The world of heavy metal has its share of guitar virtuosos, but very few have the ability to stand out like Mick Thomson. Not only does he play with skill and precision, but his unorthodox style has helped influence the sound of modern metal in a rather innovative way. Recognized on stage by his iconic …
Singing karaoke is one of the most awesome and fun things to do whether alone or with friends but many people find themselves shy, nervous, or intimidated. It doesn’t have to be this way and it isn’t difficult at all if you choose the right song for your voice and occasion. Most importantly you should …
The blues is much more than just a genre of music. It’s a tool of expression that taps mankind’s very most powerful emotions. The powerful, authentic, and honest quality of the blues comes largely from its humble roots as “work songs” and “hollers” by African American men and women in the United States of America’s …
I am often asked by those interested in learning to play guitar if it’s possible to teach themselves. And the answer is a resounding yes! With the right resources, effort, and dedication, you can teach yourself how to play the guitar. But even when you plan to be self-taught, it’s still important to have rock-solid …
Eddie Van Halen took the ergonomic playability and lightweight body of the Fender Stratocaster and introduced the aggressive, broad tone of the Gibson Humbucker pickup. He re-routed the guitar’s cavities, placed a quarter under the tailpiece to assist in his whammy bar abuse, and bypassed every control on the instrument except a single volume knob. …
Fingerstyle guitarists leave the pick in the case and make incredible multi-part musical compositions by picking individual strings with their fingers. Since it’s a bit more difficult to pick with your fingers than a real guitar pick, some guitars are better suited for fingerstyle than others. If you’re ready to ditch the plastic pick and …
Whether you’re shaping the tone of your guitar onstage, mixing drum tracks in your recording software, or processing live vocals, delay and reverb are two invaluable effects to have at your disposal. Although delay and reverb are often grouped when discussing audio effects, there are many significant differences between them. Indeed, they both affect the …
If you’re looking to skip the hassle of selling your old guitar gear yourself, one option is heading over to Guitar Center and taking advantage of their Trade In Trade Up program to sell or trade in your gear. Of course, Guitar Center will only accept gear that’s in a fully functional condition. Some of …
Large stompboxes with an array of controls and features are undeniably useful, but sometimes mini guitar pedals make the best additions to a pedalboard. Many of the most popular full-sized effects pedals have been redesigned into more compact devices by manufacturers so that guitarists can access more options when shaping their tone. In this guide, …
Acoustic guitar pedals are often overlooked in comparison to their electric guitar equivalents. Over the years I’ve tested dozens of them, and in this article, I’ll be sharing my favorites at each price point. The list is broken down into effects categories, and there are options to suit all playing styles and budgets. Let’s get …