How to play the Holly and the Ivy on acoustic guitar By Stuart Ryan published 18 December 23 A Christmas cracker popularized by Steeleye Span, his traditional song dates back to the 19th century – and will entertain the family as only an acoustic waltz in 3/4 can
“I played about eight different guitar tunings – I threw the idea of patterns and scales out the window”: Kim Thayil hits back at being called a “sloppy” guitarist By Phil Weller published 18 December 23 The grunge icon details how the pros and cons of alternate tunings defined Soundgarden’s career, and how his “spontaneous wildness” saw Chris Cornell reposition his amp
Learn to play In the Bleak Midwinter with this festive jazz-blues guitar arrangement that really sleighs By Andy Jones published 15 December 23 It's time to embrace the Yuletide season and sharpen up your legato skills and melodic development with a jazz-blues arrangement of this classic Christmas song
“I hate to say it, but non-musicians – who are the majority of the listening world – are not going to remember guitar solos”: Kirk Hammett says it doesn’t matter how good or flashy a solo is – most people are going to forget them anyway By Matt Owen published 15 December 23 According to the Metallica maestro, the average music listener doesn't share a guitar player's enthusiasm for a ripping solo
“When the G.O.A.T. gives you a call, you say ‘when and where’”: Mateus Asato reveals his heavy side as he shreds over Linkin Park with an EMG-loaded Suhr By Phil Weller published 15 December 23 The Brazilian guitarist joined a band of muso influencers for live sessions in support of Mike Shinoda’s new album – and his fiery lead lines steal the show
Introducing contrasting open chords – the open-string shapes used by the likes of Alex Lifeson and Jeff Buckley in some of their dreamiest guitar parts By Richard Barrett published 14 December 23 What is a contrasting open chord? It's simply an open chord that combines high-fretted notes and open strings, and it can be used to great effect on acoustic or electric guitar
“Strat or Les Paul? I’m going to go with Strat. The bar has become a big part of the way I play…” Pete Thorn answers the guitar world’s biggest questions – and names the underrated players you need to hear right now By Scott Rowley published 14 December 23 Is tone in the fingers or in the gear? What’s the best piece of guitar advice you’ve received? What would you like to be better at? Pete Thorn takes our guitar nerd questionnaire…
Waylon Jennings was an outlaw country pioneer – and his clever open chord modifications were at the heart of his rhythmic acoustic strumming style By Stuart Ryan published 13 December 23 Jennings was country's original bad boy and lived a life less ordinary. His style might be simple but deceptively so, with strums complemented by embellishments that all served the song
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas… so here's a lesson on how to play Deck the Halls, arranged for classical guitar By Declan Zapala published 13 December 23 The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to play guitar loudly for all to hear, and this lesson will turn you into Andrés Segovia after three glasses of mulled wine
“Guitarists appear to be caught in a paradox”: A new study by UK academics says the modern-day guitar virtuoso is torn between perfection and authenticity – and must be a cultural entrepreneur By Matt Parker published 13 December 23 Rock Guitar Virtuosos: Advances in Electric Guitar Playing, Technology, and Culture is available for free download and is essential reading for guitar scholars
“I like Firebird Vs the best, simply because this is the model that Johnny Winter played”: Learn Joe Bonamassa’s favorite Firebird licks in this exclusive video lesson By Joe Bonamassa published 12 December 23 Armed with a 1964 Gibson Firebird V, Joe Bonamassa teaches us some tricks he picked up from the late, great Johnny Winter
“Eddie Van Halen influenced me both in sounds and vocabulary”: Matteo Mancuso pays tribute to one of his heroes with EVH-inspired You Really Got Me cover By Matt Owen published 12 December 23 The Sicilian six-string sorcerer returned for a knockout TV appearance, and tipped his hat to Van Halen with the help of an orchestra
"My apologies to you, our guitarist broke a finger": Red Hot Chili Peppers forced to cancel KROQ show following John Frusciante finger injury By Phil Weller published 12 December 23 Vocalist Anthony Kiedis has now revealed the reason for the cancelation, with Frusciante sidelined for six weeks
Derek Trucks is one of the finest slide players to ever pick up an electric guitar – learn how to add his lyrical soloing style to your repertoire By Andy G Jones published 11 December 23 Intonation is the watchword in this tab and audio lesson in the style of the Tedeschi Trucks Band's genius lead guitarist
Creed and Alter Bridge veteran Mark Tremonti has put together one of rock's most impressive catalogs of crowd-pleasing riffs and solos. Learn his muscular metal guitar style By Charlie Griffiths published 8 December 23 Alternate picking, legato, sweep picking... we're throwing the kitchen sink at this one for an intense workshop in the Alter Bridge shred captain's six-string approach
Get better faster for only $3.13 per month with Fender Play’s biggest ever discount By Chris Barnes published 8 December 23 Learning or improving has never been cheaper thanks to this time-limited 75% off promotion from Fender Play
If you're playing in a blues trio, you have an awful lot of freedom with your guitar parts – here's how to make the most of being the only guitar player in the band By Richard Barrett published 7 December 23 These major-sounding blues ideas are ideal for those situations where you've only got the drummer and bass player for company
“The iconic solo was about to come up and it's like, ‘Oh god. This is not gonna work out well’”: Bumblefoot says he received death threats after fumbling the Welcome to the Jungle solo – while he was stuck in a stormtrooper helmet By Matt Parker published 6 December 23 The guitarist ranks the onstage mishap with Guns N’ Roses as his ultimate Spinal Tap moment
Stevie Ray Vaughan virtually defined the art of the Texas shuffle – learn the playing style that shaped the sound of blues to come By Jamie Humphries published 6 December 23 The late, great Stratocaster master’s techniques will add some Texas heat to your blues playing, guaranteed
“Eddie Van Halen handed me a guitar and said, ‘I had to learn that damn riff for Wolfie. Show me how you played it!’” Power Rangers composer Ron Wasserman discusses how he “fooled the master” in his performance of the iconic theme By Matt Parker published 6 December 23 The man behind the X-Men and Power Rangers soundtracks says EVH asked him for pointers on the track he wrote in just two-and-a-half hours