Latest articles by Tom Kolb
Essential Gear and Invaluable Tips for Session Guitarists
From guitars, amps and effects to advice about clients and how to find work, this guide will help you hone the skills you need to succeed
How to Play Guitar Like Jeff Beck
Learn the signature techniques of the electric guitar master in this comprehensive tribute lesson
Rediscover the Fertile Ground of the Open Position and Cultivate Some Juicy Licks
Learn these 20 fun mashup riffs that highlight the superlative tonal quality of notes and chords within the first five frets
Master the Mixolydian Mode Like Chet Atkins, George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen and Many More
Harness this powerful and versatile mode with 20 riffs inspired by famous guitarists
21 Darkly Enticing Musical Ideas Using the Natural Minor Scale
Whether you’re a rookie, intermediate player or seasoned veteran, these Aeolian flavored riffs are bound to inspire
Hot Country 101: Learn the Nuts and Bolts of High-Tech Country Lead Guitar
This lesson will give you the tools you need to start rubbing shoulders with masters of the style
Break Out of Your Box with the CAGED System
An introduction to the highly useful workings of this mysterious fretboard mapping theory.
If You Think the Vast Majority of Rock Riffs Are In Minor Keys Then Think Again!
This lesson on how to craft cool riffs in the style of legendary players using the Ionian and Lydian modes will have you covered.
Do Your Solos Sound One-Dimensional? These Are the Shapes Every Guitarist Must Know
Fortify your single-note riffs and leads with these sweet-sounding harmonies.
Master the Fine Art of Riff Crafting
Expand your creativity and get inspired with these priceless tips.
Melodic-Harmonic Framework: How to Fully Grasp 7th-Chord Arpeggios
The conclusion to our survey of triad and 7th-chord arpeggios will help you use all six strings in your soloing strategies.
Melodic-Harmonic Framework, Part 1: An Introduction to Triad and 7th-Chord Arpeggios
Focusing on the top three strings, this lesson offers a grounding in the theory and shapes behind some simple three-note arpeggios to expand your melodic toolkit.
Pentatonic Substitutions: How and Where to Use Them
Learn some more musically useful and colorful applications of a familiar scale.
An Introduction to Pentatonic Substitutions
In part one of this two-part lesson, learn some new and musically colorful applications of a familiar scale.
String-Bending Masterclass: How to Make Your Guitar Wail and Sing Like the Pros
If you want to express yourself on the guitar, you've got to get your string-bending game on point.
