Lessons

How to weave crosspicking and Carter picking into your acoustic guitar playing

By Richard Barrett published 16 April 25

In this lesson inspired by Molly Tuttle, Trey Hensley and the O.G. of acoustic folk playing Maybelle Carter, we'll make one guitar sound like two with arrangements alive with rhythm and melody

Jared James Nichols on adding fingerstyle “snap, crackle and pop” to your sound with banjo rolls

By Jared James Nichols published 11 April 25

Here's a blues power-up for your fingerstyle technique, as the big man combines chicken pickin' with snappy pops on the strings

Don't let chord inversions bamboozle you. This lesson explains all (and 5 ways you can play a Bmaj7)

By Richard Barrett published 10 April 25

Inversions are essential for jazz players, virtuoso cats such as Martin Tyler, but they are super-useful for any player looking for a fresh chord voicing. Let's take a look and demystify them with 5 ways you can play a Bmaj7

How to find new approaches to blues soloing – using fingerstyle improv ideas and Roy Buchanan-inspired licks

By Jim Oblon published 31 March 25

Jim Oblon takes an eight-bar rhythm and applies some fingerpicking ideas that could help get you out of a jam and put you right in the jam

Joe Bonamassa pays tribute to the late, great Irish blues-rock icon Rory Gallagher

By Joe Bonamassa published 26 March 25

He might have only just learned how to pronounce Gallagher's name properly, but JoBo is a player who idolized the man, and will pay tribute to him in three shows this summer in Cork, Ireland

Think playing rhythm guitar is boring? Cory Wong is here to change your mind

By Cory Wong published 24 March 25

In his inaugural Guitar World column, Cory Wong establishes the principles – and the mentality – of good rhythm playing, and how you can make yours fun

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 6 March 25

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

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 5 March 25

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

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

By Richard Barrett published 21 February 25

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

How to introduce “murder mystery” guitar chords to your playing – without getting your fingers in a twist

By Richard Barrett published 18 February 25

Altered chords should not scare anyone. Here are five shapes to explore when looking for a chord with some dramatic dissonance