Guitar Tricks Blog

New Wave music, born out of the late '70s and early '80s, is a genre that blends rock, pop, and electronic music. Bands developed unique sounds that still inspire musicians today. If you're looking to capture that distinctive New Wave guitar style, here's a quick guide to get you started.

Open chords tend to get a bit dull. But there are some easy ways to alter the basic chord shapes you already know and make them sound much more interesting.

For any beginner out there, diving into the CAGED system is definitely a worthwhile journey. It'll give you a solid foundation and make the guitar feel less like a foreign object and more like an old friend you know inside out.

Diving into blues guitar as a beginner can feel like a thrilling trip back in time, unpacking the soulful sounds that have shaped modern music. To get started, here are some key elements you’ll want to familiarize yourself with.

Getting started with guitar strumming can feel like a bit of a jigsaw puzzle, but once you get the hang of it, you'll be able to enhance any song with just the right rhythm. So, let's break down the basics of how to strum a guitar, especially for beginners who are ready to dive into the world of music.

Diving into the world of guitar scales can be both thrilling and a tad overwhelming, especially when terms like "pentatonic scale" start flying around. So, let's break it down, shall we? At its heart, the pentatonic scale is like your go-to five-ingredient recipe. It's simple, versatile, and, frankly, hard to mess up. This makes it a favorite among guitar players, from those just starting to strum to seasoned shredders.

Bluegrass guitar solos are all about expressing yourself within a rich musical tradition. Here's your beginner's guide to shredding bluegrass-style, without the need for lightning-fast fingers right off the bat.

Getting the hang of tweaking your sound is super key. Imagine you're hopping from one amp to another, messing around with different pedals and gear. You're gonna wanna know how to dial in that perfect sound for any vibe you're going for.

Fingerstyle guitar is a technique where you pluck the strings directly with the fingertips, fingernails, or picks attached to fingers, as opposed to strumming or picking with a single plectrum. This allows for a more nuanced, delicate sound, perfect for genres ranging from classical and folk to modern pop and beyond.

Before you channel your inner rock star, it's crucial to grasp some fundamental concepts. Lead guitar, in contrast to rhythm guitar, focuses on melody lines, solos, and improvisation. It's the voice of the band, expressing the song's emotions and themes through notes rather than chords.

So, you’ve got your guitar, and you’re ready to play some tunes. But wait, there’s something crucial you need to do first - tuning your guitar. Don’t worry, it's not as daunting as it sounds, and I'm here to guide you through how to tune a guitar step by step.

Before you start, make sure you have the right equipment. A comfortable, playable guitar is key. It doesn't have to be expensive, but it should be the right size and type for you. Acoustic guitars are great for beginners due to their simplicity and portability. Also, grab a few picks, a tuner, and maybe a capo. A good chair and a music stand can also make your practice sessions more comfortable.

Looking to nail that blues guitar tone with your gear? First off, the guitar you choose can set the stage, but don't sweat it too much – most electric guitars will do. Whether it's a guitar with single-coil pickups or with humbuckers, you're on the right track. 

This week, Gary Heimbauer is getting into the holiday spirit by teaching a simple, beginner-friendly version of a classic Christmas carol.

"Go Tell It on the Mountain" is a well-known Christmas carol that has its roots in the African-American spiritual tradition. The song dates back to at least the mid-19th century, though its exact origins are not clearly documented. It's believed to have been passed down orally among African-American communities in the southern United States before it was eventually transcribed and published.