Adam Perlmutter

Adam Perlmutter holds a bachelor of music degree from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and a master's degree in Contemporary Improvisation from the New England Conservatory. He is the editor of Acoustic Guitar.

Folk, Sing and Play

Bob Dylan holds a guitar in a promotional photo from Columbia Records

Tips to Play ‘Tangled Up in Blue,’ Bob Dylan’s Apparently Unfinished Masterpiece

Here are tips for playing Bob Dylan's "Tangled up in Blue," as arranged on The Bootleg Series, Vol. 14 in an intimate and intense version with just guitar, harmonica and bass.

January 23, 2022

Vintage and Collectible Guitars

Kenny Hill Legacy model classical guitar

Kenny Hill’s State-of-the-Art Modern Legacy Model Classical Guitar

This 2019 Kenny Hill Modern Legacy classical guitar, the luthier's main guitar for his own playing, is a prime example of his company’s top-tier offerings.

January 21, 2022

Gear Reviews

The Year in Gear—New Offerings for Acoustic Guitarists in 2021

Here’s an overview of 2021 in acoustic guitar gear, including guitars, sound-reinforcement solutions, and more, for players of all stripes.

January 9, 2022

Instrumentals

Learn Bryan Sutton’s Take on the Holiday Classic “The Little Drummer Boy”

Cross-pick through a seasonal favorite, The Little Drummer Boy, in the guitar-friendly key of C major.

December 20, 2021
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Instrumentalists

Guitar Talk: Hear Adam Miller Play and Discuss a Fan-Fretted Traugott 00 and Ken Parker Archtop

Adam Miller, a guitarist and composer from Australia, stopped by Acoustic Guitar's San Francisco Bay Area office with some choice Traugott and Ken Parker guitars.

December 18, 2021

Play Like Your Favorite Guitarists

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.

November 1, 2021

Instrumentalists

John Pizzarelli Releases Solo Guitar Tribute Album to His Hero Pat Metheny

Guitarist John Pizzarelli had long been a fan of jazz guitarist Pat Metheny, and during the pandemic had time to arrange some of Metheny’s works for solo guitar.

September 28, 2021

Strings and Accessories

Review: D’Addario XS Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings

D'addario's XS phosphor bronze acoustic guitar strings are an innovative new set that combines hyper-thin coating with NY Steel cores. Here's our review.

September 12, 2021
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Instrumentalists

blue tinted photo of acoustic guitar being played with a slide

Slide Masters: 6 Guitarists Who Play Bottleneck Style in Fresh and Unexpected Ways

Six acoustic guitarists show the wide range of concepts, sounds, and inflections that can be brought to life with slide technique.

August 30, 2021

Instrumentals

Bob Minner holding his guitar in front of a brick wall and lamp post

Play Bob Minner’s Acoustic Guitar Tune “VanWart” in DADGAD Tuning

“VanWart” started out as an improvisation, including some of the colorful harmonies inherent to DADGAD tuning.

July 21, 2021

Play Like Your Favorite Guitarists

Learn Fingerstyle Master Alex de Grassi’s Sophisticated Style

De Grassi’s concepts and techniques on his album The Bridge are both subtler and more complex than standard steel-string fare

February 24, 2021

Guides and How To, Strings and Accessories

Get a Grip: Acoustic Guitar Capo Guides and Reviews

For such a simple device, there are a surprising number of brands, types, and subtle factors involved in choosing a capo.

February 10, 2021

Alternate Tunings, Instrumentals

Learn Four Classical and Traditional Songs in Open Tunings

These approachable pieces will be great additions to your fingerstyle repertoire.

February 3, 2021

Instrumentals

World Premiere: Robbie Basho’s “Great Depression Blues”

This song is a showcase for Basho’s considerable fingerpicking technique

January 29, 2021

Sing and Play

Acoustic Classic: Learn to Play Jerry Jeff Walker’s “Mr. Bojangles”

When outlaw country singer-songwriter Jerry Jeff Walker died last October at 78, he left behind a rich body of work, comprising more than 30 albums. But the only song of his to become a major hit was “Mr. Bojangles,” which…

January 28, 2021

Instrumentals

Learn Bob Minner’s Annual Arrangement of “Auld Lang Syne“

“It’s become an annual tradition for me to do this song, and finding ways to reharmonize it but keep the melody and essence intact is a fun challenge."

December 31, 2020

Instrumentals

World Premiere: A Brontë-Inspired Lullaby by Solo Guitarist Charlie Rauh

This tune is played in the key of E minor, with a judicious combination of fretted notes and open strings creating beautifully textured harmonies.

December 24, 2020

Instrumentals

Alex de Grassi’s Fingerstyle Arrangement of ‘Santa Claus Is Coming to Town’

Explore Alex de Grassi's hip and jazzy arrangement of this seasonal favorite, recorded on his signature model Lowden.

December 15, 2020

Mics, Pickups, Recording Gear

Affordable acoustic guitar amplifiers and effects pedals.

Budget Amplifiers and Pedals for the Acoustic Guitarist

Here are some excellent, affordable amps and pedals for the gigging acoustic guitarist.

November 25, 2020

Compact

Big Fun, Low Price: Small-Bodied Acoustic Guitars Under $600

Here we'll be looking at some small-bodied guitars—instruments that our reviewers have scrutinized for your benefit, all priced at well under a grand.

November 6, 2020

Strings and Accessories

Gear Review: Caseadillo Case Covers Offer Added Protection for High-End Guitars

After looking unsuccessfully for a case cover, Sam Guidry decided to make his own. He formally introduced his product, branded as Caseadillo, at the beginning of 2020.

October 7, 2020

Sing and Play

Learn a Country-Tinged Guitar Arrangement of “Deck the Halls”

Perfect for beginners, this arrangement uses just a few common chords and a boom-chuck pattern for an energetic and festive feel.

September 18, 2020

Practice and Musicianship

someone playing guitar in black and white

Stuck in a Rut With Your Guitar? Try These Practice Techniques

It’s not uncommon for even the most accomplished guitarists to hit walls when practicing—whether caused by difficulties in learning to play challenging passages cleanly, or uncertainty about how to diagnose and troubleshoot certain problematic areas in their playing. Sometimes a…

August 31, 2020

Sing and Play

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.”

August 26, 2020

Practice and Musicianship

How Do Guitarists Practice?

Practicing is one of the most important things you can do as a guitarist, whether you’re an absolute beginner or seasoned professional. Yet, to the detriment of their musicianship, many players have poor practicing habits—for instance, running through things that…

August 11, 2020