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Latest about Lessons Country icon Dolly Parton’s ‘thumb and flick’ playing style is essential learning for acoustic players By Stuart Ryan Published 28 August 26 Lessons Learn “pendulum” strumming – the secret to natural-sounding chords By Jimmy Brown Published 23 August 26 Beginner Lessons How to write a “song within a song” with your guitar solos By Charlie Starr Published 19 August 26 Artist Lessons Who’s afraid of the Mixolydian mode? Here’s how you can use it for triads By Corey Congilio Published 18 August 26 Artist Lessons Joe Bonamassa explains why varying your pick attack is a fundamental part of your playing style By Joe Bonamassa Published 16 August 26 Artist Lessons Learn the all-purpose passing chord – the get-out-of-jail-free hack used by Kurt Cobain and Billie Joe Armstrong By Jimmy Brown Published 16 August 26 Chords How rhythm and lead techniques can combine for the ultimate blues solo – especially in a trio By Richard Barrett Published 15 August 26 Techniques Country icon Dolly Parton’s ‘thumb and flick’ playing style is essential learning for acoustic players By Stuart Ryan Published 28 August 26 Lessons Learn “pendulum” strumming – the secret to natural-sounding chords By Jimmy Brown Published 23 August 26 Beginner Lessons How to write a “song within a song” with your guitar solos By Charlie Starr Published 19 August 26 Artist Lessons Who’s afraid of the Mixolydian mode? Here’s how you can use it for triads By Corey Congilio Published 18 August 26 Artist Lessons Joe Bonamassa explains why varying your pick attack is a fundamental part of your playing style By Joe Bonamassa Published 16 August 26 Artist Lessons Learn the all-purpose passing chord – the get-out-of-jail-free hack used by Kurt Cobain and Billie Joe Armstrong By Jimmy Brown Published 16 August 26 Chords How rhythm and lead techniques can combine for the ultimate blues solo – especially in a trio By Richard Barrett Published 15 August 26 Techniques Explore Lessons Beginner Lessons Beginner Lessons Musical Tips & Advice Musical Tips & Advice How to write a “song within a song” with your guitar solos By Charlie Starr Published 19 August 26 Artist Lessons Who’s afraid of the Mixolydian mode? Here’s how you can use it for triads By Corey Congilio Published 18 August 26 Artist Lessons Joe Bonamassa explains why varying your pick attack is a fundamental part of your playing style By Joe Bonamassa Published 16 August 26 Artist Lessons Spiritbox’s Mike Stringer on how extended-range guitars open up new possibilities with chord voicings By Mike Stringer Published 2 August 26 Artist Lessons Charlie Starr on how to turn a simple, catchy riff into a killer song By Charlie Starr Published 1 August 26 Artist Lessons How to build a compelling rhythm guitar part with triads By Corey Congilio Published 30 July 26 Artist Lessons From the Archive John Paul Jones breaks down four Led Zeppelin classics, and how they demonstrate where and when to leave space By John Paul Jones Published 25 July 26 Artist Lessons From B.B. King to Eric Clapton and Otis Rush, the blues is the core element of Joe Bonamassa's playing By Joe Bonamassa Published 22 July 26 Artist Lessons “Resolving with a more conventional blues phrase sounds really cool and satisfying”: Corey Congilio on how to add harmonic depth to your solo improvisations By Corey Congilio Published 15 July 26 Artist Lessons How to write a “song within a song” with your guitar solos By Charlie Starr Published 19 August 26 Artist Lessons Who’s afraid of the Mixolydian mode? Here’s how you can use it for triads By Corey Congilio Published 18 August 26 Artist Lessons Joe Bonamassa explains why varying your pick attack is a fundamental part of your playing style By Joe Bonamassa Published 16 August 26 Artist Lessons Spiritbox’s Mike Stringer on how extended-range guitars open up new possibilities with chord voicings By Mike Stringer Published 2 August 26 Artist Lessons Charlie Starr on how to turn a simple, catchy riff into a killer song By Charlie Starr Published 1 August 26 Artist Lessons How to build a compelling rhythm guitar part with triads By Corey Congilio Published 30 July 26 Artist Lessons From the Archive John Paul Jones breaks down four Led Zeppelin classics, and how they demonstrate where and when to leave space By John Paul Jones Published 25 July 26 Artist Lessons From B.B. King to Eric Clapton and Otis Rush, the blues is the core element of Joe Bonamassa's playing By Joe Bonamassa Published 22 July 26 Artist Lessons “Resolving with a more conventional blues phrase sounds really cool and satisfying”: Corey Congilio on how to add harmonic depth to your solo improvisations By Corey Congilio Published 15 July 26 Artist Lessons Beginner Lessons Learn “pendulum” strumming – the secret to natural-sounding chords By Jimmy Brown Published 23 August 26 Beginner Lessons Why muting the low E string is one of the most important lessons any beginner guitarist can learn By Jimmy Brown Published 2 August 26 Beginner Lessons Switching guitar chords is one of the hardest parts of learning. This exercise will help you master changing chords faster By Jimmy Brown Published 26 July 26 Beginner Lessons Two essential G chord shapes: when to use each finger position and why By Jimmy Brown Published 19 July 26 Beginner Lessons How to play the B chord on guitar By Jenna Scaramanga Last updated 23 June 25 Beginner Lessons Beginners guitar lesson #1: How to hold the guitar, pick strings and fret your first note! By Chris Bird Published 24 December 24 Beginner Lessons Proggy pentatonic! How to use the good ol’ pentatonic scale in cool new ways Presented by Elixir Strings By Guitar World Staff Published 6 December 24 Beginner Lessons Start your or a loved one's guitar journey with 60% off Fender Play this Black Friday By Jackson Maxwell Published 29 November 24 Beginner Lessons 5 essential strumming patterns for beginner guitar players By Gary Heimbauer Published 28 November 24 Beginner Lessons Learn “pendulum” strumming – the secret to natural-sounding chords By Jimmy Brown Published 23 August 26 Beginner Lessons Why muting the low E string is one of the most important lessons any beginner guitarist can learn By Jimmy Brown Published 2 August 26 Beginner Lessons Switching guitar chords is one of the hardest parts of learning. This exercise will help you master changing chords faster By Jimmy Brown Published 26 July 26 Beginner Lessons Two essential G chord shapes: when to use each finger position and why By Jimmy Brown Published 19 July 26 Beginner Lessons How to play the B chord on guitar By Jenna Scaramanga Last updated 23 June 25 Beginner Lessons Beginners guitar lesson #1: How to hold the guitar, pick strings and fret your first note! By Chris Bird Published 24 December 24 Beginner Lessons Proggy pentatonic! How to use the good ol’ pentatonic scale in cool new ways Presented by Elixir Strings By Guitar World Staff Published 6 December 24 Beginner Lessons Presented by Elixir Strings Start your or a loved one's guitar journey with 60% off Fender Play this Black Friday By Jackson Maxwell Published 29 November 24 Beginner Lessons 5 essential strumming patterns for beginner guitar players By Gary Heimbauer Published 28 November 24 Beginner Lessons Learn the all-purpose passing chord – the get-out-of-jail-free hack used by Kurt Cobain and Billie Joe Armstrong By Jimmy Brown Published 16 August 26 Chords Don’t barre the F chord. Try embellishing it instead By Jimmy Brown Published 9 August 26 Chords How recycling chord shapes can unlock new and surprising sounds By Richard Barrett Published 6 August 26 Chords 5 chord voicings that are a songwriter’s best friend By Richard Barrett Published 25 July 26 Chords 5 chords that sound like they’re in an open tuning (but aren’t) By Richard Barrett Published 22 May 26 Chords 5 easy open-position alternate chord voicings that will give you extra jangle By Richard Barrett Published 22 April 26 Chords 5 altered chords you need to know – and how they get their names By Richard Barrett Published 12 March 26 Chords Demystifying 13th chords, the voicing that Stevie Ray Vaughan used to stunning effect in Lenny By Richard Barrett Published 17 February 26 Chords Demystifying chord names, starting with a Hendrix and SRV favorite, the maj9 By Richard Barrett Published 14 January 26 3 Comments Chords Learn the all-purpose passing chord – the get-out-of-jail-free hack used by Kurt Cobain and Billie Joe Armstrong By Jimmy Brown Published 16 August 26 Chords Don’t barre the F chord. Try embellishing it instead By Jimmy Brown Published 9 August 26 Chords How recycling chord shapes can unlock new and surprising sounds By Richard Barrett Published 6 August 26 Chords 5 chord voicings that are a songwriter’s best friend By Richard Barrett Published 25 July 26 Chords

5 chords that sound like they’re in an open tuning (but aren’t) By Richard Barrett Published 22 May 26 Chords 5 easy open-position alternate chord voicings that will give you extra jangle By Richard Barrett Published 22 April 26 Chords 5 altered chords you need to know – and how they get their names By Richard Barrett Published 12 March 26 Chords Demystifying 13th chords, the voicing that Stevie Ray Vaughan used to stunning effect in Lenny By Richard Barrett Published 17 February 26 Chords Demystifying chord names, starting with a Hendrix and SRV favorite, the maj9 By Richard Barrett Published 14 January 26 3 Comments Chords How to install LR Baggs’ HiFi Duet acoustic pickup – and yes, we’re gonna drill a hole in Chris Buck’s guitar By Huw Price Published 4 August 26 Guitar Setup I've set up hundreds of guitars with these 7 essential tools, and the final hours of Prime Day are your last chance to get them at a discount – deals start from just $8.99 By Matt McCracken Last updated 26 June 26 Guitar Setup Having problems with your shiny new guitar? Try these fixes first By Dave Burrluck Published 1 January 25 Guitar Setup How to restring a ukulele in 14 easy steps By Jack Ellis Published 26 August 24 Guitar Setup How to restring a bass guitar: step-by-step guidance on changing your bass strings, from a professional guitar repairer By Jack Ellis Published 24 August 24 Guitar Setup Never underestimate the impact of fretboard radius – it dramatically affects the way your guitar plays By Huw Price Published 24 July 24 Guitar Setup “Try a higher string action until you get used to using it”: How to set up your guitar for slide By Dave Burrluck Published 28 June 24 Guitar Setup How to choose the right guitar cable: from length and connector considerations, to whether you should build your own, here’s everything you need to know By Connor Godfrey Published 18 June 24 Guitar Setup 8 ways to make your beginner acoustic guitar play and sound better By Matt McCracken Published 6 June 24 Guitar Setup How to install LR Baggs’ HiFi Duet acoustic pickup – and yes, we’re gonna drill a hole in Chris Buck’s guitar By Huw Price Published 4 August 26 Guitar Setup I've set up hundreds of guitars with these 7 essential tools, and the final hours of Prime Day are your last chance to get them at a discount – deals start from just $8.99 By Matt McCracken Last updated 26 June 26 Guitar Setup Having problems with your shiny new guitar? Try these fixes first By Dave Burrluck Published 1 January 25 Guitar Setup How to restring a ukulele in 14 easy steps By Jack Ellis Published 26 August 24 Guitar Setup How to restring a bass guitar: step-by-step guidance on changing your bass strings, from a professional guitar repairer By Jack Ellis Published 24 August 24 Guitar Setup Never underestimate the impact of fretboard radius – it dramatically affects the way your guitar plays By Huw Price Published 24 July 24 Guitar Setup “Try a higher string action until you get used to using it”: How to set up your guitar for slide By Dave Burrluck Published 28 June 24 Guitar Setup How to choose the right guitar cable: from length and connector considerations, to whether you should build your own, here’s everything you need to know By Connor Godfrey Published 18 June 24 Guitar Setup 8 ways to make your beginner acoustic guitar play and sound better By Matt McCracken Published 6 June 24 Guitar Setup Musical Tips & Advice How to survive setbacks when music is your identity, not just your job By Glen Phillips Published 12 May 26 Musical Tips & Advice How to stop burning out before you stop the music By Glen Phillips Published 10 April 26 Musical Tips & Advice A blues guitar hero showed me how he held his pick – and it changed the way I played guitar By Matt Owen Published 5 April 26 6 Comments Musical Tips & Advice How to get the most sought-after sound in indie rock – without permanently modifying your guitar By Mary Beth Skylis Last updated 20 June 25 Musical Tips & Advice The brutal shred-fest that has quietly become one of our biggest playthrough videos By Scott Rowley Published 21 May 25 Musical Tips & Advice 6 signs it's time to upgrade from your first acoustic guitar By Ross Holder Published 10 March 25 Musical Tips & Advice 5 common excuses for not learning the guitar – and 5 body and mind-boosting reasons you should By Ross Holder Published 7 March 25 Musical Tips & Advice Can’t figure out why your improvised solos don’t feel right? Here’s how to fix them By Justin Sandercoe Published 9 December 24 Musical Tips & Advice 15 pro guitarists share their tips for memorizing music By Jason Sidwell Published 14 November 24 Musical Tips & Advice How to survive setbacks when music is your identity, not just your job By Glen Phillips Published 12 May 26 Musical Tips & Advice How to stop burning out before you stop the music By Glen Phillips Published 10 April 26 Musical Tips & Advice A blues guitar hero showed me how he held his pick – and it changed the way I played guitar By Matt Owen Published 5 April 26 6 Comments Musical Tips & Advice How to get the most sought-after sound in indie rock – without permanently modifying your guitar By Mary Beth Skylis Last updated 20 June 25 Musical Tips & Advice The brutal shred-fest that has quietly become one of our biggest playthrough videos By Scott Rowley Published 21 May 25 Musical Tips & Advice 6 signs it's time to upgrade from your first acoustic guitar By Ross Holder Published 10 March 25 Musical Tips & Advice 5 common excuses for not learning the guitar – and 5 body and mind-boosting reasons you should By Ross Holder Published 7 March 25 Musical Tips & Advice Can’t figure out why your improvised solos don’t feel right? Here’s how to fix them By Justin Sandercoe Published 9 December 24 Musical Tips & Advice 15 pro guitarists share their tips for memorizing music By Jason Sidwell Published 14 November 24 Musical Tips & Advice Stop hiding behind barre chords – use smarter voicings that serve the song By Mike Meiers Published 31 August 25 9 Comments Song Lessons Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones explains what people get wrong about his Black Dog riff By John Paul Jones Published 5 July 25 Song Lessons Steve Vai, Eric Johnson and Joe Satriani share the secrets behind 3 instrumental epics in these exclusive Guitar World lessons By Matt Owen Published 27 February 25 Song Lessons Learn the brutal, evil-sounding rhythm style of Slayer's Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King By Jamie Hunt Published 8 August 24 Song Lessons 10 easy guitar songs for beginners By Chris Bird Published 17 February 22 Song Lessons Learn how to play a metal version of the Wellerman sea shanty By Charlie Griffiths Published 9 July 21 Song Lessons Sick Riffs: Sam Rushton teaches you the fingerpicked math-rock frenzy of Orchards’ Peggy - with full tab! By Michael Astley-Brown Published 4 June 20 Song Lessons Learn to play the Tetris theme, prog-metal style - with full tab and audio By Charlie Griffiths Published 9 January 20 Song Lessons How to Play Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song" Intro Riff By Guitar World Staff Published 22 February 18 Song Lessons Stop hiding behind barre chords – use smarter voicings that serve the song By Mike Meiers Published 31 August 25 9 Comments Song Lessons Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones explains what people get wrong about his Black Dog riff By John Paul Jones Published 5 July 25 Song Lessons Steve Vai, Eric Johnson and Joe Satriani share the secrets behind 3 instrumental epics in these exclusive Guitar World lessons By Matt Owen Published 27 February 25 Song Lessons Learn the brutal, evil-sounding rhythm style of Slayer's Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King By Jamie Hunt Published 8 August 24 Song Lessons 10 easy guitar songs for beginners By Chris Bird Published 17 February 22 Song Lessons Learn how to play a metal version of the Wellerman sea shanty By Charlie Griffiths Published 9 July 21 Song Lessons Sick Riffs: Sam Rushton teaches you the fingerpicked math-rock frenzy of Orchards’ Peggy - with full tab! By Michael Astley-Brown Published 4 June 20 Song Lessons Learn to play the Tetris theme, prog-metal style - with full tab and audio By Charlie Griffiths Published 9 January 20 Song Lessons How to Play Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song" Intro Riff By Guitar World Staff Published 22 February 18 Song Lessons How rhythm and lead techniques can combine for the ultimate blues solo – especially in a trio By Richard Barrett Published 15 August 26 Techniques Decoding the notes between the notes – the ultimate guide to microtonal guitar By Matt McCracken Published 14 August 26 Techniques Feel is more important than accuracy. Just ask Kim Thayil, Alex Lifeson and Jimmy Page By Sofia Victoria Published 5 August 26 Techniques If you learn one thing from Buddy Guy it should be this By Steve Allsworth Published 28 July 26 Techniques Why four notes and the truth are all you need for a great slow blues solo By Richard Barrett Published 16 July 26 Techniques Pinch Harmonics made easy: how to get the perfect squeal By Jamie Humphries Published 11 June 26 Techniques The secret to great guitar solos isn’t technique – it’s rhythm By Richard Barrett Published 9 June 26 Techniques If you learn one thing from Jake E. Lee it should be this: bigger stretches for better shredding By Leon Todd Published 4 June 26 Techniques How to funk up your blues solos By Richard Barrett Published 3 June 26 Techniques How rhythm and lead techniques can combine for the ultimate blues solo – especially in a trio By Richard Barrett Published 15 August 26 Techniques Decoding the notes between the notes – the ultimate guide to microtonal guitar By Matt McCracken Published 14 August 26 Techniques Feel is more important than accuracy. Just ask Kim Thayil, Alex Lifeson and Jimmy Page By Sofia Victoria Published 5 August 26 Techniques If you learn one thing from Buddy Guy it should be this By Steve Allsworth Published 28 July 26 Techniques Why four notes and the truth are all you need for a great slow blues solo By Richard Barrett Published 16 July 26 Techniques Pinch Harmonics made easy: how to get the perfect squeal By Jamie Humphries Published 11 June 26 Techniques The secret to great guitar solos isn’t technique – it’s rhythm By Richard Barrett Published 9 June 26 Techniques If you learn one thing from Jake E. Lee it should be this: bigger stretches for better shredding By Leon Todd Published 4 June 26 Techniques How to funk up your blues solos By Richard Barrett Published 3 June 26 Techniques More about Lessons How rhythm and lead techniques can combine for the ultimate blues solo – especially in a trio By Richard Barrett Published 15 August 26 Decoding the notes between the notes – the ultimate guide to microtonal guitar By Matt McCracken Published 14 August 26 Don’t barre the F chord. Try embellishing it instead By Jimmy Brown Published 9 August 26 How rhythm and lead techniques can combine for the ultimate blues solo – especially in a trio By Richard Barrett Published 15 August 26 Decoding the notes between the notes – the ultimate guide to microtonal guitar By Matt McCracken Published 14 August 26 Don’t barre the F chord. Try embellishing it instead By Jimmy Brown Published 9 August 26 Please login or signup to comment