Acoustic
ARTICLES
5 Ways to Strum Without A Pick
December 12, 2020
Discover your own musical fingerprint by exploring different approaches to string attack.
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A Guide to Pedal-Tone Blues
November 28, 2020
Take your rhythmic independence to a new level and learn to become a complete solo guitarist.
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Tapping Into Chaos
April 18, 2020
Investigate the intricacies of Elliott Sharp—a modern, boundary-pushing, percussive acoustic master.
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Mutant Folk Fingerpicking
February 22, 2020
A funky fingerstyle challenge that starts with Travis picking and then warps it beyond recognition.
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How to Play Bentonia Blues
September 14, 2019
Toss aside the rules and tune down your guitar.
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How to Write a Song
September 7, 2019
Nashville recording artist Lindsay Ell shares tips on how she beats writer’s block ... and how you can, too.
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Decoding Django’s Gypsy Chords
April 20, 2019
Investigate one of the most under-appreciated elements of Gypsy jazz by grabbing a fistful of new chord shapes and ideas.
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Trash or Treasure: Epiphone PR7E
July 15, 2018
A reader’s curious preschooler finds an old guitar in a spare room. The reader smartly inquiries about its value before handing it over to a 4-year-old.
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Free Your Mind: A New Way to Approach Open Strings
December 10, 2016
Find new horizons with a few basic scales, some adventurous tunings, and a healthy dose of unfretted notes.
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Acoustic Adventures: Harmonic Visions
March 12, 2016
There are sparkling, harp-like notes lurking just above your fretboard that can add a magical touch to any composition. We’ll show you where they are and how to coax them out.
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10 Commandments of Bluegrass Guitar
November 21, 2015
Essential tips for nailing that “high, lonesome” sound.
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Acoustic Soundboard: (Scale) Length Matters
October 14, 2015
String scale length certainly affects playability, but it also has a huge role in a guitar’s sound.
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Acoustic Adventures: A Twist on the Traditional
September 12, 2015
A quick look at how to work vintage blues/rock and psychedelia into acoustic riffs.
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Pluck ’Em! A Crash Course in Country Guitar
September 20, 2014
Grab a Tele and dig into this comprehensive look at the art of twang.
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Acoustic Adventures: Leo Kottke's Invisible Thumb
March 15, 2014
Discover the secrets of fingerstyle master Leo Kottke.
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Rhythm Rules: Syncopated 16th-Note Rhythms
August 17, 2013
Stay in the pocket! Learn how 16th-note rhythms work in funk, rock, and acoustic music.
Peavey Vypyr VIP 2 Amp Review
July 10, 2013
This latest iteration of the Vypyr line of amps is designed and built to handle electric 6-string, acoustic, and bass guitars.
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Martin Guitars Unveils Ed Sheeran Signature LX1E Guitar
July 9, 2013
Singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran teams up with Martin for a new signature model.
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The DuncanAfrica Society
July 7, 2013
Canadian luthier Jay Duncan makes the world a better place by
helping others build sustainable communities, one guitar at a time.
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A Very Golden Anniversary
June 29, 2013
We welcome Rick Turner to our Acoustic Soundboard column in his 50th year as a luther—what would you like to know about building acoustics?
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