Post archive
Guitar Sessions 48: “Box of Rain” for two guitars
Learn an arrangement of the Grateful Dead’s classic “Box of Rain,” played on two guitars with different tunings and capo positions.
Guitar Sessions 47: The low fifths trick
Learn a simple way to create powerful and distinctive chord voicings.
Guitar Sessions 46: Play Neil Young’s “Old Man”
Learn the perennial favorite “Old Man,” from the signature riff to the chord shapes and groove.
Guitar Sessions 45: Easy open-string chords up the neck
Explore open-string chord shapes up the neck that give you alternate-tuning-like sounds with easy fingerings—while staying in standard tuning.
How to play like Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek
Video lesson on the guitar style of Nickel Creek’s Sean Watkins, with examples from their album Celebrants.
How to create sophisticated harmonies on guitar with cluster chords
Video lesson with examples based on songs by Neil Young, James Taylor, Janis Ian, Dave Matthews, and more
Get into the learning zone
Tips and exercises to help you get out of ruts and discover new territory on the guitar
Explore the guitar style of James Taylor
An in-depth video lesson on the distinctive fingerstyle guitar of JT, with examples to play based on some of his best-loved songs.
Joan Armatrading interview and guitar lesson
A conversation with legendary U.K. songwriter Joan Armatrading, and a video lesson teaching guitar grooves and riffs from some of her best songs.
Play Guitar Like the Great Singer-Songwriters
A new book/video teaches the guitar styles of 14 legendary singer-songwriters, including Joni Mitchell, John Prine, Paul Simon, and Bill Withers.
Happy Traum interview and guitar lesson
Roots music performer and teacher Happy Traum looks back at his 50-plus-year career, and shares how to play some of his signature songs.
Lucinda Williams interview and guitar lesson
A conversation with Americana icon Lucinda Williams about guitar and songwriting, with a video lesson teaching rhythm patterns from some of her best songs.
Explore the five-string partial capo
An intro video lesson on using a five-string partial capo to create open-tuning-like sounds while remaining in standard tuning.
“Wish You Were Here” in DADGAD tuning
A new alternate-tuning guitar arrangement of the Pink Floyd classic “Wish You Were Here.”
How to make the most of playing with two guitars
A video lesson on how to develop varied and dynamic arrangements with two guitars.
Guitar Sessions 20: Play the Grateful Dead’s “If I Had the World to Give”
Learn how to play the Grateful Dead’s “If I Had the World to Give” arranged for acoustic guitar.
Build speed by using smart fingerings
A video lesson on how choosing efficient fingerings can help you make your playing faster and more fluid.
How to play in 3/4 time
A video lesson on how to play in waltz time, from “Ashokan Farewell” to “Edelweiss” to “Sweet Baby James.”
Guitar Sessions 19: Play Brandi Carlile’s “The Eye”
Learn how to play Brandi Carlile’s “The Eye,” watch a new cover video, and download a free mp3.
Guitar Sessions 18: Play Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Boxer”
Discover the guitar secrets of Paul Simon’s classic story song “The Boxer,” and learn an arrangement that incorporates the original guitar intro, instrumental interlude, and more.