Guitar Techniques

How to play old-school blues

By Richard Barrett

Learn some six-string rhythms in the style of blues heavyweights Howlin' Wolf and Hubert Sumlin

Listen to Gary Moore’s scorching, previously unreleased live take on Freddie King’s blues classic, I’m Tore Down

By Richard Bienstock

The track hails from new compilation, How Blue Can You Get, featuring Moore deep cuts and alternate versions

Mike Mitchell, The Kingsmen co-founder and Louie Louie guitarist, dies aged 77

By Matt Owen

Mitchell, who was the brains behind Louie Louie's blistering guitar solo, remained with the band from its inception and had a live performing career that spanned over six decades

Save hundreds on a new Gibson Les Paul, Fender Stratocaster or Martin acoustic at Guitar Center right now

By Daryl Robertson

The latest Guitar Center sale sees prices dropped on a wide range of electric guitars, acoustic guitars and amps from Gibson, Fender, Gretsch, Martin and more

How to produce greater musical expression and variation while playing up and down one string

By Andy Timmons

Andy Timmons' debut column will teach you new ideas for incorporating melodies in your soloing

Meet 2020's Guitarists of the Year

By Guitar World Staff

Featuring the best electric and acoustic guitarists, best teacher, and best young guitarist, as picked by GW editors and star judges

Fusion ace Jack Gardiner signs with Ibanez, releases re-recorded version of 1993

By Matt Owen

The Tom Quayle-taught guitar guru celebrated the announcement with a new music video, which showcases the Ibanez AZ2204B in all its glory

Woman plays acoustic guitar sat on a sofa in front of a laptop

Try Fender Play for 2 weeks absolutely free, no strings attached

By Daryl Robertson

Get access to expert online guitar lessons and learn songs from your favorite bands, free for 2 weeks

Manuel Gardner Fernandes releases intricate guitar-driven rendition of Rosé's K-Pop smash hit On the Ground

By Matt Owen

The social media shred sensation takes on one of the biggest tracks in the world right now, kitting out Rosé's single with tasty melodic lines and trademark percussive strums

Watch Ichika Nito put a dual-fretboard 14-string FM Guitars model through its paces

By Matt Owen

The guitar-wielding social media wizard made light work of Felix Martin's mammoth axe, offering up a dizzying array of two-hand tapping lines and colorful chord play

Viral acoustic virtuoso Marcin releases full studio version of his sublime fingerstyle Kashmir cover

By Matt Owen

Watch the new music video for Kashmir on One Guitar, which sees Marcin and his trusty Ibanez acoustic return to the underground car park where it all started

How to two-hand tap like Eddie Van Halen

By Andy Aledort

This hands-on and tabbed lesson offers a comprehensive primer in Eddie's signature lead style, as well as a brief history of two-hand tapping itself

Wayne Kranz performs with KCL at Lantaren Venster on February 23, 2020 in Rotterdam, Netherlands

Wayne Krantz unveils “lost” solo debut album, Music Room 1985

By Richard Bienstock

Listen to the smooth-jazz instrumental “Cowboy” now

Lari Basilio, Nili Brosh, Gretchen Menn and more join forces for epic International Women’s Day guitar jam

By Matt Owen

Irene Ketikidi, Anouck Andre and Laura Klinkert complete the star-studded lineup in the jaw-dropping jam

Hear Joe Satriani shred over an orchestra as he joins forces with composer Kitt Wakeley

By Sam Roche

Conflicted comes ahead of Wakeley's upcoming album, Symphony of Sinners and Saints, out May 21

50 guitar chords you need to know

By Total Guitar editors

Boost your guitar vocabulary with fingerstyle-friendly shapes and everyday essentials, plus complex jazz voicings

Steve Vai held a guitar chord for so long he had to undergo surgery

By Sam Roche

The virtuoso reveals he “won't be able to play for a while” after going under the knife for trigger finger

Molly Tuttle performs at War Memorial Auditorium during AMERICANAFEST 2019 on September 13, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Molly Tuttle shows you how to play traditional bluegrass lines and Over the Line

By Molly Tuttle

Bluesy, chromatic licks are on the menu with this exercise in old-school bluegrass methodology

Shake up your leads with these one-string bend techniques

By Andy Aledort

Mastering precise bends on the B string can offer new ideas for pentatonic solos

Young man using smart phone while sitting at home with guitar in background

Why comparing yourself to other guitarists is bad news for your playing, creativity and mental health

By Michael Astley-Brown

Social media can dent your confidence on the instrument – here’s how you can take action