“It’s all about your vibrato and phrasing”: Sophie Lloyd's shred version of Stairway To Heaven adds some fiery fretwork to the Led Zeppelin classic By Matt Parker published 30 August 23 The UK shred whiz is back with another must-hear classic rock revamp
She started out posting scary-accurate Pantera covers that saw her hailed as the guitar reincarnation of Dimebag Darrell – then Kayla Kent found herself in the running to be the band’s new guitarist By Matt Owen published 29 August 23 The YouTuber was invited backstage at a recent Pantera show by Dimebag’s guitar tech Grady Champion, where she received the news from Phil Anselmo – not to mention an in-depth tour of Champion’s intense effects duties
John Mayer is one of the most lyrical soloists playing today – learn his tricks to crafting memorable leads By Andy G Jones published 28 August 23 Mayer is a player who wears his influences well but always brings his own twist – we take look at how he applies this to his solos, and how you can, too
Bernie Marsden, former Whitesnake guitarist and giant of blues-rock guitar, has died By Matt Owen published 25 August 23 Co-writer of Here I Go Again, Marsden leaves behind a profound legacy following a lauded career, and was “writing and recording new songs until the end”
Your solos and rhythm playing will benefit from learning chords across the fretboard – and major 7ths are a great place to start By Richard Barrett published 25 August 23 The major 7th chord is a favorite among guitarists of all stripes, including Nile Rodgers – here are 5 ways to take the shape to the next level, and your overall playing along with it, too
“Magic is when you command the elements to capture people’s hearts”: the first trailer for new Santana documentary Carlos has arrived By Matt Parker published 24 August 23 An acclaimed new film about the guitar great will hit cinemas for special screenings this September
“It was like watching Old Man Halen”: John Wines returns to America’s Got Talent – and his new routine is even more electrifying By Matt Owen published 24 August 23 Having nailed his internet-breaking audition, the 59-year-old guitar teacher (aka Old Grey Guitarist) returned with yet more Eddie Van Halen-flavored fretboard pyrotechnics to smash the show's qualifier round – despite Simon Cowell's misgivings
“I get the guitar solo and I immediately have to give it away to Robbie!”: Eric Clapton reveals the reason he’s not particularly proud of his Last Waltz performance By Matt Parker published 24 August 23 In a rare new interview, the guitar icon reflects on his onstage mishap, alongside the late Robbie Robertson’s remarkable playing and his experiences of The Band
“I love anything with a killer solo you can jam out to”: Welcome to the Sophie Lloyd masterclass, where the Machine Gun Kelly guitarist and YouTube shred sensation will give your rock chops a serious workout By Sophie Lloyd published 24 August 23 In this Guitar World exclusive, Sophie Lloyd takes you behind her rhythm and lead techniques on monster single Do or Die and shares her tips on how to hone your skills
“Ladies and gentlemen: Edward... Van... Halen!” EVH’s full nine-minute guitar solo at Van Halen’s legendary 1984 Monsters Of Rock show surfaces online for the first time ever By Matt Parker published 22 August 23 Pro-shot footage of the band’s iconic Monsters of Rock performance – one of their last with David Lee Roth – has appeared on YouTube
Pat Metheny is a true master of guitar, and every player can learn from his awe-inspiring fusion approach – expand your chops with these key concepts By John Wheatcroft published 18 August 23 We put Metheny's blues motifs, subversion of genre, his use of slurs and slides, unisons, and the targeting of crucial chord tones under the microscope – tabs and audio included
“An absolute groundbreaker as a player”: His Telecaster mastery was the backbone of records by Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson, and countless others – watch James Burton demonstrate his incredible chicken pickin’ technique By Jackson Maxwell published 18 August 23 Beloved by Paul McCartney, Keith Richards, Pete Townshend, Brian May, and innumerable other rock guitar giants, Burton's skill and list of stage and studio credits are mind-boggling
“We’re going to explore how I shape my signature tone and dig into some of my favorite technical and creative approaches”: Eric Johnson launches TrueFire online masterclass – featuring in-the-works material By Jonathan Horsley published 17 August 23 Play like Eric Johnson? We can dream. Or we can subscribe to his interactive video masterclass and In The Jam play-along sessions – which feature "tunes you might hear on an upcoming record" from the guitarist – on TrueFire
“Every meeting we have, we talk about the Model T”: Sunn confirms a reissue of its most iconic amp is in the works – and it might be more affordable than you think By Jonathan Horsley published 17 August 23 The return of Sunn Amplification was greeted with great joy and a little confusion as players asked where the legendary Model T was. Turns out, it's coming...
For 30 years, this Japanese guitarist has dedicated his life to becoming Jimmy Page – watch the first trailer for Mr. Jimmy, a documentary about his incredible story By Matt Owen published 17 August 23 See the remarkable tale of Akio Sakurai, who recreated Led Zeppelin concerts note-for-note in small Tokyo clubs, until a meeting with Page changed his life forever
Watch Marty Friedman, Kiko Loureiro and Dave Mustaine rehearse for one of the summer’s biggest festival sets in new Megadeth behind-the-scenes footage By Matt Owen published 16 August 23 See the ensemble run through sections of their four-song setlist – complete with an up-close view of Friedman's absurd solo powers
“Joe Perry had hit a block, so I was called in to play on Train Kept a Rollin’. They said, ‘Don't tell anyone – no-one can know’”: From Alice Cooper to Peter Gabriel and Aerosmith, Steve Hunter has led one of session guitar’s most remarkable careers By Andrew Daly published 16 August 23 The session veteran tells his greatest war stories: how he wrote the epic intro to Lou Reed’s Sweet Jane, what he taught Jason Becker for his stint with David Lee Roth, and why he believes losing his sight made him a better guitar player
Coming soon: The Guitar Showcase 2023 By Guitar World published 16 August 23 Celebrate the best guitars, amps, effects and accessories the guitar world has to offer from September 25
With blistering technique, a great ear for melody and an incredible rhythm guitar pocket, Steve Lukather is one of rock guitar’s all-time greats – upgrade your skills with his must-learn licks By Martin Cooper published 16 August 23 Lukather is a play-anything session player and the box-office guitar behind Toto, and this lesson offers two approaches for incorporating his virtuoso stylings into your playing
“I never thought I could actually play a solo on this thing”: YouTuber creates a ‘neckless’ guitar – and even manages to record a song with it By Jackson Maxwell published 15 August 23 Djenty-crunch, "extreme vibrato," whammy-like bends... Bernth Brodträger gets a surprising amount of range from his crazy Ibanez in this original composition
