34 articles
Learn Guitar.
Guitar lessons, techniques and tips.
Tube Tone Without the Big Volume
The Major Scale and the Greek Modes (Part 1)
Slide Guitar: Bottleneck and Alternate Tunings
We are bringing back this article on slide, a topic that generates a lot of interest among guitarists, especially when it comes to learning a bit more about the types of slides…
Songwriting: Composing and Planning Your Songs
Sometimes the word “composition” feels too big for those who feel the itch to create but don't dare make the decision. In other cases it's unavoidable because of the creative soul…
Guitarist, Developing Your Technique III
Another month has gone by and we've had enough time to perfect the exercises we presented, especially the one developed for the major scale across the neck of the guitar. I insist…
Guitarist, Developing Your Technique II
We're going to continue with the series of exercises we had planned for this installment, for beginners and advanced guitarists alike. Previously, you reviewed the Bb major scale…
Guitarist, Developing Your Technique I
Goals. Over the years there have been times when I could play more and times when I could play less, and even some days when I didn't play at all. Any of that could have left me…
On Electric Guitars and Amps
Since the electric guitar went on the market in the 1950s, there has been a great variety of possibilities and, today, there is also a series of patterns, both sonic and…
Self-Esteem and Learning: How to Develop Them Properly
The training of a professional musician involves developing a range of musical skills and knowledge. For some time now, various countries have been adding to the usual curriculum…
Stage Fright
It is very common for our level of playing on stage to be lower than what we reach in the rehearsal room. Many musicians I know, myself included, struggle with this. So-called…
Bring Out Your Best: Performing and Facing the Audience
Performing is one of the most fundamental aspects of a musician’s training, because of the enormous capacity it has to motivate both students and professional musicians, since the…
The rhythm guitarist
There are many important factors in music: harmony, melody, tone, concept, and so on. But if I had to pick just one, I'd have to choose rhythm. Harmonic and melodic concepts are…
Building Scales: The Essential Pillars
When we face challenges involving any of the seemingly impassable faces of music, I personally always try to keep prudence as my chief counselor. Everything we'll discuss in this…
Guitar and Bass Guide (Chapter III and Final)
Get the most out of your instrument. In this final installment of the guide, we will see how the type of finish and strings used affect the sound of the instrument, and how to…
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Which Is the Prettiest Guitar? A Practical Guide to Guitar and Bass, Chapter II
Frets. Next I'll share some ideas about frets from professionals such as Tom Anderson, Roger Sadowsky and Dan Erlewine, who are some of the best luthiers in the world when it…
Electric Guitar and Bass Guide: More Criteria for Judging What's Worth It (Chapter I)
After a long time fattening up our piggy bank, we've managed to save the money we need to buy a new guitar or bass. We have several options in mind and we're swimming in a sea of…
Transcribing: Ear Training for Guitarists. Get the Most Out of What You Hear
It is often hard to figure out where to go next in your own musical learning. Sometimes you find yourself lost, not knowing which way to head. Of course there are many solutions…
Taming the Big Guns: How to Reduce the Power of Your Tube Amp
Every musician, to a greater or lesser extent, has their amp’s sound nailed down; what you might call “the grit.” We’ve been writing songs, rehearsing with our band in the…
To Build or Not to Build, That Is the Question: How to Venture into Building a Guitar
There seems to be growing interest among guitarists and bassists in how to build a guitar, so the editor of this magazine has asked me to prepare this article. First, I will try…