Lessons Seven things guitar players do wrong — according to professional bassists and drummers From volume control to tone and rhythm — every guitarist can up their game with these tips from the people who work with them From his "Beat It" funk-rock riff to his "Rosanna" solo trick — learn the top 10 techniques behind Steve Lukather's virtuoso style From his "Beat It" funk-rock riff to his "Rosanna" solo trick — we dissect the moves behind everyone's go-to session player Learn Travis picking, harp harmonics and 8 other techniques that make Tommy Emmanuel an acoustic tour de force Put key elements of the acoustic shredder's style to work in your own playing with these video tutorials Latest Lessons How to choose the 12-string acoustic that's right for you — plus a few interesting options on the standard format By Jimmy Leslie published 6 November 24 From higher string tension to tuning issues, a 12-string is a different animal from your standard six-string Channel John 5's brilliance with a lesson in his chicken pickin’ prowess, rapid-fire banjo rolls, and behind-the-nut bending By Chris Buono published 5 September 24 The man of many hats, face paints, and Teles guides GP through a gaggle of curated techniques culled from his catalog of solo albums Why acoustic fingerstyle virtuoso Teja Gerken recommends playing air guitar By Jimmy Leslie published 16 August 24 “And,” the acoustic ace tells GP, “there’s a side benefit from a health perspective” August 2024 Guitar Player lesson audio By Guitar Player Staff published 3 July 24 Ella Feingold weaves magic with her funky playing, and this lesson in her style will sharpen up your rhythm work in no time By Jeff Jacobson published 27 June 24 Feingold has played with Bruno Mars, Queen Latifah, Erykah Badu, Alicia Keys, and Jay-Z, and was taught directly by the legendary Chalmers “Spanky” Alford. This guided tour of her approach is a funk guitar one-stop shop July 2024 Guitar Player lesson audio By Guitar Player Staff published 27 May 24 John 5's top tips for beginner, and veteran, guitarists By Joe Bosso published 13 May 24 A master of many styles who's played with Lynyrd Skynyrd, David Lee Roth, Rick Springfield, and, currently, Mötley Crüe, John 5 has pointers for players that go far beyond how to practice Expand your arsenal, and channel Lindsey Buckingham and Mark Knopfler, with this lesson in fingerstyle By Jeff Jacobson published 10 May 24 Fingerstyle playing can be used in a wide variety of settings and genres, and can inspire new songs, riffs, and solos. Heck, it can even boost your creativity when you return to using a pick June 2024 Guitar Player lesson audio By Guitar Player Staff published 3 May 24 “A lot of times when someone says, ‘They have good technique, but there’s something missing,’ what’s actually missing is part of the technique”: Paul Gilbert on the essentials of great guitar playing By Paul Gilbert published 22 April 24 For beginners and remedial players alike, these pointers are crucial 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Archives Get The Pick NewsletterAll the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors LATEST ARTICLES1“Steve Vai gave me some good advice: ‘Concentrate on music and not too much on guitar.’ You can open up a lot of new ideas with that mindset.” Matteo Mancuso highlights the one thing many guitarists get wrong 2“I really feel that I can bring out the best in you and bring back the balls in rock ‘n’ roll.” John Lennon invited Eric Clapton to help him start a rock band in 1971. His letter is a reminder of the many times they'd already played together3"He said, 'You can't play a song on that guitar and leave 'Free Bird' out of it!'" Heard on Lynyrd Skynyrd greatest hits, Gary Rossington's 1961 Gibson SG returns to the stage for the first time in years4“Buying it was a leap of faith. But It looks stunning, plays beautifully and sounds unique.” A rare 1964 solidbody guitar turned out to be completely different from what it seemed5Get shred-ready this Black Friday with massive savings of up to $400 off Charvel's Superstrats
How to choose the 12-string acoustic that's right for you — plus a few interesting options on the standard format By Jimmy Leslie published 6 November 24 From higher string tension to tuning issues, a 12-string is a different animal from your standard six-string
Channel John 5's brilliance with a lesson in his chicken pickin’ prowess, rapid-fire banjo rolls, and behind-the-nut bending By Chris Buono published 5 September 24 The man of many hats, face paints, and Teles guides GP through a gaggle of curated techniques culled from his catalog of solo albums
Why acoustic fingerstyle virtuoso Teja Gerken recommends playing air guitar By Jimmy Leslie published 16 August 24 “And,” the acoustic ace tells GP, “there’s a side benefit from a health perspective”
Ella Feingold weaves magic with her funky playing, and this lesson in her style will sharpen up your rhythm work in no time By Jeff Jacobson published 27 June 24 Feingold has played with Bruno Mars, Queen Latifah, Erykah Badu, Alicia Keys, and Jay-Z, and was taught directly by the legendary Chalmers “Spanky” Alford. This guided tour of her approach is a funk guitar one-stop shop
John 5's top tips for beginner, and veteran, guitarists By Joe Bosso published 13 May 24 A master of many styles who's played with Lynyrd Skynyrd, David Lee Roth, Rick Springfield, and, currently, Mötley Crüe, John 5 has pointers for players that go far beyond how to practice
Expand your arsenal, and channel Lindsey Buckingham and Mark Knopfler, with this lesson in fingerstyle By Jeff Jacobson published 10 May 24 Fingerstyle playing can be used in a wide variety of settings and genres, and can inspire new songs, riffs, and solos. Heck, it can even boost your creativity when you return to using a pick
“A lot of times when someone says, ‘They have good technique, but there’s something missing,’ what’s actually missing is part of the technique”: Paul Gilbert on the essentials of great guitar playing By Paul Gilbert published 22 April 24 For beginners and remedial players alike, these pointers are crucial