Guitar Nine Columns: Guitar Technique

Simple knowledge of pentatonics is all you need to utilize the modes in your lead guitar playing.

If you`re sitting there with a pick in your hand, throw it away, you won`t need it.

The Mad Scotsman is here with the first in a series of lessons featuring cliche busting musical ideas.

What does it mean for one`s playing to be considered original? Let`s find out.

Here are seven common problems guitarists encounter when learning to sweep pick, and what you can do about them.

Enlist those underutilized picking hand fingers to facilitate string skipping and wider intervals.

Before you come down for one technique or another, check out Philippov`s discussion on the issue.

Examples and tips intended to help everybody who seeks ways to improve on their instrument.

Give your picking a boost with German`s crazy ideas.

Here`s some ideas to help you reach the front gate of shredhood.

An inside look at how one key can affect the sound of another.

Think in terms of five, as you work on these 3+2 ideas.

Terry Syrek will slap you silly if you even attempt a wank tap.

Patrick DeCoste is back to help you push the boundaries of harmonics.

Patrick DeCoste returns to bring music theory to life.

Revealing an altogether more subtle harmonic concept.

Using simple guitar overdubs to great effect.

Stimulate your guitar practice and composition by finding alternative angles and methods of reinterpretation.

Patrick DeCoste discusses the essential art of two handed muting.

What`s the best way to organize vast amounts of musical information in your mind? Kevin Buck has some ideas for you.

Regular rehearsals and practice sessions can help take you to the next level.

Neo-classical guitarist Tom Hess lays out an effective, step-by-step plan for developing speed.

Neo-classical guitarist Tom Hess was a bad student too, but he got his act together, and you can as well.

How to avoid "wrong notes" on your way to creating interesting, improvised lines.

Can you cure a case of guitar hero "Clone-itus?" Here`s some cure-all.

A quick look at various picking techniques.

Understanding how a key can be made to reveal its chordal treasure is invaluable knowledge.

Complex music requires thought and preplanning in order to get the best results.

Patrick DeCoste returns with tips on `playing to the sound`.

Guitarist Randy Ellefson hopes you never need this article. But if you do, read on.

Guy Pople delves into independence and rudimentary music theory.

These ideas will really add some spice to your playing.

Virtuoso classical guitarist and instructor Jamie Andreas helps you to both figure out, and master, the neck.

More ideas to help you memorize your scales break out of the patterns and ruts you have been stuck in.

How long you practice is not always as important as what you choose to focus your practice time on.

"Is learning music theory really necessary for me?" Patrick DeCoste explores possible answers.

Danny Jones knows you don`t have enough time to practive - or maybe you do.

Discoveries are unearthed that reinforce the assertion that the 7-string represents evolutionay progression.

One of the best ways to memorize your scales on the neck and help you break out of the patterns you have been stuck in.

Danny Jones is back, taking wide interval links and making cool runs out of 'em.

If it has ever crossed your mind to have a go, or you just feel vaguely dissatisfied with 6 strings, then read this.

Virtuoso classical guitarist and instructor Jamie Andreas with an insightful answer to a common question.