As I stood on stage, my fingers poised over the fretboard, I could feel the audience’s anticipation. They were expecting another run-of-the-mill metal solo, but I had something different in mind. With a deep breath, I launched into a blistering Locrian scale run that left jaws hanging. The haunting dissonance filled the venue, transforming the … Read more
I never thought a chair could make or break my guitar playing until that fateful day. After a grueling four-hour practice session, I stood up from my trusty kitchen stool, my back screaming in protest. That’s when I realized the profound impact a proper guitar chair can have on both comfort and performance. As a … Read more
The first time I laid hands on a PRS bass guitar, I knew I was in for something special. As the strings resonated through my fingers, I couldn’t help but wonder: could this be the instrument that changes the game for bass players everywhere? With decades of experience as a guitar journalist and editor of … Read more
As I popped in my first Stefan Grossman guitar DVD, I was skeptical. Could a video really teach me the intricacies of fingerstyle and blues guitar? Little did I know, I was about to embark on a transformative journey that would revolutionize my playing. Stefan Grossman’s guitar DVDs aren’t just instructional videos; they’re a gateway … Read more
I’ll never forget the day I first laid hands on a Johnson bass guitar. As the strings resonated through my fingers, I knew I was experiencing something special. Little did I know that this encounter would spark a journey through the world of affordable yet quality bass instruments. What made this particular bass stand out … Read more
As I meticulously crafted the neck of a custom guitar, my eyes caught a glimpse of the morning newspaper. The crossword puzzle stared back at me, its clues a jumble of letters and numbers. Suddenly, a six-letter clue caught my attention: “Famous electric guitar maker.” My hands, calloused from years of shaping wood, instinctively reached … Read more
Imagine unlocking a whole new dimension of sound with just one extra string. That’s the power of a 7-string guitar, but only if you can master its tuning. As the former Editor in Chief of Guitar Player magazine, I’ve seen countless guitarists struggle with this seemingly simple task. In fact, a surprising 68% of new … Read more
I’ll never forget the moment I first laid hands on a true intermediate electric guitar. The silky-smooth fretboard, the resonant body, and the crisp, articulate tone – it was like graduating from a tricycle to a high-performance bicycle. That transformative experience sparked a lifelong passion that led me from the practice rooms of the New … Read more
As I strummed the final chord of our set, I felt a sudden snap. My prized guitar plummeted towards the stage floor, narrowly missing destruction. That heart-stopping moment taught me a crucial lesson: never underestimate the importance of a reliable metal guitar strap. As a luthier and former engineer, I’ve always been fascinated by the … Read more
I’ll never forget the day I stumbled upon a hidden guitar fingerpicking technique that revolutionized my playing. It was like unlocking a secret door to a world of musical possibilities. As someone who’s been strumming since childhood, I thought I knew it all—until that moment. What if I told you that this technique could transform … Read more