Guitar Techniques

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Introducing alternate hybrid picking, a new guitar technique that could change the way you solo

By Matt Owen published 14 February 23

Pioneered by Thiago Trinsi and inspired by Steve Vai and Joe Satriani, alternate hybrid picking seeks to add a "modern touch" to two traditional playing techniques

Marty Friedman’s Japan Heritage Official Theme Song will make you want to visit Japan – and practice the guitar more

By Jonathan Horsley published 13 February 23

Friedman joins the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and Shonosuke Okura for track celebrating Japanese culture through the medium of electric guitar

How to weave small two-note chords around a guitar melody

By Andy Timmons published 13 February 23

Andy Timmons unpacks his chord/melody approach and explains how you can use it in your own songwriting ideas

Watch John 5 make a spectacular live debut with Mötley Crüe

By Jonathan Horsley published 13 February 23

Fan-shot footage has emerged of the new Crüe live guitarist totally at home amid the riotous spectacle of a Friday night show in New Jersey, playing classics, covers and some deep cuts, too

Masayoshi Takanaka plays a surfboard guitar onstage

Watch Japanese fusion legend Masayoshi Takanaka shred on an awe-inspiring surfboard guitar

By Jackson Maxwell published 10 February 23

Revered for his contributions to Japanese popular music, Takanaka is equally well-known for his love of truly jaw-dropping custom guitars

This instrumental virtuoso is evolving this tiny, traditional Brazilian guitar – and jamming with Steve Vai provided the inspiration

By Matt Owen published 10 February 23

The four-string, 13”-scale Bahian guitar has remained relatively true to its heritage since it was invented back in the 1940s. Now, Igor Hereda – with the help of a radical six-string signature model – is aiming to bring the instrument into the modern era

Hone your hybrid picking with this lesson in the style of the great Danny Gatton

By Josh Smith published 10 February 23

Josh Smith is our guide in mixing flatpicking with fingerpicking for a piece that references Gatton's style along with James Brown

Watch a 17-year-old John Frusciante shred like a hair-metal guitar hero in newly unearthed footage

By Michael Astley-Brown published 10 February 23

One year before he joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Frusciante could be found tearing up the fretboard of a Kramer-inspired SuperStrat with two-hand tapping, blinding legato and Floyd Rose whammy bar squeals

Joe Satriani, a master of the Lydian mode, onstage in London, circa 2012

Learn 5 Lydian chords that can add mood and atmosphere to your playing

By Richard Barrett published 9 February 23

Joe Satriani is a fan. Danny Elfman, too. And by learning these chord shapes, you can drop some Lydian magic into your songwriting for dramatic effect

Joe Bonamassa shows you how to incorporate volume swells into your solos

By Joe Bonamassa published 8 February 23

Give your lead guitar style a bowed quality à la Roy Buchanan, Walter Trout, Jeff Beck et al

Joe Satriani, Mateus Asato, Steve Lukather and Eric Gales on stage

Watch Joe Satriani, Steve Lukather, Eric Gales and Mateus Asato trade licks in one of the best jams of 2023 so far

By Matt Owen published 8 February 23

The four guitar heroes joined forces at Satriani's G4 V6.0 Experience, and treated attendees to a scorching 15-minute fretboard throwdown

Ever wondered what John Mayer and Tim Henson playing each other’s music would look and sound like? This YouTuber has the answer

By Matt Owen published 7 February 23

Thanks to some sharp editing chops, this inquisitive creator has created an alternate universe in which Mayer masterminded Polyphia’s Neuvo Flamenco hit, and Henson penned the acoustic fingerstyle workout

Woman practices her classical guitar using lessons on a laptop

Best online guitar lessons 2023: remote learning platforms for guitar players, tested by us

By Chris Corfield last updated 7 February 23

Develop your guitar skills from the comfort of your home, with the help of these online lessons services – options for all levels and budgets

Walter Trout: "You don't need pedals. If you get a kickass amp, why would you put it through a $100 pedal?"

By Scott Rowley published 6 February 23

Walter Trout explains and demonstrates why he doesn't use pedals: it's all in his volume control and pickup selection

How to combine one and two-string melodies with drones for more melodically inventive approaches

By Andy Aledort published 6 February 23

This lesson will help take your soloing outside of muscle memory and learned playing habits

Joel Hoekstra video masterclass: learn eight-finger tapping with the legendary Whitesnake guitarist

By John Wheatcroft published 3 February 23

This lesson is a veritable boot camp for two-handed tapping and will bring you up to speed for those occasions when it is time to let it rip

Paul Gilbert announces surprise Ronnie James Dio tribute album, releases Holy Diver cover as lead single

By Matt Owen published 1 February 23

Gilbert's The Dio Album, which covers the late vocalist's Rainbow, Black Sabbath and solo eras across 12 tracks, will arrive April 7

Learn to play the blues like Strat master Robert Cray

By Phil Short published 1 February 23

Solo in major and minor keys with this lesson in the style of one of blues guitar's most legendary players

1966, British rock musician Paul McCartney playing on stage during The Beatles', last tour. Drummer Ringo Starr is visible in the background.

Rick Rubin says Paul McCartney is the “best of all bass players”

By Nick Wells published 31 January 23

In a new interview, Rubin has claimed the Beatles icon is the greatest of all time

Learn the rhythm and soloing styles of Pearl Jam's Mike McCready

By Martin Cooper published 30 January 23

A fusion of classic rock with elements of funk, Pearl Jam's sound is unique and slippery, and this lesson in McCready's style offers a stern test of your rhythm and pentatonic phrasing

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