Andy Saphir

Andy Saphir

Andy Saphir has been a professional guitar player and teacher for over 25 years. Graduating with distinction from London’s prestigious Guitar Institute in 1995, he has gone on to gain a reputation as one of the UK’s top country guitarists. Specialising in country and blues, Andy is a versatile, multi-genre player and has a successful international performing career, touring with numerous shows and bands, including the Blues Brothers Approved. Andy taught on the guitar faculty at London’s ICMP for many years, and is a longtime contributor to Guitar Techniques Magazine, as well as being a Jam Track Central artist. Andy teaches in-person guitar lessons from Cambridgeshire UK, or remotely globally.

Articles by: Andy Saphir

Dickey Betts performs live onstage with the Allman Brothers Band in 1975

Build a whole new lickbag with our country-blues masterclass – featuring licks inspired by Dickey Betts, Albert Lee and Brent Mason

By Andy Saphir published

Learn how you can mix major and minor pentatonics, and add extra notes to give your solos a wide open space to roam in, with this deep dive into country-blues guitar

T-Bone Walker

Introducing jump blues, the pioneering guitar style that set the scene for rock ’n’ roll by melding swing, jazz and blues

By Andy Saphir published

Exemplified by the likes of Louis Jordan, Roy Brown and T-Bone Walker, jump blues can add some jazz flair to your blues and rock ‘n‘ roll changes

(from left) Brian Jones, Ronnie Wood, Keith Richards and Mick Taylor perform onstage

Welcome to the ultimate Rolling Stones guitar lesson – a tab and audio deep dive into the styles of Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Brian Jones, and Mick Taylor

By Andy Saphir published

We can't make you look as cool as the Stones but maybe we can make you play like them. Here we'll be throwing our guitars into Open G and digging out the slide, with plenty of licks in standard tuning, too

John Mayer

Stop spending all your practice time on soloing: rhythm playing is even more important – and embellishing chords will seriously up your game

By Andy Saphir published

We show you how to take regular chords and level them up with sliding shapes, doublestops and legato

B.B. King

Blues playing giving you the blues? Welcome to the ultimate blues guitar workshop: an in-depth lesson that will make you a better blues guitarist

By Andy Saphir published

Go deep into the art form, with this comprehensive lesson on the art of the blues, designed to build your chops and invigorate your practice

Joe Bonamassa and Eric Gales

Joe Bonamassa has collaborated with some of today’s finest blues players – learn their soloing secrets with this epic lesson

By Andy Saphir published

The JoBo Rolodex is filled with top blues guitar talent, and here we explore seven solo examples inspired by close contacts Eric Gales, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Kirk Fletcher and many more

Eric Clapton

Learn the playing styles of every Eric Clapton era with this epic lesson

By Andy Saphir published

Five EC pieces for the Slowhand in training...

John Mayer, Buddy Guy and Stevie Ray Vaughan

Learn the licks of 12 Stratocaster blues legends

By Andy Saphir published

Unleash your inner blues guitar hero with these lead ideas in the style of Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughan, John Mayer, Eric Clapton and more

Shane Theriot

Spice up your funk rhythm chops with this Shane Theriot video masterclass

By Andy Saphir published

The New Orleans virtuoso and MD of hit TV show Live From Daryl’s House has a style that's all hot sauce and flavor, and here he shares the tricks behind his tracks

Mark Knopfler

Learn the rhythm and lead secrets of Mark Knopfler with this in-depth guitar lesson

By Andy Saphir published

It's time to ditch the pick and go fingerstyle for this comprehensive tutorial in the Dire Straits legend's unique style

Buddy Guy, Magic Slim, Otis Rush

How to play guitar like 10 Chicago blues greats

By Andy Saphir published

Inject some authenticity into your blues playing as we turn back the clock with this lesson on the styles of Buddy Guy, Magic Slim, Otis Rush and many more