Electric Guitar Features

How To: Read guitar tabs

Want to learn guitar? Some people feel helpless, or feel that it is too hard, but this is not the case. Utopian Thrash Metal Guitarist started out with one tablature book and a cheap electric guitar -- he self taught himself in almost no time.

How To: Play "Hurt" by Johnny Cash (NIN cover) on guitar

In this tutorial, we learn how to play "Hurt" by Johnny Cash (NIN cover) on guitar. Start with an A minor, then go to a C, then D, and back to A minor. These are the main chords of the song. You will play these as the intro to the song, one after the other. You will play this nine times for all the verses and the intro together. The only time this will change is at the end, when it goes from C to G to A minor. You can add in the lyrics to the song as you continue to play, then you will have l...

How To: Play "Back in Black" by AC/DC

Playing popular songs on the guitar is not as difficult as it seems. With this tutorial you can learn how to play "Back in Black" by AC/DC on the acoustic guitar. This lesson is geared towards intermediate guitarists because it assumes prior knowledge of guitar playing. Marty Schwartz covers the finger picking as well as the chord structure for "Back in Black." Watch this how to video and you will be able to sing and play "Back in Black" by AC/DC.

How To: Play "Foxy Lady" by Jimi Hendrix on electric guitar

Want to master "Foxy Lady" by Jimi Hendrix? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its 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 "Foxy Lady" on your own guitar, watch this video tab!

How To: Play perfect open chords on an electric guitar

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How To: Play "Superstitious" by Stevie Wonder on guitar

Do you dream of standing on stage in front of millions of fans with a guitar in your hand? You could make this dream come true, if only you could play the guitar! This guitar tutorial series from Robert Renman teaches you the basics of guitar playing along with a few intermediate techniques and songs. You can learn how to play "Superstitious" by Stevie Wonder with this lesson. This is a cool way to play "Superstitious", inspired somewhere between Stevie Wonder and Stevie Ray Vaughan. You can ...

How To: Play "Jump" by Van Halen on guitar

There are few projects that are so simple, and so immediately rewarding, as learning to play a favorite song on the guitar. Not only is it a wonderful way to pass the time but, by learning to play your favorite songs and riffs, you'll be better able to articulate (and otherwise translate) your musical ideas into great-sounding songs. In this guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play "Girls Got Rhythm" by Van Halen. While this tutorial is geared towards intermediate players, guitarists of all sk...

How To: Play Coldplay's "Clocks" on the guitar

Learn how to play Coldplay's "Clocks" on guitar with this free guitar lesson. This video guide presents a complete, step-by-step breakdown of the song including chords and picking patterns. For more information, and to get started playing this popular Coldplay song on your own electric guitar, watch this tutorial.

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

Want to play Metallica's "Enter Sandman" on guitar? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its 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 this Metallica song on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.

How To: Play the key elements of "Sweet Home Alabama"

Learn how to play Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" with this free guitar lesson. This video guide presents a complete, step-by-step breakdown of the song including chords and picking patterns. For more information, and to get started playing this popular southern rock anthem on your own acoustic guitar, watch this tutorial.

How To: Play "Breakdown" by Tom Petty on electric guitar

There are few projects that are so simple, and so immediately rewarding, as learning to play a favorite song on the guitar. Not only is it a wonderful way to pass the time but, by learning to play your favorite songs and riffs, you'll be better able to articulate (and otherwise translate) your musical ideas into great-sounding songs. In this guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play "Breakdown" by Tom Petty. While this tutorial is geared towards intermediate players, guitarists of all skill lev...

How To: Play "Ironman" by Black Sabbath on electric guitar

Playing your favorite songs by Black Sabbath on the guitar is not as difficult as it seems. With this tutorial you can learn how to play "Ironman" by Black Sabbath on the acoustic guitar. This lesson is geared towards intermediate guitarists because it assumes prior knowledge of guitar playing. Marty Schwartz covers the finger picking as well as the chord structure for "Ironman." This video also reviews a bit of "Paranoid" by Balck Sabbath and "TNT" by AC/DC. Watch this how to video and you w...

How To: Play lead blues guitar

In this five part video tutorial you will learn how to play lead blues guitar. Learn how to bend notes, play pentatonic scales, 12 bar blues rhythms and some blues licks. Follow these lessons and you will be playing blues guitar in no time.

How To: Play "Same Old Song And Dance" by Aerosmith on guitar

Playing popular songs on the guitar is not as difficult as it seems. With this two part tutorial you can learn how to play "Same Old Song and Dance" by Aerosmith on the electric guitar. This lesson is geared towards intermediate guitarists because it assumes prior knowledge of guitar playing. This lesson covers the finger picking as well as the chord structure for "Same Old Song And Dance." Watch this how to video and you will be able to sing and play "Same Old Song and Dance" by Aerosmith.

How To: Play power chords with open strings on the guitar

As Guitar players, the goal is to be a member of the band when you have to be, and when it's your time shine, you go for it full force! But during those times that you have to hold back and hang with the rhythm section give the idea of open string power chords on your guitar during your rhythm guitar sections to add a feel that will definitely bring out any section of a song (although you might want to consider waiting until the chorus to open up like this.)

How To: Play "Eruption" by Van Halen on the electric guitar

Playing popular songs on the guitar is not as difficult as it seems. With this tutorial you can learn how to play "Eruption" by Van Halen on the electric guitar. This lesson is geared towards intermediate guitarists because it assumes prior knowledge of guitar playing. This lesson covers the finger picking as well as the chord structure for "Eruption." Watch this how to video and you will be able to play "Eruption" by Van Halen.

How To: Play a repetitive metal, rock, blues riff

Check out this instructional electric guitar video that shows you how to play a repetitive metal, rock, or blues riff. If you listen to Megadeth, you will recognize this tune that had Marty Friedman playing this riff. This is one of those fun, repetitive patterns you hear in metal, rock and blues songs. Improve your guitar skills by watching this short tutorial video to learn how to play this electric guitar riff.

How To: Play "Armageddon It" by Def Leppard on guitar

Playing popular songs on the guitar is not as difficult as it seems. With this tutorial you can learn how to play "Armageddon It" by Def Leppard on the electric guitar. This lesson is geared towards intermediate guitarists because it assumes prior knowledge of guitar playing. This lesson covers the finger picking as well as the chord structure for "Armageddon It." Watch this how to video and you will be able to play "Armageddon It" by Def Leppard.

How To: Play "Black Dog" by Led Zeppelin on the electric guitar

Want to play Led Zeppelin's "Black Dog" on the electric guitar? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords in tab notation. 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 this Led Zeppelin song on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.

How To: Play tritone substitution & passing chords on guitar

In this guitar lesson, learn how to play chord substitutions and passing chords in basic jazz guitar. With the guitar, as with any other instrument, if you want to improve, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash with free, high-quality guitar lessons like this one. For more information, and to get started pusing tritone substitutions and passing chords yourself, watch this video tutorial.

How To: Play triads for blues guitar

Want to play lead guitar in a rock band? Well, you have to learn how to play the blues first. Most popular rock songs have roots in the blues guitar style of playing. In this three part blues guitar lesson you will learn the three triad shapes and where the root notes are. These are really useful little chords that you find yourself using all the time once you get to know them. Check out this blues guitar how to video and you will be on your way to playing lead guitar.

How To: Play "Smooth Criminal" by Michael Jackson on electric guitar

Want to master "Smooth Criminal" by Michael Jackson? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its constituent riffs. 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 MJ's "Smooth Criminal" on your own guitar, just take a look!

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 an atonal, chromatic riff on electric guitar

Guitar riffs are like any other musical exercise; practicing them can be a terrific means of building manual dexterity and improving your overall playing technique. We can say of riffs, then, that they are not so much about rote repetition as making available to the guitarist new and different ways of playing. Every new riff you learn will make you a more able and versatile guitarist and better equip you to stay away from rock clichés. In this installment from his Riff of the Week series, Dav...