5 easy ways to make open chords more interesting By Richard Barrett published 26 July 24 Players such as David Bowie and Joni Mitchell have deployed alternate voicings to great effect in their songwriting, and they can be a powerful songwriting tool to have under your belt
5 weird chord shapes that will add mystery, suspense and drama to your songwriting By Richard Barrett published 8 July 24 Aspiring film soundtrack artists, apply within, because with high drama, sometimes you need something more exotic than an open G...
Learn David Gilmour’s epic soloing style and take your blues playing to the Dark Side of the Moon By Richard Barrett published 29 June 24 Here are four tabbed out examples of how Gilmour’s approach changed the way we play the blues, and it’ll whip your phrasing and feel into shape
Jazz guitar theory 101: 5 ways you can use tritone substitutions to jazz up your chord progressions By Richard Barrett published 28 June 24 Tritone substitutions are jazz theory 101 – and you don't need a degree from Berklee to put them into practice
30 open tuning chords you need to know By Richard Barrett published 24 June 24 Expand your guitar vocab with chord ideas for Double Drop D, Open G, DADGAD, Open D and Open C tunings, favorite tunings for Keith Richards, Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Page and more
Dissonant guitar chords: 5 voicings that will add suspense and tension to your playing By Richard Barrett published 15 June 24 The Asus2(addb5) might sound mind-boggling, but it's easy to play, sounds fascinating, and is one of five voicings to add to your chord vocabulary
Make like Joni Mitchell and Steve Hackett and freshen up your chords with 5 alternative voicings By Richard Barrett published 30 April 24 By incorporating open strings, you can give your chords more color and keep the ear interested. Here are five voicings that are certified fresh
5 rock ’n’ roll ending chords you need to know By Richard Barrett published 1 April 24 These jazz-inspired chords will class up any set. Simply add to the conclusion of your jam, et voila!
Lonnie Mack is an unsung hero in the development of the modern guitar solo – learn the blues guitar pyrotechnics that lit a fire under Stevie Ray Vaughan By Richard Barrett published 28 March 24 A key influence on SRV classics such as Scuttle Buttin', Lonnie Mack's trailblazing style is worth another look
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