Techniques

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Andy Aledort holding his Fender Strat against a yellow background
The guitar greats describe a good solo as a “song within a song” – here’s how to make it happen

By Andy Aledort Published

In his final In Deep column, the great Andy Aledort teaches us how lead guitar can maintain a compelling conversation over changing chords

Techniques
Metallica’s Robert Trujillo, pulling an epic stank face, onstage in 2009
“It’s a primal, unconscious reaction”: What’s the science behind a stank face riff?

By Phil Weller Published

Contorting a listener’s face in loving disgust is the highest compliment a metal musician can receive – but what makes a great stank face riff? We set out to discover the secret sauce…

Techniques
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

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

Techniques
Steve Earle, Jason Isbell and Lucinda Williams
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

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

Techniques
Dickey Betts performs live onstage with the Allman Brothers Band in 1975
Build a whole new lickbag with our country-blues masterclass

By Andy Saphir Published

Learn how you can mix major and minor pentatonics, and add extra notes to give your solos a wide open space to roam in, with this deep dive into country-blues guitar

Techniques
Matteo Mancuso
Matteo Mancuso is the hottest guitar player in the world right now – learn four licks in his breathtaking rock fusion style

By JTC Guitar Published

Put the pick down and take a breath, it's time to take your playing on a journey. Improve your classical picking, legato and string skipping in this video lesson with the man himself

Techniques
Steve Vai live onstage with the original G3 lineup in 2024
These fast guitar licks sound harder than they actually are

By Simon Barnard Published

We all know speed is not the be all and end all, but sometimes more is simply more. This lesson will take you to the edge, maybe beyond, following in the footsteps of Steve Vai, Eddie Van Halen and Gary Moore

Techniques
Dimebag Darrell onstage in 1994 with Pantera
The blues scale isn’t just for blues – it’s been used in some of rock and metal’s biggest riffs and solos, too. Here’s how to make it work for you, no matter what style you play

By Simon Barnard Published

It’s one of the essential guitar scales, and this lesson takes the blues scale from its classic context to place it in the style of Joe Satriani, Cream-era Clapton and Dimebag Darrell

Techniques
Guitar Playing
Guitar solos feeling uninspired? Learn how you can breathe new life into your licks and make sure your solos always sound like they’re going somewhere

By Total Guitar editors Published

Turn your attention to the more musical side of lead guitar with four ways to develop a solo

Techniques
Joe Bonamassa
Intro licks are different to solos – they have to be concise and melodic, with a real start and end. Here's how to open your solos like the pros

By Stuart Ryan Published

These five ideas will get you thinking about crafting intros like Joe Bonamassa and friends

Techniques
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