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7 Ways To Improve Your Tone for Free

by Corey Palmer There are many ways to improve your guitar’s tone without running out to buy new gear. Start with these simple suggestions and you’ll surpris...

Fireside Chat: Larry Carlton

It stands as no reminder that a guitar is made of wood, glue and metal. It is not a living thing. But when the 18-time Grammy nominated legend of guitar, Larry ...

7 Ways to Tour (Without Getting in the Van)

by Tammy Brackett Let’s face it. Touring is enticing and exciting, but can also be financially exasperating and emotionally draining. Once the modus operandi...

Fireside Chat: Mike Stern

A legend among modern jazzers yet still a hard-working musician, Mike Stern is a rare breed of guitarist. Even those who don't know his name have probably heard...

Know How to Listen

By Charlie Doom >Over and over again I’ve said there’s only one way to listen to music. First, barricade your front door, plaster your windows with tin fo...
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Larry Carlton’s Blues Guitar Motifs

This guitar lesson is likely responsible for more blues guitar epiphanies than any other single guitar lesson on the planet. Larry Carlton shares insight and an...

Amps vs. Amp Simulators

by Rich Tozzoli By now you’ve probably had a chance to run your guitar through one or more of the available amp simulators on the market. With hardware and s...

7 Deadly Sins of Playing a Live Gig

1. Noodling Between Tunes There’s no good reason to be playing little licks and riffs between songs. It’s unprofessional and annoys bandmates who are ready to ...

7 Deadly Sins of Rehearsing

by Rich Maloof 1. No agenda Make the most of the band’s time together by knowing what you plan to accomplish. Is it a writing session or a performance rehea...

Words of Wisdom from Thelonious Monk

by Brad Wendkos Jazz saxophonist Steve Lacy was a diehard follower of Thelonious Monk. He wasn't just a fan, either; Lacy became known for his recorded rendi...