Guitar Nine Columns: Guest Columnists

A dissection of "Not Of This Earth" and "Surfing With The Alien".

You maybe missing out on a massive range of sounds that you just can`t get otherwise.

Here are Mike`s technique to help spice up your solos, instead of just running up and down arpeggios.

All of your favorite guitar players play in a way that looks amazingly easy.

Scales are important to learn, but most instructors have put them emphasis on learning them by heart and simply playing them up and down.

Harp harmonics never fail to immediately grab the attention of those who hear you play them, leaving them spellbound by what they just heard.

How to develop a lightning fast tremolo picking guitar technique.

Read about new ideas for using perfect 5ths in your playing.

Integrating scales and arpeggios mechanically.

Drastically improve your acoustic guitar playing with these easy to play, advanced sounding chords.

These 2-string scale fragment examples will increase your speed and your picking technique.

Check in with Joe Nevin and his 10 rocking guitar techniques you need to know.

You will get your skills back again by using these five approaches.

Discover how learning scales actually fosters creativity.

Why you need to stop dividing your fretboard in 5 today.

How to create amazing guitar solos using open strings and pentatonic scale patterns.

The biggest obstacle standing in the way of your guitar playing greatness is not learning complicated techniques.

3-string picking ideas that are great for developing your picking, and to help create lines.

One of the oldest concepts in the book, adapted for modern rock guitar playing.

Why do people still use the CAGED system? Here are some answers.

In part 2, you`ll learn how to create amazing blues guitar solos using open strings.

Although prolific, these two guitarists were really just culminations of hard work done by many guitarists before them.

Chris takes you through every inversion on string-set G-B-E, allowing you to bust one out when called upon to do so.

And... a tasty lick to get your fingers working.

Confused about the modes? Here is a way you can practice the modes that may help.

Don`t waste another second of your time learning the guitar scales by using the CAGED system.

Tommaso explores the Harry Potter inspired "wizards only" theory of talent,

Is there any real benefit to learning more than one scale system? Here`s one opinion to consider.

In part 3, you`ll learn how to easily play fast solo lines and riffs on your guitar.

Chris covers a classic 1980`s example of style over substance.

Here are the true reasons for Vai`s world-class guitar playing and the lessons each one holds for you.

focusing on picking and moveable shapes that will help to create longer lines.

Tommaso argues these myths are designed to keep your playing stagnant.

Playing a chord progression accurately does not necessarily mean the progression will sound good.

The basis of all lyric writing - you may know one or two of these, but even then you need to practice the third one.

Studying other styles of music such as jazz, will only make you a better, more rounded acoustic guitar player and musician.

Mike shows you moveable type patterns for the harmonic minor scale, and some ways you can get some fresh new modern type sounds.

Here are more true reasons for Vai's world-class guitar playing and the lessons each one holds for you.

Tommaso maintains the skill of songwriting is developed through years of practice.

If left unquestioned, these kind of thoughts can start to really build up and hurt your progress as a musician.

An expert knows to practice simpler things.

Don't go with what feels easy as opposed to what is right.