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Shawn Persinger

Shawn Persinger, a.k.a. Prester John, has performed and taught guitar on five continents, in 36 countries, and hundreds of cities. His music has been described as a myriad of delightful musical paradoxes: complex but catchy; virtuosic yet affable; smart and whimsical. Readers and critics are hailing his latest book, The 50 Greatest Guitar Books, as a monumental achievement in music education. For more information, visit greatestguitarbooks.com.

Articles

ARTICLES

Spy Guitar Essentials

February 15, 2020

Shawn Persinger

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to learn, understand, and incorporate the musical characteristics found in countless spy-film soundtracks.

The Unsung Heroes of Twang Guitar

January 11, 2020

Shawn Persinger

It’s all about melody, reverb, and loud amps.

Why Is Rhythm Guitar So Hard?

December 14, 2019

Shawn Persinger

It’s all in the details.

A Beginner’s Guide to Ambient Guitar

August 31, 2019

Shawn Persinger

Ethereal drones, big reverbs, and plenty of dissonance go into this often-underappreciated style.

One-Shape Blues

June 29, 2019

Shawn Persinger

A few simple chords is all it takes.

Funk Guitar in One Chord Shape or Less

May 4, 2019

Shawn Persinger

Yes, you can get funky with a single chord shape.

How to Play Slower

February 2, 2019

Shawn Persinger

It’s not as easy or straightforward as some might think, but taking an unhurried approach can add new dimensions to your playing.

Jazz Chords Made Simple

October 27, 2018

Shawn Persinger

Afraid of “complex” jazz chords? Just strip them down.

Spice Up Your Cowboy Chords

September 29, 2018

Shawn Persinger

Just because you live on the low end of the fretboard doesn’t mean you can’t add melodic and harmonic interest to your progressions.

Sweet Soul Music

September 1, 2018

Shawn Persinger

Prolific performer and teacher Shawn Persinger teaches you how to get inside the sounds of Cropper, Jamerson, Dupree, and more.

Eclectic Effecting 101: How to Use Stock Pedals to Unlock New Sounds

February 10, 2018

Shawn Persinger

A hands-on guide to using chains of pedals to create enigmatic, spooky, and downright crazy sounds.

Punk-Rock Madness: It’s More than Power Chords

October 7, 2017

Shawn Persinger

Push past the power chords and learn about some of the genre’s most underappreciated players, including Robert Quine, Viv Albertine, and Richard Lloyd.

The Guitarist’s Guide to New-Wave Guitar

June 3, 2017

Shawn Persinger

The 1980s were full of iconic tones and riffs from players like Andy Summers, Johnny Marr, and Adrian Belew. Let’s see if we can borrow a bit of that vintage mojo to craft compelling new riffs.