music theory John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola, Marty Friedman and Yngwie Malmsteen Didn't Rely Exclusively on Western Scales - so Why Should You? Add intriguing twists to your playing with the tonal flavors of the Far East, Middle East, Africa and beyond Learn How to Use Suspended Chords in the Style of Jimmy Page, Van Halen, the Police, Pantera and Others Ditch the 3rd and explore sus 2, sus 4 and 7sus4 chords using open-position and movable voicings “I Was Instantly Humbled”: First Call Session Guitarist Carl Verheyen Shares Rare Insights Into Allan Holdsworth’s Unorthodox Chord Voicings – as Revealed by the Man Himself “This concept of spreading out the notes of a chord into wide-interval voicings like this resonated with me years later,” says the Supertramp alumnus and seasoned solo artist Latest music theory Prepare to Have Your Learning Reality Altered With This Enigmatic Scale By Chris Buono published 20 January 22 A fresh approach for mastering the altered scale, the elusive 7th mode of melodic minor. How to Finish a Song After Inspiration Strikes By Jeff Jacobson published 13 January 22 An alternative approach for creating those elusive intro and bridge sections. Get Inside the Mind of Jimi Hendrix By Patrick Brennan published 9 November 21 Put Jimi Hendrix’s chord inversions, melodic scale-tone embellishments and jazz voicings to work in your own rhythm-guitar playing with this insightful lesson. If You Think the Vast Majority of Rock Riffs Are In Minor Keys Then Think Again! By Tom Kolb published 3 November 21 This lesson on how to craft cool riffs in the style of legendary players using the Ionian and Lydian modes will have you covered. Broaden Your Sweep-Picking Palette and Expand Your Melodic Vocabulary By Patrick Brennan published 7 October 21 Master one of the most ambitious technical endeavors a guitarist can pursue. Master the Fine Art of Riff Crafting By Tom Kolb published 20 August 21 Expand your creativity and get inspired with these priceless tips. Melodic-Harmonic Framework: How to Fully Grasp 7th-Chord Arpeggios By Tom Kolb published 22 July 21 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 By Tom Kolb published 21 June 21 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 By Tom Kolb published 10 May 21 Learn some more musically useful and colorful applications of a familiar scale. An Introduction to Pentatonic Substitutions By Tom Kolb published 7 April 21 In part one of this two-part lesson, learn some new and musically colorful applications of a familiar scale. 1234Archives 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 READ1Best overdrive pedals 2024: Strap in, it's time to drive2“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 playing3Dickey Betts on dueling with Duane Allman, and composing Allman Brothers' biggest hit4All-star tribute to David Lindley, one of the greatest sidemen of all time, announced5“We all knew it was really good… The guitar playing is just amazing”: How Dickey Betts made “Ramblin’ Man”, triumphed over tragedy and led the Allman Brothers to their greatest success
Prepare to Have Your Learning Reality Altered With This Enigmatic Scale By Chris Buono published 20 January 22 A fresh approach for mastering the altered scale, the elusive 7th mode of melodic minor.
How to Finish a Song After Inspiration Strikes By Jeff Jacobson published 13 January 22 An alternative approach for creating those elusive intro and bridge sections.
Get Inside the Mind of Jimi Hendrix By Patrick Brennan published 9 November 21 Put Jimi Hendrix’s chord inversions, melodic scale-tone embellishments and jazz voicings to work in your own rhythm-guitar playing with this insightful lesson.
If You Think the Vast Majority of Rock Riffs Are In Minor Keys Then Think Again! By Tom Kolb published 3 November 21 This lesson on how to craft cool riffs in the style of legendary players using the Ionian and Lydian modes will have you covered.
Broaden Your Sweep-Picking Palette and Expand Your Melodic Vocabulary By Patrick Brennan published 7 October 21 Master one of the most ambitious technical endeavors a guitarist can pursue.
Master the Fine Art of Riff Crafting By Tom Kolb published 20 August 21 Expand your creativity and get inspired with these priceless tips.
Melodic-Harmonic Framework: How to Fully Grasp 7th-Chord Arpeggios By Tom Kolb published 22 July 21 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 By Tom Kolb published 21 June 21 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 By Tom Kolb published 10 May 21 Learn some more musically useful and colorful applications of a familiar scale.
An Introduction to Pentatonic Substitutions By Tom Kolb published 7 April 21 In part one of this two-part lesson, learn some new and musically colorful applications of a familiar scale.