and other instruments without formal guitar lessons. However, music is mimicry so we need some sort of guidance to make sure we are going in the right direction. Thanks to modern social media and technology it is possible to study music all on your own. Here are some tips and…
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adamharkus · 25 days
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Songwriting & Music Production: Looking back to move forwards
Why a lack of inspiration needn’t be a blocker to songwriting & music production. lately, I’ve been struggling to write and produce music. I have the odd idea here and there, but nothing like the volume of ideas I used to have. And no ideas equals nothing is produced, right? So what’s to be done? Remove all technical hurdles Firstly, I had a long, hard look over my recording setup: Garageband…
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adamharkus · 26 days
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Who was Jim Johnson?
On this Easter Sunday, my tribute to Jim Johnson. Who was Jim Johnson? Jim Johnson was born in 1926 and died in 2011. He was the founder of the North East Marine Karate Club in North Shields, England. I first met him in 2001, the day I first walked through the doors of the clubs and started my own Karate journey. For the next 10 years, he would inspire me to better myself, every single…
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adamharkus · 1 month
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5 ways to beat Google's March Update
Google’s March Update has caused a significant drop in traffic for many publishers. Here are 5 ways to beat it. What is Google’s March Update? Google’s March update goal is, in response to the advent of generative AI, to ensure searching suggests the best quality content possible, filtering out spam and AI-generated content. Full details here. 1. Page Speed & SEO Site performance, and in…
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adamharkus · 1 month
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Yamaha Revstar Review: 10 Reasons to Think Again
The Yamaha Revstar is, on paper, my ideal next guitar. But does it deliver on Yamaha’s promises? I’ve touched on the Yamaha Revstar and, in particular, the humbucker-equipped Yamaha Revstar RSS20 before. But now I’ve laid my hands on one,F do I still want to buy one? Not any more, and here are 10 reasons why. 1 – Electronics Small, non-CTS pots and a less-than-premium switch betray Yamaha’s…
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adamharkus · 1 month
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The Portuguese Guitar: A Melodic Journey through Lisbons Fado Culture
Nestled along the sun-kissed shores of the Tagus River, Lisbon beckons travellers with its rich tapestry of history culture and music. At the heart of this vibrant city lies a centuries-old tradition that captivates the soul of Fado music. Central to the haunting melodies of Fado is the enigmatic Portuguese guitar, a revered instrument that embodies the essence of Lisbon’s cultural heritage.…
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adamharkus · 1 month
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All About Slash Chords On Guitar
By Shawn Leonhardt for Guitar Tricks and 30 Day Singer If you do not have a great understanding of music theory then slash chords can seem complicated and strange. In reality though once you have some basic building blocks on scales and chords it is not too hard and a great tool for improvisation and melody building. A nice descending bass line in a tune can really turn it into something more!…
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adamharkus · 2 months
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Could this be the end of Blogging?
In recent weeks I’ve seen a significant downturn in traffic. What’s going on? Could this be the end of blogging? My blog is struggling, and a lack of traffic means decreased revenue needed to maintain the site. After my most successful year in 2023, 2024 has so far proved to be disappointing, to say the least. So what’s behind it? Generative AI? Why do we need humans to create content when…
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adamharkus · 2 months
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Bouncing Back: How Musicians Can Overcome Performance-Related Injuries
Honing your craft as a musician requires plenty of practice. You’ll need to spend plenty of long hours plucking strings, striking hi-hats, or blowing on the oboe.  Unfortunately, all this practice can lead to performance-related injuries. It’s all too easy to pick up a stress fracture or muscle imbalance in the lead-up to a big recital or a concert with your band.  Bouncing back after these…
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adamharkus · 2 months
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500 YouTube Subs
The Blogging Musician YouTube channel enriches my blog with video content. I’m now approaching 500 YouTube subs and over 50 videos. Check it out! As the content has expanded, I’ve broken down the following content categories into playlists. Check them out by clicking on the headings. Calling all readers! Help the channel get to 500 YouTube subs by subscribing here: Fender Stratocaster I’ve…
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adamharkus · 2 months
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How to Maximize Space in Your Small Home Studio Without Losing Sound Quality
We’re living at a time in which you have greater ability to be an independent recording artist than ever before. This isn’t just about having access to streaming services and social media so you can reach audiences. Recording equipment has become affordable to the point that renting studio space isn’t strictly necessary. With a little investment over time, you can produce great results from your…
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adamharkus · 2 months
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Can a 60-Year-Old Learn to Play Guitar?
Can you learn how to play guitar when you are older? Of course, you can! Life may change but there is always a chance to play music. Sometimes you just need to change your method, but mainly it is all about trying. As always if you want to accomplish anything you just need to work at it. It is possible to play guitar when you are 60 and this is how you approach it! Pros and Cons to Learning the…
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adamharkus · 2 months
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Valeton GP-200 Review
Is the Valeton GP-200 the best affordable guitar multi-fx you can buy? Check out my deep-dive into the amazing Valeton GP-200 Guitar Multi-Effects processor. Is it better than a BOSS ME-80? the new BOSS ME-90? A Line 6 POD Go? Valeton GP-200 Unboxing and first impressions Valeton GP-200 Review – The ideal Multi-FX for gigging guitarists? What’s your take on the Valeton GP-200 Multi-Effects…
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adamharkus · 3 months
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Real Guitar Amps vs Modelling
Has guitar amp modelling technology caught up or will nothing ever compete with the real guitar amp experience? I love guitar amps, valve guitar amps in particular, but recently I’ve delved into the world of modelling partly out of curiosity, partly out of trying to not be the traditionalist. How did that turn out? Well… Modelling amps aren’t the real thing We now live in an instant, just add…
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adamharkus · 3 months
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Mental Health Benefits of Music Lessons for Teens
As society grapples with the complexities of adolescent psychology, there’s a growing recognition of the unique challenges faced by this age group. From the pressures of academic performance to the tumultuous journey of self-discovery and social dynamics, teenagers navigate a labyrinth of experiences that significantly impact their mental health.  Music, an art form as old as humanity itself,…
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adamharkus · 3 months
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Should I buy a Yamaha Revstar?
After almost 4 years with my Fender Player Stratocaster, GAS has once-again crept in for something completely different. Should I buy a Yamaha Revstar? In my 30+ years of player the guitar, Yamaha has always been a brand that has proved solid and reliable. Having owned many a Pacifica, my FG850 acoustic has been a trusty and inspiration songwriting companion. In all those years, I’ve never been…
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