Banish stock phrases with these smart triad chord ideas By Richard Barrett published 5 February 24 It is all too easy to fall into familiar patterns when playing, but these five triads prove that it's just as easy to break out of them and find a fresh perspective on your playing
Understanding alternative chord shapes and inversions can have massive benefits for your lead playing – take a break from scales and give your solos a boost by incorporating these shapes By Richard Barrett published 28 December 23 Step away from your usual scales by peppering your leads with some smart new chord shapes
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
DADGAD guitar tuning: an introduction to the (not quite) open tuning favored by Jimmy Page By Richard Barrett published 28 November 23 Here are five ideas to get started with DADGAD tuning, so you can get on with the important business of writing the next Kashmir
"The diminished scale seems to loom large in my legend…" A blues masterclass from Robben Ford By Adrian Clark published 10 November 23 Video lesson: “For the most part, people just know three chords and the pentatonic scale. That is a cul-de-sac!" Let Robben Ford be your guide to the way out…
"When you practice the skills enough, one day, just like magic, the skills turn into music": Tommy Emmanuel's thumbpicking masterclass By Tommy Emmanuel published 25 October 23 Video lesson: Tommy Emmanuel takes us through the basics of how to use a thumbpick so you can play your own version of Elizabeth Cotten’s Freight Train
Crosspicking is an advanced picking technique that will lend your licks an authentic country flavor – test your picking skills with this lesson By Richard Barrett published 19 October 23 You can apply crosspicking techniques to all kinds of styles, from country to the blues, bluegrass and more
Keith Richards' use of open G tuning is the stuff of guitar legend – take a leaf out of his book with these 5 must-learn shapes By Richard Barrett published 17 October 23 No sixth string required…
"Stick to the pick!" Kirk Fletcher's blues masterclass By Kirk Fletcher published 13 October 23 A classic lesson in contemporary blues guitar from Kirk Fletcher himself: includes video, tab and audio
Introducing polychords – the mind-bending guitar shapes that will take your playing into new harmonic and melodic worlds By Richard Barrett published 26 September 23 Polychords are a neat way to expand your musical vocabulary and can be used in your rhythm and lead playing, as the great Larry Carlton has demonstrated time and time again
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
How to play gospel blues guitar and make something original – and thrilling – out of electric guitar's oldest art form By Richard Barrett published 2 August 23 This lesson draws from the playing of B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and John Mayer in its off-grid timing and unexpected blues trademarks
30 beautiful acoustic guitar chords you need to know By Richard Barrett published 21 June 23 Increase your musical vocabulary and expand your compositional horizons, in each and every key
How to tell the difference between add chords and altered guitar chords By Richard Barrett published 19 June 23 Here are five chords with names to test the brain and a sound that's kind to the ear. Add them to your chord vocabulary now
How to use chromatics in a blues guitar solo By Richard Barrett published 25 May 23 A working knowledge of the in-between notes can get you out of a jam when in a jam
5 easy ways to create complex sounds from simple chords By Richard Barrett published 22 May 23 Using open strings to embellish your chord work can yield magical results
Joe Bonamassa shares his favorite Gibson ES-335 licks in this exclusive lesson By Joe Bonamassa published 10 May 23 Learn some soloing tips from Mr Bonamassa as he takes his 1961 Gibson ES-335 up the dusty end to show you what the legendary semi-hollow can do
How to use chords in a blues guitar solo By Richard Barrett published 1 May 23 We all think of the blues solo in terms of which notes sit atop which chords, but reversing that proposition – and building chords into the solo itself – generates some tasty new phrasing ideas
How to play acoustic blues in open D tuning By Richard Barrett published 24 March 23 Open minds with open tunings can bring new shades to the blues, and in this acoustic piece inspired by Molly Tuttle and Jimmy Page, we bring bluegrass, blues and folk to the party
Learn 5 guitar chords that evoke the golden age of Hollywood By Richard Barrett published 17 March 23 These chords have an orchestral quality that radiates a certain silver screen soundtrack magic