Guitarist Lessons

John Mayer performs with Pino Palladino as part of the John Mayer Trio at the Jazz Foundation of America's 15th Annual 'A Great Night in Harlem' Gala Concert at the Apollo Theater in New York City on October 27, 2016.

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

British musician Jimmy Page, of rock group the Firm, plays guitar as he performs onstage at the Milwaukee Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, March 7, 1985.

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…

Portrait of Australian virtuoso guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, photographed in Bath on January 13, 2017.

"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

Close-up view young woman late at night in the music studio, a dedicated female artist, audio recording the new beats she make with an music acoustic guitar

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

4 soloing ideas you can learn from Leslie West

By Richard Barrett published 15 February 23

Scale the blues-rock mountain and balance on the edge of major and minor tonalities with this lesson in the style of one of rock's greatest players

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

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