Lessons “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 For beginners and remedial players alike, these pointers are crucial May 2024 Guitar Player Lesson Audio Follow the lead of players like Mark Knopfler, Albert Collins, and Lindsey Buckingham, and open the door to new techniques and textures, with this primer in fingerstyle rock guitar Eddie Van Halen also incorporated fingerstyle to add another dimension to his playing, and so have modern virtuosos like Tim Henson, Lari Basilio, and Mateus Asato – learn how you can do the same Latest Lessons "Everybody was going crazy about Yngwie Malmsteen. Joe Satriani told me, ‘Don’t get too into him...'" Alex Skolnick's Top Five Tips to becoming a better guitarist By Joe Bosso published 6 October 23 Testament's Alex Skolnick on why you should be honest with yourself, never listen to negativity and focus on creating your own identity as a guitar player How to Build Stronger Fret-Hand Fingers By Dale Turner published 29 September 23 These four great exercises will help put some extra snap in your hammer-ons and pull-offs The Ultimate Johnny Marr Guitar Lesson By Patrick Brennan published 29 September 23 Capture Johnny Marr's signature lead-rhythm style by learning arpeggiated chords, open-string licks and unusual progressions in the style of the former Smiths guitarist December 2023 Guitar Player Lesson Audio By Guitar Player Staff published 28 September 23 How to Ditch the Pick and Engage Your Strongest Digits for Powerful Fingerstyle Action By Jimmy Leslie published 27 September 23 Get inspired and expand your technique using this short lesson The Acoustic Guitar Player’s Guide to Using Fake Nails By Jimmy Leslie published 27 September 23 Once your nails are ready to roll, the power and flexibility of full fingerstyle will be literally at your fingertips Summon the Power of the Metal Gods and Add Some of Michael Schenker’s Magic to Your Own Playing in This in-Depth Lesson By Jeff Jacobson published 26 September 23 A tribute to the Flying V-wielding MSG, Scorpions and UFO guitarist’s elegantly melodic metal riffing Bluegrass Master Gary Brewer of the Kentucky Ramblers Shares Some Guitar Pick Wisdom By Jimmy Leslie published 22 September 23 Cop some plectrum pointers from a seasoned acoustic pro November 2023 Guitar Player Lesson Audio By Guitar Player Staff published 4 September 23 John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola, Marty Friedman and Yngwie Malmsteen Didn't Rely Exclusively on Western Scales - so Why Should You? By Guitar Player Staff published 1 September 23 Add intriguing twists to your playing with the tonal flavors of the Far East, Middle East, Africa and beyond 123456789Archives 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 MOST READ1Jackson Browne, John Mellencamp, Mavis Staples honored by Bruce Springsteen at second annual American Music Honors 2Peter Frampton reveals the stories behind five of his classic tracks3PRS SE CE24, SE Custom 24 Quilt and SE Swamp Ash Special review 4How a deeply personal twist of events brought a beloved 'Burst into Vince Gill's life5How Noel Gallagher and Beck helped bring the Black Keys' latest funky full-length, Ohio Players, to life
"Everybody was going crazy about Yngwie Malmsteen. Joe Satriani told me, ‘Don’t get too into him...'" Alex Skolnick's Top Five Tips to becoming a better guitarist By Joe Bosso published 6 October 23 Testament's Alex Skolnick on why you should be honest with yourself, never listen to negativity and focus on creating your own identity as a guitar player
How to Build Stronger Fret-Hand Fingers By Dale Turner published 29 September 23 These four great exercises will help put some extra snap in your hammer-ons and pull-offs
The Ultimate Johnny Marr Guitar Lesson By Patrick Brennan published 29 September 23 Capture Johnny Marr's signature lead-rhythm style by learning arpeggiated chords, open-string licks and unusual progressions in the style of the former Smiths guitarist
How to Ditch the Pick and Engage Your Strongest Digits for Powerful Fingerstyle Action By Jimmy Leslie published 27 September 23 Get inspired and expand your technique using this short lesson
The Acoustic Guitar Player’s Guide to Using Fake Nails By Jimmy Leslie published 27 September 23 Once your nails are ready to roll, the power and flexibility of full fingerstyle will be literally at your fingertips
Summon the Power of the Metal Gods and Add Some of Michael Schenker’s Magic to Your Own Playing in This in-Depth Lesson By Jeff Jacobson published 26 September 23 A tribute to the Flying V-wielding MSG, Scorpions and UFO guitarist’s elegantly melodic metal riffing
Bluegrass Master Gary Brewer of the Kentucky Ramblers Shares Some Guitar Pick Wisdom By Jimmy Leslie published 22 September 23 Cop some plectrum pointers from a seasoned acoustic pro
John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola, Marty Friedman and Yngwie Malmsteen Didn't Rely Exclusively on Western Scales - so Why Should You? By Guitar Player Staff published 1 September 23 Add intriguing twists to your playing with the tonal flavors of the Far East, Middle East, Africa and beyond