Electric Guitar Features

How To: Play D7b9 and Dm7b5 jazz chord substitutions

Having a pocket symphony in your head–or pocket, as it were–does you little good if your hands aren't on board. Fortunately, YouTube user freddym233 is here to help you train your head and hands with his series of free video guitar lessons. In this installment, you'll learn how to play D7b9 and Dm7b5 jazz chord substitutions on your guitar. Remember, the more you practice and the more theory you know, the better you'll sound and the better able you'll be to play what you hear. To start playin...

How To: Play blues on an electric guitar like Jimi Hendrix

If you're a musician in need of some lessons, there's no better way to learn than with MusicRadar's so-called "Tuition" instructions. Although the title tuition is misleading, this video class is anything but costly, because it's free, right here. Whether you're looking for help with your voice, bass, electric guitar, drums, guitar effects, piano, Logic Pro or production techniques, Music Radar is here to show you the way.

How To: Play "Still of the Night" by Whitesnake

In this song tutorial, you'll learn how to play "Still of the Night," by Whitesnake, on the electric guitar. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate and advanced guitarists, players of all skill levels can play along. Watch this lesson to get started playing "Still of the Night" on your guitar!

How To: Play "Funky Monks" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers

If you want to play guitar like John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers then this how to video is the place to start. With this tutorial you can learn how to play the main riff from "Funky Monks" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers on the acoustic guitar. This lesson is geared towards intermediate guitarists because it assumes prior knowledge of guitar playing. Marty Schwartz covers technique of bending in the song "Funky Monks." Watch this how to video and you will be able to sing and play "Fu...

How To: Play A Simple Blues Lead Guitar Lick

There is a lot of mystery and voodoo surrounding blues guitar these days. With the common opinion claiming that in order to play the blues you have to really feel the music and respond with your playing. While this is certainly the case when improvising, I would argue that a good knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of blues guitar can provide even the beginner guitarist with a great sounding set of licks to impress friends and family.

How To: Use guitar amps

This two part how to video teaches you choose and use guitar amps. Basic amp types (valve and solid state) and setting are explained in the first lesson aimed at beginner guitar players. The second part of the lesson covers pickups and distortion. Watch this tutorial and you will be using guitar amps in no time.

How To: Play "Magnificent" by U2 on electric guitar

Want to do a magnificent job of playing "Magnificent" by U2? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete (and we mean complete) breakdown of the song and its constituent parts. 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 "Magnificent" on your own guitar, just take a look!

How To: Learn the pentatonic scales & vibrato with Zakk Wylde

Check out this instructional electric guitar video with Zakk Wylde that teaches you about the pentatonic scales, chicken pickin' and licks, and some vibrato. Before you begin the lesson, tune your guitar with Ozzy Osbourne's guitarist, Zakk Wylde. This tutorial video covers the basics of playing the electric guitar and covers the vibrato and the pentatonic scales. With this lesson and a bit of practice, improve your electric guitar playing skills by learning from one of the best, Zakk Wylde!

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: Use the Wes Montgomery-style thumb technique

Check out this instructional video that shows you how to use the Wes Montgomery-style thumb technique. This is part 23 of Dave Weiner's Riff of the Week series titled "Wes Is More." With this lesson and a bit of practice, improve your electric guitar playing skills by learning how to use the Wes Montgomery style thumb technique.

How To: Solo with chord shapes, chord inversions and arpeggios

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...

How To: Play "Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin on electric guitar

Want to master "Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin on the 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 "Kashmir" on your own guitar, watch this video tab!

How To: Improvise over Jazz changes using chord tones with Jeff Richman

Soloing over a large amount of Jazz changes can be tough, with the chord changes sometimes spanning through two or three different keys. One trick to soloing in Jazz to solo over the chord tones of the chords that are being played. You can either use only the 3rd and 7th the chords, as well as using triads and arpeggios. In this amazing video lesson from Jeff Richman from Musician's Institute, you will learn how to apply all these techniques over Jazz changes.

How To: Play AC/DC 's "Girls Got Rhythm" 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 "Girls Got Rhythm" by AC/DC. While this tutorial is geared towards intermediate players, guitarists of all skill ...

How To: Play "Sweater Song" by Weezer on electric guitar

Marty Schwartz leads you through the basic chords for Weezer's Sweater Song. If you are looking to learn how to play the electric guitar, he gives a simple, easy, effective lesson that anyone can follow. The tips are shown visually, making the lesson easy to comprehend. He goes on to play the chords taught during the lesson, giving an audio reference to how your playing should sound, something I found to be very helpful.

How To: Use two-note chords when playing rhythm guitar

This explains how to use two-note chords when playing rhythm guitar. A step by step video tutorial that will show you how to mix two note melodic ideas with double stops and throwing in a single note melody. Andrew Wasson from Creative Guitar Studio put together a melodic phrase and a minus one track that will be available to download from his site. Andrew goes over all the techniques you need to help you learn this phrase and teaches them to you with simple instructions. These double stop an...

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 "Rock n' Roll" by Led Zeppelin on electric guitar

In this tutorial, we learn how to play "Rock n' Roll" by Led Zeppelin on electric guitar. First, you will start out by learning the different chords of the song. These include: E, B, G, D, A, and E; although they will be played higher and lower throughout the song. As you continue to play, learn where the breaks of the song are at and where they change to higher and lower. Once you get through the first part of the song, continue to play until you reach the chorus and the last few verses of t...

How To: Play "Summer of 69" by Bryan Adams on acoustic guitar

Want to learn how to play Bryan Adams on the guitar? With this tutorial you can learn how to play "Summer of 69" by Rascal Flatts on the electric guitar. This version is a simplified version of the song and is not exactly how Rascal Flatts play it. This lesson is geared towards intermediate guitarists because it assumes prior knowledge of guitar playing. Watch this how to video and you will be able to sing and play guitar along with "Summer of 69" by Bryan Adams.

How To: Play "Hey Soul Sister" by Train on guitar

Want to play "Hey Soul Sister" by Train? 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 "Hey Soul Sister" on your own guitar, take a look!

How To: Play "The Four Horsemen" by Metallica on rhythm guitar

Want to develop brutal rhythm technique? In this five-part video tutorial series, you'll learn how to play the rhythm guitar parts to Metallica's "The Four Horsemen" from their seminal Kill 'Em All album. Each of the series five segments takes a small portion of the song and presents it in real time as well as slow motion. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate or advanced guitar players, guitarists of all skill levels can attempt to play along. Watch this lesson to get started p...

How To: Play "Paint it Black" by the Rolling Stones on guitar

Want to play "Paint It Black" by the Rolling Stones on your guitar? 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 "Paint It Black" on your own guitar, take a look!

How To: Play "The Night Before" by the Beatles on guitar

Want to learn how to play your favorite Beatles songs on the guitar? With this tutorial you can learn how to play "The Night Before" written by Paul McCartney and played by the Beatles on the guitar. This lesson is geared towards intermediate guitarists because it assumes prior knowledge of guitar playing. Watch this how to video and you will be able to sing and play guitar along to "The Night Before" by the Beatles.

How To: Fix a wobbly whammy bar with plumber's tape

Wobbly whammy? Don't fret. This brief how-to from YouTube guitar whiz Justin Sandercoe will demonstrate how to use normal PTFE tape (also known as thread seal or plumber's tape) to keep your guitar's whammy bar from rattling around. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this free video tutorial.

How To: Solo over chord changes on electric guitar

To play a guitar riff is to do more than simply to memorize a short musical phrase. 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 st...