Lessons

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Spanish musician Paco de Lucia (born Francisco Sanchez Gomez, 1947 - 2014) plays guitar during the World Music Institute 'Flamenco Festival New York 2004' concert at the Beacon Theater, New York, New York, February 27, 2004

Rasgueado is a game-changing flamenco strumming technique – and it will give your picking hand a huge turbo boost

By Declan Zapala published

Learn the strumming style that will give your playing bravado, fire and passion

Techniques
Man playing acoustic guitar in his garden

6 signs it's time to upgrade from your first acoustic guitar

By Ross Holder published

Is your first acoustic guitar holding you back? Here are six signs that it is time to upgrade your starter instrument to something better

Musical Tips & Advice
Man smiling whilst playing a black acoustic guitar in front of a hammock

5 common excuses for not learning the guitar – and 5 body and mind-boosting reasons you should

By Ross Holder published

Always wanted to learn the guitar, but keep making excuses? These are the most common ones I've heard – and why they don’t hold up

Musical Tips & Advice
Jared James Nichols works the crowd in Nashville with his Goldtop Les Paul Standard. The stage is illuminated in purple.

By thumb-picking bass notes while playing a melody, you can be your own rhythm section – Jared James Nichols shows you how

By Jared James Nichols published

The pickless blues-rock powerhouse demonstrates some picking hand independence strategies that gets it working up a rhythm that works a treat for the solo musician

Artist Lessons
The great Jimmy Reed wears a sharp suit and bow-tie and plays an Airline electric guitar in this archive live shot from 1960

Jimmy Reed was one of the most influential blues guitarists to ever live – and his fingerpicking style makes an incredible launching pad for improvisation

By Jim Oblon published

Jim Oblon cracks open the box to present us with a blues lesson to refresh your rhythm game

Artist Lessons
James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett performing live onstage, playing Gibson Flying V guitars

The gallop is the most important metal rhythm of them all – learn the breakneck guitar technique behind Metallica, Slayer and Iron Maiden classics

By Jamie Humphries published

This rhythm found fame in heavy metal, but it's been used in all genres for decades – making it a must-learn for every guitarist

Techniques
Joe Bonamassa and Gary Moore: Bonamassa plays a '59 Les Paul Standard, wears a dark suit and shades, while this archive pick of the late Moore sees him embrace the '80s with a sleeveless red jacket and matching Strat.

Joe Bonamassa explains the soloing secrets of his hero Gary Moore – and says no Moore, no Bonamassa

By Joe Bonamassa published

No Moore, no Bonamassa, says Joe, as he puts together four blazing solo ideas inspired by the late blues-rock force of nature

Artist Lessons
Eric Johnson, Joe Satriani and Steve Vai playing guitar in their respective Guitar World G3 lessons

Steve Vai, Eric Johnson and Joe Satriani share the secrets behind 3 instrumental epics in these exclusive Guitar World lessons

By Matt Owen published

The three G3 virtuosos break down hits both classic and modern to celebrate the release of the G3 Reunion Live album

Song Lessons
Joe Bonamassa plays a Gibson Les Paul Standard at the Grammys. He wears a dark suit, dark shirt and shade.s

Rewire your lead playing with four soloing ideas inspired by contemporary blues maestros

By Richard Barrett published

Expand upon traditional blues approaches with this lesson in the style of Joe Bonamassa and Eric Johnson

Techniques
Eric Gales takes a solo on his signature Magneto electric guitar, with its gold pickguard matching his thick gold chain. He wears a ball-cap and tinted glasses.

Why rhythm is as important as the notes you play in a blues guitar solo

By Richard Barrett published

Inspired by Eric Gales, Joe Walsh, Earth, Wind & Fire and Motown, this blues lesson puts the rhythm first

Lessons
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