Derk’s Discoveries: Scott Nygaard Flies Again
By: Derk Richardson
September 24, 2022
On his new album, Flown South, the Peghead Nation co-founder and instructor exposes his jazz side
Joe K. Walsh and Scott Nygaard: “Dawg’s Waltz”
By: Dan Gabel
September 10, 2022
Peghead Nation mandolin and guitar instructors play a David Grisman and Jerry Garcia tune.
Stash Wyslouch: “Jonah”
By: Dan Gabel
September 7, 2022
The bluegrass guitarist, singer, songwriter, and new Peghead Nation instructor plays a traditional gospel song.
Tags: Flatpicking, Guitar
Derk’s Discoveries: Melodic Fingerstyle Guitar
By: Derk Richardson
August 23, 2022
Walter Strauss explores the melodies of iconic singer-songwriters.
Tags: Fingerstyle, Guitar
Santa Cruz Parabolic 12-String Set
By: Teja Gerken
August 10, 2022
The latest addition to Santa Cruz’s line of strings is a set for 12-string guitar.
Matt Munisteri: “April Kisses”
By: Dan Gabel
August 2, 2022
Peghead Nation’s Roots of Jazz Guitar instructor plays a solo version of the great Eddie Lang showpiece.
John Reischman and Scott Nygaard: “The Blackest Crow”
By: Dan Gabel
July 10, 2022
Mandolin master plays a Civil War-era tune that he also teaches in his Old-Time Mandolin course.
Hours of New Lessons Released for July 2022!
By: Dan Gabel
July 10, 2022
Explore new lessons, tunes, and techniques from Peghead Nation’s expert instructors.
Chris Luquette: City Suite for Two Guitars | Thompson Guitars
July 1, 2022
Flatpicking guitar virtuoso introduces his new album of guitar duets at the Thompson Guitars workshop.
Nate Fredrick: “Different Shade of Blue” | L.R. Baggs
By: LR Baggs
July 1, 2022
The Americana songwriter performs the title song from his debut album.
Billy Strings | Thompson Guitars
June 13, 2022
The flatpicking star visits Thompson Guitars' shop in Sisters, Oregon.
Watch the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Scott Nygaard’s “Dreamer’s Waltz”
By: Dan Gabel
June 4, 2022
Video Available | Peghead Nation instructor Flynn Cohen interviews our co-founder about his influential second solo album on the 25th Anniversary of its release.
Tags: Guitar
Now Available for Subscription | Creating Bluegrass and Roots Music Solos with Scott Nygaard
By: Dan Gabel
June 1, 2022
Learn how to turn scales and arpeggios into solos that sound great, whether you’re improvising or playing a composed solo.
Bluegrass Guitar Fingerboard Mastery with Stash Wyslouch Now Available | New Course!
By: Dan Gabel
June 1, 2022
Decode the mysteries of the guitar neck through the lens of bluegrass, old-time, and country music with this new course from guitar master Stash Wyslouch.
Scott Nygaard: “Where to Now?” | 25th Anniversary of “Dreamer’s Waltz”
By: Dan Gabel
May 23, 2022
Join us as we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Peghead Nation co-founder Scott Nygaard’s influential solo album, Wednesday, May 25 on Zoom.
Mr Sun: “Blackbird” | Peghead Nation Exclusive
By: Dan Gabel
May 15, 2022
The virtuosic four-piece showcases their playful arrangement of a Beatles classic, which they also recorded on their new album “Extrovert.”
New Lessons Released for May 2022
By: Dan Gabel
May 2, 2022
New tunes, techniques, and exercises just released in Peghead Nation courses.
A Celebration of Dreamer’s Waltz | Wednesday, May 25, 5 PM Pacific on Zoom
By: Dan Gabel
May 2, 2022
Peghead Nation instructor Flynn Cohen interviews our co-founder Scott Nygaard about his influential second solo release on the 25th Anniversary of its release.
Tags: Flatpicking, Guitar
New Lessons Released for April 2022
By: Dan Gabel
April 9, 2022
New tunes, techniques, and exercises just released in Peghead Nation courses.
Join Matt Munisteri and Aaron Weinstein at Red Hot Strings Workshop | May 25 – 29
By: Dan Gabel
April 8, 2022
Learn hot jazz, Western swing, and more with our jazz guitar and mandolin instructors in this wide-ranging workshop.
Learning by Ear with Lissa Schneckenburger Now Available!
By: Dan Gabel
April 1, 2022
Learn to pick up tunes on the fly and increase your ability to interact with your fellow musicians with fun ear-training exercises and practice, applicable to all instruments.
Collings AT-16 Varnish | Collings Guitars
By: Collings Guitars
March 24, 2022
Jazz guitarist Jim Kelly plays a stunning Collings 16-inch archtop at the Music Emporium.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Guitar
Bruce Molsky: “Boogie Woogie Dance”
By: Dan Gabel
March 24, 2022
Our Old-Time Fiddle and Old-Time Banjo instructor plays a fun tune off of his new all-guitar album.
Mr Sun: ”Farewell Trion”
By: Dan Gabel
March 11, 2022
The virtuosic string band plays an old-time favorite during the Wintergrass Festival.
New Lessons Released for March 2022
By: Dan Gabel
March 11, 2022
Hours of new tunes, techniques, and exercises just released in Peghead Nation courses.
Jacob Evan Doss | Huss & Dalton Guitars
By: Huss and Dalton
March 3, 2022
A tribute to a recently departed member of the Huss & Dalton Guitar family of artists.
Tags: Guitar, Huss and Dalton
Bruce Molsky: “Kom Hem” (Come Home)
By: Dan Gabel
February 21, 2022
Bruce Molsky plays a Swedish tune written by Kjell-Erik Eriksson, which Bruce recorded for his new guitar album “Everywhere You Go.”
Tags: Fingerstyle, Guitar
New Lessons Added for February 2022
By: Dan Gabel
February 2, 2022
Hours of new tunes, techniques, and exercises just released in Peghead Nation courses.
Mike Witcher and Scott Nygaard: “Little Rabbit”
By: Dan Gabel
January 11, 2022
Peghead Nation’s dobro instructor plays an old-time favorite with our co-founder and guitar instructor.
Matt Munisteri and Joe K. Walsh: “Kentucky Waltz”
By: Dan Gabel
January 4, 2022
Peghead Nation instructors play a jazz-infused duo version of a classic Bill Monroe waltz.
Register for Creating Bluegrass and Roots Music Solos with Scott Nygaard | 8-Session Zoom Workshop Series
By: Dan Gabel
December 22, 2021
Learn how to turn scales and arpeggios into solos that sound great, whether you’re improvising or playing a composed solo. Live Zoom sessions start January 18, 2022, 6 PM Pacific Time.
Jam on the Road with Brandy Clark | Martin Guitar
By: Martin Guitar
December 19, 2021
The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter performs two of her popular original songs for Martin’s Jam on the Road series.
California Bluegrass Reunion: “Suzanne’s Journey”
By: Dan Gabel
December 17, 2021
All-star band of Peghead Nation instructors Bill Evans, Chad Manning, Sharon Gilchrist, and John Reischman, along with Darol Anger and Jim Nunally, play one of John’s new original tunes.
Hours of New Lessons for December 2021
By: Dan Gabel
December 1, 2021
Watch video examples from some of the latest lessons from Peghead Nation’s Instructrors!
California Bluegrass Reunion: “Roll On Buddy, Roll On”
By: Dan Gabel
November 18, 2021
Powerhouse band of Peghead Nation instructors Bill Evans, Chad Manning, Sharon Gilchrist, and John Reischman, along with Darol Anger and Jim Nunally, play a bluegrass classic.
Tony McManus and Julia Toaspern: “Bonnie Jean”
By: Dan Gabel
November 10, 2021
Peghead Nation Celtic Guitar instructor sings and plays a Robert Burns song with fiddler Julia Toaspern.
Noctambule: “Murmuration”
By: Dan Gabel
November 5, 2021
Peghead Nation’s Irish Mandolin instructor and her duo partner play an original tune from their recently released album.
New Lessons Added for November 2021
By: Dan Gabel
November 5, 2021
Take a look at new the new lessons just released in Peghead Nation courses!
Mike Compton and Joe Newberry: “Singing As We Rise”
By: Dan Gabel
October 30, 2021
The old-time duo plays the Joe Newberry original that won IBMA’s Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year for 2012, live in the Peghead Nation studio.
Shop Tour | Bourgeois Guitars
October 8, 2021
A look inside the Bourgeois Guitars shop in Lewiston, Maine.
The Basics of Tonewoods | Martin Guitar
By: Martin Guitar
October 8, 2021
Craig Thatcher discusses how woods affect sound and demonstrates a range of Martin guitars.
Tags: Guitar, Martin Guitar
Steve Baughman: “Autumn in Azure”
By: teja@pegheadnation.com
October 5, 2021
Peghead Nation clawhammer guitar instructor plays a brand-new original tune.
Sierra Ferrell: “I’d Do It Again” | Thompson Guitars
September 29, 2021
The talented singer-songwriter plays an original song live in the Thompson Guitars shop.
Brittany Haas with Joe K. Walsh, Darol Anger, Missy Raines, Grant Gordy, and Ethan Setiawan: “Dry and Dusty”
By: Dan Gabel
September 15, 2021
Brittany Haas and an all-star band play a beautiful version of the popular Texas fiddle tune, live at the Great Lakes Music Camp 2019.
Santa Cruz Guitar Company’s 45th Anniversary String Special
September 13, 2021
Buy two sets of Santa Cruz Parabolic Tension Strings and get a third set free.
Tags: Guitar, Santa Cruz Guitars
Doug Young: “Sunbreak”
By: Teja Gerken
September 1, 2021
A beautiful original fingerstyle piece by Peghead Nation’s newest guitar instructor.
The Legendary Shubb Capo, Now in Gold
By: Shubb Capos
August 29, 2021
The Shubb Capo Royale’s high-tech titanium finish has all the beauty of real gold, but is incredibly durable.
Alternate Tunings Fingerstyle Guitar with Doug Young Now Available!
By: Dan Gabel
August 20, 2021
Learn to play fingerstyle guitar in dropped D, DADGAD, open G, and other tunings. Sign up for email updates about the course launch.
Tags: Fingerstyle, Guitar
John Reischman and Scott Nygaard: “Sarafina”
By: Dan Gabel
August 6, 2021
Mandolin master plays a new original tune that he recorded for his new album "New Time and Old Acoustic."
Hours of New Lessons and Tunes for August 2021
By: Dan Gabel
August 6, 2021
Take a look at new the new lessons just released in Peghead Nation courses!
John Reischman and the Slocan Ramblers: “Stoney Creek”
By: Dan Gabel
July 21, 2021
Our Melodic Mandolin Tunes instructor plays a bluegrass classic with the 2020 IBMA Momentum Band Award winners.
Win a Spot at Great Lakes Music Camp 2021
By: Dan Gabel
July 16, 2021
Enter to win a Weekend Camper package at this inspiring camp, with instructors including Peghead Nation’s Joe K. Walsh, Evie Ladin, Bill Evans, Bruce Molsky, Mike Compton, and Zoe Guigueno.
Molsky’s Mountain Drifters: “Across the Plains of Illinois”
By: Dan Gabel
July 16, 2021
Peghead Nation fiddle and banjo instructor plays and sings a great traditional song with his trio.
Joe K. Walsh, Jake Howard, Ethan Setiawan, Grant Gordy, and Darol Anger: “E.M.D.”
By: Dan Gabel
July 16, 2021
A smoking triple-mandolin version of David Grisman’s tune “E.M.D.,” recorded at the Great Lakes Music Camp 2019.
Now Available for Subscription! Swing Guitar Soling with Matt Munisteri
By: Dan Gabel
July 1, 2021
New course! Study classic swing solos from Charlie Christian, Louis Armstrong, Django Reinhardt, and Lester Young, and learn key guitar techniques that will help you create a voice of your own.
New Lessons Released for July 2021
By: Dan Gabel
July 1, 2021
Hours of new tunes and techniques to learn in Peghead Nation courses!
Mike Witcher: “Shenandoah”
By: Dan Gabel
June 28, 2021
Peghead Nation’s dobro instructor plays a beautiful version of the traditional folk favorite.
Molly Tuttle with Madison Cunningham: “Strong Enough” | Preston Thompson Guitars
By: Dan Gabel
June 24, 2021
The guitarist and songwriter plays a her Molly Tuttle signature model guitar on this cover of the Sheryl Crow hit.
Tags: Guitar, Preston Thompson
Shubb Capos | Roger Tallroth and Mike Marshall | “Forslund”
By: Shubb Capos
June 24, 2021
A pretty polska played on mandolin and octave mandolin by Väsen guitarist Roger Tallroth and Mike Marshall.
Mike Compton and Scott Nygaard: “Tall Timber”
By: Dan Gabel
June 23, 2021
Peghead Nation’s Monroe-Style Mandolin instructor plays a smoking version of a Bill Monroe classic with our co-founder.
New Lessons Released for June 2021
By: Dan Gabel
June 11, 2021
Great new tunes and techniques to learn in Peghead Nation courses.
Join the Porch Pride Beginner-Friendly Jam-Along with Luisa Lopez | Sunday, June 13
By: Dan Gabel
June 9, 2021
Peghead Nation is sponsoring Porch Pride 2021 and a special all-levels virtual jam.
Teja Gerken, Doug Young, Marla Fibish, and Bruce Victor: “Blind Mary/Cecily”
By: Teja Gerken
June 8, 2021
A guitar and mandolin quartet arrangement of the O’Carolan classic and an original tune.
Preston Thompson D-EIA | Trey Hensley
By: Dan Gabel
May 21, 2021
The flatpicking master demonstrates his brand new dreadnought from Thompson Guitars.
Tags: Guitar, Thompson Guitars
Hawktail: “Antilopen”
By: Dan Gabel
May 21, 2021
Peghead Nation fiddle instructor Brittany Haas plays a Swedish fiddle tune with her powerhouse garage band.
Mike Compton and Joe Newberry: “Last Chance”
By: Dan Gabel
May 15, 2021
Peghead Nation’s Monroe-Style Mandolin instructor and his duo partner play a classic banjo tune from Virginia old-time musician Hobart Smith.
New Lessons Just Released For May
By: Dan Gabel
May 3, 2021
Peghead Nation instructors have added new tunes and techniques for you to learn.
A Toye for Two Lutes
By: Teja Gerken
April 30, 2021
Teja Gerken and Flynn Cohen play a John Renbourn-inspired duet of a Renaissance lute piece.
Garrison, Gordy, Hargreaves, Walsh: “Sports”
By: Dan Gabel
April 23, 2021
Watch a video of an original song from “Bluegrass and the Abstract Truth,” with mandolin from Peghead Nation instructor Joe K. Walsh, and illustration by our banjo instructor Danny Barnes.
Marcy Marxer: “Autumn Leaves”
By: Dan Gabel
April 14, 2021
Peghead Nation’s ukulele instructor plays a beautiful arrangement of the popular jazz standard.
Tags: Guitar
Welcome to Peghead Nation | Site Tour
By: Dan Gabel
April 13, 2021
How to find your courses, lessons, My Account page, Play-Along Tracks, and more.
New Lessons Released for April 2021
By: Dan Gabel
April 7, 2021
Great new tunes and techniques to learn, plus a brand new Octave Mandolin course.
New Lessons and Tunes Added to Peghead Nation Courses | March 2021
By: Dan Gabel
March 1, 2021
Our instructors have added great new tunes and techniques that you can jump into right now.
Hawktail Concert: Back Porch Festival
By: Dan Gabel
February 10, 2021
Peghead Nation fiddle instructor and her progressive acoustic band perform a great live set.
Session Materials | Swing Guitar Soloing with Matt Munisteri
By: Dan Gabel
February 4, 2021
Watch video and download notation and tab for Matt Munisteri’s live workshop series.
Register for Matt Munisteri’s 8-session, live Swing Guitar Soloing Workshop
By: Dan Gabel
February 3, 2021
Study some classic swing guitar solos and begin to assemble a voice of your own. Video recordings available for each session to registered students.
New Lessons in the String School for January
By: Dan Gabel
January 10, 2021
Our instructors have released great new lessons, tunes, and techniques in our guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass courses.
John Reischman, Scott Nygaard, Sharon Gilchrist, Joe K. Walsh: “The Eighth of January”
By: Dan Gabel
January 8, 2021
A three-mandolin, one-guitar version of the popular fiddle tune, played by the instructors at the first Peghead Nation Mandolin Camp.
Inside the Huss and Dalton Shop | Huss and Dalton Guitars
By: Huss and Dalton
January 7, 2021
A video tour of the guitar and banjo maker's Staunton, Virginia, shop.
Tony Rice Lessons
By: Scott Nygaard
January 6, 2021
What I learned during nearly 50 years of listening to, watching, trying not to be influenced by, and studying the music of the great Tony Rice.
Tim O’Brien: “Grandma’s Hands” | Northfield Mandolins
December 23, 2020
The songwriter and multi-instrumentalist plays a Bill Withers song live at the Marshall Mandolin Summit.
Bruce Molsky Live | Elderly Instruments
December 23, 2020
Peghead Nation instructor and multi-instrumentalist performs for Elderly's Living Room Sessions.
Stevie Coyle: “Walking in the Air”
By: Dan Gabel
December 22, 2020
Peghead Nation’s Fingerstyle Guitar instructor plays his arrangement of the holiday favorite from the 1982 film “The Snowman.”
Tags: Fingerstyle, Guitar
Mike Compton and Scott Nygaard: “Bluegrass Special”
By: Dan Gabel
December 22, 2020
Peghead Nation mandolin and guitar instructors play classic Bill Monroe boogie-woogie tune.
Welcome, Peghead Nation Subscribers, to Your New Website!
By: Dan Gabel
December 1, 2020
Watch a walk-through video with information about how to log in, navigate through your courses, use the new features, and more.
Join Richard Hoover and Eric Skye of Santa Cruz Guitars on Facebook Live, Friday, December 11
By: Scott Nygaard
November 30, 2020
Peghead Nation hosts the Santa Cruz Guitars founder and one of their signature artists live on Facebook, Friday, December 11 at 3 PM Pacific Time, for a special conversation.
Watch Zoe Guigueno’s Concert and Songwriting Discussion
By: Scott Nygaard
November 19, 2020
Our Bass instructor celebrated her recent album “Secret Admirer” with a live concert and a look at how she wrote several of the songs.
Kenny and Amanda Smith | Collings Guitars
By: Collings Guitars
November 13, 2020
A duo performance of Gillian Welch's "Winter's Come and Gone"
Tags: Collings Guitars, Guitar
Molly Tuttle’s Signature Sinker Dreadnought | Preston Thompson Guitars
November 3, 2020
The guitarist, singer, and songwriter plays and talks about her beautiful new signature model guitar.
Tags: Guitar, Thompson Guitars
Doc Oliver: “Couldn’t Wait” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
October 22, 2020
Navy veteran and singer-songwriter performs an original song in the LR Baggs video studio.
Tags: Guitar, L.R. Baggs
Steve McCreary | Collings Guitars
By: Collings Guitars
October 22, 2020
Collings Guitars' general manager discusses the company's instruments and his own background on the Fretboard Journal podcast.
Flynn Cohen and Marla Fibish: “The Famous Ballymote” and “The Morning Star”
By: Dan Gabel
October 15, 2020
Peghead Nation’s Irish Backup Guitar instructor flatpicks a set of reels with our Irish Mandolin instructor.
Martin Guitar Museum Tour with Chris Martin | Part 3
By: Martin Guitar
October 13, 2020
The Martin Guitar CEO talks about the development of the dovetail neck joint, the switch from fan-bracing to X-bracing, and more.
Huss & Dalton Statesboro SC Classic
By: Huss and Dalton
October 13, 2020
Jeff Huss and Mark Dalton discuss their company's new electric guitar
Tags: Guitar, Huss and Dalton
Joe K. Walsh, Jake Howard, Ethan Setiawan, Grant Gordy, and Darol Anger: “Ricochet”
By: Dan Gabel
October 12, 2020
Joe K. Walsh gathered mandolin compatriots together with his Mr Sun bandmates for a fun take on David Grisman’s tune “Ricochet” at the Great Lakes Music Camp this fall.
Eric Skye “Chinquapin Hunting” | Santa Cruz Guitars
October 7, 2020
Eric Skye flatpicks the well-known fiddle tune on his Santa Cruz signature model.
Tags: Guitar, Santa Cruz Guitars
Preston Thompson D-EIA
By: Teja Gerken
October 7, 2020
A great rosewood dreadnought with a few custom touches.
New Tunes, Techniques, and Lessons Added for October
By: Dan Gabel
October 1, 2020
Our instructors have released great new lessons, tunes, and techniques in our guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass courses.
Jerry Douglas’ Stage Setup | Fishman
By: Fishman
September 30, 2020
Dobro star Jerry Douglas demonstrates how he uses his signature model Aura pedal and Fishman's TONEDEQ as part of his amplification rig.
Bonnie Susie Cleland | Lowden Guitars
By: Lowden Guitars
September 22, 2020
Zak Hobbs teaches his arrangement of "Bonnie Susie Cleland" for Lowden's Lockdown Lessons.
Bourgeois Guitars | Legacy Series 00/C Soloist
September 21, 2020
Guitarist Aaron Lefebvre demonstrates a 00/C Soloist built with Italian spruce and Brazilian rosewood.
James Nash: “Jack-A-Roe” | Doc Watson Tribute | Santa Cruz Guitars
September 17, 2020
The guitarist, singer, songwriter, and founding member of the Waybacks pays homage to Doc Watson with a medley of "Bright Sunny South" and “Jack-A-Roe,” a traditional song that became a mainstay of the Greatful Dead.
Tags: Guitar, Santa Cruz Guitars
The Updated Martin Guitar X Series
By: Martin Guitar
September 16, 2020
Durable and affordable without sacrificing tone, Martin’s X Series offers the legendary Martin tone, travel-friendly design, a comfortable feel, and great value.
Tags: Guitar, Martin Guitar
LR Baggs Voiceprint DI | Element VTC Demo
By: LR Baggs
September 16, 2020
LR Baggs‘ new Voiceprint DI pairs with their Acoustic Live smartphone app to capture your guitar’s one-of-a-kind voice.
Tags: Guitar, L.R. Baggs
Alice Howe | The Shubb Partial Capo as a Songwriter’s Tool
By: Shubb Capos
September 16, 2020
The songwriter talks about using a partial capo to open up new songwriting ideas.
Derk’s Discoveries: David Broza Celebrates the Spanish Guitar
By: Derk Richardson
September 12, 2020
The Israeli singer-songwriter makes a powerful statement--without words.
Tags: Guitar
Watch Matt Munisteri’s Jazz Guitar Workshop
By: Dan Gabel
September 11, 2020
Our Roots of Jazz Guitar instructor held a live workshop recently, answering questions from his students and giving a wide range of insightful tips. Watch the video here.
Thompson Masterpiece Series | Thompson Guitars
September 2, 2020
A look at a koi fish-themed Thompson Masterpiece guitar.
New Tunes, Techniques, and Lessons Added for September
By: Dan Gabel
September 2, 2020
Our instructors have released great new lessons, tunes, and techniques in our guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass courses.
Teja Gerken, Doug Young, Marla Fibish, and Bruce Victor: “Here Comes the Sun”
By: Dan Gabel
August 25, 2020
An acoustic quartet arrangement of the Beatles classic.
Martin Guitar Museum Tour with Chris Martin | Part 2
By: Martin Guitar
August 25, 2020
The Martin Guitar CEO talks about his family's settlement in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, and early Martin guitar designs.
Black Mountain Rag | Lowden Guitars
By: Lowden Guitars
August 20, 2020
Zak Hobbs teaches his arrangement of "Black Mountain Rag" for Lowden's Lockdown Lessons.
Using EQ | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
August 17, 2020
How to use EQ to enhance your amplified sound.
Tags: Guitar, L.R. Baggs
Charlie Rauh and Mark Goldenberg | Collings Guitars
By: Collings Guitars
August 14, 2020
Fingerstyle jazz guitarist Charlie Rauh performs an improvisation with Peghead Nation instructor Mark Goldenberg.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Guitar
Trifolium: “Sanctuary” | Muleskinner Instruments
By: Froggy Bottom
August 13, 2020
Froggy Bottom luthier and Muleskinner Instruments founder Andy Mueller plays a Muleskinner octave mandolin with his trio.
Steve Baughman: “Falls of Richmond”
By: Dan Gabel
August 11, 2020
Peghead Nation clawhammer guitar instructor plays an old-time fiddle tune.
Froggy Bottom Guitars | 5A Koa Model M
By: Froggy Bottom
August 10, 2020
Scott Ainslie plays "Coleman's March" in Open C tuning on a beautiful Froggy Bottom.
Eric Skye and Jamie Stillway | Santa Cruz Guitars
August 10, 2020
Eric Skye and Jamie Stillway play Skye's original "Kathryn By the Delaware"
Tags: Guitar, Santa Cruz Guitars
John Cruz Live Performance | Thompson Guitars
August 4, 2020
Slack-key guitarist plays "Missing You" on his Thompson Size 2.
New Tunes, Techniques, and Lessons Added for August
By: Dan Gabel
August 3, 2020
Our instructors have released great new lessons, tunes, and techniques in our guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass courses.
Open String Scales for Acoustic Guitar | Lowden Guitars
By: Lowden Guitars
July 31, 2020
Zak Hobbs teaches simple open-string scales for Lowden's Lockdown Lessons.
Bourgeois Guitars Behind the Scenes | Soundhole Sizes
July 30, 2020
Bourgeois Guitar's James Cook discusses the company's OM Large Soundhole.
Martin Guitar Museum Tour with Chris Martin | Part 1
By: Martin Guitar
July 29, 2020
The Martin Guitar CEO talks about the earliest days of the company and his family’s settling in the United States.
Watch Our Soloing and Improvising Workshop | Joe K. Walsh and Scott Nygaard
By: Dan Gabel
July 23, 2020
Our mandolin and guitar instructors talk about their unique approaches to improvising and field questions from their students in this 90-minute workshop.
Chad Manning and Scott Nygaard: “Whiskey Before Breakfast”
By: Dan Gabel
July 22, 2020
Peghead Nation instructors play a mandolin and guitar version of the jam-session favorite.
Sierra Hull: “Everybody’s Talking” | Bourgeois Guitars
July 16, 2020
The two-time IBMA mandolin player of the year performs an original song on her Bourgeois L-DBO guitar.
Laurie Lewis Live Performance | Thompson Guitars
July 15, 2020
The songwriter, singer, and guitarist took over the Thompson Guitars Facebook page to play a few songs on her Thompson OM-28.
Fishman ToneDEQ | How to Add Tremolo
By: Fishman
July 14, 2020
A look at the analog tremolo feature on Fishman’s powerful preamp EQ.
John Reischman, Sharon Gilchrist, and Scott Nygaard: “Midnight on the Water”
By: Dan Gabel
July 9, 2020
A beautiful performance of the bluegrass classic from the string trio, Harmonic Tone Revealers.
New Lessons Just Added to Peghead Nation for July
By: Dan Gabel
July 1, 2020
Our instructors have released great new lessons, tunes, and techniques in our guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass courses.
Amythyst Kiah: “Firewater” | Martin Museum Sessions
By: Martin Guitar
July 1, 2020
The songwriter and multi-instrumentalist performs an original song live in the Martin Museum, on a 1942 Martin D-45.
The Cactus Blossoms: “Downtown” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
June 30, 2020
Brothers Page Burkum and Jack Torrey play one of their original songs live in the LR Baggs studio.
Tags: Guitar, L.R. Baggs
Trey Hensley Live Performance | Thompson Guitars
June 30, 2020
The flatpicking master recently took over the Thompson Guitars Facebook page to play a song and talk about his Thompson dreadnought.
Lindsay Lou: Preston Thompson Guitars Facebook Live
June 18, 2020
The songwriter, singer, and multi-instrumentalist plays a live set from her home in Nashville, Tennessee.
Jonathan McReynolds: “People” | Martin Museum Sessions
By: Martin Guitar
June 17, 2020
The songwriter plays his original song, which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Music chart.
Richard Thompson: “Walking the Long Miles Home” | Lowden Guitars
By: Lowden Guitars
June 15, 2020
The master guitarist and songwriter performs a solo version of one of his songs, live at Ulster Hall in Belfast, Ireland.
American Aquarium: “Starts With You” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
June 14, 2020
The Americana band’s founder, BJ Barham, plays one of his original songs, accompanied on dobro by Neil Jones.
New Lessons Just Added to Peghead Nation for June
By: Dan Gabel
June 5, 2020
Kick-off your summer with new lessons, tunes, and techniques in our guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass courses.
Amythyst Kiah: “Black Myself” | Martin Museum Sessions
By: Martin Guitar
June 5, 2020
The songwriter and multi-instrumentalist performs her Grammy-nominated song live in the Martin Museum, on a 1942 Martin D-45.
Tré Burt: “The Real You” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
June 4, 2020
The guitarist and songwriter plays one of his original songs live at the LR Baggs studio.
Tags: Guitar, L.R. Baggs
John Fullbright: “When You’re Here” | Collings D1 ATS
By: Collings Guitars
June 3, 2020
The songwriter plays one of his original compositions at the Collings Guitar and Mandolin shop.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Guitar
Orville Johnson: “Salty Dog Blues”
By: Scott Nygaard
June 3, 2020
Peghead Nation’s fingerstyle blues instructor plays a Mississippi John Hurt–inspired version of the traditional song.
Allen Shadd and Glen Alexander: Preston Thompson Guitars Facebook Live
June 2, 2020
The 2019 Winfield Flatpicking champion plays his Thompson guitar with his friend and owner of The Violin Shoppe in Charlotte, North Carolina.
California Banjo Extravaganza: “Chinquapin Hunting”
By: Dan Gabel
May 30, 2020
A performance from a Peghead-packed band of Bill Evans, Sharon Gilchrist, Chad Manning, John Reischman, and Jim Nunally.
Small Town Therapy: “Ramona’s Waltz”
By: Dan Gabel
May 21, 2020
Adam Roszkiewicz and Leif Karlstrom play one of their original compositions from their first album.
Chris Luquette: “Red Haired Boy” | Preston Thompson Guitars
May 21, 2020
The guitarist plays one a traditional favorite with Maddie Whitler and Max Johnson, live in the Peghead Nation studio.
Kruger Brothers: “Beautiful Nothing”| Collings D1 T
By: Collings Guitars
May 19, 2020
The roots trio plays a one of their original compositions at the Collings Guitar and Mandolin shop.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Guitar
Lowden Guitars Presents “Stay at Home, Play at Home”
By: Lowden Guitars
May 6, 2020
The Northern Irish guitar maker launches a program of interactive lessons and performances, with a chance to win Lowden gift cards.
Tags: Guitar, Lowden Guitars
New Lessons Just Added to Peghead Nation for May
By: Dan Gabel
May 6, 2020
New lessons to keep your momentum going! Check out the lessons, tunes, and techniques to learn in our guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass courses.
John Reischman and Scott Nygaard: “In the Pines”
By: Dan Gabel
April 29, 2020
Two revealers of harmonic tone play a bluegrass classic.
George Lowden on Brazilian Rosewood
By: Lowden Guitars
April 28, 2020
The founder of Lowden Guitars talks about the beauty of the rare and regulated species.
Watch Stevie Coyle’s Fingerstyle Facebook Live Workshop
By: Dan Gabel
April 28, 2020
Peghead Nation’s Fingerstyle Guitar instructor spent an hour on our Facebook page recently, talking about all aspects of fingerstyle guitar. Watch the whole workshop here.
Molly Tuttle Debuts Her Signature Model Preston Thompson Guitar
April 27, 2020
Molly and her band play an original song featuring her powerful clawhammer guitar technique, live at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.
Matt Harlan: “What We Saw” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
April 16, 2020
The guitarist and songwriter plays one of his original songs live at the LR Baggs studio.
Tags: Guitar, L.R. Baggs
Martin Guitar | The SC-13 Origin Story
By: Martin Guitar
April 16, 2020
The designers of Martin’s innovative new acoustic-electric guitar talk about how the new concept, body shape, and neck joint came to fruition.
Chris Luquette: “Home to You” | Preston Thompson Guitars
April 16, 2020
The guitarist plays one of his original songs from his debut solo album, “The Way I View the World,” live at the Peghead Nation studio.
Richard Thompson: “One Door Opens” | Lowden Guitars
By: Lowden Guitars
April 14, 2020
The master guitarist and songwriter performs a solo version of one of his songs, live at Ulster Hall in Belfast, Ireland.
Molly Tuttle: “Take The Journey” | Preston Thompson Guitars
March 28, 2020
Molly and her band play an original song featuring her powerful clawhammer guitar technique, live at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.
Benjamin Scheuer | “Weather the Storm” | Froggy Bottom Guitars
By: Froggy Bottom
March 27, 2020
Songwriter Benjamin Scheuer plays an original song from his award-winning one-man, six-guitar show, THE LION.
“Wichita Lineman” | Lowden Guitars | Tasmanian Blackwood Series
By: Lowden Guitars
March 26, 2020
Pete Wallace and Colm McClean cover Glen Campbell’s Wichita Lineman, both playing new Lowden guitars.
LR Baggs Anthem
By: LR Baggs
March 20, 2020
The Award-winning Anthem series features the patented TRU•MIC technology and delivers the warmth and fidelity of a studio-mic’d guitar anywhere you perform.
Tags: Guitar, L.R. Baggs
Preston Thompson Guitars | Short Film from One Sky Films
March 20, 2020
Members of the Thompson Guitar crew talk about the heart and passion that goes into the instruments they make.
Chris “Critter” Eldridge: “Fair to Partly Cloudy” | Collings D2H A T S
By: Collings Guitars
March 14, 2020
The flatpicking master plays an original composition on a new Traditional series dreadnought.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Guitar
Derk’s Discoveries: Brothers from Another Planet
By: Derk Richardson
March 14, 2020
Guitarists Jim McAuley and Scot Ray inhabit a Second Earth. You should too.
Tags: Guitar
Billy Strings Gifts Signature Model Guitar to His Dad | Preston Thompson Guitars
March 9, 2020
The guitarist and songwriter surprises his father with the first Billy Strings signature model Thompson DBS-EIA.
New Lessons Just Added to Peghead Nation
By: Dan Gabel
March 5, 2020
What to do with all of that time? Check out the lessons, tunes, and techniques to learn in our guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass courses.
Join Flynn Cohen’s Facebook Live Event on St. Patrick’s Day
By: Dan Gabel
March 1, 2020
Our Irish Backup Guitar instructor is taking questions and talking about playing Irish music live on Facebook, Tuesday, March 17 at 6pm Eastern Time. Join us!
Bourgeois Guitars | Luthier’s Choice Custom “Jade Rabbit”
February 27, 2020
A striking L-DBO with bear claw Italian spruce, curly figured maple, and mother-of-pearl fingerboard.
Preston Thompson D-GA
By: Teja Gerken
February 24, 2020
An understated dreadnought built with granadillo and Adirondack spruce.
Joe K. Walsh and Scott Nygaard: “Watson’s Blues”
By: Dan Gabel
February 13, 2020
Peghead Nation mandolin and guitar instructors play a tune that Bill Monroe wrote and named after one of his favorite guitarists, Doc Watson.
Ethan Setiawan: “Josie-O” | Win a Muleskinner Mandolin
By: Froggy Bottom
February 13, 2020
The mandolinist from the band Corner House plays a beautiful Muleskinner Instruments A-style mandolin, which you can win in a raffle for the Chandler Center for the Arts.
Bourgeois Guitars | Legacy Series DS Custom | Andy Falco
February 12, 2020
The guitarist for the Infamous Stringdusters plays a beautiful 12-Fret dreadnought with a sinker redwood top and figured Cuban mahogany back and sides.
Doyle Dykes | Shubb Capos
By: Shubb Capos
February 10, 2020
The fingerstyle guitarist talks about Shubb Capos and shows his capo-drop move.
New Album from Marla Fibish
By: Dan Gabel
February 2, 2020
Peghead Nation’s Irish Mandolin instructor releases “The Bright Hollow Fog,” an album of beautiful solo and duo performances on mandolin and mandola.
Andrew Marlin with Eli West, Christian Sedelmyer, Clint Mullican: “Wooden Spoon Over by the Sink”
By: Dan Gabel
February 2, 2020
Andrew Marlin and his band plays an original tune from his instrumental album, “Buried in a Cape,” backstage at Terrapin Crossroads.
Derk’s Discoveries: Stunning Formations
By: Derk Richardson
January 31, 2020
The string quartet Hawktail soars above the New Acoustic Music plain.
Fishman PowerTap Infinity
By: Fishman
January 27, 2020
A look at the new Fishman pickup that combines the superior performance and tone of the Matrix Infinity undersaddle pickup system with a new soundboard body sensor.
LR Baggs Soundscape with Voiceprint Technology
By: LR Baggs
January 26, 2020
Soundscape measures the acoustic response of your guitar and leverages the processing power of your smartphone to accurately capture your guitar’s one-of-a-kind voice.
Tags: Guitar, L.R. Baggs
Hawktail: “Annbjørg”
By: Dan Gabel
January 10, 2020
Peghead Nation fiddle instructor Brittany Haas and her progressive acoustic band play an original tune from their new album, “Formations.”
Hours of New Lessons Just Added to Peghead Nation
By: Dan Gabel
January 8, 2020
The new year brings new tunes and techniques to learn on guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass.
“Scatter the Mud” and “The Mist on the Mountain” | Sean Og Graham & Niamh Dunne | Lowden Guitars
By: Lowden Guitars
January 6, 2020
The duo from the Irish folk band Beoga perform two Irish tunes with the Lowden O-25 45th Anniversary Limited Edition.
Tré Burt, “Franklin’s Tunnel” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
January 6, 2020
The guitarist and songwriter plays one of his original songs live at the LR Baggs studio.
Tags: Guitar, L.R. Baggs
Joe K. Walsh with Brittany Haas, Darol Anger, Missy Raines, and Grant Gordy: “Fiddler of Dooney”
By: Dan Gabel
January 2, 2020
Joe K. Walsh set a William Butler Yeats poem to music and plays it here with an all-star band, live at the Great Lakes Music Camp last fall.
Bourgeois Guitars | Trey Hensley
December 20, 2019
The guitarist performs on his new Bourgeois Slope D 35, with Rob Ickes.
Martin Guitar | Nick Offerman: “My Martin Story”
By: Martin Guitar
December 20, 2019
The guitarist known for his portrayal of Ron Swanson on “Parks and Recreation” talks about his love of Martin Guitars and his struggle with the B chord.
Derk’s Discoveries: Bruce Cockburn Is Speechless Again
By: Derk Richardson
December 20, 2019
On his new all-instrumental album, the 2017 Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee lets his guitars do the talking.
Tags: Fingerstyle, Guitar
Preston Thompson Guitars | Presented by One Sky Films
December 19, 2019
One Sky Films visited the Preston Thompson Guitars shop to film an upcoming video, and here is a taste of what they filmed, with music by Peter Rowan.
Chris Luquette: “Union Valley” | Preston Thompson Guitars
December 9, 2019
The guitarist plays an extended version of an original tune from his debut solo album, with mandolinist Maddie Witler and bassist Max Johnson.
Marcus King, “Remember” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
December 8, 2019
The guitarist and songwriter plays one of his original songs live at the LR Baggs studio.
Tags: Guitar, L.R. Baggs
Bourgeois Guitars | OMSC Fingerstyle Custom Redwood and Brazilian Rosewood
December 3, 2019
Guitarist Aaron Lefebvre demonstrates a beautiful new Bourgeois decked out with Brazilian rosewood, a beveled armrest, and a soundport.
Martin Guitar | Zandy Fitzgerald: “What Makes the World”
By: Martin Guitar
November 29, 2019
The guitarist for the pop/rock/soul band The New Respects plays a solo version of an original song live at Martin HQ.
Derk’s Discoveries: Que paso? “El Paso”—again.
By: Derk Richardson
November 27, 2019
The Carolyn Sills Combo revisits and reinvents the Marty Robbins classic.
Tags: Guitar, Songwriting
Lillie Mae, “Whole Blue Heart” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
November 21, 2019
The songwriter and her band play one of her originals from her latest album, “Other Girls.”
Tags: Guitar, L.R. Baggs
Billy Strings and Leftover Salmon: “Aquatic Hitchhiker” | Preston Thompson Guitars
November 14, 2019
An extended jam on the Americana band’s tune, live at the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival.
Shawn Colvin: “Trouble”| Collings C100 Custom
By: Collings Guitars
November 11, 2019
The songwriter performs one of her originals on her new custom Collings guitar.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Guitar
Martin Guitar | Repairing John Mayer’s OM28JM
By: Martin Guitar
November 7, 2019
Watch this mesmerizing video of John Mayer’s signature guitar getting an overhaul at the Martin factory.
Molly Tuttle and Billy Strings: “Sittin’ On Top of the World” | Preston Thompson Guitars
October 29, 2019
The two powerhouses play The Mississippi Sheiks song live at the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival.
John Reischman with Joe K. Walsh, Darol Anger, Missy Raines, and Hayes Griffin: “Salt Spring”
By: Dan Gabel
October 29, 2019
John Reischman plays one of his popular original tunes with an all-star band at the Great Lakes Music Camp this fall.
Kruger Brothers: “People Get Ready”| Collings D1 T
By: Collings Guitars
October 24, 2019
The roots trio plays a joyful version of the Curtis Mayfield classic live at the Collings Guitar and Mandolin shop.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Guitar
Preston Thompson 0000-SBA
By: Teja Gerken
October 21, 2019
A custom guitar built with “shipwreck” Brazilian rosewood.
Tags: Guitar, Preston Thompson
Bill and the Belles at IBMA | Fishman
By: Fishman
October 14, 2019
The country/Americana group plays a Jimmie Rodgers classic live in the Fishman and D’Addario showcase room at IBMA 2019.
Carolyn Sills Combo, “Feleena” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
October 11, 2019
The Western Swing group plays a song from their forthcoming album “Return to El Paso,” a celebration of the Marty Robbins hit song from 1959.
“Mary and the Soldier” | Sean Og Graham & Niamh Dunne | Lowden Guitars
By: Lowden Guitars
October 10, 2019
The duo from the Irish folk band Beoga perform a Paul Brady classic with the Lowden O-25 45th Anniversary Limited Edition.
Shubb Capos | Roger Tallroth | “The Pearl Polska”
By: Shubb Capos
October 1, 2019
Väsen guitarist Roger Tallroth plays a solo version of a haunting polska on an octave mandolin.
Thompson Guitars | Peter Rowan at RockyGrass 2019
September 19, 2019
A few minutes from the roots music icon’s set at the venerable festival.
Bourgeois Guitars | From the Breakroom
September 19, 2019
Watch a quick lunchtime jam from Steve and Rob, who work in the Bourgeois binding department!
Martin Guitar X Bracing
By: Martin Guitar
September 17, 2019
Chris Martin and others talk about the creation of the X-braced guitar and the structural and tonal benefits of the historic bracing pattern.
Gangstagrass, “Nickel and Dime Blues” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
September 3, 2019
The bluegrass/hip-hop band plays an original song live in the LR Baggs studio.
New Martin Modern Deluxe Series
By: Martin Guitar
September 3, 2019
Martin Guitar’s Fred Greene discusses the features and appointments on the new series that includes the D18, D28, OM28, and 00028.
Tags: Guitar, Martin Guitar
Joy Kills Sorrow: “Such Great Heights”
By: Dan Gabel
August 29, 2019
Peghead Nation welcomes our two newest instructors, Zoe Guigueno and Wes Corbett, who played together in the influential stringband Joy Kills Sorrow.
Thompson Guitars | Luke Lovejoy, RockyGrass 2019 Flatpick Champion
August 28, 2019
The winner of the prestigious guitar contest tries out his grand prize guitar, a Thompson D-MA dreadnought.
ToneWoodAmp | Andy McKee and Trevor Gordon Hall Hotel Duet
By: ToneWoodAmp
August 27, 2019
The two fingerstylists share a beautiful tune played with two ToneWoodAmps and captured on an iPhone.
Rodney Crowell: “Flatland Hillbillies” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
August 13, 2019
The songwriter plays an original from his new album “Texas,” live in the LR Baggs studio in Nashville.