How to solo using compound time – the secret behind some of Frank Zappa and Robben Ford's most out-there leads By Andy G Jones published 3 May 23 Open up some all-new possibilities for your lead strategies with these fresh rhythmic soloing approaches
Why Steve Vai’s new rhythm guitarist says he almost got fired on his first night By Matt Parker published 3 May 23 Dante Frisiello formerly teched with the band but that didn’t stop him from having a nightmarish first show
Watch Derek Trucks and Nels Cline bring different worlds of lead guitar greatness together in stunning live call-and-response duel with Wilco By Jackson Maxwell published 2 May 23 The Chicago alt-rock lifers invited the Tedeschi Trucks Band slide ace to the stage in St. Augustine, Florida for a version of their fan favorite extended guitar workout, Impossible Germany
Steve Vai leads 7,968 guitarists in a world record-breaking performance of Jimi Hendrix classic Hey Joe By Matt Parker published 2 May 23 Fellow shred icon Michael Angelo Batio was also among the massive lineup of guitar players in Wrocław, Poland
Paul Gilbert names 12 guitarists who shaped his sound By Andrew Daly published 2 May 23 The Mr. Big guitar hero reveals how his strap length influenced his technique, why hearing Yngwie Malmsteen down the phone inspired him to give fast picking one more try, and what he considers to be "one of the biggest scourges" of modern guitar playing
Watch Extreme’s Nuno Bettencourt play the Rise solo live for the first time By Michael Astley-Brown published 2 May 23 Spoiler alert: it’s scary clean
Joe Bonamassa plays AC/DC’s Back in Black like you’ve never heard it before in this soulful rhythm ’n’ blues reimagining By Matt Parker published 28 April 23 The blues-rock ace has teamed up with funk band Scary Pockets and vocalist Joanna Jones to offer a new take on Angus Young’s iconic riff and solo
Nuno Bettencourt says Prince once called him “one of the top three guitar players in the world” By Matt Owen published 28 April 23 The Purple One witnessed the Extreme guitarist play as part of an Earth, Wind & Fire tribute concert, and ended up dishing out some very high praise indeed
Learn Jason Isbell’s heartfelt acoustic fingerpicking style By Stuart Ryan published 28 April 23 The four-time Grammy winner and guitarist’s guitarist is one of the most gifted fingerstylists around, and this study exercise is as good an excuse to ditch the pick as you’ll get all day...
That time Guthrie Govan covered Rage Against the Machine’s Bulls on Parade and took Tom Morello’s solo to mind-boggling new heights By Michael Astley-Brown published 27 April 23 Some groundbreaking lead work – including two-hand tapping with a glass slide – highlighted the virtuoso’s awe-inspiring performance
Paul Gilbert explains why 21-fret guitars can actually deliver higher notes than 24-fret models By Matt Owen published 26 April 23 The Mr. Big virtuoso revealed how a 1983 Ibanez Roadstar II helped him tap into Ronnie James Dio's vocal tones – and hit notes higher than a modern-day 24-fret would allow
5 ways to improve your sweep picking technique By Simon Barnard published 26 April 23 Sweep picking is a technique that stumps many, infuriates others, but is unmatched for delivering fluid arpeggio runs. This lesson follows in the pick sweeps of Synyster Gates, Frank Gambale et al
Watch Lonnie Mack, one of the original Flying V masters, trade licks with Tele titans Albert Collins and Roy Buchanan By Jackson Maxwell published 26 April 23 The three six-string aces came together for the aptly named American Guitar Heroes concert at Carnegie Hall in 1985
Watch Albert King reunite, jam with Stevie Ray Vaughan in 1983: “There's a lot of guitar players that just play fast, they don't concentrate on soul – but you got ’em both” By Damian Fanelli published 25 April 23 See King wrap his head around the (then up-and-coming) talent of SRV – a player he first knew as ‘Little Stevie’ – in a blues jam for the ages
Derek Trucks names 11 guitarists who shaped his sound By Andrew Daly published 25 April 23 The Tedeschi Trucks Band slide maestro reveals his formative influences – from the obvious to the obscure – what he thinks is the "fiercest" guitar solo of all time, and why rhythm guitar is a lost art
Fine-tune your rhythm chops with this lesson on classic disco funk By Steve Allsworth published 25 April 23 The glitter ball is spinning and it's time to throw some shapes on the guitar in the style of the funk heroes behind Chic, Sister Sledge, Earth, Wind & Fire and more
Watch Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Joe Perry join Metallica for a pulverizing performance of Train Kept A-Rollin' at 2009’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony By Matt Owen published 24 April 23 The two Yardbirds alumni and Aerosmith icon – who each had history with the song – were joined by Ronnie Wood and Flea for the rendition, which featured a who's who of rhythm heroes and lead legends
Learn the licks of speed metal messiah Joe Stump By Charlie Griffiths published 21 April 23 A Berklee prof with neoclassical chops to burn, Joe Stump of Alcatrazz is a bona-fide shred legend, and these five examples will whip your metal guitar chops into shape in no time
John McLaughlin’s fusion ensemble Shakti announce first studio album in 46 years By Matt Owen published 20 April 23 This Moment arrives more than four decades after Shakti’s last studio effort – and will be promoted on the band’s first US tour in 18 years
Steve Morse Band announces first tour in 10 years By Matt Owen published 20 April 23 Following his departure from Deep Purple, Morse will reunite with Dave LaRue and Van Romaine for a handful of dates across April and May this year