Scales
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Beyond Blues: The Mixo-Pentatonic Scale
May 11, 2019
Ditch the clichés and discover new ways to use an old friend.
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Joe Gore’s The Subversive Guitarist: Don’t Think Scales—Think Sequences!
April 27, 2019
Try this technically challenging workout that liberates you from muscle-memory habits.
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Fretboard Workshop: Soloing with Triads
January 19, 2019
Think triads are boring? Try a few of these improv ideas.
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Fretboard Workshop: Know Your Chords
November 3, 2018
It’s about time you really deal with getting around the neck—in any key.
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Joe Gore's The Subversive Guitarist: The Flat Second's Dark Dissonance
October 20, 2018
The secret blues note?
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Fretboard Workshop: Two-String Scales
October 6, 2018
Discover a new way to think about those same-old scales.
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Twang 101: Vince Gill
August 25, 2018
Very few country stars have the chops, skill, and taste of this award-winning picker, singer, and songwriter. Here’s a look at how to cop his cosmic Tele vibe.
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What the Ell? How to Keep Your Chops Up on the Road
August 11, 2018
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or weekend warrior, here are a few essential exercises to keep you on top of your game.
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Twang 101: How to Solo over “Folsom Prison Blues”
July 28, 2018
Develop a strategy to methodically work through the changes of Johnny Cash’s classic jam.
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Make Moves Like Metheny
March 10, 2018
You don't have to want to play like a jazz legend to practice like one.
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The Shred Decoder’s Guide to Sweep Picking
December 2, 2017
One of modern rock’s most buzzed-about shredders shares his insights on an often-misunderstood topic.
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How to Handle Harmonics
November 11, 2017
It’s easier than you might think to create mysterious, ethereal notes that seem to float through the air.
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Blue Horizons: How to Mix Major and Minor Pentatonics
July 8, 2017
B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Freddie King all had an innate ability to move between major and minor sounds within a 12-bar blues. Here’s how they did it.
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Out and About: Harness the Power of Controlled Chaos in Your Solos
December 24, 2016
Learn four easy ways to break free from conventional chord-scale relationships.
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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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Beyond Blues: Connecting the Dots
November 26, 2016
When learning guitar, the biggest challenge isn’t mastering fingerings, but rather how to put them together in a musical way. Here are some cool tricks for moving from one shape to another.
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Digging Deeper: The Other Side of Paganini
August 6, 2016
Neo-classical shredders aren’t the only ones able to glean inspiration from Paganini. Learn how a simple theme can cross genres and styles.
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The Guitarist’s Guide to Counterpoint
June 18, 2016
The concept of playing two melodies simultaneously has been around for centuries. Such modern masters as Ted Greene, Jerry Reed, and Jimmy Wyble have demonstrated how these ancient principles can be applied to guitar.
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Beyond Blues: Mike Bloomfield’s Manic Magic
May 14, 2016
The Chicago-born guitarist wasn’t afraid to go searching for those missing notes. Here, Levi Clay breaks down how one of the most influential guitarists of the ’60s combined blues, rock, and jazz.
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How “Freebird” Taught Me Everything I Need to Know About Rock Guitar Soloing
April 9, 2016
These fast pentatonic runs lie at the heart of rock guitar.
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