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Matteo Mancuso on why nobody in the contemporary guitar scene can afford a bad gig
Mancuso is one of this year's breakout stars – but with a brighter spotlight comes the added online (and offline) pressure to be consistent without fail
One of John Mayer’s favorite contemporary guitarists has lent his virtuosic skills to Beyoncé, Mac Miller and Ariana Grande
The guitarist in question was playing a show in Los Angeles, when he spotted Mayer admiring his guitar work from afar
David Gilmour explains the origins of his lauded ‘feel’ playing technique
In a new interview with Rick Beato, the Pink Floyd legend discusses the “David Gilmour effect” and picks apart his playing style, which has captured the hearts and minds of generations of guitarists
Zachary Ezrin showcases his wild whammy technique on Eye of Mars – and a Gibson with the Midas touch
The experimental band’s forthcoming album, Goldstar, puts Ezrin’s oddball blend of influences and techniques center stage
Jim Suhler on the time Joe Bonamassa played on one of his tracks – and delivered a searing solo while sick
Suhler met Bonamassa back in 2001, when the then-rising star was supporting George Thorogood, and has stayed in touch with him ever since
Soccer Mommy on the power of alternate tunings in pushing her songwriting capabilities
The singer-songwriter discusses how opting for left-field tunings forces guitarists to learn a whole new vocabulary, which ultimately improves their playing
Steve Vai lays down a smoking alternative solo for Chicago’s South California Purples at the rock icons’ Live at 55 show
Vai was joined by the likes of Judith Hill and Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram to help mark 55 years Chicago Transit Authority
Pat Metheny recently discovered an all-new Argentinian guitar string – and it inspired him to write an album
The jazz master explored the nuances of baritone guitar in his latest album, and a new set of strings from a brand he previously did not know about helped him unlock a new universe of sonic potential
Lionel Richie guitarist Greg Suran shares the solo advice he received from Joe Walsh
Greg Suran has played with a veritable list of top acts, but his time working with the Eagles guitarist proved key to taking his solos to the next level
![[L-R] A composite image of Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, Joel Hoekstra, Marty Friedman all taking a solo live: Bumblefoot plays his double-neck. Hoekstra has his white Les Paul Custom. Friedman wears a plaid shirt and plays his PRS signature model.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VPKUYFpK9bsjnQdzekheeb-840-80.jpg.webp)
15 pro guitarists share their tips for memorizing music
We've all been there. Or worse still, you're playing, all is well, and then the mind goes blank. Here, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, Joel Hoekstra, Marty Friedman, and a dozen of their fellow pros share their strategies for memorizing their parts
Steve Stevens on following in Eddie Van Halen’s footsteps to record the ‘spiritual successor’ to Beat It
When Jackson and Jones sought to revisit the sound they experimented with on Beat It, they turned to the Billy Idol guitarist for a hard rock edge
Timothée Chalamet on playing guitar in the Bob Dylan biopic – and the song that made it all click
Chalamet discusses the nuances of Dylan’s guitar playing and the moment his portrayal of the legendary songwriter came together
Session bassist Sean Hurley on taking inspiration from Paul McCartney for a John Mayer session
Hurley aimed to build his Queen of California bass line around “the roots and flat sevenths” – taking a page from Macca's book
Steve Lukather on how Quincy Jones saved Michael Jackson’s Beat It from becoming a heavy metal track
Jackson wanted a rock track for Thriller – and Lukather says Jones had to step in to stop the song from entering fully fledged metal territory
Gary Rossington’s ‘Free Bird’ SG will be loaned out for a series of A-list gigs
The Chicago Music Exchange is working with Rossington’s family to help put the iconic guitar in the hands of big-name players, in a new initiative that aims to honor the late Southern rock icon’s legacy
David Gilmour on why the guitar is still a vehicle for giving “birth to new tunes” – decades deep into his career
Gilmour talks about how limitations and “getting discomfited” are crucial to his songwriting process – and to keeping things sounding fresh
![[L-R] Ozzy Osbourne and Jake E. Lee](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GsG64nBua4FkRe2KkMC4xc-840-80.jpg.webp)
Jake E. Lee on comparisons with Randy Rhoads – and what his fellow Ozzy shredder was better at
The virtuoso has weighed in on the decades-long debate that has pitted him against his Prince of Darkness predecessor
Ella Feingold auditioned to join Prince’s band – but was turned down because her playing was “too funky”
Feingold has discussed her 2005 audition, during which her chops proved to be too funky – and not enough ‘Elton John’ – for Prince
