How to Be a Jerk Guitar Player in 10 Easy Steps

News
By published

Here's a handy lesson video by the guys at Texas Blues Alley.

It's called "How to Be a Jerk Guitar Player in 10 Easy Steps." Of course, it's meant to be sarcastic, yet it does spotlight a lot of unfortunately common behavior among, well, jerk guitarists.

In fact, if you already follow any of these 10 guidelines, you might have a problem. You might actually be the problem. Enjoy!

For more about Texas Blues Alley, visit texasbluesalley.com.

Damian Fanelli
Damian Fanelli
Editor-in-Chief, Guitar World

Damian is Editor-in-Chief of Guitar World magazine. In past lives, he was GW’s managing editor and online managing editor. He's written liner notes for major-label releases, including Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'The Complete Epic Recordings Collection' (Sony Legacy) and has interviewed everyone from Yngwie Malmsteen to Kevin Bacon (with a few memorable Eric Clapton chats thrown into the mix). Damian, a former member of Brooklyn's The Gas House Gorillas, was the sole guitarist in Mister Neutron, a trio that toured the U.S. and released three albums. He now plays in two NYC-area bands.

More about guitarists
Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins performs onstage during The 33rd Annual KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas 2024 at The Kia Forum on December 14, 2024 in Inglewood, California

“Not everybody has a high standard. A lot of indie people think playing too good is a bad thing”: Billy Corgan on the difference between rock and “indie” guitar players
Gary Clark Jr. and Eve Monsees playing their Fender Strats on stage

“I'd sit there with my guitar and that was my education. This show gave me purpose, it gave me hope”: Watch Gary Clark Jr. deliver a blazing rendition of two Stevie Ray Vaughan classics for Austin City Limits' 50th Anniversary televised special
Mick Rogers

“I got together with Jeff a few years ago. The famous white Strat was sitting on the couch so I said, ‘Jeff, pick it up and play it!’” Rockabilly rover Mick Rogers on playing with Frank Zappa, touring with Kiss, and rootsy jams with Jeff Beck
See more latest
Most Popular
Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins performs onstage during The 33rd Annual KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas 2024 at The Kia Forum on December 14, 2024 in Inglewood, California
“Not everybody has a high standard. A lot of indie people think playing too good is a bad thing”: Billy Corgan on the difference between rock and “indie” guitar players
Gary Clark Jr. and Eve Monsees playing their Fender Strats on stage
“I'd sit there with my guitar and that was my education. This show gave me purpose, it gave me hope”: Watch Gary Clark Jr. deliver a blazing rendition of two Stevie Ray Vaughan classics for Austin City Limits' 50th Anniversary televised special
Guitarists Gary Moore and Phil Lynott on stage during a live concert performance by Irish rock band Thin Lizzy in Birmingham, England, United Kingdom, in April 1979
“There was never any half-measures with Gary. If he didn’t like something he’d soon tell you to f**k off”: In July 1979, Gary Moore stormed off stage and officially left Thin Lizzy – now, guitarist Eric Bell reveals the real reason why
Stratocaster leaning against a Boss Katana amp
Guitar World deals of the week: save $400 on a Sterling By Music Man, get a Line 6 amp $200 cheaper than the RRP, plus all the week's best guitar deals
Dweezil Zappa
“One of the coolest guitars I own”: Dweezil Zappa has some absolutely wild guitars in his vault – but his insane one-of-one fretless Gibson SG is one of his favorites
Rotosound Fuzz
“Delivers the same tones that made the original popular with legends”: Rotosound’s ultra-rare fuzz pedal has been reissued – bringing Jimmy Page-approved fuzz magic to the masses
Kevin Bacon and Jimmy Fallon
“Maybe we could buy a 12-string and have it sawed in two”: Kevin Bacon and Jimmy Fallon rewrite Bryan Adams’ Summer of ’69 – and make it all about six-strings
Ritchie Blackmore of the British band Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow performs live on stage during a concert at the Velodrom on April 18, 2018 in Berlin, Germany
“It's getting harder for him. But I've seen people younger than him in wheelchairs on stage doing what they do”: Ritchie Blackmore suffered a heart attack last year – and a return to Europe has been ruled out for the time being
Harley Benton Nashville Nylon BK
“A classical guitar for the modern era, with all the specifications expected by the seasoned player”: Harley Benton seizes on the Polyphia-led nylon-string revival with a versatile acoustic-electric for under $300
Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins performs onstage during The 33rd Annual KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas 2024 at The Kia Forum on December 14, 2024 in Inglewood, California
“That’s the same guitar I’m playing on stage with the band and on tour with Green Day in front of 50,000 people”: Billy Corgan on why he plays off-the-shelf Reverends – and isn’t fussed about playing expensive guitars