Video Lesson: Learn Basic Bossa Nova Patterns, Inside and Out
Bossa nova emerged from a unique combination of samba rhythms and harmonies from Brazilian folk music mixed with American jazz.
Video Lesson: Remembering Glen Campbell and His Acoustic Style
Whether playing live or in the studio, Campbell always displayed a distinctive style. Here's a look at some of the essential elements of his methodology.
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Adam Palma’s ‘Palm-istry’ Is a Fingerstyle Gem
Imaginative fingerstylist crosses genres in diverse set
Texas Legend Joe Ely Talks About His Recent Accolades, His Songcraft, and His Love of Guitars
Last year was a big one for Joe Ely. He was named the 2016 official Texas State Musician, and he was inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Association Hall of Fame.
Great Acoustics: 1933 Santos Hernández
Though little known in the steel-string world, the guitars of Santos Hernández (1873–1943) are among the most collectible anywhere.
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Texas Gold: Joe Ely’s ‘Cold Black Hammer’
On “Cold Black Hammer,” from his 2015 album, Panhandle Rambler, the singer-songwriter Joe Ely evokes the tension between pumps and environment in the oil fields of his native Texas. The song is in the key of E minor. Its four chords—the i (Em), the iv (Am), the vi (C) and…
Why Won’t My Guitar Stay in Tune?
Q: About six months ago, I bought a Gibson Hummingbird from the 1990s. Even though it was a little beaten up by the previous owner, it’s a solid guitar. It initially was a little fussy about staying in tune, but lately it’s gotten worse, and it’s particularly frustrating onstage. Why…
Joe Bonamassa Mostly Sticks to Rhythm on Live Disc
For years, Joe Bonamassa used to sneak three or four acoustic songs into the middle of his live shows. That changed in 2013, when he retooled his back catalog for An Acoustic Evening at the Vienna Opera House, and four years later, he’s reconceived it again for the CD/DVD Live…
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How Bossa Nova Made a Mark on Popular Music
A look at bossa nova's impact on popular music and how the acoustic guitar is at its core.
Shelby Lynne and Sister Allison Moorer on Their First Studio Album Together ‘Not Dark Yet’
It’s a safe bet that Not Dark Yet—the gorgeous collaboration between sisters Shelby Lynne and Allison Moorer—will be the only album out this year that contains covers of both Nirvana’s “Lithium” and the Louvin Brothers’ “Every Time You Leave.” Lynne would have it no other way. “We love all different…
Play the Bossa Nova Classic ‘Corcovado’ Like João Gilberto
Add not only a bossa nova classic and jazz standard to your repertoire, but a handful of new harmonic colors.
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Gear Review: Tanglewood Java Series Parlor and Winterleaf Series OM
Despite being distributed in 60 countries and receiving the “All-time best-selling acoustic guitars in the UK” award by the Music Industry Awards, Tanglewood brand isn’t a household name in the US. But that may change now that the UK-based brand of guitars made in Indonesia and China are being…
‘Acoustic Uprising’ Documentary Explores Fingerstyle’s Rise to Prominence
“I’ll never forget the first time I heard, and more importantly, saw a fingerstyle performance,” says Drew Roller, director of the new fingerstyle documentary Acoustic Uprising. “The ceiling instantly became the floor and I became obsessed. I wanted to learn more, and when I couldn’t find a way to delve…
Watch Mason Williams Play “Classical Gas”
In 1967, having completed his first season as a writer for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, Mason Williams spent a weekend with an old friend he had been neglecting: his nylon-string guitar. He composed an informal piece, thinking it might be handy for playing at parties, and called it “Classical…
How to Play ‘William Tell Overture’ Like Glen Campbell
Glenn Campbell was not just a charming, golden-voiced entertainer; he was a hell of a guitarist as well.
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7 Traditional and Contemporary Nylon-String Guitars Under $500
It’s striking just how superior today’s budget nylon-string options are compared to my lame starter guitar. Here's a list of 7 nylon-string guitars under $500.
Review: Martin’s 0-18 Is a Small-Bodied Classic
The 0-18 looks a whole lot like a 1950s or ’60s example, but it’s been updated with contemporary specs.
Video Lesson: 5 Ways to Strengthen Your Pinky
Just as you would do pushups for upper-body strength or crunches to work on your core, the best way to improve pinky strength is to train it.
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Gear Review: Gretsch G9511 Style 1 Single-0 Parlor Guitar
An affordable, fun-to-play small-bodied guitar with a refined tone.
Video Lesson: Learn to Play Your Favorite Songs in Any Key
Learning to transpose—the act of moving music from one key to another while keeping its basic structure intact—will make you a better guitarist.