Hot Electric Guitar How-Tos

How to Play blues guitar: A major and A minor licks

In this video, we learn how to play blues guitar: A major and A minor licks. Start by turning on your metronome and playing various A minor and A major chord licks and phrases. Play in pentatonic as you are doing the different licks so you can hear a difference between how the different chords sound. Continue to go back and forth between these, learning how to do different phrases while you are playing. This can help make your blues songs sound even better than before, adding a unique flair. ...

How To: Play "Flake" by Jack Johnson on electric guitar

In this video, we learn how to play "Flake" by Jack Johnson on electric guitar. If you are just starting out on the electric guitar, this is a great song to learn as a beginner. After you learn all the chords on the guitar, you will start out with the intro to the song. From here, you will move onto the different verses of the songs. Start to sing in the lyrics as you are playing throughout the song. Make sure you are stopping, pausing, going higher, and going lower as you continue to play. W...

How To: Play rock and blues solo guitar riffs

When you're in a band it's important to sound in tune with the rest of your band and to compliment your bandmates rather than stand out too much. And while for the most part that's true, if you're the lead guitarist then there will frequently be times where you'll be spotlighted to play a jammin' guitar riff.

How To: Play the "Nothing Else Matters" solo by Metallica

In this tutorial, we learn how to play the "Nothing Else Matters" solo by Metallica. Start off with playing E, B, G, D, A, and E chords on the guitar. You can play these slowly so you get the hang of how they are supposed to sound. After you have these figured out, start to play them in sections and then together in one set. These are basically the only chords that you are going to use in the entire song, using some in minor or sharp as you continue through the song. Practice each section, th...

How To: Play "Creep" by Radiohead on electric guitar

In this video, we learn how to play "Creep" by Radiohead on electric guitar. Start on a G chord, then play B, C, and Cm. These are the only chords you will play through the entire song while doing a simple strum through the song. You will need to slide from one chord to the other to create a unique sound, and go faster in some parts than in the others. After you have the sequence down, the entire song will be finished. This is a great song for beginners to learn, add in the lyrics if you pref...

How To: Play "Children of the Grave" by Black Sabbath

In this video, we learn how to play "Children of the Grave" by Black Sabbath. Start with E, C sharp, and your fingers on the top strings. After this, play an A and an F sharp. Follow this with a fourth string D and E, then you will have the basic sounds for the song completed. Play these all together to see how it sounds. After this, break down the song into different sections where the chords change at. After you have done this, play the entire song in one go around, then you will be able to...

How To: Play "In Bloom" by Nirvana on electric guitar

In this video, we learn how to play "In Bloom" by Nirvana on electric guitar. The first riff will be played on the top string using E, B, G, D, A, and E. Play these together on different frets with power chords to get the best sound for the song. The second riff will include the chords: E, B, G, D, A, and E. Play the power chords five times and move the strings so you can easily get from string to string. When you are finished with this, continue to move on throughout the rest of the song the...

How To: Play a sliding 9th chord on a blues guitar

In this video, we learn how to play blues guitar: a sliding 9th chord. First, play a G9 chord, where you will here all of the chords around it as you play. You can slide this chord around one or two frets to hear different sounds come from it. It's a great vehicle to slide up and down. You can also use the fifth string to go up and down, which will create a more funky sound while playing. Use the four and five chords for the most interesting sounds. You can also put the fifth in the bass to m...

How To: Play "Rock Lobster" lick by B 52's on electric guitar

In this video, we learn how to play "Rock Lobster" lick by B 52's on electric guitar with Marty. This is a very easy and simple lick that you can bother people with and learn in just a few minutes. First, play 0 on the low E string, then use your middle finger on 2 and ring finger on 3. After this, do 2-o and practice alternating your picky and doing downward flicks. Practice doing this slowly so your fingers can get accustomed to the movements, then start doing it faster and faster. Once you...

How To: Play "Enter Sandman" by Metallica on electric guitar

In this video, we learn how to play "Enter Sandman" by Metallica on electric guitar. This will be ten riffs, the first will be E, B, G, D, A, and E. The second one will be E, B, G, D, A, and E. The same will follow with the rest of the riffs. Once you finish playing all of them separately, start to play the entire son all together until it becomes one song with no stops in it. After you reach the end of the song, you will have completed this and can move on to a more advanced one with more ch...

How To: Play electric guitar for beginners

In this video, we learn how to play electric guitar for beginners. First, you need to become familiar with the guitar. The body, the frat board, the head, the nuts, and the strings. Learn what all the parts of the guitar are called and exactly what they do in relation to the guitar. When starting to play, you will need to learn the different strings and how they sound. The E, B, G, D, A, and E strings all have different noises to them depending on how tight and tuned they are. If you have nev...

How To: Play "Detroit Rock City" by KISS on electric guitar

In this video, we learn how to play "Detroit Rock City" by KISS on electric guitar. Start out with Eb, Bb, Gb, Db, Ab, and Eb. Pull of the first fret and go to the second, then do this over four times. Once you have finished this, do it over three more times until you reach the end. Now, you will place your fingers on the fourth string fourth fret, then do these chords over again three more times. There will be another guitar playing Eb, Bb, Gb, Db, Ab, and Eb as you continue on playing this,...

How To: Play "Mud Football" by Jack Johnson on electric guitar

In this video, we learn how to play "Mud Football" by Jack Johnson on electric guitar. Start off with a G chord and fade into the rest of the rhythm. You will play downward, then mute the chords as you go back up. At the end, it will be a really quick play with the hands on the strings. As you finish this, go into the chorus, then start to play out the rest of the verses. You will keep the same rhythm throughout the entire song. You can add in the lyrics as you become more comfortable with pl...

How To: Play "The Trooper" by Iron Maiden on electric guitar

In this video, we, learn how to play "The Trooper" by Iron Maiden on electric guitar. First, practice the rhythm so you get a feel for the song. The first riff will be: E, B, G, D, A, and E. The second riff will be the same, except you will start to play it faster. You will also want to switch between a higher and lower chord as you continue to play the song. Keep playing the riffs until you reach the end of the song. Make sure you have your fingers on the correct chords as you play, then enj...

How To: Play the main themes from "Lord of the Rings"

In this video, we learn how to play the main themes from "Lord of the Rings". The first strings will be E, B, G, D, A, and E. Play this riff going from high to low as you play each one. Start out slow so you can better hear how each of the chords sounds as you play. The next riff will be: E, B, G, D, A, and E. Play this slowly as well, then play the first along with it, making sure to change the height in the chords to hear the difference between the first and second chord. Continue playing e...

How To: Play "Living After Midnight" by Judas Priest

In this video, we learn how to play "Living After Midnight" by Judas Priest. Start out by doing the first riff playing the E, B, G, D, A, and E strings. After this, play the second riff using the E, B, G, D, A, and E chords again, using different lengths with each of the chords so you create different sounds as you continue to go. Play through the rest of the riffs in sections, then combine all of them together until you have one fluid song. As you do this, perfect any chords that are off, th...

How To: Play "Walk this Way" by Aerosmith on electric guitar

In this video, we learn how to play "Walk this Way" by Aerosmith on electric guitar. Start out using the E blue scale with your first finger on the fifth fret of the E string. Using half steps, go to 5,6,7 and 7 on the A string. From here, hammer onto the seventh, then continue to do this process to finish the intro. After this you will do the boogie verse, which will be a C power chord, then place your pinkie on the 12th fret on the a string. Continue to play the notes throughout the song, a...

How To: Play guitar using proper technique on the fretboard

In this video, we learn how to play guitar using the proper technique on the fretboard. While playing on the fretboard, the speed and movement should be equal. Your fingers should be close to the fretboard at all times, not far away from it. When you play riffs, pick the notes that will make the music sound seamless and beautiful. All the sounds should flow together perfectly. Once you learn these basic tools, you should pick some easy sounds and practice them so you get the idea of how your ...

How To: Play super fast runs on an electric guitar

In this tutorial, we learn how to play super fast runs on an electric guitar. You will be playing the notes at the very tip of the pick, going up and down as fast as you can. First, do the notes E, B, G, D, A, and E while on the third, sixth, ninth, fifteenth, eighteenth, and twenty-first frets. Next, play the E, B, and G notes on the third fret while hammering on the sixth string a couple of times. Continue to practice these, hearing the difference between each of the different chords. When ...

How To: Do chord voicing and comping while playing jazz guitar

In this video, we learn how to play jazz guitar: Chord voicing and comping. Guitar comping is more pianistic in approach than it used to be. You can play different chords, moving them up a notch to get a different noise out of them. You will have to learn the finger placements and how to spell the chords, but they will sound great when you play them. You will get the same chord voicing with the different chords, it will just be moving upwards or downwards in the noise. As you continue to lear...

How To: Play the rock/blues scale on the guitar with tabs

You know your piano player friends who practice their basic piano scales daily even though they're already well advanced and can play Rachmaninoff like no one's business? It may seem absurd to need to do such simple practicing at all, but scale exercises are the best thing you can do to keep those fingers sharp and fast when playing a song.

How To: Write heavy metal music with songwriting tips

System of a Down. Motley Crue. No matter who you are, a heavy metal song is almost instantaneously recognizable, with bands as diverse as System of a Down and Motley Crue banging out deep, distorted guitar riffs and emphatic beats. The muscal genre of heavy metal is a headache for adults and a form of rebellion for kids, which is why you'll always seen teens rebelling by blaring this music on full volume.

How To: Play "Under the Bridge" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers on guitar

Want to play "Under the Bridge" by RHCP? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and it chords. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the guitar, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing "Under the Bridge" on your own acoustic guitar, take a look!

How To: Play "Shout It Out Loud" by KISS on electric guitar

Learn how to play Shout it out loud by Kiss on electric guitar. The guitar is tuned down 1/2 step for this song (Eb, Bb, Gb, Db, Ab, Eb). First riff: Two lead guitars are playing together. 2nd string, 16th fret, twice. Bend up and back down. 14th fret. Second guitar is playing 2nd string 12th fret twice. Repeat twice. Bend it up and down. 10th fret.

How To: Play two lead guitar licks on the electric guitar

While we'd love to say that all the members of a rock band are important to how the group performs, we have to admit it: the lead guitarist generally has the best gig. With blazing, fast licks that make our heart go all aflutter, the best and most catchy melodies in the song, and the spotlight always on them, lead guitarists have become many a schoolgirl's crush.

How To: Play lead guitar licks on the electric guitar

While we'd love to say that all the members of a rock band are important to how the group performs, we have to admit it: the lead guitarist generally has the best gig. With blazing, fast licks that make our heart go all aflutter, the best and most catchy melodies in the song, and the spotlight always on them, lead guitarists have become many a schoolgirl's crush.

How To: Improve your rock and blues guitar soloing

This guitar lesson shows a way that you can improve your rock and blues guitar soloing. My guitar lesson website:Regardless of your preferred style of music, if you want to be great, you'll need your head and hands on the same page. And there's no better way to get your head and hands on the same page than to practice. Happily, the Internet is awash in video tutorials like this one.

How To: Play arpeggios on the guitar as a beginner

In this free video guitar lesson, you'll learn how to incorporate simple arpeggios into your guitar playing. Regardless of your preferred style of music, if you want to be great, you'll need your head and hands on the same page. And there's no better way to get your head and hands on the same page than to practice. Happily, the Internet is awash in video tutorials like this one.

How To: Play a Brent Mason-style fast country lick on guitar

Want to play like the great Brent Mason? This free video guitar lesson will get you started. Regardless of your preferred style of music, if you want to be great, you'll need your head and hands on the same page. And there's no better way to get your head and hands on the same page than to practice. Happily, the Internet is awash in video tutorials like this one.

How To: Play a B.B. King-style blues lick on the guitar

Want to play guitar like the great B.B. King? This free video guitar lesson will get you started. Regardless of your preferred style of music, if you want to be great, you'll need your head and hands on the same page. And there's no better way to get your head and hands on the same page than to practice. Happily, the Internet is awash in video tutorials like this one.

How To: Play a slow pentatonic blues lick in E on the guitar

Learn how to play a slow blues lick in the key of E, using the pentatonic scale. Regardless of your preferred style of music, if you want to be great, you'll need your head and hands on the same page. And there's no better way to get your head and hands on the same page than to practice. Happily, the Internet is awash in video tutorials like this one.

How To: Play a jazz fusion-style lick over an E7 chord

In this free video guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play a simple jazz-fusion style riff over a 7th chord. Regardless of your preferred style of music, if you want to be great, you'll need your head and hands on the same page. And there's no better way to get your head and hands on the same page than to practice. Happily, the Internet is awash in video tutorials like this one.

How To: Improve your phrasing on the guitar

Improve your improvisation with this video guitar lesson on phrasing. Regardless of your preferred style of music, if you want to be great, you'll need your head and hands on the same page. And there's no better way to get your head and hands on the same page than to practice. Happily, the Internet is awash in video tutorials like this one.