Guitar Nine Columns: Guitar Technique

When you are forced to make soloing decisions quickly, you may often end up making bad musical choices which distort your creativity.

Here`s guidelines for making the most of backing tracks when learning and improvising.

Scott`s new column all about what your priorities should be when learning the guitar.

You haven`t been jamming without a purpose, have you? You have? Read Nick Layton.

All about combining different techniques into a truly scary lick.

Mike Campese takes you through this short, but excellent, Niccolo Paganini piece.

A two-part Invention done by one of Dan Sorber`s all-time favorite composers: J.S. Bach.

Paul Tauterouff takes even more three-note sequences and turns them around to create new sequences that sound much more interesting.

Canadian guitarist David Martone demonstrates his unique approach to two of his favorite techniques: tapping and hybrid picking.

The alternate picking of arpeggios can be a very tough technique to master - here`s a unique way to approach the problem.

Using odd time signatures, open tuning and hybrid picking to keep things interesting.

Mike`s got a great way to learn your arpeggios and triads all over the neck.

Paul Tauterouff takes a common three-note sequence and turns it around to create a new sequence that sounds much more interesting.

Adapting legato technique to the ubiquitous arpeggio.

Some of Greg`s personal uses and insights into this somewhat eclectic scale.

Here are some exercises to develop and improve outside picking and alternate picking.

Canadian guitarist David Martone takes you into the nuts and bolts of preparing three tracks for a Rush tribute album.

Some very useful methods to help you learn to tune in and play by ear.

Have you been working on your sweep picking and been struggling to improve? Here`s help.

Don`t stifle your creativity by applying too much theory to the songwriting process.

The fourth part of Scott Allen`s new series deals with the concept of perfect symmetry.

The proper right hand positioning will enable you to play any style with just three types of picking positions.

Have you played guitar for years and not gotten very far? Mike O`Malley has practical tips for your practice sessions.

The third part of Scott Allen`s new series introduces you to the melodic minor.

A workout that develops finger independence, alternate picking, and two hand synchronization.

Canadian guitarist David Martone goes over his summer itinerary of clinics and classes.

Very cool and unique runs that can add that missing edge in your soloing.

Here`s a master class on the distinct sound of the harmonic minor scale, with your instructor, Mike Campese.

Guy`s reference spreadsheet for modes, chord scales and substitutions

Do you struggle with not having enough time to practice guitar? How to practice effectively when time is at a premium.

You can come up with listenable and interesting solos if you know just how to "word" everything.

Practicing scales in an interesting and systematic way.

Andre Tonelli has great ideas to get you out of playing in boxes, and into playing music.

Coming to a rational conclusion as to what improvisation could be.

The second part of Scott Allen`s new series delves into the ways of the harmonic minor.

Designing specific exercises to improve the picking hand, and develop right hand coordination.

Here`s some new ideas for looping string skipping ideas, with your instructor, Mike Campese.

Andre Tonelli is here to guide you through limitations that can actually serve a useful purpose for guitar players.

Don`t ignore your picking hand in favor of the almighty fretting hand - you`ll pay the price.

Ysrafel`s got tips on transferring tapping ability from one string to the next.

The first part of Scott Allen`s new series designed to make the intermediate player a more well rounded soloist.

Learning ways to substitute notes using octaves with your instructor, Mike Campese.