Lessons - page 4

Keith Richards with a Gibson J-45 acoustic

Keith Richards is an electric guitar icon, but he prefers playing acoustic – and his unplugged Rolling Stones approach is full of smart ideas

By Stuart Ryan published 16 June 24

Every player can learn a few tricks from Keef's characterful acoustic style – even if his rhythmic swagger will take longer to master

Dean Brown playing with Marcus Miller in Switzerland, 2005

Dean Brown was a fusion master who played with everyone from Marcus Miller to Eric Clapton

By John Wheatcroft published 16 June 24

Session ace, author and teacher, and a guitarist who put mind, body and soul into his playing, the late Dean Brown was a fusion legend. We pay tribute to his physical style

Andy Summers, live onstage with the Police at Reading Festival, 1979

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

Your whammy bar can also be an amazing slide, capable of all kinds of mind-bending soundscapes

By Jon Bishop published 14 June 24

Welcome to the Fabio Golfetti video masterclass, where you’re going to use your whammy bar like never before

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 13 June 24

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

How to play Come As You Are on guitar

By Steve Allsworth published 12 June 24

Learn Kurt Cobain’s iconic Nirvana riff – a rite of passage for beginners and more experienced guitarists alike

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 12 June 24

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

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 10 June 24

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

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 4 June 24

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

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

By Joe Bonamassa published 31 May 24

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?”

10 things every beginner guitarist needs to know

By Jenna Scaramanga last updated 30 May 24

Chords and scales, rhythm and lead: these core skills set you up for success in any style

Eric Johnson performs on stage during the G3 tour stop at The Magnolia on February 07, 2024 in El Cajon, California.

10 Eric Johnson techniques that will take your solos up a notch

By John Wheatcroft published 29 May 24

The Texas virtuoso has a phenomenal command of touch, tone and technique – find out how you can apply his playing approaches to your own style

Ritchie Blackmore performing live onstage, playing Fender Stratocaster guitar in 1973

Get to grips with double-stops in our definitive lesson on the cornerstone technique

By Simon Barnard published 28 May 24

Playing two notes together is an essential addition to any guitarist’s arsenal – and can be used in any kind of style

Americana is where country, blues, folk and bluegrass collide – and players like Steve Earle, Jason Isbell and Lucinda Williams are masters of the craft

By Stuart Ryan published 24 May 24

Expand your fingerpicking skills and master the techniques used by Americana greats in this in-depth lesson

Close-up of picking hand on a Stratocaster-style electric guitar

Hybrid picking on guitar: this in-depth lesson will have you playing like a pro in no time

By Tom Kolb last updated 23 May 24

Get started with hybrid picking in this comprehensive lesson

Gus G is a speed picking master – and his alternate picking masterclass will get you playing faster than ever

By JTC Guitar published 22 May 24

The Firewind and Ozzy Osbourne guitarist shares three blistering licks to help you sharpen up your picking

Bob Dylan is a songwriting great – and his acoustic guitar approach defined the folk sound

By Stuart Ryan published 20 May 24

Bob Dylan changed the world with an acoustic guitar. We break down his style, giving you the tools to take your songwriting to the next level

Young guitarist playing red vintage hollow body electric guitar

Bebop scale: how you can use this jazz scale in your guitar solos

By Matt Warnock last updated 17 May 24

Learn how the Bebop scale is built and where you can use it in your solos

James Hetfield live onstage at Twickenham, England, in 2019

James Hetfield is the undisputed master of metal rhythm guitar – and his downpicking will seriously test your abilities

By Jamie Hunt published 17 May 24

Get to grips with the Metallica frontman’s punishing palm-muting and chugging rhythms

Brian Setzer plays a Gretsch Chet Atkins onstage in Chicago, 1983

Learn the signature soloing style of Gretsch-toting rockabilly legend and Stray Cat Brian Setzer

By Andy G Jones published 15 May 24

Brian Setzer mixes jazz, swing and rock 'n' roll for a sound that's all his own. This lesson unpacks his soloing style so you crazy cats won't stray on the fingerboard

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