Guitar

In some ways, getting started is the hardest part about playing the guitar. Once you’ve built some finger strength, things get a lot easier. But until then, everything you try will feel awkward, because you’ve literally never had to use your fingers in this way before. Your goal should be to get passed that awkward…

Lead guitar looks impressive, which is one of the reasons why a lot of students also tend to be intimidated by it. But basic lead guitar – and I do mean basic – is much easier to learn than basic rhythm guitar. Surprised? After all, with lead guitar, you only have to play one note…

Sweep picking is cool and flashy, and players like Yngwie Malmsteen make it look appear effortless. As it so happens, it is considered advanced technique by many. But if you’re going to start, you might as well start now. There aren’t that many advantages to waiting to learn how to sweep. It’s an aspect of…

If you’re reading this, it means you’re interested in becoming a better guitarist. To get there, we must get back to the basics. Much of what follows will be review for you if you’ve been playing guitar for any length of time. But that’s not a bad thing, because we all need some reinforcement from…

You might be surprised by the types of guitarists that use fingerstyle guitar techniques in their playing – James Hetfield (Metallica), Mark Tremonti (Creed, Alter Bridge), Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), and even Eddie Van Halen! So if John Denver or Chet Atkins is what first came to mind when you heard the word “fingerstyle”, it’s…

What’s the most aggressive style of music on the guitar? Is it metal? Djent? Funk? Believe it or not, it’s actually country. When you really listen to all of the snapping and popping that happens in a typical country solo or lead lick, it’s not hard to see why. Even if you have no plans…

Contrast exists in every facet of the world: day and night, happiness and sadness, love and hate, male and female (note I did not say opposite, I said contrast). In music, legato is typically seen as the contrasting element to staccato. In essence, you can’t really have one without the other. From a broader perspective,…

Rhythm is what separates one genre of music from another. Sure, the accompaniment, the chords and riffs, the melodies and harmonies all play a part. But jazz tends to have a very different rhythm than rock, and reggae is a little different than the blues. If not for differences in rhythmic patterns, the division lines…

A capo is on practically every guitarist’s recommended accessory list. Why is that? Does every guitarist use a capo? No. But do many guitarists use them? Absolutely. Whether you’re an amateur or a pro, there are no rules against using a capo. You are not a lesser or better guitarist for using one. It really…

Are you interested in learning classical guitar? Are you new to guitar altogether? Then you’re in the right place. We’re about to take a look at what you need to know to get started in classical guitar, a musical style some consider an art form unto itself. Classical guitar can be difficult, but anyone can…

In general, blues guitar is relatively easy to play. You just need to learn the 12-bar form, identify the key you’re playing in, and you’re off to the races. But the forefathers of the blues – like Robert Johnson – didn’t stop there. Some of the most revered blues players either picked out complex patterns…

A harmonic is a tool that helps you create variety in your musical ideas. It’s a lot like playing any other note on the guitar, except that harmonics have a very distinct bell-like sound to them, and they give you access to notes you wouldn’t otherwise be able to play. With harmonics, we are definitely…

The best thing about two-hand tapping is that it’s easy to do, and it sounds cool to boot. If you’ve already developed a bit of a comfort level with basic lead guitar techniques, then you’re ready to give it a try. If not, then you may want to spend some time working on your hammer-ons…

You may have noticed how some of the greats – past or present – aren’t just tasteful, fast, or technical guitar players. Many of them are really flexible too! Some of my students like to point out how small and stubby their fingers are, but if you know anything about working out, you know that…

Wouldn’t you love to be able to jump into any band or musical situation and fill in the spaces with awesome guitar licks? The more experience you gain as a musician, the easier this becomes. But you need to have a willingness to explore the fretboard, even if what you’re playing doesn’t sound that great…