String Theories

04/16/2026

I'm extremely excited and proud to announce that the printed version of my instructional books are now available to order from my online shop! This four book series for guitar, electric bass, and ukulele is perfect for beginners. Anyone looking to establish a solid foundation of vocabulary and concepts will find a ton of useful information and exercises.

String Theories Book Store. Tom Maslowski, a music-related company from Joliet, Illinois

03/06/2026

Twenty years ago I began coming up with a way to put my method to paper. So many versions of exercises were tried.

Different fonts and layout came and went. Two graphic designers helped and moved on. They convinced me to learn the software and do it myself. I didn't understand at the time, but they gave me the means to get this done without spending thousands of dollars on back and forth email threads about concepts and layout. From that point it took two years to finish the final installments of this book series.

And now...They. Are. Finished. Twelve of them. Four books each for guitar, electric bass, and ukulele. Each series presents:
Level One
Pentatonic and Major Scales
Chords and Rhythms
Level Two

Each of these are currently available at Down Home Guitars in Downtown Frankfort IL.

I will gladly deliver these personally to you or ship them long distances.

They are available digitally on my website:
https://zestysol.com/string-theories-instructional-books

Be on the lookout for descriptions and demonstrations on what each book contains.

02/13/2026

It is safe to say that the newest releases in my four book series are in production. I recently finished the Chords & Rhythms and Level Two books for guitar, electric bass, and ukulele. They are all available on my website. I can't wait to be able to present them all in print!

Store for Tom Maslowski, a music-related company from Joliet, Illinois

01/05/2026

Follow this link for Dail Short 14: Eighth Note Rhythm Figures. Explore some typical rhythms that you can use to strum, drum, or solo! The Daily Shorts are five minute drills that keep your skills sharp when life gets busy.

https://zestysol.com/files/1340501/daily-shorts-day-14.pdf

12/14/2025

I'm at Miskatonic Brewing for their final vinyl market. Come on out and enjoy some great brews while browsing records, instruments, and music themed crafts!

11/13/2025

I have finished my four book instructional series for guitar, bass, and ukulele. These are meant to take you from zero knowledge or abilities to being fluent in the fundamentals. Message me with any questions. Look for the links to the digital books in the comments!

11/12/2025

As things become more difficult to afford, I'd like offer $20 half hour lessons online. I use Microsoft Teams. I could use FaceTime or messenger as well. It would be on a first come-first serve basis. No obligations. They would be a One-Time lesson for guitar, bass, ukulele, drums, or general music theory. Please message me here or on my personal account. Feel free to share. Leave a comment if you'd like more info or if you're having trouble reaching me. I can also give a discount on my instructional book series. Current students can take advantage of this sale as an extra lesson. It cannot take the place of the regularly scheduled lessons.

Thank you!

09/26/2025

I had a banner made to hang at my booth for conventions and festivals! Now to get some hooks...

09/12/2025

At risk of jinxing myself, I am pleased to announce that I officially beat the deadline! Finale is a program for creating sheet music. I've used it for years. They went out of business and the new company has zero similarities.
I had to get the sheet music for my instructional books done in a hurry. Finale stopped support and updates Aug 26. I thought I was doomed to tack on another year of learning new software in order to get the last few chapters done in my four book fundamentals series for guitar, electric bass, and ukulele.
I am moving on to tightening up the explanations and the dreaded Table of Contents. I'm very slow in the typing department....
Avaible now digitally and physically are Level One and The Pentatonic and Major Scales books. Head to the website for digital copies and to Down Home Guitars in Frankfort Illinois for the physical copies. Message me if you need more options.

09/10/2025

I noticed a number of students weren't able to identify specific instruments while listening to a given song. If you are a new musician take the time out for some deep listening with headphones on. Real headphones, not ear buds.

Try to pick out the different instruments. If you aren't sure what to listen for hit YouTube. You can find videos of isolated instruments being played.

This will give a better understanding of the layers that create a song, and what your role your instrument plays.

Check out Daily Short 10: Deep Listening.

There are 35 Daily Shorts posted on the website. Feel free to mix and match or start from the beginning and play them all for a complete A to B experience!

https://zestysol.com/files/1339812/daily-shorts-day-10.pdf