The songs we know and love are often a reflection of our favorite artists’ personalities. And while some musicians choose to express themselves with a series of complex chords, some do it with just two! Personally, I feel that when the soundscape is dominated by just 2 chords, the listener invariably ends up paying a …
Since the turn of the 20th century, black musicians have pioneered and developed numerous musical genres and done it all while battling racism. With resilience, emotionally compelling songwriting, and distinctive playing style, every generation of black guitarists reduced the struggles and paved the way for the one that followed. Here are 25 prolifically talented and …
Over the years I’ve owned and used a lot of guitar stools and chairs. While they’re not necessarily a must-have accessory for guitarists, I do think they’re worth the investment. A comfortable chair or stool just makes playing the guitar that much more enjoyable. There are hundreds of guitar chairs and stools out there and …
Although invented over a century ago, the timeless beauty and unparalleled tone of Parlor guitars are finding more and more admirers in recent years. It’s easy to see why Parlor guitars are compact, travel-friendly, and offer a rich, resonant tone that can fill up a room. That’s why we’re witnessing more and more musicians adding …
Commonly disregarded for their long scale relatives in the bass family, I consider short scale basses to be some of the coolest instruments out there. People would usually go for a longer and bigger bass but let me tell you, these little basses pack quite a punch so don’t be fooled by their size and …
With so many new manufacturers appearing all the time, it can be hard to keep track of which manufactures are making the best pedals. This list includes some of the classic manufacturers who have been at the forefront of guitar pedal production for countless decades and some lesser-known, newly-established brands that can rival their quality. …
Pitch correcting vocals are common across a variety of genres, not only in recorded music but in live performances too. Although guitar effects pedals have been available for a long time now, it’s taken vocal pedals decades to catch up. With improved digital technology and processing, manufacturers have now produced some exceptional auto tune pedals …
A distortion pedal is one of the first stompboxes a bass player should purchase. It’s an easy way to increase your sonic versatility and to add oomph and aggression to your tone, often with dramatic results. So, you’ve been thinking about adding a little more dirt to your bass tone or wondering about what distortion …
Well into the late 1970s and early 1980s, an underground new wave of heavy metal was brewing with some of the most remarkable guitarists, each inevitably ascending to Rock legend status. One of the most notable of the era was a young and energetic Dave Mustaine. Also known for his short tenure with Metallica, Mustaine …
In the long, storied history of the electric guitar, few artists have blended classical and metal styles with the ferocity and melodic sensibility of Yngwie Malmsteen. Sweden’s shred-meister general took the lightning-fast technique of Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhoads and amplified it through his own baroque sensibility. Malmsteen continues to inspire awe and envy …