Ask the Expert: When Is it Time for a Re-Fret? And What Is “Back Buzz?”
Should you keep the vintage frets on your vintage Gibson for the sake of the guitar’s authenticity? What's causing that mysterious metallic fret buzz? Ask the Expert!
Learn to Play Scott Joplin’s Ragtime Classic “The Entertainer” on Guitar
“The Entertainer,” Scott Joplin’s 1902 ragtime piano masterpiece, is known the world over and is a great challenge for the blues fingerpicker.
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Todd Albright’s ‘Detroit Twelve String: Blues & Rags’ Hollers “Vintage”
The character and emotional vibe of the performance are delicious
‘Paul Simon: Words & Music’ Exhibit Opens in LA
Fresh from its run at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, the new touring exhibit Paul Simon: Words & Music has opened at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles—making its only West Coast stop. On display through September 10, the exhibit chronicles Simon’s life…
Great Acoustics: Greg Brandt’s “Bubbles” Guitar
Maybe it’s the glint in his eye, but you get the impression that luthier Greg Brandt has a whimsical soul. And one look at his guitar “Bubbles” confirms it.
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‘Freight Train’ Elizabeth Cotten’s Essential Fingerstyle Blues Song
In the instrumental intro as well as in the verses, Cotten plays the melody to this popular song over an alternating bass pattern. Practice slowly, measure by measure.
Country Bluesman Reverend Peyton Is a Force of Nature: Watch Him Play 18 Instruments on 1 Song
"No blues society is going to come in and save blues music. That’s not how it works. The only thing that can save it is people making good music that other people want to hear."
5 Ways to Get the Most Out of Skype Lessons
Thanks to today’s technology, players don’t have to limit themselves to traditional face-to-face lessons. Here are some helpful virtual lesson tips
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7 Ways to Find a New Guitar Teacher Now
Finding the right teacher can require more than just typing “guitar teacher” into your browser and contacting the first one that pops up.
Acoustic Guitar in Hand, Hurray for the Riff Raff’s Alynda Lee Segarra Is Taking On the World
As an artist, she says she feels compelled to “speak for equality, justice, and love. And I hope whatever I say encourages lots of little girls to play guitar.”
Guitar Talk: Studio Ace and Songwriter Danny Kortchmar on Bonding with His Acoustic
Kortchmar discusses what has been the biggest adjustment in switching from electric to acoustic guitar live.
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How to Evaluate Your Own Playing
From books to magazines, YouTube videos to DVDs, there are no shortages of readily available materials to keep the self-taught guitarist occupied for several lifetimes. However, there are important areas that can be overlooked, such as technique and practice routines, by using those sources. Without the observance of a teacher,…
Playing Guitar with Pain: Advice on Prevention, Maintenance, and Recovery from Glen Phillips, John Mock & More
Physical setbacks can change the way you approach the guitar. Here are some strategies for coping with, and moving on from, what every guitarist dreads most.
New Book ‘Johnny’s Cash & Charley’s Pride‘ Reveals Guitar Stories and More
Country Hall of Fame Museum director Peter Cooper's new book tells the six-string tales of Loretta Lynn, Taylor Swift, Johnny Cash, and more
Gear Review: Elliott Elite and Integrity Capos Are Elegant In Their Simplicity
Screw operation is among the oldest approaches to capo design. The primary advantage of this capo type is its precision, which allows the tension to be set exactly the right amount, generally resulting in excellent tuning stability.
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Video Lesson: Discover Your Own Fingerstyle Voice on Guitar
This Weekly Workout is intended to give you some new ways to practice and to set your own path as a fingerstyle player.
Review: Boss Acoustic Singer Pro is Made For the Gigging Singer-Songwriter
This amp packs a lot of power into a small package.
Video Lesson: How to Play the Blues Like Elizabeth Cotten
Few guitarists have had as much impact on fingerstyle folk and blues guitar as Elizabeth Cotten. Learn to capture her sound, phrasing, and dynamic approach to guitar.
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Video Review: Trance Amulet M Phantom Pickup System Eliminates the Need for a Battery in Your Guitar
This pickup system has a built-in preamp that runs off phantom power, completely eliminating the need for an onboard battery
Start Soloing on Acoustic Guitar with These Essential Building Blocks [Video Lesson]
Pentatonic scales are an effective and generally manageable way to get started, and many guitar players derive much of their approach from this basic framework.
Fender Acoustic 200 Amp Review
Think Fender and your mind fills with images of Stratocasters, Telecasters, and a wide array of tube-driven electric-guitar amplifiers. However, of late, Fender has been busy developing several lines of acoustic amplification that range in price from $99 to $999, offering options for every level of player.
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Taylor 10e and 12e Academy Guitars Review
If I hadn’t had their spec sheets in front of me, I might not have known that a pair of new Taylor guitars were affordable instruments. The new Taylor Academy 10e dreadnought and 12e Grand Concert each sell for well under a grand with a deluxe padded gig bag. Both…
Guild M-40E Troubadour Review
The Guild M-40E acoustic guitar is based on the 1960s-era Guild F-20 model. It is a concert-sized instrument that packs a punch, especially when plugged in.