Guitar Techniques

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Al Di Meola

Al Di Meola on why he opts to practice on an acoustic guitar – even when preparing for electric-heavy tours

By Janelle Borg published

Di Meola says a nylon guitar's response time is slower than that of an electric, which forces the player to work harder, especially when executing fast phrases

Eddie Van Halen playing the Bumblebee, and Nuno Bettencourt playing his Washburn Bumblebee replica

Nuno Bettencourt has been using his custom Washburn ‘Bumblebee’ to cover Eddie Van Halen with Extreme

By Phil Weller published

The virtuoso has tackled Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love and Mean Street over the past few weeks, with a little help from his custom-made 'Bumblebee' replica

Mr. Jimmy, and Jimmy Page performs onstage during the 38th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Barclays Center on November 03, 2023 in New York City

Akiro Sakurai has dedicated his life to becoming Jimmy Page – and he received some key advice when he first met the Led Zeppelin legend

By Matt Owen published

Mr. Jimmy has devoted his career to learning the songs and solos of Page's back catalog, and had a fateful encounter with his hero 10 years ago

Jared James Nichols

Jared James Nichols reveals how he developed his unique fingerstyle technique – and the perks of going pick-less

By Janelle Borg published

Nichols also demonstrates how to achieve optimum attack and dynamics with his fingerstyle technique, which was inspired by Albert King, Derek Trucks and Mark Knopfler

Grace Bowers

Grace Bowers takes a rare acoustic turn to cover Led Zeppelin on her new single

By Matt Owen published

The fast-rising 18-year-old blues-rock sensation has paid homage to Page with an atmospheric take on Going to California for her new single

Kenny Wayne Shepherd gives off SRV vibes wearing a leather jacket, hat, and playing a battered Fender Stratocaster

How Kenny Wayne Shepherd became a modern-day master of the Stratocaster

By David Gerrish published

That Overdrive Special you bought on Reverb is going to pay for itself once you take this lesson in the former child prodigy turned maestro's style

Grace Bowers performs onstage at Wave in Wichita, Kansas on September 10, 2024

Why Grace Bowers prefers the Gibson SG to the Les Paul

By Jackson Maxwell published

Though her preference was originally based on aesthetics and weight, her reasons have – as she's grown more seasoned – expanded to feel and tone

ROUNDHOUSE (CAMDEN) Photo of Caleb QUAYE and HOOKFOOT, Caleb Quaye performing on stage

How Elton John and Hall & Oates guitarist Caleb Quaye ended up inheriting the Led Zeppelin legend’s studio work

By Janelle Borg published

Jimmy Page decided to quit his lucrative career as a session guitarist in favor of joining the Yardbirds, and Quaye was right on time to take his spot

Donnie Laudicina teaches a James Brown-inspired funk rhythm figure

Learn the ‘chanking’ funk approach popularized by game-changing James Brown guitarist Jimmy Nolen

By Donnie Laudicina published

You can chank us later for this lesson in an approach that could revolutionise how you execute your rhythm guitar manoeuvres

James Hetfield performs onstage with Metallica at Downing Stadium in Randall's Island, New York City, in 1996

James Hetfield reflects on the anxieties he experienced after stepping away from the guitar for too long

By Jackson Maxwell published

Speaking to GW in 1996, the always-candid Hetfield recounted how Metallica's post-Black Album break left him “vegging”, and out of practice

Yvette Young of Covet performs during Swanfest at Heart Health Park on April 23, 2022 in Sacramento, California

Yvette Young explains why she's rebooting her a solo career – and redefining her guitar playing along the way

By Janelle Borg published

Young is temporarily putting aside Covet to lean into different facets of her guitar playing, focusing less on virtuosity and more on melody-driven composition

GTC365 Philip Sayce video masterclass

Philip Sayce channels the blues licks of the greats – and his masterclass will supercharge your pentatonic solos

By Jon Bishop published

The Canadian maestro is your instructor today, and for this lesson you're going to be digging deep for some Texas sizzle and red-hot pentatonic turnarounds

Les Dudek (left) and Mike Bloomfield

“‘What are you doing?’” When Les Dudek guested with Mike Bloomfield (without him knowing)

By Jackson Maxwell published

Caught up in the music and the moment, the veteran guitarist – who played on Allman Brothers Band's Ramblin' Man and Jessica – ran onto the stage while Bloomfield was at the keys, none the wiser

Against a backdrop of celestial stage lights, John Petrucci plays a riff on his signature Ernie Ball Music Man JP15 7-string

Everybody knows John Petrucci for his God-like shredding abilities, but the Dream Theater virtuoso’s next-level rhythm playing deserves more attention

By Jamie Hunt published

We examine the different approaches Petrucci takes for world-building with metal riffs – playing in different time signatures and executing them with on-point precision

Beabadoobee performs on the East Stage during All Points East Festival 2024 at Victoria Park on August 18, 2024 in London, England.

Why Gen Z guitar star Beabadoobee’s chords have confused her fellow guitarists – but won over Rick Rubin

By Janelle Borg published

Beabadoobee, aka Beatrice Laus, recently landed a number one album in her native UK, but her fondness for My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth and Elliott Smith has spawned a guitar style that has confounded her fellow players

Eddie Van Halen and Dweezil Zappa playing guitar onstage

Dweezil Zappa says he recorded Eddie Van Halen playing a “greatest hits guitar solo” at 5150 – and had to give EVH pointers

By Matt Parker published

The session was the result of an unreleased ‘audio movie’ concept of Zappa’s in which he envisioned solo contributions from Brian May and Angus Young

Steve Vai of BEAT performs on stage at Humphreys Concerts By the Bay on September 17, 2024 in San Diego, California

Why Steve Vai kept his guitar playing a secret when he first started

By Matt Owen published

Vai didn't tell anyone when he began learning the guitar, but eventually announced his new-found fretboard abilities in quite spectacular style

Kris Kristofferson performing at the Park West in Chicago, Illinois, July 29, 1982

“You can look at Nashville pre-Kris and post-Kris, because he changed everything”: Kris Kristofferson dies aged 88

By Matt Owen published

The actor, songwriter and country giant was lauded by Bob Dylan, had his material covered by Johnny Cash and Janis Joplin, and joined a supergroup with some of country music's biggest names

A black and white action shot of Link Wray behind dark sunglasses, bending a note on a Gibson SG and making it squeal

Instrumental guitar was pioneered by Link Wray, Les Paul and Hank Marvin – and they shaped the sound of every guitarist who followed

By Jon Bishop published

We pay tribute to the kings of twang with this electric masterclass in early rock ’n’ roll instrumental guitar

Trey Anastasio is bathed in sunlight as he plays his Languedoc custom-build at 2024s Sea.Hear.Now Festival

Trey Anastasio masterclass: nail the Phish frontman’s unique approach to songwriting and soloing

By Jeff Jacobson published

Anastasio draws from influences across the musical spectrum. This lesson breaks down his dynamic soloing and songwriting approach