Guitar Techniques

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Jimmy Page (left) and Mr. Jimmy perform onstage

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

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

Megadeth and Marty Friedman rehearsing

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

See the ensemble run through sections of their four-song setlist – complete with an up-close view of Friedman's absurd solo powers

Alice Cooper (L) and Steve Hunter performing live on stage at the Alexandra Palace on October 29, 2011 in London.

“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

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

The Guitar Showcase 2023

Coming soon: The Guitar Showcase 2023

By Guitar World published

Celebrate the best guitars, amps, effects and accessories the guitar world has to offer from September 25

Steve Lukather

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

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

YouTuber Bernth plays a neckless Ibanez guitar

“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

Djenty-crunch, "extreme vibrato," whammy-like bends... Bernth Brodträger gets a surprising amount of range from his crazy Ibanez in this original composition

Larry Carlton

His liquid jazz-blues playing style made him one of the most sought-after session guitarists of all time – learn the secrets behind Larry Carlton’s most memorable solos

By Andy G Jones published

Famed for his work with Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell and Michael Jackson, Carlton is a true guitar legend who can switch codes between jazz, blues and pop then back again like there was nothing to it – and now you can learn how to do it, too

Person playing a power chord on an electric guitar

“For me, a power chord is laziness”: Rolling Stones, U2 and XTC producer Steve Lillywhite explains why certain uses of power chords are “not art”

By Matt Owen published

They're used in many of music's most famous songs and form the bedrock of numerous styles, but super-producer Lillywhite isn't overly keen on power chords – here's why

TGR373 Arpeggio lesson

No, arpeggios aren’t just for jazz and shred solos – here are 5 ways you can use them to freshen up any style of guitar playing

By Jenna Scaramanga published

Your riffs, rhythm parts and solos can all benefit from a minor 7 arpeggio injection

Derek Trucks performing live

Derek Trucks has been tackling Beck’s Bolero in his own spectacular fashion – watch him nail Jeff Beck’s influential guitar tour de force

By Matt Owen published

The slide virtuoso has been paying tribute to the late Stratocaster master with a string of sensational covers

Stanley Jordan performs onstage, with two guitars

Steve Hackett called him “probably the most proficient tapper out there”: Watch underrated tapping genius Stanley Jordan apply his masterful technique to Stairway to Heaven – on two guitars at once

By Jackson Maxwell published

The visionary virtuoso put a jazzy and classical spin on a technique most often associated with hard-rock, and applied it to a bold reimagining of the Led Zeppelin classic

Jacob Collier and his five-string Strandberg guitar

“Everything about the design appeals to me”: Jacob Collier on why he created his wild 5-string Strandberg – and how he unlocked a new musical language with its unusual alternate tuning

By Matt Owen published

The multi-instrumentalist is dipping his toes into rockier waters for his upcoming album, and he’s got the perfect axe to do so. Here’s how one of 2023’s most unorthodox custom builds came to life

Robbie Robertson

“His effect on the art form was profound and lasting”: Robbie Robertson, 1943-2023 – the guitar world pays tribute

By Matt Owen published

Musicians, creatives, and world leaders alike have all paid tribute to the famed Bob Dylan and the Band guitarist, who has died aged 80

Jeff Loomis

Jeff Loomis is one of metal’s most technically audacious players – and learning his techniques can really up your shred game

By Charlie Griffiths published

Improve your alternate picking, arpeggios and tapping skills with these 5 lessons in the style of the Arch Enemy virtuoso

Chris Rea

Chris Rea is an underrated blues-pop force – his soulful slide playing is well worth investigating

By Phil Short published

Inspired by the blues greats, the UK singer-songwriter developed a melodic open E slide style that’s very much his own

Link Wray performs at The Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco, California in 1978

“The kids just went ape”: This menacing riff shaped the playing of Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend and Jeff Beck – and had a guitar tone so aggressive it was banned from the radio

By Jackson Maxwell published

Finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023, Link Wray was a guitar pioneer who – when he released Rumble in 1958 – made the instrument sound more dangerous than anyone before him

Buddy Guy performs at Stern Grove in San Francisco, California on August 6, 2023

“I don’t want someone coming away from my show thinking, ‘He doesn’t sound any good’”: Buddy Guy opens up on his retirement from the road

By Jackson Maxwell published

The blues guitar legend says that seeing the toll advanced age took on the live performances of some of his own heroes – including B.B. King – played a significant factor in his decision

Josh Smith

Why diminished phrases can be your secret weapon in a blues chord progression

By Josh Smith published

Josh Smith offers a road map for harmonically interesting blues guitar playing, offering fresh ideas for connecting notes between chords

Marty Friedman (foreground, right) performs with Megadeth at the Wacken Open Air Festival on August 4, 2023

Marty Friedman revisits his thrash heyday once again for ferocious four-song guest spot with Megadeth

By Jackson Maxwell published

The Wacken Open Air festival played host to the legendary shredder's second 2023 reunion with the metal icons

Kirk Hammett

“I'm gonna do this intro all over for you”: Kirk Hammett fluffs the intro to Nothing Else Matters at first show of Metallica's US tour

By Matt Owen published

It's not the first time the Gibson and ESP signature artist has stumbled over the track's open-string heavy intro riff