How to Create Compelling Accompaniments and Solos
Happy Traum demonstrates how to arrange accompaniment and guitar solos for old folk, blues, and gospel songs.
Guitar Technique
Which Alternate Tunings are Most Commonly Used in Blues?
The two principal open tunings used in blues guitar playing have old, vernacular American names that I still like to use: Vastopol and Spanish.
How to Create Literature-Inspired Narrative Compositions for Solo Acoustic Guitar
This guitar lesson explores how to approach narrative solo guitar composition through harmonic movements, ways to lyrically deliver a melody, and the use of silence.
Reimagining a Fernando Sor Etude as a String-Crossing Guitar Workout
This guitar lesson breaks down the mechanics of string crossing and applies it all to a classical guitar etude by Fernando Sor to help build up picking-hand precision.
Guitar Lesson: Using Augmented Arpeggios to Add Dreamlike Sequences
In this guitar lesson, learn fretboard exercises to play beautiful, dreamlike augmented arpeggios for soloing and composing in any style.
30 Ways to Improve Your Acoustic Guitar Tone
Improve your acoustic guitar tone with these tips and techniques for fretting-hand, flatpicking, and fingerstyle playing for both your right and left hands.
Make the Most of Your Capo: 4 Essential Concepts
When used as a tool—and not merely a crutch—a capo can offer inspiration and creativity for guitar players of all skill levels. Here are 4 essential concepts for using a capo on guitar.
Video Lesson: How to Get Great Tone with Michael Chapdelaine
Michael Chapdelaine teaches you to get good guitar tone by relearning your picking-hand approach.
Guitar Basics: 3 Simple Tips to Get Better at Strumming
In this guitar lesson you'll learn three tips for improving your strumming: how to grip the pick, strumming open strings, then adding chords.
How to Use a Looper to Create Soundscapes on Acoustic Guitar
When used properly, a looper pedal can transform the sound of your acoustic guitar into something new and beautiful, while making your performances more dynamic.