The Guitar-Tuning Odyssey of Joni Mitchell
The melodies and harmonies of Joni Mitchell's music rarely unfold in ways that our ears have come to expect. Here's a look at her guitar tuning Odyssey.
These articles originally appeared in the September-October 2020 issue of Acoustic Guitar magazine.
The Rich Musical Legacy of Doc Watson: A Rare Interview with the Legendary Guitarist
A rare interview with Arthel "Doc" Watson, an extraordinary entertainer who never failed to capture the admiration and affection of his audience.
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Guitar Basics: A Bluesy Lick You Need to Know
This blues lick is fairly easy to play on guitar, and when played well can create a very evocative sound that will add movement and interest to your accompaniment.
Video Lesson: Discover the Secrets Behind Bob Dylan’s Inventive Acoustic Guitar Work
Bob Dylan's great acoustic guitar playing is often overlooked. Here we showcase his deceptive chord moves, his fluency with standard and non-standard tunings, and his knack for constant reinvention.
Weekly Workout: Add Jazzy Walking Bass Lines to Your Accompaniments
Learn how to play walking bass lines with chords—a cool approach to have up your sleeve, no matter what style you play.
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Guitar Lesson: Try this Alternate Tuning to Play Gorgeous New Chord Voicings
Let your ears guide you and you’ll find that alternate tunings will allow you to create chord voicings that are impossible in standard tuning.
A Private Lesson With Acoustic Blues Guitar Master Eric Bibb
Learn more about the playing on 'Booker's Guitar' and Bibb's use of unorthodox chords in blues music.
30 Years of Trends and Innovations in Acoustic Guitar Design, Amps, and Accessories
In the three decades since 1990 there have been a lot of surprising changes in the acoustic guitar world affecting everything from how guitars are built to how we listen to and create music.
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Learn a Guitar-and-Voice Arrangement of “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow”
Popularized in the film ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?,’ this classic American folk song has antecedents that trace back over 200 years.
Learn Tony Rice’s Take on “House of the Rising Sun”
The guitarist's solo introduction takes liberties with harmony, melody, and tempo.
The Acoustic Inventions of Chet Atkins, Certified Guitar Pioneer
You can’t learn what Chet Atkins knows about playing the guitar from a book or from his records. Any guitarist who has lifted one of Atkins’ solos or some of his knuckle-busting moves from a tape and tab knows that while it’s possible to play the notes correctly, getting them…
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Acoustic Classic: Learn Big Bill Broonzy’s “Baby, Please Don’t Go”
Few tunes enjoy as prominent a status in the blues canon as “Baby, Please Don’t Go.”
Fingerstyle Authority: John Renbourn on His Distinctive Technique and Approach to Arranging
Whether as a solo artist, playing duets, leading his own group, or as a founding member of the seminal British folk-jazz ensemble Pentangle, Renbourn’s playing has left a profound imprint on the modern landscape of acoustic music.
Is One Guitar Enough? A Guide to Determining (and Justifying) Your Need for Multiple Guitars
Ideally, a new guitar should fulfill a need so it doesn’t end up getting resold as an unused piece of gear. Here are some reasons why you might need multiple guitars.
John Williams Travels Beyond the Classical Guitar’s European Roots
In the pantheon of classical guitar greats, Australia-born John Williams stands as a most imposing figure. For decades he has been the archetype for recitalists of the post-Segovia era. His singular technical abilities and thoroughgoing approach to the music he plays have set very high standards for those seeking to…
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Guitar Guru: Troubleshooting Unwanted Sounds on Acoustic Guitar
By Dana Bourgeois |This article originally appeared in the April 2014 issue of Acoustic Guitar magazine and was reprinted in the September/October 2020 issue. Q: My 1983 Martin HD-28 has a buzzing or rattling high E string. The rest of the strings sound great. A local fellow worked on the frets and smoothed them…
Great Acoustics: This 1930 Martin 000-45 Deluxe is a Rare and Opulent Offering
This beautiful, unique 1930 Martin 000-45 Deluxe is possibly the finest example of the early period of the American guitar.
How Paul McCartney’s Fingerpick-and-Strum Guitar Technique Gave The Beatles’ “Blackbird” Its Distinctive Sound
McCartney’s unusual fingerpick-and-strum technique gives “Blackbird” its distinctive sound.
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Acoustic Classic: Learn to Play Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” on Guitar
“Big Yellow Taxi” was the sole single from Joni Mitchell’s 1970 album, Ladies of the Canyon. Though it didn’t crack the Top 40 (it charted at No. 67 on the Billboard singles chart), that doesn’t accurately reflect its success.
5 Tips for Playing Arpeggios | Acoustic Guitar Lesson
Start with chord shapes you already know. Learn a handful of fingerstyle picking patterns and then begin incorporating arpeggios into your vocabulary.
Learn J.S. Bach’s “Minuet in D Minor” in DADGAD Tuning
Here's a fun introduction to Bach’s works that’s playable without much classical training—and enjoyable to listen to
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Remembering Folk Icon Elizabeth Cotten and Her Distinctive Guitar Approach
“Nobody did teach me. Everything I know, I learned all by myself, so I give myself all the credit!”