Guitar Techniques

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Jimmy Nolen

The unsung guitarist who transformed James Brown’s music, and laid a funky path for Nile Rodgers, John Frusciante, Cory Wong and countless others

By Jackson Maxwell published

Overshadowed by the flamboyant frontman for whom he worked, Jimmy Nolen created a singular rhythm style that can still be heard all over pop and rock radio today

Joe Bonamassa

Joe Bonamassa on why he loves the P-90s on his 1958 Gibson Les Paul Special – and the origins of its ‘TV Yellow’ finish

By Joe Bonamassa published

The Les Paul Special is a simple slab of mahogany that doubles up on the P-90s and as JoBo attests, it is a highly recommended electric with a voice that can cut through the mix

Jack White performs at Live from Detroit: The Concert at Michigan Central" on June 06, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan with a young guitarist playing from her bedroom window in a circle

Young guitarist endorsed by Jack White after dueting on Seven Nation Army – from her bedroom window several streets away

By Janelle Borg published

A young guitarist who jammed with Jack White without him knowing has now caught the attention of the White Stripe himself

Mike Zito playing a PRS singlecut onstage in Norway.

Mike Zito is a blues-rock maestro with a classic rock sensibility – and learning his skills will add a timeless quality to your leads

By Andy G Jones published

Co-founder of the Royal Southern Brotherhood, Mike Zito is a player's player, guaranteed to hit the bullseye with note choice and phrasing. This tab and video lesson takes you deep into his style

Duff McKagan and Slash of Guns N' Roses at the Poplar Creek Music Theater in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, July 19, 1988

Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagan on the moment he met Slash… and his pet snake

By Janelle Borg published

Duff McKagan recalls a teenage Slash bringing along an unexpected guest to their first-ever meeting

Left-Serj Tankian of System of a Down performs at the Banc of California Stadium on February 04, 2022 in Los Angeles, California; Right - Buckethead performs in support of his "Happy Birthday MJ 23" release at Ace of Spades on July 3, 2016 in Sacramento, California

Serj Tankian on his collaborations with the enigmatic Buckethead – and the time they played a high school battle of the bands together

By Janelle Borg published

From taxidermy-inspired music videos to playing a high school battle of the bands as fully grown adults, the System of a Down frontman recalls his artistic camaraderie with Buckethead

The Beatles play Top of the Pops for the last time in 1966

The Beatles were pop trailblazers and studio experimentalists, but the Fab Four also had a heavier side

By Jon Bishop published

This lesson takes you into the three guitar styles of John Lennon, George Harrison and Paul McCartney, from electric 12-string work to slide solos

L-Tony Iommi performs with Black Sabbath onstage at Madison Square Garden on February 25, 2016 in New York City;R-Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen performs at Music Midtown at Piedmont Park on September 19, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia

“That was Eddie Van Halen’s favorite”: Tony Iommi reveals the Black Sabbath riff EVH was always asking him to play

By Janelle Borg published

Eddie Van Halen compared his favorite Tony Iommi riff to Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony

Musician Rusty Anderson (L) and Paul McCartney perform during Desert Trip at The Empire Polo Club on October 15, 2016 in Indio, California

“I was in shock for the first few days”: Rusty Anderson on how he became Paul McCartney's guitarist

By Janelle Borg published

Rusty Anderson recalls the moment he met Paul McCartney – and recorded with him on the same day

Guitarist Robin Trower performs at Royal Oak Music Theater on April 7, 2018 in Royal Oak, Michigan

Robin Trower cancels North American tour due to health concerns

By Janelle Borg published

While the guitar legend was forced to cancel his upcoming tour due to imminent major surgery, he's hopeful that he will return to the stage in the future

Eddie Van Halen and Leslie West perform live

Unseen footage of Eddie Van Halen and Leslie West's onstage jams and backstage hangs has been unearthed

By Janelle Borg published

In 2002, Eddie Van Halen joined Mountain on and offstage – and cameras were there to capture the moment

Billy Corgan performs live, Kiki Wong posed photoshoot with Jackson guitar

Billy Corgan reveals how many guitarists the Smashing Pumpkins auditioned in person – and how they knew Kiki Wong was the one

By Michael Astley-Brown published

The band have also finished a guitar record that will make “the old-school fans happy”

Iconic Strat players: [L-R] Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Nile Rodgers, H.E.R., Mark Knopfler

These 15 pioneering Fender Stratocaster players made the model their own – learn their trailblazing approaches

By Jon Bishop published

Learn the signature styles of 15 Strat-wielding icons – including Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Nile Rodgers, H.E.R., Mark Knopfler and more

James Hetfield of Metallica performs at I-Days Festival at Ippodromo La Maura on May 29, 2024 in Milan, Italy.

James Hetfield opens up on the guitar-based anxiety dreams he had ahead of Metallica’s recent tour

By Phil Weller published

The Metallica guitarist’s nightmares included unplayable gear, tragically short cables, and disappearing roadies as he opens up on the self-doubt he suffered ahead of their latest world tour

Spanish musician Paco de Lucia (born Francisco Sanchez Gomez, 1947 - 2014) plays guitar during the World Music Institute 'Flamenco Festival New York 2004' concert at the Beacon Theater, New York, New York, February 27, 2004

Lost recordings from flamenco virtuoso Paco de Lucia have been discovered – after spending 60 years stored in a meat can

By Janelle Borg published

The 21 new tracks highlight guitar virtuoso Paco de Lucía's extraordinary talent at just 11 years old

Albert King

“No-one played like him before, and everyone played like him after”: Joe Bonamassa demonstrates the genius of Albert King

By Joe Bonamassa published

Joe Bonamassa pays homage to one of his favourite blues influences – and why he can’t play a slow blues without asking, “What would Albert do?”

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Elliot Easton, founding member of The Cars, performs onstage during The Wild Honey Foundation, Lenny Kaye & Rhino Present, A 50th Anniversary All-Star Celebration Of The Nuggets Compilation Album at Alex Theatre on May 19, 2023 in Glendale, California

Elliot Easton on the emotional rollercoaster that helped him record one of his most iconic guitar solos

By Matt Owen published

The Cars guitarist was particularly proud of the part he wrote, but was reduced to tears by his bandmates' initial reaction

Peter Frampton performs onstage during the Artist For Action Concert Benefit for Sandy Hook Promise at NYU Skirball Center on December 07, 2023 in New York City

Peter Frampton honored with Les Paul Spirit Award

By Janelle Borg published

Peter Frampton is being acknowledged for pushing the boundaries of music technology, particularly through his use of the talk box

Acoustic vs electric guitar: which is better for beginner guitarists?

Acoustic vs electric guitar: which is better for beginner guitarists?

By Jonathan Horsley last updated

For new guitarists this is one of the biggest questions. We’re here to help you choose the right path and find the right guitar for you

Left - Guitarist Al Di Meola performs on stage at The Magnolia on September 24, 2019 in El Cajon, California;Right - Guitarist Matteo Mancuso performs onstage during the Give Back Through Music's Leslie West Tribute Concert at The Canyon Club on January 23, 2024 in Agoura Hills, California

Al Di Meola gives his take on the Matteo Mancuso phenomenon

By Janelle Borg published

Al Di Meola stresses how important it is for young guitarists to develop their songwriting skills alongside their technique