Shawn Persinger

Shawn Persinger, a.k.a. Prester John, has been described as a musician full of delightful paradoxes: complex but catchy; virtuosic yet affable; smart and whimsical. Readers and critics have hailed his books, Creative Rhythms for Melodic Instruments or Think Like a Drummer and The 50 Greatest Guitar Books, as monumental achievements in music education. For more information, visit www.presterjohnmusic.com/

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Shawn Persinger

Spice Up Your Cowboy Chords

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.

Jazz Chords in a Rock Context

Chord extensions aren’t just for jazz! Here's how to use them in a rock context.

Think Like a Drummer

By combining iconic drum fills with scale and arpeggio patterns, you can create an infinite number of melodic variations. But just start with one.

The Unexpectedly Challenging Rhythms of Lou Reed (And How to Master Them!)

Though Lou Reed seemed to only use a handful of chords, his shrewd right-hand strumming created limitless rhythmic variations.

Eric Clapton’s “Crossroads” Solo Revisited

Cheap Tricks That Make You Sound Fast!

Learn how to not only ramp up your technique, but how to use it effectively.

PAKT Venture to the Far Edge of Improv

The free-playing supergroup returns with a full-length that explores the outer reaches of composition. Guitarists Tim Motzer and Alex Skolnick mull over the mysteries of their music.

Play Wrong Notes. Please.

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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.

Chord extensions aren’t just for jazz! Here's how to use them in a rock context.

By combining iconic drum fills with scale and arpeggio patterns, you can create an infinite number of melodic variations. But just start with one.

Though Lou Reed seemed to only use a handful of chords, his shrewd right-hand strumming created limitless rhythmic variations.

Learn how to not only ramp up your technique, but how to use it effectively.

The free-playing supergroup returns with a full-length that explores the outer reaches of composition. Guitarists Tim Motzer and Alex Skolnick mull over the mysteries of their music.