Tuition

Master the 12-string guitar: restringing, tuning and strumming made simple

By Leon Todd published 12 December 25

Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend, the Eagles, and Richie Sambora swear by 12-string guitars for sonic sparkle – after this guide, you will too

Joe Bonamassa reveals the secret to writing heavy riffs – and his methods might surprise you

By Joe Bonamassa published 11 December 25

Step back from the overdrive pedal, dial the gain back, and that extra clarity could well sound heavier in a band mix

Pete Townshend, Ray Davies and David Bowie all used third inversion chords – here’s why (and how) you should, too

By Richard Barrett published 10 December 25

If the idea of third inversions seems all upside down, fear not: these five examples show how easy they are to put together – and how musical they are when you apply them in a song

Cory Wong on how to arrange guitar and keyboards

By Cory Wong published 4 December 25

The funkmeister puts Direct Flyte under the microscope to deliver a masterclass in arrangement. It's funk, sure, but there's some operatic influence in there, too, because that's just how Wong rolls

How to use triads in blues solos like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix

By Richard Barrett published 26 November 25

When you’re the only guitarist in the band, triads are your best friends in a guitar solo – and Hendrix and SRV were the masters

Jared James Nichols shows you how to build a guitar solo to a powerful climax

By Jared James Nichols published 19 November 25

Ditch the pick and crank the amp for this Jared James Nichols masterclass in blues solo composition

Great tone starts with the pick – just ask Steve Vai. Here’s how honing your picking can improve your tone for free

By Charlie Griffiths published 18 November 25

Unlock every pick color – from warmth and brightness to the secretive clarinet tone

Sue Foley shows you how to nail classic blues turnarounds – and how to come up with your own

By Sue Foley published 13 November 25

In Foley's final column in the series, she completes her turnarounds masterclass – an essential skill for any blues player

Joe Bonamassa on the vintage Gibson that makes a great power chord guitar

By Joe Bonamassa published 10 November 25

What makes the Gibson ES-350 so good for rock? Bonamassa says they are a real live wire, with “a lot of pop” and no shortage of low-end

Cory Wong on how to create a bigger, wider sound by layering baritone guitar parts

By Cory Wong published 7 November 25

Using a Fearless Flyers classic as a case study in baritone layering, the funk-master GW columnist peels away the onion to explain how these individual parts all stack up