Les Claypool is known as a modern bass-playing powerhouse and a punk-rock virtuoso. His mastery of the bass has made him genre-defying. He is as well-versed in jazz fusion as he is in heavy metal or progressive rock. His band Primus mixed funk, metal, and other genres to create something unique. Known for his crazy …
The electric guitar is easily one of the most interesting instruments of our time. And since its invention back in the first half of the 20th century, things have changed a lot. However, some basic principles that we see even today have been established back in the 1950s, with classic guitars like Fender Stratocaster, Fender …
When it comes to creating unique guitar tones, effects pedals provide musicians with the platform to express themselves in an original and interesting way. Indeed, amplifiers and guitars have a notable impact on the tone and style of a guitarist, but when you throw effects pedals into the mix, a new dimension of possibilities opens …
It’s a testament to Neil Young’s incredible vocal and songwriting ability that his prodigious guitar playing often goes unnoticed in comparison. Neil’s early rock and roll roots are reflected in his guitar playing, which alternates between a raucous rock and sweet, delicately picked acoustic work. His early career consisted largely of troubadour-style folk music firmly …
One reason why playing acoustic guitar is so popular is because it’s so easy to get started. All you really need is the guitar itself, pick it up from time to time, and learn something new. However, things get a bit more complicated when you decide to share your playing with the world, whether through …
Iron Maiden’s signature sound is characterized by operatic vocals, galloping rhythms, and, of course, those intricate, fleet-fingered guitar harmonies. Adrian Smith’s role in Iron Maiden isn’t merely that of a guitarist, but a songwriter and occasional vocalist. Unlike most of his 80s metal contemporaries, Adrian Smith’s playing was firmly rooted in the blues, with Johnny …
If you compile a list of the greatest bass players to ever live, Geddy Lee would easily end up toward the top of the list. Lee’s sound was so unique that he inspired countless musicians, including Metallica’s Cliff Burton, Primus’ Les Claypool, Rage Against the Machine’s Tim Commerford, Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris, and Dream Theater’s …
I’ll say it now, buying a looper pedal might just be one of the best investments you’ll make as a guitarist. Adding a looper to your setup can be a great practice tool that helps you with your soloing and harmony, but it can also enhance your live performances by adding new dimensions to your …
Nita Strauss is one of the most audacious guitar heroes of our time, while her career during the 2000s wasn’t that of such a title, her true rise to prominence came with her tenure as Alice Cooper’s guitarist. At that point, there was no room for doubt of Strauss being one of the most talented …
Tube amps are often perceived as being louder than solid-state amps, which is technically true. A low-wattage tube amp, of say 10 or 15 watts, will actually sound as loud or louder than a solid-state amp of 50 watts or more. Speaker impedance, which is the amount of resistance that a speaker offers to the …