Guitar Techniques

Try GT’s digital edition on PC, Mac, Laptop, Desktop or Tablet! Tap the links Finding your way around the magazine is easy. Tapping the feature titles on the cover or the contents page, takes you straight two the relevant articles. Any web and email links in the text are tappable too Animated tab & audio All the mag’s main lessons have the audio built in with a moving cursor that shows you exactly where you are in the music. Simply tap the‘play’button and you’re off - you can fast-forward or scroll back at will. Play the videos Certain articles have accompanying videos full of useful insight and additional information. Once again, tap the play buttons to enjoy video masterclasses on your iPad (recommended) or smartphone.…

SIMON BARNARD Simon is a graduate of ACM and The Guitar Institute, holding a Masters degree in music. He teaches, examines and plays everything from rock to jazz. DECLAN ZAPALA Declan is one of the UK’s top classical guitarists and teachers. He is a Master graduateofRCM andhissolo arrangements are sublimely creative. JON BISHOP Jon is one of those great all-rounders who can turn his hand to almost any style. He’s also rock legend Shakin’ Stevens’ touring and recording guitarist. MARTIN COOPER A tutor at BIMM Brighton, Martin’s Rock columns show an incredible breadth of technique and style. His 2006 album State Of The Union is out on iTunes. CHARLIE GRIFFITHS Charlie is a well studied guitarist who specialisesinhighendrockplaying and plays with top UK metal-fusion band Haken. His debut album is…

THE PASSING OF JEFF BECK on 10th January saw a huge outpouring of emotions around the world. From individual fans applauding gigs to guitar icons discussing their shared moments, he inspired and enthused many over the decades. To the world of guitar playing he brought endless creativity, stylistic breadth and a high benchmark for quality. He was a Mount Rushmore guitarists’ guitarist with many Grammys and yet for the average person on the street, not many can name his songs. Of course, we’d all offer up favourites like Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers, Led Boots, Blue Wind, The Pump, Brush With The Blues, Angel or Over The Rainbow. These tracks, and others, are shining examples from his celebrated career. And then there is that piece, the late 80s instrumental that…

GT: Do you have a type of pick that you can’t livewithout? AP: Fender Heavy pick, with my initials on it! That’s the best one! GT: If you had to give up all your pedals but three, what would they be? AP: 1: All original Tube Screamer. 2: All original Tube Screamer (this is not a typo - I pair them!). 3: Original Boss chorus CE-2. And one more for the road- Dunlop wah-wah pedal MC404. GT: Do you play another instrument well enough to do so in a band? And if so, have you ever done it? AP: I started playing drums not long ago. Not sure if anyone would hire me as a drummer but I sure enjoy the heck out of chasing that pocket in many tunes…

When it comes to making practice decisions, the biggest differences between beginner and intermediate routines are musical choices and a need for honest self assessment. The techniques you develop and the knowledge you learn, should all be driven by the music you want to play. What skills do you need to play stuff that inspires you. When it comes to musical taste, almost everyone is a little different. I might listen to Neil Young, Harry Styles, John Coltrane and Metallica all on the same day. Other people’s taste will obviously be different. Have a think about what things you would love to be able to play, then think about the steps you would need to take to get there. I have lessons and articles on setting realistic goals; you might…

HERE we’re going to look at targeting specific notes within a chord and establishing ways to analyse the chord to do this. There's no need for detailed music theory knowledge at this point, though you may find a few of the terms explained here useful when dabbling in these waters in the future. So here are three different variations of a Major chord and a scale or arpeggio that fits with each. This approach allows you to absorb chunks of information in a musical context, rather than a theoretical one. Have a listen then play through the Examples and all will be clear. Example 1 THE A MAJOR chord consists of the notes A-C#-E – not necessarily in that order, especially on the guitar, where we need a flexible approach…