Acoustic Guitar | lessons, music to play, and how-tos for all guitarists

Video Lesson: Turn Any Song into a Chord-Melody Solo

Learn 5 Ways to Play A7 Chord on the Guitar | Chord by Chord

Win a Private Guitar Lesson With Fingerstyle Legend Alex De Grassi!

Guitar Talk: Kaki King Is Still Pushing Boundaries on Her Latest Album

On her latest album, 'Modern Yesterdays,' Kaki King, returns with her trademark exploratory, percussive textures and seas of slowly unraveling moods.

Freddie Green and his Stromberg Master 300 with Helen Humes, circa 1940, Photo courtesy of the Freddie Green Collection

The Captivating Harlem Swing Rhythms of Freddie Green, John Trueheart, Bernard Addison, Morris White, and Al Casey

Gear Review: L.R. Baggs’ Voiceprint DI Captures Your Guitar’s Unique Acoustic Sound

Album Review: Chris Smither’s ‘More from the Levee’ Offers Unfiltered Bayou Blues

Flynn Cohen Acoustic Guitar Lesson – Cool Slash Chords | Elixir Strings

NEW GEAR

Gear Review: L.R. Baggs’ Voiceprint DI Captures Your Guitar’s Unique Acoustic Sound

The L.R. Baggs Voiceprint DI uses Impulse Response (IR) technology and has the ability to make your pickup sound like the natural acoustic sound of your guitar.

Furch Blue MM mahogany dreadnought acoustic guitar on a black background

Guitar Review: Furch Blue MM Dreadnought Offers Warm and Surprising Tonal Colors

If I had to pick two words to describe the Furch Blue MM, they would be “Play me!” Right out of the box, this mahogany acoustic-electric dreadnought felt ready to make music.

MORE GEAR

Gallery of guitars up for auction with the text "Acoustic Guitar Auctions Last Chance!"

Guitar Auction Activates Dynamic Bidding

The Acoustic Guitar Auction that started Thursday, May 13, is scheduled to close for bidding at 11:59 pm PDT tonight, Thursday, May 27.... Read More...

Guitar Auction Ends Tonight

The Acoustic Guitar Auction closes for bidding at 11:59 pm PDT tonight, Thursday, May 27. Bid now or forever rue the day you passed up the chance!

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FROM THE LATEST ISSUE

“It Had to Be You”: A Guitar-Friendly Arrangement of a Great American Songbook Favorite

The title of “It Had to Be You” instantly calls its famous melody to mind. Written by Isham Jones and Gus Kahn in 1924, it has been covered countless times.

Acoustic Classic: A DADGAD Arrangement of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here”

Gear Review: Bose’s L1 Pro16 Is a Refined and Affordable Amplification Solution for Acoustic Guitarists

Guitar Review: Martin’s New GPC-13E Is a Fine-Sounding Acoustic-Electric That’s Ready for the Road

Open Tuning Lesson: How to Play the Blues in DADGAD

Video Lesson: Learn a Klezmer Classic Arranged for Solo Fingerstyle Guitar

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MAKING A LIVING

solo acoustic guitarist playing outside with microphone on stand

Tips on How to Make a Living Writing Your Own Music

It can be difficult to eke out a living as an acoustic guitarist, but it is not impossible, and artists have found clever ways of adapting to these changing times.

online acoustic guitar lesson on left, woman making a guitar in woodshop on right

Making a Living with Guitars: Teaching and Lutherie

Here are two ways to make a living with the acoustic guitar that don't involve making a hit song or being on the road most of the year.

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HERE'S HOW

What to Look for When Buying a Gypsy-Jazz Guitar, from Tone to Playability

From the June 2017 issue of Acoustic Guitar | BY ADAM PERLMUTTERLast January, visiting the booth of the Eastman Music Co. at the annual wi... Read More...

illustration of acoustic guitar being cut out with scissors like fabric

DIY Folk: What It Takes to Survive and Thrive in the Streaming Era

10 Ways Using a Flash Recorder Can Help Music Students & Teachers

Is One Guitar Enough? A Guide to Determining (and Justifying) Your Need for Multiple Guitars

How to Choose the Right Flash Recorder for Your Home Recordings

The Digital Troubadour, Part 1: How to Record at Home on Any Budget

GET STARTED ON GUITAR

7 Ways to Find a New Guitar Teacher Now

From the July 2017 issue of Acoustic Guitar | BY LOUISE LEEYou’ve just purchased an instrument and have decided to take lessons.... Read More...

How to Find the Right Guitar Teacher

Learn from the Best: Plan Your Summer Camp Getaway

Video Lesson: Get Rhythm, Part 1: Beats, Meters, and More

FEATURED LESSON

Video Lesson: Express Yourself Through Slurs, Bends, and Vibrato

By Pete MadsenOne of the best ways to add an expressive character to your playing is through the use of slurs (slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs), bends, and vibrato. So much of the vocal quality guitar players like to emulate comes from the fret-hand manipulation of the strings. In this lesson,... Read More...

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CHORD BY CHORD

What is Chord by Chord? Introducing Acoustic Guitar’s How-To Video Series

Welcome to Acoustic Guitar’s Chord by Chord, a series of 62 brief lessons designed to build your fretboard familiarity, chord flu... Read More...

Learn 7 Ways to Play C Major | Chord by Chord

Learn 8 Ways to Play G Major | Chord by Chord

Learn to Play D Major Chords Up and Down the Neck | Chord by Chord

How to Play a C-G Progression | Chord by Chord

How to Play a G-D Progression | Chord by Chord

Video lessons week by week, Chord by Chord. Sign up free!

SESSIONS

Watch Mimi Fox Perform “Buddy’s Blues” on a 2008 Taylor 914ce

Jazz guitarist Mimi Fox puts this 2008 Taylor 914ce Grand Auditorium through its paces on her original tune “Buddy’s Blues.” This is one of... Read More...

Watch Mimi Fox Perform “Autumn Leaves” on a 1965 Martin D-18

When I say “jazz guitar” you think Martin, right? Well, maybe not yet . . . but Mimi Fox may change your mind with this rendition of “Autum... Read More...

FEATURED SONG

Acoustic Classic: James Taylor’s ‘Fire and Rain’

From the January/February 2020 issue of Acoustic Guitar | BY ADAM PERLMUTTERIt’s been 50 years since James Taylor released what would prove to be one of the most enduring ballads in the folk-pop realm—and, according to recent surveys, an overwhelming favorite of AG read... Read More...