Welcome to Really Simple Guitar!

Hi, Alan Furth here. I’m a long-time guitar enthusiast. I started playing guitar in my teens. But my love for music started much earlier.

For my sixth birthday, my parents gave me a copy of The Rock Album. It was an epic compilation album of rock songs of the late ’70s and early ’80s. 

One of them was Kansas’ “Dust in The Wind.” To this day, I fall into a dreamlike state whenever those magic acoustic-guitar vibes wash over me. 

The album also featured Toto’s “Hold the Line,” and Boston’s “More Than a Feeling.” Their power chords, twin harmonies, and blazing solos overwhelmed my young soul. 

Emotions bubbled up inside of me like a volcanic eruption.

And then I discovered that other “Eruption” — by Eddie Van Halen.

I got my first electric guitar when I was 14. I practiced like crazy, and even started rehearsing with a band. We never made it to play live, but it was still a lot of fun.  Great times!
 
Unfortunately, when I started college, I found it very difficult to keep practicing.
 
Then I got a job and a mortgage. You know the drill.
 
At some point, I stopped playing altogether.
Van Halen concert in Caracas, Venezuela, 1983
Van Halen (1983) in Caracas, Venezuela, where I was born and raised. I was too young to go to that concert, so my brother gave me this picture. I slept next to it for weeks 🙂
And it wasn’t until recently that I finally took up the guitar again.
 
Back in the day, when I started playing, there was no internet. I know, it seems awful.
 
But at least I wasn’t utterly overwhelmed with information overload when I bought my first guitar — which is exactly what happened this time around.
 
Plus, I had a hard time trusting the information I found online. I kept bumping into anonymous, poorly written guitar-review sites that seemed to be managed by people who had never been near a guitar in their lives.
 
Of course, I’m not a professional guitarist. But besides being a dedicated enthusiast, I have 20 years experience in publishing and media. 
 
So I decided to create a top-notch editorial team to create content that will really help you achieve a smooth guitar journey.

My mission on this site is to help busy folks like you become the best guitar players you can be

The Really Simple Guitar Team

Andrew Dodson

Andrew is the content editor for ReallySimpleGuitar.com and lives in beautiful Northern Michigan. He has been playing guitar for the past two decades. Inside his living room is a Martin OO-17S, which gets picked up nearly every day to entertain his young son Charlie and wife Erin. As a fan of jazz, Andrew also owns a D’Angelico EXL-1 Deluxe archtop in a stunning plum color. He’s the content marketing manager for TentCraft in Traverse City, Michigan.

Aaron Cianek

Aaron Cianek is a musician and digital marketer based in Michigan, USA. Along with nearly 20 years of playing guitar and bass in a variety of bands, he’s a self-proclaimed gearhead who’s always trying new and vintage gear in the quest for new tones. Current favorites include an original ‘65 Fender Mustang, ‘70s Ampeg Big Stud, ‘75 Music Man combo amp, Gibson J-45 and his go-to Fender Telecaster. He can’t decide between a Fender Jaguar and Jazzmaster.

James Griffin

James J Griffin | CopyProphet

James is a freelance writer based in San Diego, CA and Manchester, UK. His love affair with the guitar began like so many have before — as a way to meet girls as an awkward teenager. While it didn’t help at the time, his relationship with the guitar has blossomed into one of his most successful to date. When he’s not strumming chords, he’s trying desperately to import a proper burrito from his native town to his adoptive one. Find more at CopyProphet.com

Noah Feasey-Kemp

Noah is a musician and writer living in Bristol, UK. He’s played guitar for over 15 years and is an active producer and engineer. A lover of effects pedals and experimental techniques, he enjoys creating abstract tones with modern and vintage gear. You’ll find him saving for a Fender Jazzmaster, drumming, or working on his personal project, AudioCube.

Christopher Daniel

Chris is a working cover musician specializing in upbeat party tunes. His love of performing has taken him to gigs around the world, from his home in Australia to Asia and Europe. As a teacher, he loves to help beginner musicians move through the frustrating early stages of learning to their first performance. You’ll benefit from his 10+ years of experience performing and teaching through his written guidance here at reallysimpleguitar.com.

What's in it for you?

Do you want to make the most out of the resources you invest in your guitar-playing journey?

Then you’ll want to be one of our readers.
 
In other words, you’ll most likely enjoy our content if you agree with these statements:
 
  • You want to manage as best as possible the precious free time you invest in learning to play.
  • You want to get the best bang for every hard-earned buck you invest in a guitar and related gear.
  • You want advice based on actual, up-to-date customer experience — not on marketing materials.
If all this resonates with you, I look forward to seeing you around, reading our guides and reviews!
 
Here are a couple good places to get started:
 

Alan Furth

Founder of Really Simple Guitar