Latest articles by Martin Cooper
When the band formed, they could barely play their instruments – then their guitarist bought a delay pedal and changed the sound of electric guitar forever
The Edge bought a delay just to fill out the sound out in U2 – it ended up all but defining them. But there's a trick to how to use it in tandem with your playing and make it sound huge
A lesson in the melody-first rhythm style and hook-filled solos of the Killers’ Dave Keuning
There are many lessons to be taken from Dave Keuning’s work with the Killers, not least that an appreciation of melody, a diverse musical vocabulary, and an ear for hooks makes for a crowd-pleasing set
With Bob Rock and Rick Rubin at the helm, he recorded some of rock’s most iconic riffs, and launched side-projects with Jerry Cantrell, John Corabi and The Alarm’s Mike Peters – how Billy Duffy’s guitar playing built a Cult following
Duffy’s unique playing style has made the Cult one of rock’s most enigmatic artists, and this video lesson goes deep inside the Sonic Temple to spill the secrets to his rhythm and lead approaches
As guitarist for 10cc, Eric Stewart created one of the most thrilling pop sounds in British music history
Learn the chart-conquering guitar style of 10cc’s Eric Stewart, which puts melody to the forefront
Dickey Betts helped to forge the sound not only of The Allman Brothers Band, but of blues-influenced Southern rock as we know it
This video lesson has two studies for you, one a rhythm piece that requires a deft touch and Betts' exquisite sense of space and feel, the other a solo that's all about feel, timing and details
Dan Auerbach is one of Ohio’s greatest guitar players, bringing blues roots to the mainstream with a major-league soloing and riffing style
This video lesson unpacks Auerbach’s rhythm and lead approaches – and mastering it could put gold on your ceiling
![Whitesnake [L-R]: Bernie Marsden, Neil Murray, Micky Moody](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dL43LWmn6hHkDNmrKkhBVL-840-80.jpg.webp)
Why founding Whitesnake members Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody were a classic guitar partnership
Learn the rhythm and lead style of Whitesnake’s Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody era
Kings of Leon are one of the biggest rock bands on the planet – learn the twin-guitar style that took them from club stalwarts to stadium royalty
The Followill brothers went from Nashville to global stardom via the UK pub circuit on the back of a sound referencing classic, garage and southern rock, and here we give it the tab and audio treatment
Jake Kiszka is a classic rock guitar powerhouse – learn how he crafts his no-holds-barred rhythm and lead parts
It's time to dig out the SG and fire up the Marshall, we're going to unpack the Greta Van Fleet guitarist's signature style
Make your guitar sing with this harmony-laden rock arrangement of classic Christmas carol, The First Noël, in the style of Steve Vai and Brian May
Wow the family with this special six-string take on the much-loved choral tune
With an anthemic, ultra-melodic approach, Neal Schon helped define the sound of ‘80s rock – upgrade your chops with a deep-dive into the Journey virtuoso’s legendary rhythm and lead styles
Don't stop believin', but do start practicing on this video and tab lesson that unpacks Schon's tuneful, radio-friendly approach to rhythm and lead guitar
Gary Rossington shaped the sound of Southern rock with Lynyrd Skynyrd – and his guitar style influenced everyone from the Black Crowes to Metallica
Learn the distinctive pentatonic licks of the Les Paul-toting Southern rock master
Tom Verlaine influenced generations of alt-rock guitar greats – find out why they worshipped his playing with this lesson in his idiosyncratic style
The recently departed Tom Verlaine was one of the most important of the alt-rock and new wave players who brought an expansive and musically audacious approach to punk
With blistering technique, a great ear for melody and an incredible rhythm guitar pocket, Steve Lukather is one of rock guitar’s all-time greats – upgrade your skills with his must-learn licks
Lukather is a play-anything session player and the box-office guitar behind Toto, and this lesson offers two approaches for incorporating his virtuoso stylings into your playing
Thin Lizzy's Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson brought twin-guitar leads to the masses – master their influential style
Jailbreak your rock chops with a lesson in the playing of two guitarists who influenced every guitar duo that followed
Learn the rhythm and soloing styles of Pearl Jam's Mike McCready
A fusion of classic rock with elements of funk, Pearl Jam's sound is unique and slippery, and this lesson in McCready's style offers a stern test of your rhythm and pentatonic phrasing
![[L-R] Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ST5SRduhXrvtXJbP4Wxbxb-840-80.jpg.webp)
Learn the rhythm and lead styles of all-star rock guitar double act Richie Kotzen and Adrian Smith
The Winery Dogs and Iron Maiden guitarists are united by a shared love of classic rock, and bring contrasting styles to bear on rock guitar
How to play rock guitar like the legendary Michael Schenker
Schenker's pyrotechnic style lit up albums from UFO, Scorpions and MSG, and this lesson takes you inside his rhythm and lead approaches. Two-tone Flying V optional, attitude essential
Rhythm and lead guitar lessons you can learn from John Frusciante
The Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist borrows from the best and puts them through his unique filter. Here we take a look at his Hendrix-esque rhythm and fuzzed-out Strat soloing approach
Learn the rhythm and lead styles of Rush’s Alex Lifeson
These two studies demonstrate how Lifeson marries rhythmic intrigue to imaginative melodic and harmonic themes to create Rush's life-affirming prog-rock sound
Learn Mark Knopfler’s game-changing rhythm and lead styles
Phrasing and dynamics are the order of the day in this tutorial on the immaculate playing style of the Dire Straits guitar legend
Learn the fiery playing style of Nita Strauss
The Alice Cooper guitarist did not get the nickname Hurricane Nita by accident. Her all-action rock style will seriously test your rhythm and lead chops alike
