Jason Sidwell
Jason Sidwell (BA Hons, MA, ALCM) was editor of Guitar Techniques, is senior tuition editor for Guitarist and has written/edited over 25,000 printed articles since 1998. He is an advisor/guest tutor for UK music academies, a director/tutor for the International Guitar Foundation (IGF) plus author of How to Play Guitar Step by Step (Dorling Kindersley) and tutorials for The Guardian and Observer. His unique Guitar Day teaching events have been running for over a decade. He is also a busy classical guitarist and theatre musician, has recorded with musicians such as Steve Morse, Paul Gilbert, Andy Timmons and Marty Friedman and has a broad cliental for studio guitar work.
Latest articles by Jason Sidwell

Rasgueado is a game-changing flamenco strumming technique – and it will give your picking hand a huge turbo boost
By Declan Zapala published
Learn the strumming style that will give your playing bravado, fire and passion
![[L-R] A composite image of Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, Joel Hoekstra, Marty Friedman all taking a solo live: Bumblefoot plays his double-neck. Hoekstra has his white Les Paul Custom. Friedman wears a plaid shirt and plays his PRS signature model.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VPKUYFpK9bsjnQdzekheeb-320-80.jpg)
15 pro guitarists share their tips for memorizing music
By Jason Sidwell published
We've all been there. Or worse still, you're playing, all is well, and then the mind goes blank. Here, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, Joel Hoekstra, Marty Friedman, and a dozen of their fellow pros share their strategies for memorizing their parts

How a former Black Crowe changed Samantha Fish’s soloing style forever
By Janelle Borg published
Fish gives her take on what makes solos memorable – and why flashy playing doesn’t speak to the soul

Steve Morse is the guitar virtuoso's virtuoso – and his technique masterclass will push your upper-fret bending and phrasing to the limit
By Jon Bishop published
The former Deep Purple guitar legend checks in with an exclusive track – and tab to help you play along

Steve Lukather: “I played Jeff Beck and Eddie Van Halen’s guitars – and I sounded like myself. But some of Jeff’s guitars were set up so strangely only he could play them”
By Jason Sidwell published
In this previously unpublished interview, Lukather explains why Jeff Beck’s untouchable, “alien” approach to the guitar made him the ultimate player

Intervals' Aaron Marshall takes a deep dive into his guitar-playing philosophy, and talks tones, tempos, modes and his favorite guitar instrumentals
By Jason Sidwell published
After Wolfgang Van Halen named him his favorite guitarist right now, find out how the Canadian prog virtuoso tackles soloing, melodies, harmonies and other aspects of instrumental guitar from the man himself

Guthrie Govan: why I love guitar instrumentals
By Jason Sidwell published
The Aristocrats and Hans Zimmer virtuoso on the art of a good instrumental, the limitations of vocals, and his favorite examples of the genre

Nick Johnston: “The first few Yngwie Malmsteen albums still make me smile. The ferociousness of that playing is still unequaled”
By Jason Sidwell published
The Schecter-toting virtuoso details his musical approaches, influences and how his style came together

20 guitar virtuosos on their favorite Joe Satriani moments
By Jason Sidwell published
Paul Gilbert, Steve Vai, Marty Friedman and more pay tribute to the maestro of instrumental guitar and give us the ultimate Satch playlist

John 5 shares his love of instrumental guitar music and names his favorites
By Jason Sidwell published
Lyrics? Where John 5 is taking the electric guitar, we don’t need any lyrics. Besides, as the Rob Zombie guitarist admits, oftentimes he can’t remember them anyway

Paul Gilbert gives us a track-by-track tour of his new Christmas album, ‘Twas
By Jason Sidwell published
Forget goose: here, Mr Gilbert shares his festive recipe for perfect Christmas electric guitar, and he's putting emu picking on the menu. You might never hold a pick the same way again

6 guitar pros on how to prepare your playing for tour
By Jason Sidwell published
Paul Gilbert, Steve Lukather, Marty Friedman, Kirk Fletcher, Steve Morse and Michael Landau on how they get stage-ready
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