Latest articles by Stuart Ryan
The late music icon had a distinctive approach to country rhythm, using alternating bassline picking and bluegrass soloing techniques
David Gilmour, Keith Richards & Taylor Swift all do this…
Open G has been embraced by legends including Keith Richards, The Black Crowes and Led Zeppelin. Now it’s your turn to revel in its golden tones
Still ignoring the metronome? These seven examples prove it’s the secret weapon behind precision, speed, and control
Every player is aware of the minor pentatonic, but not everyone knows how to make the most of it. These examples – in the style of some prolific pentatonic players – will help you master the shape everyone uses
From The Doobie Brothers to The Smiths, James Brown to Metallica, 7th barre chords are fundamental for playing with more color and sophistication
String bending is a core technique for lead playing. Here's how to take it from beginner to pro
Why the 7th fret is the magic position for your guitar capo
The Locrian mode is the seventh and darkest mode derived from the major scale. Stuart Ryan takes you through the structure of the scale and gets creative with some rhythm and lead examples
Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour and Slash are just three of the countless fans of this staple minor mode. Here, Stuart Ryan takes you through the structure of the scale, plus a handful of chords, riffs and licks
Used by countless blues guitarists and hard rockers from B.B. King and Guns N' Roses to Josh Smith and Joe Bonamassa, the Mixolydian mode is essential knowledge. Stuart Ryan explains all
This bright but unusual sounding mode became popular among shredders after Joe Satriani and Steve Vai used it in the 80s. Here, Stuart Ryan explains what gives the Lydian mode its signature sound
Metallica and Al Di Meola favour this mode for colourful riffs and solos. In the third lesson in our series on modes Stuart Ryan explores the sounds of the Phrygian mode
We unpack the signature style of The Moody Blues' Justin Hayward, who is often unsung compared with his flashier peers. His playing style, however, requires concentration and accuracy
Robben Ford and Nile Rodgers are just two iconic fans of a mode that countless guitarists use in riffs and solos
Stuart Ryan takes you through the basics of the Ionian mode and shows you how to play chords, riffs, arpeggios and lead guitar breaks using this essential scale
Ever since the '60s, Joan Baez has delivered a message with her music, but she was never going to be a two-chord folkie with a bellyful of fire. Her sound takes from jazz and flamenco with picking patterns that are as good as a fingerprint
Tracks such as Pinball Wizard and Substitute were driven by Townshend's untapped, brawny-yet-brainy acoustic guitar playing. We've gathered all the techniques you need to nail his style in one video lesson
Listen to the guitar work of the Davies brothers and you’ll gain a real insight into how it was all done back in the 1960s
This is a smoking hot introduction to one of Nashville's most important skills
There is a case to be made that Paul Simon is one of the most underrated players ever, but maybe that's because he always foregrounds the song. This lesson shows just what a clever player he is
From Maybelle Carter’s famous ‘pick and flick’ approach to Pete Seeger’s banjo-style techniques – it’s all here in a lesson that will make you a more rounded player
As legend tells it, he was the man who taught John Lennon to pick. And he sure could write a song. We pay tribute to the flying Scotsman of the Swinging Sixties, Donovan Phillips Leitch, with this lesson in his folk-informed style
