The Steve Stine Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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What if your next gig felt clear before you even picked up the guitar? Steve walks through his complete prep system for tackling a massive score like Jesus Christ Superstar with a small ensemble and tight rehearsal window, turning complexity into confident, musical performance.

We start with bird’s-eye listening to map the architecture of each song—intros, verses, bridges, and drops—so the emotional arc is obvious. Then we zoom into the details: where guitar adds impact, where silence is stronger, and how to balance parts when the score expects an orchestra but the pit is five players. Steve explains how he studies multiple productions, from the original album to the 2017 John Legend staging, to separate essentials from style and shape guitar parts that fit the cast, room, and instrumentation.

From there, it’s practical tools: performance-focused cheat sheets, dynamic markings, and page-turn cues that keep the body ahead of the paper. We talk about fixing bad charts, choosing voicings that leave space for vocals, and creating textures that cover missing horns or keys without clutter. You’ll hear why some riffs must be faithful while others can flex, how to decide which part makes the band sound bigger, and what to practice so transitions, articulations, and tone shifts feel automatic under pressure.

If you’re a guitarist preparing for theater, church, or a cover set, this playbook shows how to think like an arranger while playing like a teammate. You’ll walk away with a repeatable workflow for deep listening, smart part selection, and musical dynamics that elevate every scene. Enjoy the process, serve the song, and make a small band sound huge. If this resonates, subscribe, share the episode with a bandmate, and leave a review with the biggest prep tip you’re stealing.

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!
Steve

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... . 

Send Steve a Text Message

Stuck practicing the same riffs and wondering why your playing won’t budge? We dig into the real reasons progress stalls and share a step-by-step way to turn scattered effort into steady gains. This isn’t about buying another pedal or memorizing another scale shape. It’s about practicing with intention, tightening your groove, and building a system that exposes weaknesses, connects skills, and keeps you accountable with honest feedback.

We start by reframing practice. Instead of vague goals like “work on scales,” we zero in on specific, measurable tasks: connect pentatonic positions one and two on the top strings, at a set tempo, for a short, focused block. Then we shift to rhythm and feel. Most players overtrain the fretting hand and undertrain the picking or strumming hand, so we break down subdivision choices, dynamic accents, and pocket control over backing tracks. From there, we get candid about weak spots and how to find them—whether they’re technical, theoretical, or visual—using short drills, tuner-checked bends, metronome grids, and targeted transitions.

We also unpack why learning songs often fails and how to fix it with a three-part model: know the roadmap by ear, own the tools under your fingers, and lock the groove before stitching sections together. Finally, we make the case for regular assessments and constructive feedback to eliminate blind spots, along with a healthier approach to comparison that fuels growth without crushing confidence. By the end, you’ll have a clear framework to focus your sessions, play tighter, and turn practice time into real musical results.

If this resonates, subscribe, share with a guitar friend who needs a nudge, and leave a review with the one habit you’ll change this week.

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!
Steve

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... . 

Send Steve a Text Message

What does it really take to build a sustainable career in music while maintaining your sanity and relationships? In this revealing episode, Steve Stine pulls back the curtain on his musical journey and sets the record straight about a common misconception.

"I do not own Guitar Zoom. I have never owned Guitar Zoom," Steve clarifies early in our conversation. Working for Dan Denley's company for 15 years as a content creator has been just one chapter in Steve's multifaceted career. From his first transformative encounter with Kiss's "Love Gun" album as a child to teaching over 100 private students weekly in his twenties, Steve's path has been defined by both passion and overwhelming commitment.

The heart of this episode explores the breaking point that changed everything. While juggling teaching positions at a Montessori school, a rock academy, and a college—plus playing in touring bands—Steve found himself burning out. His wife was "running ragged" managing their daughter's activities while he was perpetually absent. When Guitar Zoom offered him a chance to consolidate his career, Steve made the difficult choice to step away from his numerous commitments. "It was the first time I think I've ever just sat in silence and had a moment of peace," he reflects on that transition.

Now at 55, with a grandchild and decades of experience behind him, Steve has found a delicate balance between his love for playing, teaching, and his commitment to faith and family. His story offers valuable perspective for musicians at any stage who struggle with the tension between creative fulfillment and personal wellbeing. Whether you're starting your musical journey or reconsidering your own work-life balance, Steve's candid reflections provide both inspiration and practical wisdom.

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!
Steve

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... . 

Send Steve a Text Message

We all get to experience a lot of FIRSTS in our lives and one of the most awkward situations we may encounter is standing on stage with uncertainty. Most performers encounter this on their first time performing on stage. And even Steve who is an expert experienced this quandary on his debut as an onstage performer. 

In today's episode, Steve will answer one of the most frequently asked topics which is all about the first time performing on stage. He will share his experience around this, as well as some tips on overcoming this awkward situation.

Check out this episode now and learn some tips that may help you perform better on stage!
 

Highlights:

• (00:26) Steve's experience of playing on stage for the first time
• (04:05) What are the benefits of playing on stage a lot  
• (07:44) The Impact of stage presence on performing
• (09:53) Tips for preparing to play in a band
• (12:58) The Significance of Being Comfortable in Performing

Links: 

• GuitarZoom.com - Official Home of Steve Stine
• https://guitarzoom.com/membership-signup/ 
•  https://guitarzoom.com/products/ear-training-2-0 
• https://masterclass.guitarzoom.com/

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... . 

Send Steve a Text Message

“The pressure that we put on ourselves to create a masterpiece actually in itself, stifles creativity. If you're putting yourself under pressure, it's really hard to just be creative and let it flow.” - Jim Hustwit

In today’s episode of  Steve Stine's Podcast, we are joined by Jim Hustwit. He's a music producer, composer, and songwriter, scoring and producing music for singers, songwriters, television, film, and theater. He has written and produced music for Rehearsal Production Music, Sony ATV, and many others. He's also a member of the marketing team that helped "Crazy Frog" become the #1 hit on the Billboard charts.

As of the moment, he runs LARP Music, which we're going to be talking a lot about today, which way he works on music for sync placements for film, TV shows, trailers, commercials, all sites, all sorts of different things. 

Highlights:

• (03:40)Jim’s first dalliance with music
• (10:42)The Dichotomy between Musicians and Composers  
• (16:44)The Difference Between Creating Intellectually vs. from the Heart
• (19:40)How does the creative process begin?
• (24:18)The Importance of Sound Layering in Music Production
• (28:41)Jim’s battle between creation and production
• (33:21)Jim’s contribution to Crazy Frog's success
• (49:51)Who was the artist that inspired Jim?

Links:

• Website:Larpmusic.com
• LinkedIn:Jim Hustwit
• Facebook:Jim Hustwit - Larp Music
• Instagram:​​jimhustwit
• Twitter:Jim Hustwit
• Youtube:LarpMusic

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... . 

Send Steve a Text Message

In today's episode, Steve's going to show this one idea in the first position of pentatonic (any scale) and learning to visualize and then being able to move that wherever you want to go.

Tune in to this episode and play your guitar the best you can!

Highlights:

• (03:42)Key ‘A’: Chord Bending shortcut 
• (07:15)The nice thing about visualizing the fretboard
• (07:51)Horizontal Motion in Guitar Soloing
• (08:45)Braking All or Nothing when playing
• (10:10)Moving the idea into the realm of the bends
• (14:04)It depends on how you look at your fretboard
• (15:18)The Confidence and Attitude in Bending 

Links:

• 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... . 
• Check out Steve's Guitar Membership and Courses: https://bit.ly/3rbZ3He

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... . 

Send Steve a Text Message

In today’s episode, Steve is going to show you the right way to do string bending because you’re not just guitar playing, but you are actually trying to make music sound like music!

Highlights:

• [02:13]Vibrato versus Bending
• [05:05]Dealing with a whole step or two fret band
• [08:53]Two ways to deal with strings 
• [11:50]Tips on String Bending 
• [19:40]The Three Best Notes to Bend
• [11:50]The problem with bending toward the floor

Links:

• 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... . 

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... . 

Send Steve a Text Message

In today’s episode, Steve's going to show you easy ways to create rhythm and groove when you play guitar so you can sound great when you play your favorite songs and have more fun with your guitar!

Highlight:

• [00:24] Why You Should Focus on Chords and Rhythm 
• [01:00] Cro-Magnons Strumming and Strumming Down and Up Alternately
• [03:38] Scratching Technique 
• [04:24] First Element of Strumming: Dynamics Loud and Soft Strumming
• [06:58] Second Element of Strumming: Strumming Variants
• [14:55] Different song samples that use more of a Cro-Magnon style
• [16:56] Examples of Half Groove and Cro-Magnon
• [22:55] Why should groove and rhythm be harnessed?
• [23:27] How do you mute the lower strings when you are playing in higher strings?

Links:

• Get Instant Access to 50+ of Steve’s Guitar Courses ► https://guitarzoom.com/membership-sig... 
• Play Any Song By Ear ► https://guitarzoom.com/products/ear-t... 
• Instant Access to Steve’s Masterclasses ► https://masterclass.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... 

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... . 

Send Steve a Text Message

In today’s episode,  Steve will break Shell Voicing down for you to know exactly why they're important and how to use them. Shell Voicing is commonly seen in jazz, but it can be used in a variety of settings and he'll teach you how to do it.

This episode will help you discover, learn, and play true simplistic shell voicing for dominant, major, and minor seventh chords!

Highlights:

• [00:19]What is Shell Voicing?
• [01:27] Great Reasons on Why  You Need to Do Shell Voicing
• [02:46]How to create a true simplistic shell voicing
• [04:24]Dominant Seventh Sound 
• [10:34]Major Seventh Chord
• [16:16]Minor Seventh Chord
• [20:03]Do you want to play across the entire fretboard?
• [21:40]Why learning Triads is so helpful
• [22:25]Fretboard Framework Course

Links:

• Fretboard Framework Course
• Ear Training 2.0
• Essential Guitar Scales

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... . 

Send Steve a Text Message

“When you start making a full song, it opens a lot of mysteries that you want to figure out.” - Mika Tyyskä

To be a professional composer, one must have years of training, experience, and a fundamental understanding of music theory. This isn't to say that you can't learn to be a good composer without putting in tens of thousands of hours of work. Anyone can learn to make music, but how far you go depends on your objectives. While some people may compose music without understanding all of the subtleties of the profession, you'll go a lot further if you grasp a few essential abilities.

Want to know the good news? This podcast is made for you! 

Our latest guest for today’s episode is Mika Tyyskä. He talks about what he does when he starts composing and you can get some good advice from him! He is a composer, musician, guitarist, and animator. He is best known for his work with animated guitarist Mr. Fastfinger. He released 5 instrumental albums and a bunch of other releases.

He loves to create worlds with sounds and push the boundaries. He kind of approaches guitar playing like an animator. The notes only become music when you make them breathe. In his book; drama, atmosphere, feeling, and storytelling are the most important aspects of music. In addition to making music, he loves to share and teach what he learned along the way.

 Tune in to this episode and learn how to develop your skill and ability as a composer!

Highlights:

• [02:44]How was Mr. Fastfinger created?
• [06:09]Where did he learn his guitar style?
• [10:10]What kind of music made an impact on him?
• [12:41]How did he come up with the idea for the guitar pentatonic scale?
• [15:57]Magazine and Records: A Beginner’s Guide for Guitarist
• [28:30]How did he awaken his composition skills?
• [29:34]How the Theory of Music may block your creativity
• [32:00]When did he officially start to teach guitar lessons?
• [39:49]What are his preparations when writing a composition?
• [50:41]Writing and Recording: Does he still work with the same people?

Links:

• Website:https://mrfastfinger.net/ 
• LinkedIn:Mika Tyyskä
• Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/MrFastfinger/ 
• Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mikafastfinger/  
• Twitter:https://twitter.com/mrfastfinger?lang=en 
• Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/user/MrFastfingerNet 

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... .