Strum and Strumber

About Strum and Strumber

Strum and Strumber is a guitar show for players who want to get better — not just buy more pedals. Hosted by two Berklee-battered, tone-hardened veterans, the show blends guitar wisdom, gear sanity, and brutal honesty. Every episode we challenge each other to learn a new lick, work on it for a week, then return to play it together — one take, no edits. Download the challenge PDF and take it with us. In between, we play musical guitar games that make you a better musician, with penalties for the loser (because motivation matters). Full video episodes on YouTube every Tuesday.

Publisher

Strum and Strumber

Category

music

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

26 Jan 2026

Latest episode

8 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Jul 2026

   Iron Maiden: Are They Actually That Accurate?

   One take. No edits. Two guitarists. One week. One legendary Iron Maiden Duo. 👍 Subscribe for new episodes every other Tuesday. Iron Maiden — Back in the Village Strum & Strumber — Episode 208 Everybody talks about Iron Maiden's speed. Nobody talks about how accurate they are. The notes aren't the hard part. The hard part is making every string crossing, every position shift, and every attack land exactly where it's supposed to. This episode: Fast enough to be dangerous. Accurate enough to expose every mistake. 🎯 THE PROBLEM: Most players focus on speed. Iron Maiden demands precision. Miss one string. Miss one shift. Miss one attack. Everybody hears it. 🎮 GAME — The Prisoner A string-crossing challenge inspired by Iron Maiden's relentless right-hand accuracy. Play the pattern. Expand the jump. Don't miss. ⚠️ PENALTY — Powerslave Restricted movement. Limited options. No room to hide. Now try to play accurately. 🧠 hmmm: • Accuracy vs speed • String crossing under pressure • Clean picking across wide jumps • Can you stay relaxed when the tempo rises? ⚖️ CHALLENGE PERFORMANCE One take. No edits. This is the result. 🎸 THE STRUM & STRUMBER CHALLENGE PACKS Every challenge. Every game. Every penalty. Built to improve your playing through pressure, limitations, and real musical situations. No filler. No theory dumps. Just the material that survived the pressure test. 👉 https://strumandstrumber.com/ss-challenge-packs/ (https://strumandstrumber.com/ss-challenge-packs/) 📄 Free challenge PDF: https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/208.pdf (https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/207.pdf)

2. 

   24 Jun 2026

   7 Reasons Guitar Players Don't Practice (And What To Do About It)

   Practicing guitar should be simple.Pick up the guitar. Put in the time. Get better.So why do so many players struggle to do it?In this episode, Sam and Roger break down seven of the most common reasons guitar players avoid practice—and most of them have nothing to do with laziness, discipline, or motivation.From fear of sounding bad to losing your connection with the instrument, we look at what's really getting in the way and what you can do to get back on track.If you've ever found yourself saying: • "I don't have time." • "I need better gear." • "I'll start tomorrow." • "I just don't feel like practicing."This episode is for you.

3. 

   27 May 2026

   Derek Trucks - How He Makes Impossible Playing Look Easy

   One take. No edits. Two guitarists. One week. One brutally exposed solo. 👍 Subscribe for new episodes every other Tuesday. Derek Trucks — Let Me Get By Strum & Strumber — Episode 207 Derek Trucks sounds simple — until you try to play IN TUNE. 00:00 Cold Open 00:30 Ear Pressure (Game) 05:50 Knives Out (of tune) (Penalty) 07:48 What We Learned 10:00 Challenge Performance (One Take, No Edits) 11:12 Next Episode’s Challenge Reveal 11:59 Teaser This episode: No speed. No shred tricks. Just phrasing, intonation, touch, and control. 🎯 THE PROBLEM: You can memorize the movement. But if you can’t hear the pitch — you’re done. 🎮 GAME — Ear Pressure One player performs an interval. The other must identify it by ear only. ⚠️ PENALTY — Knives Out (of tune) Two strings detuned randomly. Now play a scale IN TUNE. 🧠 What we’re actually testing: • Ear vs muscle memory • Can you control pitch under pressure? • Are you hearing the phrase… or just playing shapes? • How exposed are you without visual reference? ⚖️ CHALLENGE PERFORMANCE One take. No edits. This is the result. 🎸 THE STRUM & STRUMBER CHALLENGE PACKS Every challenge. Every game. Every penalty. Built to improve your playing through pressure, limitations, and real musical situations. No filler. No theory dumps. Just the material that survived the pressure test. 👉 https://strumandstrumber.com/ss-challenge-packs/ (https://strumandstrumber.com/ss-challenge-packs/) 📄 Free weekly challenge PDF: https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/207.pdf (https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/207.pdf)

4. 

   13 May 2026

   Trevor Rabin — Owner of a Lonely Heart

   Strum & Strumber is a guitar show where we challenge each other to learn a famous lick, live with it for a week — then come back and play it together one take, no edits. No excuses. No hiding behind pedals. 👇 Take the weekly challenge and play along: https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/206.pdf 👉 Want the full system? Every challenge. Every episode. No filler. https://strumandstrumber.com/ss-challenge-packs/ (https://strumandstrumber.com/ss-challenge-packs/) This week: Owner of a Lonely Heart — Trevor Rabin Not a shred solo. Not a scale run. A part. 🎯 The problem: You can’t fake this one. You either commit to the phrase — or it falls apart. 🎮 GAME — Broken Zipper Play every other note. No hiding. No filler. Either you hear the line… or you don’t. ⚠️ PENALTY — Commit to the Phrase Pick a phrase. Now improvise it. No escape. 🧠 What we’re actually testing: Can you hold a musical idea under pressure? Do you play phrases… or just notes? When it’s time to commit — do you? ⚖️ CHALLENGE PERFORMANCE One take. No edits. This is the result. 📄 This week’s Challenge PDF https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/206.pdf 📄 Next week’s Challenge PDF https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/207.pdf

5. 

   29 Apr 2026

   We Found Out

   We Found Out.Strum & Strumber — Episode 205Strum & Strumber is a guitar show where we learn a new lick every week — then play it one take, no edits.No excuses. No hiding behind pedals.👇 Take the weekly challenge and play along:https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/205.pdf👉 Want the full system?Every challenge. Every episode. No filler.https://strumandstrumber.com/ss-challenge-packs/We lived with two solos for a week.One human. One AI.We made our calls.We were wrong.No machine can replace what you feel - but you better know what that is.This is the second solo —and the moment everything snapped into focus.No games.No penalties.Just the answer.🎧 What actually gave it away: • Where the phrasing breaks • How the time breathes (or doesn’t) • The difference between “mistakes”… and intentionNot theory.Not tone.Feel — but not the way people think.⚖️ FINAL TAKEOne take. No edits.Now that we know… listen again.📄 This week’s Challenge PDFhttps://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/205.pdf📄 Next week’s Challenge PDF https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/206.pdfWant to prove you’re human?Download the backing track:https://strumandstrumber.com/backing_tracks/StrumandStrumberAIvHum_Backing_Track.mp3Write your solo.Drop it in the YouTube comments or tag us — we’re listening.

6. 

   22 Apr 2026

   I Don’t Know If This Is Human

   Strum & Strumber is a guitar show where we challenge each other to learn a new lick every week — then play it together one take, no edits. Games, penalties, brutally honest takes, and real improvement. New episodes Tuesday. 👇 Take the weekly challenge and play along with us: https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/204.pdf 👉 Want the full system? Every challenge. Every episode. No filler. https://strumandstrumber.com/ss-challenge-packs/ We tested two solos over the same track. One is human. One is AI. This is one of them. We lived with it for a week… and still weren’t sure what we were hearing. At first, it feels obvious. Then it doesn’t. Then everything you thought mattered… starts to fall apart. This episode isn’t about speed, tone, or technique. It’s about something harder to define: 👉 What actually makes something feel human? 🎧 The Setup No edits. No corrections. Just the raw solo — learned, internalized, and played back in one take. 🧠 Debate — Feel vs Logic Does “human” mean imperfect? Or just unpredictable in the right ways? And if AI can imitate mistakes… what are we actually hearing? ⚖️ THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE PERFORMANCE Unknown Solo — Source Hidden One take. No edits. Judge Sam. Vote in the comments: Human or AI? 🔥 PART 2 The other solo. No context. No safety net. 👉 Then we reveal everything. 📄 This week’s Challenge PDF https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/204.pdf 📄 Next week’s Challenge PDF https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/205.pdf

7. 

   8 Apr 2026

   He Only Had 2 Fingers… So We Tried It

   00:00 Cold Open 00:17 Pocket Pinball (Game) 11:13 Three Tied (Penalty) 12:26 What We Learned 15:07 Limitation vs Freedom 15:57 Challenge Performance (One Take, No Edits) 18:05 Next Episode’s Challenge Reveal He Only Had 2 Fingers… So We Tried It Strum & Strumber — Episode 203 Strum & Strumber is a guitar show where we challenge each other to learn a new lick every week — then play it together one take, no edits. Games, penalties, brutally honest takes, and real improvement. New episodes Tuesday. 👇 Take the weekly challenge and play along with us: https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/203.html (https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/203.html) Most players want more freedom. More fingers. More options. More control. Django Reinhardt had less. And somehow… did more. In this episode, we take on I’ll See You In My Dreams — with a hard constraint: 👉 Two fingers. That’s it. Turns out the problem isn’t just what you can’t play… It’s what you stop hearing. 🎸 Game — Pocket Pinball Two-note chords, Freddie Green style. Simple shapes. Relentless time. No hiding. ⚡ Penalty — Three Tied Three fingers taped together. Try playing anything. Now try making it musical. 🧠 Debate — Limitation vs Freedom Do constraints unlock creativity… or just expose your weaknesses faster? This episode isn’t about copying Django. It’s about what happens when your options disappear. If you’ve ever relied on “just one more finger” to get through a phrase… this one’s for you. 🔥 NEXT WEEK — A 2-PARTER AI vs Human. One episode: Human solo. One episode: AI solo. 👉 Can you actually tell the difference? ⚖️ THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE PERFORMANCE Django Reinhardt — I’ll See You In My Dreams One take. No edits. Judge Sam. Vote in the comments: Sam — Pass or Fail 📄 This week’s Challenge PDF https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/203.pdf (https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/203.html) 📄 Next week’s Challenge PDF https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/204.pdf

8. 

   25 Mar 2026

   Scott Henderson’s “Elvis at the Hop” Broke Our Timing

   00:00 Cold Open 00:29 Shift Happens (Game) 08:24 No Boomers (Penalty) 09:39 What We Learned 11:40 Feel vs The Click 15:52 Challenge Performance (One Take, No Edits) 16:30 Next Week’s Challenge Reveal 16:57 Teaser Scott Henderson’s “Elvis at the Hop” Broke Our Timing Strum & Strumber — Episode 202 Strum & Strumber is a guitar show where we challenge each other to learn a new lick every week — then play it together one take, no edits. Games, penalties, brutally honest takes, and real improvement. New episodes Tuesday. 👇 Take the weekly challenge and play along with us: https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/202.html Most players practice more… and still don’t get better. Fusion legend Scott Henderson has a way of bending blues, jazz, and attitude into something that feels effortless — but sits right on the edge of falling apart. In this episode, we dive into one of Henderson’s most slippery grooves and quickly realize the problem isn’t the notes. It’s the time. 🎸 Game — The Shift Happens A challenge built around rhythmic displacement, shifting accents, and keeping the groove from collapsing. ⚡ Penalty — No Boomers Four bars. No bends allowed. Turns out that takes away more than you think. 🧠 Debate — Feel vs The Click Should great guitar playing lock to the grid… or dance around it? This episode isn’t about copying Scott Henderson. It’s about surviving the groove. If you’ve ever tried to make something sound relaxed while your brain is completely panicking — this one’s for you. 🔥 NEXT WEEK’S CHALLENGE Django Reinhardt — “I’ll See You In My Dreams” One hand. No excuses. ⚖️ THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE PERFORMANCE Scott Henderson - Elvis at the Hop One take. No edits. Judge us. 📄 This week’s Challenge PDF https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/202.html (https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/201.html) 📄 Next week’s Challenge PDF https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/203.html (https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/202.html)

9. 

   11 Mar 2026

   We Tried Jeff Beck’s Most Emotional Song (And It Got Dangerous) — Episode 201

   We Tried Jeff Beck’s Most Emotional Song (And It Got Dangerous) Strum & Strumber — Episode 201 Strum & Strumber is a guitar show where we challenge each other to learn a new lick every week — then play it together one take, no edits. Games, penalties, brutally honest takes, and real improvement. New episodes every Tuesday. 👇 Take the weekly challenge and play along with us: https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/201.html Most players practice more… and still don’t get better. Jeff Beck’s “Where Were You” isn’t about speed. It’s about touch, restraint… and letting go. In this episode, we step into one of the most expressive guitar performances ever recorded — and quickly realize this isn’t something you learn. It’s something you risk. 🎸 Game — The Beckoning A challenge built around Beck’s phrasing, dynamics, and the space between notes. ⚡ Penalty — Crossed Wires When control slips, chaos takes over — and the results aren’t always pretty. 🧠 Debate — Playing vs Listening | Control vs Chaos Is great guitar playing about mastery… or surrender? This episode isn’t about copying Jeff Beck. It’s about confronting what makes his playing feel human. If you’ve ever chased tone, touch, or that moment where music feels like it’s playing you — this one’s for you. 🔥 NEXT WEEK’S CHALLENGE Scott Henderson — “Elvis at the Hop” No edits. No polish. No mercy. ⚖️ THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE PERFORMANCE Jeff Beck - Where Were You One take. No edits. Judge us. 📄 This week’s Challenge PDF https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/201.html (https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/201.html) 📄 Next week’s Challenge PDF https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/202.html (https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/202.html)

10. 

    18 Feb 2026

    Paul Gilbert Joins the Challenge (Season Finale) — Episode 107

    This season finale is different — because the rules don’t change. In this episode of Strum & Strumber, Sam and Roger travel to meet Paul Gilbert in person to play his own lick with him — together, on camera, one take, no edits. No safety net.No studio tricks.Just three players in the room, facing the rules. Each week we challenge each other to learn a new lick and return to attempt it one take, no edits — with games, penalties, and brutally honest results. This time, the standard is set by the person who wrote the lick. 🎸 Play along with this week’s challenge: https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/106.html (https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/105.html) 📺 Full video episodes available on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@strumandstrumber New episodes return next season in 3 weeks.

11. 

    11 Feb 2026

    You’re Not Actually In Tune — Episode 106

    Tuning isn’t simple. It never was. And somehow… everyone’s still wrong. In this episode of Strum & Strumber, Sam and Roger put tuning under real pressure — exposing why “in tune” depends as much on your hands as it does on your hardware. Each week we challenge each other to learn a new lick and return to attempt it one take, no edits — with games, penalties, and brutally honest results. 🎸 Play along with this week’s challenge: https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/106.html (https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/105.html) 📺 Full video episodes available on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@strumandstrumber New episodes every Tuesday.

12. 

    4 Feb 2026

    You’re Playing Too Hard (It’s Killing Your Groove) — Mark Lettieri — Episode 105

    Louder isn’t stronger. Harder isn’t better. And groove doesn’t come from force. In this episode of Strum & Strumber, Sam and Roger put dynamics, touch, and feel under real pressure — exposing how overplaying quietly kills timing, tone, and connection. Each week we challenge each other to learn a new lick and return to attempt it one take, no edits — with games, penalties, and brutally honest results. 🎸 Play along with this week’s challenge: https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/105.html (https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/105.html) 📺 Full video episodes available on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@strumandstrumber New episodes every Tuesday.

13. 

    28 Jan 2026

    Your Tone Falls Apart With Too Many Options (Pat Metheny Style) — Episode 104

    More amps. More presets. More options. Still the same bad habits. In this episode of Strum & Strumber, Sam and Roger put amps and modelers under real pressure — not to crown a winner, but to expose the real issue: too many choices and not enough commitment. Each week we challenge each other to learn a new lick and return to attempt it one take, no edits — with games, penalties, and brutally honest results. 🎸 Play along with this week’s challenge: https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/104.html (https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/104.html) New episodes every Tuesday.

14. 

    26 Jan 2026

    Your Picking Falls Apart Under Pressure (Matteo Mancuso Challenge) — Episode 103

    Everyone has opinions about picks, strings, and technique. Very few test them under real pressure. In this episode of Strum & Strumber, Sam and Roger push picking and control to the edge — no hiding behind speed, no clever workarounds, just what actually holds up when it counts. Each week we challenge each other to learn a new lick and return to attempt it one take, no edits — with games, penalties, and brutally honest results. 🎸 Play along with this week’s challenge: https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/103.html (https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/103.html) New episodes every Tuesday.

15. 

    26 Jan 2026

    Guitar Gear Won’t Fix Your Playing (Mike Stern "Chromazone" Challenge) — Episode 102

    Most players think the next pedal, the next guitar, the next upgrade will fix it. It won’t. In this episode of Strum & Strumber, Sam and Roger strip away the excuses and test the uncomfortable truth: improvement doesn’t come from gear — it comes from what you can actually execute under pressure. Each week we challenge each other to learn a new lick and return to attempt it one take, no edits — with games, penalties, and brutally honest results. 🎸 Play along with this week’s challenge: https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/102.html (https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/102.html) New episodes every Tuesday.

16. 

    26 Jan 2026

    Your Guitar Practice Isn’t Working (Steve Howe Challenge) — Episode 101

    Most players practice more… and still don’t get better. In this episode of Strum & Strumber, Sam and Roger test what actually improves your playing by stripping everything back: no effects, no hiding, no comfort zones. Each week we challenge each other to learn a new lick and return to attempt it one take, no edits — with games, penalties, and brutally honest results. 🎸 Play along with this week’s challenge: https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/101.html (https://strumandstrumber.com/challenge/101.html) New episodes every Tuesday.

Contact Strum and Strumber

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.