The Steve Stine Podcast

Gig-Ready: Build Your Guitar Emergency Kit

Send Steve a Text MessageShows fall apart for simple reasons: a dead tuner battery, a snapped string, a noisy cable. We decided to stop gambling with luck and build a compact guitar emergency kit that turns potential disasters into quick, quiet fixes. This episode is a practical, no-fluff walkthrough of the exact items that keep a set tight, your head calm, and the music flowing.We start with the non-negotiables: spare strings in your favorite gauges, a 10–20 pack of your most frequently broken single, and a fast restring setup with a winder-cutter and microfiber cloth. Then we layer in redundancy with a backup tuner and the batteries or charger it needs, so tuning is never the bottleneck. From there we tackle climate: string lubricants for glide, moisture-absorbing grip for humid nights, and a clean towel to reset your hands and fretboard when conditions get sticky or dry.Signal chain reliability is next. We stock two dependable instrument cables at 15–20 feet, a longer backup for larger stages, a couple of pedal patch leads, and one solid mic cable. If you sing, a personal vocal mic plus alcohol swabs keeps you healthy and confident. Power gets its own module: fresh 9V, AA, and AAA batteries for pedals, wireless units, and active pickups; a compact power strip; a grounded extension cord; and a small USB power bank with the right leads to save the night when outlets are scarce or far away.Rounding out the kit are the small wins that make a big difference: a handful of your favorite picks, a capo and slide for sudden key changes or creative turns, a backup strap plus a generic loaner, a bright pocket flashlight for dark stages, foldable guitar stands that live in the bag, and a multi-bit screwdriver for quick fixes. We also share a simple organization system—grouping by function in labeled pockets—so you can reach the right tool fast without dumping the bag.By the end, you’ll have a checklist you can tailor to your rig and your band’s blind spots. Prepared players play better, and a smart gig bag is the difference between panic and poise when things go sideways. If this helps you get show-ready, subscribe, share with a bandmate, and leave a quick review to tell us what you added to your kit.Thanks for being here!! I will continue to do my best to bring you the best, most informative guitar discussions to help you along your guitar journey! The more you share this podcast with others, the more I can continue to grow this channel and offer the best information and advice I can to you.Thank you!SteveLinks: Check out the GuitarZoom Academy:https://academy.guitarzoom.com/ Steve’s Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/stinemus... GuitarZoom Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/guitarz0... Songs Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/GuitarSo... .

Practice Vs. Progress For Guitarists

Send Steve a Text MessageWant real progress instead of the same comfortable loops? We break down the simple shift that turns practice from maintenance to elevation, so your time actually maps to your goals. It’s not about grinding more minutes; it’s about choosing what to grow and building a plan that sticks.We dig into the core idea of intentional practice—defining the exact skill you’re training, measuring something tangible like BPM or clean reps, and applying constraints that force better form. You’ll hear why random YouTube rabbit holes stall progress, how to decide what to ignore, and the questions that filter out noise: does this solve a bottleneck, can I apply it this week, and does it fit the music I want to make? From timing and fretboard mapping to chord fluency and ear training, we show how to pick the two or three sub-skills that unlock your next level.Then we stack those choices into a lean, realistic routine. We outline short, focused blocks for technique, musical application, and theory that fit inside 30 to 60 minutes, plus a weekly review loop using recordings for honest feedback. We also talk about the power of coaching—surfacing blind spots, confirming form, and sequencing your path—so you stop guessing and start integrating. The goal is clarity, not complexity: fewer inputs, better reps, and consistent wins that compound.If you’re ready to stop circling and start climbing, this one gives you the framework to make every session count. Subscribe for more practical guitar growth strategies, share this with a player who’s stuck, and leave a review telling us the one skill you’re committing to elevate this week. Links: Check out the GuitarZoom Academy:https://academy.guitarzoom.com/ Steve’s Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/stinemus... GuitarZoom Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/guitarz0... Songs Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/GuitarSo... .

The FIRST STEP in Learning to Play Authentic Sounding Solos

Send Steve a Text MessageEver run the pentatonic scale perfectly and still wonder why your solo doesn’t sound like a song? We shine a light on the missing link: groove and phrasing. Starting with a deep soul A minor backing track, we walk through how to hear the downbeat, count eighth notes, and turn simple movements in one position into musical sentences that sit inside the track rather than float over it.We focus on the essentials that instantly change your sound: locking into the eighth-note feel, crafting phrases that begin and end clearly, and embracing silence to give ideas shape. You’ll learn why varying phrase length breaks “square” playing, how repetition builds hooks, and how starting on upbeats adds lift and forward motion. Instead of chasing speed or new positions, we show how practicing with intention—one goal per session—creates real progress and confidence.By the end, A minor pentatonic becomes a palette for storytelling, not just a pattern to run. You’ll know how to pick a comfortable tempo, listen while you play, and avoid the common trap of scale soup. Ready to sound more authentic and musical? Hit play, subscribe for more practical guitar lessons, and share your biggest phrasing breakthrough in a review or comment. Links: Check out the GuitarZoom Academy:https://academy.guitarzoom.com/ Steve’s Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/stinemus... GuitarZoom Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/guitarz0... Songs Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/GuitarSo... .

Four Guitar Patterns That Break Pentatonic Ruts

Send Steve a Text MessageTired of solos that feel stuck in the same box? We dig into four compact shapes in E that instantly add color, movement, and melody—without burying you in theory. You’ll hear how each pattern sits over familiar E major pentatonic territory, then learn simple visual cues to find them fast anywhere on the neck. The goal is musical color you can use right now, not another scale you’ll forget tomorrow.We start by explaining why outlining triads over the same chord can sound plain, then layer a fresh pattern over your core E major position. From there, we shift to a tight, melodic sequence anchored by the E on the fifth string, including a tasty major seven that resolves with a half‑step slide. Next, we duplicate the exact fingering higher on the neck using an easy landmark: spot the sixth‑string E, drop to the A beneath it, and run the same 2‑1‑2‑1‑2 layout for a new voice without new finger math. Finally, we travel left of the fifth‑string E toward the headstock for a wider, grittier shape that pairs beautifully with classic bends and vibrato.Throughout, we show how to connect each idea back into trusty E major pentatonic so your lines resolve with confidence. Expect practical phrasing tips, clean transitions, and dynamics that make simple notes sing. Whether you’re soloing over pop, rock, or blues, these shapes help you escape autopilot, cover the neck, and tell stronger melodic stories—slow or fast, clean or dirty.If these ideas light a spark, subscribe for more weekly lessons, share this with a guitarist who needs fresh colors, and leave a quick review so we can bring you more of what helps most. Links: Check out the GuitarZoom Academy:https://academy.guitarzoom.com/ Steve’s Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/stinemus... GuitarZoom Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/guitarz0... Songs Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/GuitarSo... .

New Year, New Goals - Stop Old Habits and Make a Change

Send Steve a Text MessageYou know that feeling when a year goes by and your playing sounds the same? We’ve been there—wanting confidence, freedom on the fretboard, and finished songs, yet slipping back into the same routines that never moved the needle. Today we draw a line in the sand and break the loop of repetition without intention, turning scattered practice into focused action that actually builds skill.We start by naming the real culprits: scrolling instead of focusing, collecting riffs but never finishing songs, and avoiding the parts of guitar that feel uncomfortable. Then we shift to what works. We walk through a clear, simple framework: pick one goal, commit to short daily practice blocks, lean into weak spots at a manageable pace, and prioritize phrasing, rhythm, and fretboard awareness over random licks. You’ll hear how small, honest wins stack into trust, and how trust becomes confidence you can feel both on the fretboard and in life.Along the way, we connect the dots between mindset and mechanics. Old habits don’t create new results, and confidence doesn’t arrive by wishing. It grows from consistent, intentional reps and the choice to finish what you start. Whether you’ve quit before, feel too old, or think you’re not talented enough, this is your clean page. Make 2026 the year you stop repeating and start becoming the guitarist you want to be—one focused session at a time.If you want support, we invite you to talk with us about Guitar Zoom Academy. No pressure, no card required—just a real conversation about what could help you move forward. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s stuck, and leave a quick review so we can help more players rewrite their practice story. Links: Check out the GuitarZoom Academy:https://academy.guitarzoom.com/ Steve’s Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/stinemus... GuitarZoom Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/guitarz0... Songs Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/GuitarSo... .