Articles by Jimmy Brown

Over the past 30 years, Jimmy Brown has built a reputation as one of the world's finest music educators, through his work as a transcriber and Senior Music Editor for Guitar World magazine and Lessons Editor for its sister publication, Guitar Player. In addition to these roles, Jimmy is also a busy working musician, performing regularly in the greater New York City area. Jimmy earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies and Performance and Music Management from William Paterson University in 1989. He is also an experienced private guitar teacher and an accomplished writer.

Articles by: Jimmy Brown

“I liked to go to this old abandoned graveyard by the river to write songs. The gravestone next to where I was sitting said, ‘In Memory of Elizabeth Reed’, so that became the song’s title”: The 25 greatest Allman Brothers Band songs

By Alan Paul published 19 April 24

From Dickey Betts’ iconic instrumentals to the tracks that made ABB one of rock’s most revered jam groups, here are the best Allman Brothers Band cuts from across their catalog – and the stories behind them

The Beatles' 50 greatest guitar songs

By Christopher Scapelliti, Damian Fanelli, Jimmy Brown published 17 December 21

Charting George Harrison, John Lennon and Paul McCartney's very best six-string moments from the Fab Four's sprawling catalog

How to play 5 classic Christmas songs on guitar – with tab and chords

By Jimmy Brown published 15 December 21

In the spirit of the Axemas season, we’ve compiled a handful of select solo guitar arrangements of popular Christmas songs, including Deck the Halls, Silent Night and Jingle Bells

How creating chains of dotted-eighth syncopations can revolutionize your rhythm playing

By Jimmy Brown published 15 January 21

It's time to go against the grain with some tricky rhythmic phrasing

Shake up your rhythm playing with shifting 16th-note accents

By Jimmy Brown published 14 December 20

This “rhythm-within-a-rhythm” approach can add dynamism to your playing

Man playing Fender Telecaster electric guitar

How 16th-note rests can shake up your rhythm guitar playing

By Jimmy Brown published 13 November 20

This introduction will take you from the basics to more tricky syncopated rhythm lines

How to use a capo on guitar

By Jimmy Brown published 23 October 20

Here are some tips for better intonation, and how to think of key when using a capo

Improve your rhythm playing with this guide to 16th notes, the roots of chug

By Jimmy Brown published 9 October 20

Count in the next stage in your rhythm guitar evolution

How a capo can make 5 classic songs easier to play

By Jimmy Brown published 6 October 20

From Eagles' Desperado to Aerosmith's Dream On: here's how a capo can make playing these hits simpler than ever

Bolster your rhythmic arsenal by learning how to cycle dotted-quarter syncopations

By Jimmy Brown published 25 September 20

Learn a technique employed in songs like the Cars' Good Times Roll and David Bowie's Suffragette City

How to play slide guitar like the world's greatest players

By Phil Capone, Jimmy Brown published 9 September 20

Learn slide guitar in the style of Duane Allman, Ry Cooder, Rory Gallagher, Derek Trucks and more

How to build dramatic tension with dotted-quarter syncopations

By Jimmy Brown published 1 September 20

Mastering rhythms within rhythms can make for much more interesting compositions

Accelerate your rhythmic understanding with this lesson on eighth-note syncopations

By Jimmy Brown published 10 July 20

We break down a widely used rhythmic tool, and how bands like Black Sabbath, AC/DC and Deep Purple use the concept in their riffs

Sharpen up your theory with this primer on eighth notes and rests

By Jimmy Brown published 15 June 20

Get to grips with the most widely used rhythm in popular music

Man playing a Fender Blacktop Jaguar electric guitar

How mastering the concept of rests and ties will make you a better musician

By Jimmy Brown published 4 June 20

Your comprehension of this fundamental aspect of rhythmic notation is crucial if you're looking to write and read music

How to borrow chords from a parallel minor key and lend your songs a bittersweet edge

By Jimmy Brown published 16 April 20

Learn a songwriting trick used by everyone from Eric Clapton to The Beatles

Chris Cornell of Soundgarden performs on stage at Brixton Academy on September 18, 2013 in London, England

11 alternate and open tunings every guitarist should know

By Jimmy Brown published 2 April 20

From drop D to DADGAD and beyond, these essential tunings will make you approach guitar in an entirely new way

How to tune your guitar by ear

By Jimmy Brown published 27 March 20

Train your ears with our guide to tuning a guitar for beginners - no tuner required

Beginner guitar: lock down your rhythm playing with this lesson in basic note durations

By Jimmy Brown published 27 March 20

Everything you need to understand the concept of timing in popular music

Shake up your songwriting by borrowing chords from a parallel minor key

By Jimmy Brown published 14 February 20

With examples of the technique employed in famous songs across different genres

How to tune your guitar to drop D tuning by ear

By Jimmy Brown published 3 February 20

Don't have a tuner lying around? Fear not! Learn this all-powerful alternate tuning the easy way

Close-up of guitarist playing a minor chord on a Gibson SG

Give your major-key compositions a moment of darkness by employing the 'four minor' chord

By Jimmy Brown published 29 January 20

How borrowing chords from parallel minor keys can refresh your songwriting

Man playing Gibson ES-335 electric guitar

Change the mood and spice up your tunes with parallel major and minor keys

By Jimmy Brown published 3 January 20

Impart a touch of sadness or melancholy to an otherwise happy and predictable-sounding progression

The technique secrets of the decade's best guitarists

By Jimmy Brown, Sam Roche published 31 December 19

A rundown of the explosive playing styles of Mark Tremonti, Tosin Abasi, Gary Clark Jr. and Nita Strauss

Close-up of hand playing chord on electric guitar neck

Make your compositions soar using augmented climb progressions

By Jimmy Brown published 22 November 19

How to inject a sense of drama into your songwriting

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