Jason Sidwell

Jason Sidwell

Jason Sidwell (BA Hons, MA, ALCM) is editor of Guitar Techniques and senior tuition editor for Guitarist who has written and edited over 20,000 articles since 1998. As an educator he is an advisor/guest tutor for UK music academies/examining institutions, a director for the International Guitar Foundation (IGF), author of How to Play Guitar Step by Step (Dorling Kindersley) and extensive tutorials for The Guardian and Observer newspapers. Outside of journalism, he is a busy classical guitarist, performs regularly for theatre productions and has a broad cliental for studio work.

Articles by: Jason Sidwell

Samantha Fish

“I was recording a solo and didn’t have much direction for it, so I was just swinging in the dark. Luther Dickinson gave me this piece of advice…” How a former Black Crowe changed Samantha Fish’s soloing style forever

By Janelle Borg published

Fish gives her take on what makes solos memorable – and why flashy playing doesn’t speak to the soul

Steve Morse

Steve Morse is the guitar virtuoso's virtuoso – and his technique masterclass will push your upper-fret bending and phrasing to the limit

By Jon Bishop published

The former Deep Purple guitar legend checks in with an exclusive track – and tab to help you play along

Steve Lukather and Jeff Beck

Steve Lukather: “I played Jeff Beck and Eddie Van Halen’s guitars – and I sounded like myself. But some of Jeff’s guitars were set up so strangely only he could play them”

By Jason Sidwell published

In this previously unpublished interview, Lukather explains why Jeff Beck’s untouchable, “alien” approach to the guitar made him the ultimate player

Aaron Marshall

Intervals' Aaron Marshall takes a deep dive into his guitar-playing philosophy, and talks tones, tempos, modes and his favorite guitar instrumentals

By Jason Sidwell published

After Wolfgang Van Halen named him his favorite guitarist right now, find out how the Canadian prog virtuoso tackles soloing, melodies, harmonies and other aspects of instrumental guitar from the man himself

Guthrie Govan

Guthrie Govan: why I love guitar instrumentals

By Jason Sidwell published

The Aristocrats and Hans Zimmer virtuoso on the art of a good instrumental, the limitations of vocals, and his favorite examples of the genre

Nick Johnston

Nick Johnston: “The first few Yngwie Malmsteen albums still make me smile. The ferociousness of that playing is still unequaled”

By Jason Sidwell published

The Schecter-toting virtuoso details his musical approaches, influences and how his style came together

Joe Satriani

20 guitar virtuosos on their favorite Joe Satriani moments

By Jason Sidwell published

Paul Gilbert, Steve Vai, Marty Friedman and more pay tribute to the maestro of instrumental guitar and give us the ultimate Satch playlist

John 5

John 5 shares his love of instrumental guitar music and names his favorites

By Jason Sidwell published

Lyrics? Where John 5 is taking the electric guitar, we don’t need any lyrics. Besides, as the Rob Zombie guitarist admits, oftentimes he can’t remember them anyway

Paul Gilbert

Paul Gilbert gives us a track-by-track tour of his new Christmas album, ‘Twas

By Jason Sidwell published

Forget goose: here, Mr Gilbert shares his festive recipe for perfect Christmas electric guitar, and he's putting emu picking on the menu. You might never hold a pick the same way again

Paul Gilbert, Steve Lukather, Marty Friedman, Kirk Fletcher, Steve Morse and Michael Landau

6 guitar pros on how to prepare your playing for tour

By Jason Sidwell published

Paul Gilbert, Steve Lukather, Marty Friedman, Kirk Fletcher, Steve Morse and Michael Landau on how they get stage-ready

Sidders

Expand your chops with this uptempo funk rhythm video lesson

By Jason Sidwell published

Improve your funk playing with this exclusive video lesson, with tab and downloadable backing track

Paul Gilbert

12 mind-blowing guitarists reveal the techniques they struggled to master, and how you can improve your guitar playing faster

By Jason Sidwell published

Joe Bonamassa, Paul Gilbert, Joe Satriani and many more share the lessons they wish they'd learned sooner