In this four lesson tutorial, I will explain what alternate picking means, demonstrate and talk about alternate picking technique, then show you two simple exercises to get you started.

This tutorial on string bending was inspired by a few subscribers in the forum, that wanted to know how to start bending strings. I started with useful tips, followed by sixteen lessons using whole tone bends on the B string. In the first eight I'm bending the 2nd note of the scale up to the 3rd. In the next eight I'm bending the 4th note of the scale up to the 5th, and close with tips on how to use them.

In these rock soloing technique lessons, we'll be teaching you some essential bends and vibrato technique that will aid you in your lead playing. You'll be learning four types of bends here: up and down bends, pre-bends, bend and choke, and bending one string but not the other. Next we'll show you some vibrato technique, then put all of it together.

In this tutorial I'll teach you the first level of acoustic fingerpicking. We'll get started with a basic four-step pattern, then learn how to change chords with it. We'll then do some 2 and 3 chord practice drills followed by two songs. Then it's time for drills to build your speed and pplay another song. Next we'll learn different styles, play another song, and finish with more drills - and a final song!

If you're looking to be more expressive and dynamic in your lead playing, then learning about hammer-ons and pull-offs is a great technique to get under your fingers. The basic concept is fairly simple: a hammer-on is hammering your finger onto the fret without picking it, creating a tone. The pull-off is the equal and opposite. We'll work on building finger strength, using the pentatonic and dorian scale, playing legato, using open strings, and how to "pull-hammer-slide".

In this short tutorial, Neal Walter will explain two types of harmonics for you: pinch and natural. Pinch harmonics are often used in rock soloing, and natural harmonics are often used to give color. Neal will break down how to approach these harmonics so you can add them to your expressive arsenal.

Hybrid picking is a hybrid of using a pick and using the fingers to get a snappy, chicken picking sound. This series of lessons will get you started with solid techniques that will get your hybrid picking fundamentals down.

In this set of lessons, Caren Armstrong will teach you how to develop good left hand technique. We'll start with an overview of the lessons, then look at the elements of basic left hand technique. Following that we'll look at chord position and placement; then learn about strength versus finesse in making our chord shifts. Chord connections are up next, and we'll conclude by wrapping up all the concepts.

This introduction to the musical term legato will show you what it is, what it means, how it sounds and how to play in a legato manner. It is contrasted with staccato and characterized as a technique used in musical phrasing or articulation.

Palm muting is an essential technique for every rock guitarist, and is simple to learn! This tutorial will walk you through the mechanics of how to use palm muting with power and barre chords, accents, and more.

Slapping is a technique that is most often thought of in the context of bass playing- but you can do it on guitar too! In this set of four guitar lessons you'll be introduced to slapping techniques on guitar; how to use your thumb to get the slap in the lower notes, and fingers to get that pop in the upper notes. We'll use a backing track to help you get in the groove.

Using a bottleneck slide is an expressive technique often used in blues. In this tutorial, we'll look at basic slide technique, open D tuning and standard tuning, some Duane Allman approaches, how to play slow blues slide, and pedal steel 3rds. We'll conclude by jamming along with a backing track.

Strumming is essential to playing the guitar, and in this tutorial Anders Mouridsen will teach you some basic techniques and patterns to give you a solid strumming foundation. We'll start with holding the pick and right hand/arm technique for optimum strumming. Next we'll examine a basic 8th note strumming pattern and a basic 16th note pattern in 4/4 time, followed by a pattern in 3/4. Anders will conclude with a synopsis of everything he taught. You'll be strumming in no time!

This tutorial on the Boom-Chick Strumming pattern was inspired by our site to show you how useful it is. In the first four lessons I show you the pattern using the 1, 4, and 5 chord in the key of A, followed by a progression in the next lesson. I change to a 16th note pattern with a D chord in the fifth lesson, and then finish up with a D progression using the 16th note strumming pattern.

In this tutorial, Eric Barnett gives you the essentials of sweep picking, to get you started on this rock and metal guitar technique. We'll go through what sweep picking is, the right and left hand functions, and detailed exercises on both and how to put them together.

This tutorial will be very beginner friendly. Over the course of seven lessons I will teach you the basic tapping technique, and we'll practice it over a few backing tracks. Let's go!

Are you curious about touch and tapping on guitar? This unusual technique can produce some beautiful, distinct sounding chords and melodies. In this tutorial, HP Kruesi will delve into this fascinating approach in the style of Stanley Jordan using both your left and right hands on the neck. HP will get you started by showing you the basics, put the technique into use in the context of jazz and blues styles, and some exercises.

In this series of lessons, Sharon Aguilar will teach you about the legato technique called trills. Sharon will introduce the concept, then go over the basics of trills. Next we'll look at using different intervals for your trills, then how to use different rhythms. A couple of exercises are next, first using combinations of intervals on one string, then vertically across strings using the A minor pentatonic scale.

The use of vibrato is an effect that is unique to all string instruments and all the more effective when used on the guitar. In blues playing, the use of vibrato is key and each blues player has his or her own vibrato. When used wisely, it can make even the simplest phrases and solos sound very effective. In this tutorial we are going to take a look at a few different types of vibrato that are both artist specific and usable by any guitarist at any level. Let's get started!

In this tutorial, we'll learn some rock whammy (or "vibrato") bar techniques. I'll start by looking at some basic techniques and licks, then talk about how the whammy bar works and some insights into tuning issues. Then I'll teach you a rock riff with whammy, some "divebombing", and some ornamental dips. Next up are a few lessons using hammer-ons and pull-offs, followed by "harmonic dipping and screaming". We'll end with a play along.