Guitar Nine Columns: Guest Columnists

Adding color to the bland, unifying lyrics, and other compositional techniques.

What is the most important thing you can bring to a recording studio? Mike O`Malley has his own thoughts on the subject.

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

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

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

Practicing scales in an interesting and systematic way.

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

Here`s how to kick it up a notch by avoiding the top 9 mistakes guitar teachers usually make.

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

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

Indie marketing guru Tim Sweeney points out some not-so-obvious connections between the red carpet and you.

Here`s some ideas for making your act the best deal in town.

There is an attitude, or spirit, that is common to most guitarists who have become successful.

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

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

It`s important not to lose your soul in the pursuit of musical expression.

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

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

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.

There are two main problems that apply to almost all guitar teachers who struggle attracting new students.

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

Music industry guru Christopher Knab reminds us why there are so many good record releases, and so few great record releases.

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.

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

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

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

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

Indie marketing guru Tim Sweeney has some better suggestions for those stage give-a-ways.

Adapting legato technique to the ubiquitous arpeggio.

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

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

Do you really want a successful career in music, but you`re unsure about what to do if your plan doesn`t work? Read Tom Hess now.

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

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

What is it that really separates musicians who make a career out of music, and those who pursue music as a career, but don`t quite make it?

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.

Indie marketing guru Tim Sweeney realizes it`s time to change media and customer perceptions.

Music industry guru Christopher Knab shows how tragedy can shed new light on an important topic