Techniques
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An essential scale for classic blues and rock solos, the Mixolydian mode is loved by everyone from B.B. King to Guns N' Roses – here's how it works
By Stuart Ryan published
Used by countless blues guitarists and hard rockers from B.B. King and Guns N' Roses to Josh Smith and Joe Bonamassa, the Mixolydian mode is essential knowledge. Stuart Ryan explains all

Dweezil Zappa shares the surprising beginner guitar lessons he learned from Eddie Van Halen
By Matt Owen published
Zappa first met Van Halen when he was just 12 years old, and it wasn’t long before he was receiving lessons from the guitar god – on his legendary Frankenstein

3 easy rock guitar solo licks you need to know
By Dave Celentano published
A quick power-up for beginner and intermediate players' rock soloing, with three ripping solo ideas based around the D minor pentatonic scale

Learn 10 funk guitar riffs inspired by James Brown, Prince and Vulfpeck
By Jamey Arent published
Pickup Music’s LA-based session ace Jamey Arent is your host for a lesson that’s not only a great introduction to the fundamentals of funk guitar, but could be the inspiration you need to take your funk chops to the next level

Loved by Yngwie, Santana and Slash, the harmonic minor scale is an essential part of every guitar player's vocabulary
By Simon Barnard published
Whether you're checking into the Hotel California or sheltering from the cold November Rain, the harmonic minor scale is right there with you. This lesson demystifies it with examples you can use now

Learn the ‘chanking’ funk approach popularized by game-changing James Brown guitarist Jimmy Nolen
By Donnie Laudicina published
You can chank us later for this lesson in an approach that could revolutionise how you execute your rhythm guitar manoeuvres

Philip Sayce channels the blues licks of the greats – and his masterclass will supercharge your pentatonic solos
By Jon Bishop published
The Canadian maestro is your instructor today, and for this lesson you're going to be digging deep for some Texas sizzle and red-hot pentatonic turnarounds

The evolution of selective picking – one of modern guitar’s most expressive techniques
By Phil Weller published
Tosin Abasi crafted it, but in the hands of countless others, selective picking has taken on a life of its own. We explore why it’s become one of the most personal guitar techniques around
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