Techniques

Latest about Techniques

rest strokes
The secret behind Marcin, Matteo and Paco? How rest note picking can improve your tone, speed and volume

By Declan Zapala Published

Paco Peña, Marcin Patrzałek and Matteo Mancuso all use rest strokes to play powerful single notes – here's how to make them work for you

Techniques
Tutor Leon Todd and Extreme's Nuno Bettencourt
Can you keep up? 6 minor pentatonic licks that go FASTER!

By Leon Todd Published

Turbo-boost your pentatonic lead playing by learning from Nuno Bettencourt, Joe Bonamassa, Jimmy Page and more

Techniques
A close-up of a guitarist playing electric guitar, with a metal slide on the ring finger of his fretting hand
How to play slide guitar: 5 essential techniques every aspiring slide player needs to learn

By Ben Martin Last updated

At the beginning, slide guitar can be tricky. Here are five technical tips to get you started

Techniques
8-string guitar
Here is everything you need to know about learning 8-string guitar

By Charlie Griffiths Published

Six different ways to get the most from your 8-string guitar by Haken’s Charlie Griffiths

Techniques
With his eyes closed, Paco de Lucia frets a chord on a nylon-string guitar in this live shot from a 1991 performance.
Classical and nylon-string guitar: an introductory guide for the perplexed

By Jamie Dickson Published

Three masters from the International Guitar Foundation explain the differences between classical and flamenco guitars, and talk through the essential techniques and terminology

Techniques
Minor Pentatonics
Every player uses the minor pentatonic – here’s how you can leverage the guitar's most-used scale in your own playing

By Stuart Ryan Published

Every player is aware of the minor pentatonic, but not everyone knows how to make the most of it. These examples – in the style of some prolific pentatonic players – will help you master the shape everyone uses

Techniques
Cut-out black and white images of T-Bone Walker and B.B. King on a purple and blue background. Text reads 'Bl-azz?! Where blues meets jazz.'
Bend it like B.B.: What you can learn from these 6 blues and jazz guitar greats

By Alex Farran Published

Bends, embellishments, arpeggios and more – from Charlie Christian to BB King and George Benson, how to unlock the genius of the jazz and blues icons

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Techniques
Erja Lyytinen
Erja Lyytinen shares her 6 go-to slide licks for unlocking more expressive soloing

By Jon Bishop Published

She wowed Sonny Landreth and Carlos Santana called her the “future” – Erja Lyytinen shares her 6 go-to slide licks for unlocking more expressive soloing

Techniques
Pro Tips
How to get better at guitar – 10 proven ways to improve your playing fast

By Dre DiMura Published

These small details can separate an amateur-sounding guitarist from a professional one

Techniques
Bassist Flea (L) and singer Anthony Kiedis of Red Hot Chili Peppers perform at Allegiant Stadium on April 01, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
How to play slap bass: an essential guide to slapping and popping

By Nick Wells Published

Also known as thumpin’ and pluckin’, slap bass is one of the mainstays of funk bass

Techniques
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