https://www.licklibrary.com/news/rss LickLibrary.com, guitar tuition from World Class tutors presenting hundreds of guitar lessons, tips & techniques. Browser our lessons, jamtrax, store & much more! en Tue, 09 Jun 2026 02:18:20 +0000 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/pedals-every-guitarist-should-own Mon, 25 May 2026 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/pedals-every-guitarist-should-own From essential tuners and classic overdrives to wild boutique effects, here’s a guide to the must-have guitar pedals every player should know — and the sounds that make them legendary. ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/10-common-mistakes-intermediate-guitarists-make Fri, 08 May 2026 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/10-common-mistakes-intermediate-guitarists-make Rich Shaw explores 10 common mistakes intermediate guitarists often make, along with practical advice to improve technique, timing, fretboard knowledge, and musical development. ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/4-easy-songs-that-teach-you-alternate-picking Fri, 17 Apr 2026 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/4-easy-songs-that-teach-you-alternate-picking Looking for the best songs to improve your alternate picking? These 5 tracks double as powerful technique workouts… ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/how-to-get-better-guitar-tone-without-buying-new-gear Thu, 09 Apr 2026 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/how-to-get-better-guitar-tone-without-buying-new-gear Want better guitar tone without buying more gear? Sam Bell shows how small tweaks to your touch, dynamics, and setup can unlock sounds you already have—no shopping required. ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/john-lennons-guitar-legacy-45-years-on Fri, 05 Dec 2025 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/john-lennons-guitar-legacy-45-years-on Marking 45 years since his passing, Rich Shaw explores John Lennon’s life, rhythm guitar innovations, and lasting impact on modern music and songwriting. ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/5-reasons-why-playing-bass-will-make-you-a-better-guitar-player Fri, 28 Nov 2025 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/5-reasons-why-playing-bass-will-make-you-a-better-guitar-player Explore how picking up the bass can sharpen your rhythm, strengthen your hands, reshape your musical perspective, spark creativity, and even open the door to more gigs. Eliza Lee discusses ... ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/better-guitar-tone-without-buying-more-gear Fri, 03 Oct 2025 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/better-guitar-tone-without-buying-more-gear We’ve all done it - “If I buy this pedal, I’ll sound like David Gilmour”. “With this amp, I’ll have James Hetfield’s tone”. Rich Shaw explores some more inexpensive routes to better guitar tone .... ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/strings-sun-psychedelia-5-musical-lessons-from-the-summer-of-love Sun, 03 Aug 2025 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/strings-sun-psychedelia-5-musical-lessons-from-the-summer-of-love From odd time signatures to exotic tonalities, the famed summer of 1967 brought with it an expansive new realm of guitar playing and musical experimentation. Eliza Lee explores ... ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/the-power-of-musical-sequences Fri, 27 Jun 2025 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/the-power-of-musical-sequences Ever tried to apply a scale to something musical and ended up simply regurgitating the scale? How can you actually apply scales in a more musical way? The answer - Sequences! ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/how-to-hack-your-brain-for-better-guitar-practice Mon, 26 May 2025 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/how-to-hack-your-brain-for-better-guitar-practice Is your guitar practice progress, and enjoyment, a consequence of nature or nurture? Can you hack your brain to make your practice sessions better? ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/what-can-bruce-lee-teach-us-about-guitar Fri, 09 May 2025 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/what-can-bruce-lee-teach-us-about-guitar Can the wisdom and timeless guidance given by martial arts legend, Bruce Lee, be applied to our guitar journey and the obstacles we may encounter? Sam Bell discusses ... ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/first-band-survival-guide-8-steps-to-nailing-your-first-gig Wed, 09 Apr 2025 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/first-band-survival-guide-8-steps-to-nailing-your-first-gig Have you always wanted to be in a band? Ready to take that first step? Clocking up some hours in the practice room is great, but what else do you need to make that first show a winner? ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/should-you-learn-how-to-read-music Tue, 11 Mar 2025 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/should-you-learn-how-to-read-music With a proliferation of TAB, video tutorials, and all the comforts of modern guitar learning, is there any point in learning to read music? Do rock guitarists even need notation reading chops? ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/how-many-guitars-do-you-really-need Mon, 17 Feb 2025 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/how-many-guitars-do-you-really-need Guitars; the more the better, right? But is gaining an extensive collection of axes really worth it? And which guitars should we actually have at our disposal? ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/how-music-theory-will-unlock-your-creativity Fri, 14 Feb 2025 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/how-music-theory-will-unlock-your-creativity For many guitarists, the notion of adopting music theory can be daunting. But, rather than hamper your natural flow, can this be the key to unlocking your musical potential? Eliza Lee discusses ... ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/the-hired-gun-80s-session-musicianship Wed, 29 Jan 2025 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/the-hired-gun-80s-session-musicianship During the golden age of guest guitar solos, a select group of guitar aces were at the top of every producer's address book. Who were they, and why did these hired guns rule the airwaves? ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/how-to-fall-back-in-love-with-the-guitar-in-2025 Wed, 15 Jan 2025 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/how-to-fall-back-in-love-with-the-guitar-in-2025 Want to get back in the saddle and truly stick to your guitar playing goals this year? Eliza Lee shares proven tips to help you rekindle your love of playing. ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/own-an-acoustic-guitar-you-should-listen-to-these-5-albums Thu, 31 Oct 2024 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/own-an-acoustic-guitar-you-should-listen-to-these-5-albums When it comes to wailing and shredding, inspiration seems to be boundless. But where do you turn when you want to give your acoustic guitar playing a little mojo? ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/playing-vs-practicing-the-guitar-whats-the-difference Mon, 14 Oct 2024 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/playing-vs-practicing-the-guitar-whats-the-difference Are you putting in the hours, clocking up some serious guitar time, but never really seeing results? Could it be that you aren't actually practicing at all? Eliza Lee explains .... ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/black-sabbaths-legendary-album-paranoid-turns-54 Mon, 16 Sep 2024 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/black-sabbaths-legendary-album-paranoid-turns-54 The release of Paranoid by Black Sabbath on September 18, 1970, marked a seismic moment in music history, solidifying the band as pioneers of heavy metal. It remains a cornerstone of rock & metal. ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/3-chord-progression-hacks Fri, 13 Sep 2024 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/3-chord-progression-hacks The art of the perfect chord progression; is it songwriting alchemy? Or can understanding how chords fit together really be this simple .... ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/3-chord-building-hacks Fri, 23 Aug 2024 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/3-chord-building-hacks Understanding the fundamentals of how chords are constructed equips you for more than rhythm guitar greatness; it is the cornerstone of better musicianship. Sam Bell discusses .... ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/avoiding-injury-as-a-guitar-player-and-what-to-do-when-it-happens Tue, 09 Jul 2024 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/avoiding-injury-as-a-guitar-player-and-what-to-do-when-it-happens With the repetitive and demanding movements involved in playing the guitar you can quickly run into problems with repetitive strain and soft tissue injuries. How can you avoid a trip to the doctors? ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/should-you-stop-using-guitar-tab-to-become-a-better-rock-guitarist Thu, 27 Jun 2024 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/should-you-stop-using-guitar-tab-to-become-a-better-rock-guitarist Whilst there can be no doubt that it has its benefits as a learning tool - is there a time to put down the tablature, and could there be huge benefits to your playing if you do so? ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/the-human-guitar-pedal Wed, 24 Apr 2024 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/the-human-guitar-pedal Are you relying too much on your gear to achieve your dream guitar tone? Is innate tonal control something you already have at your fingertips? Sam Bell discusses ... ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/why-the-need-for-speed Tue, 16 Apr 2024 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/why-the-need-for-speed It seems every guitarist wants to go faster! But are there side benefits to working on your speed playing? Or is it all for show? ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/is-legato-lazy Fri, 12 Apr 2024 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/is-legato-lazy When it comes to executing fast licks, is picking king? Should we worry about relying too heavily on legato? Sam Bell discusses.... ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/are-guitar-solos-even-cool-anymore Wed, 20 Mar 2024 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/are-guitar-solos-even-cool-anymore Are Guitar solos even cool anymore? Does anyone use the word cool anymore? It’s these kinds of questions that we can forget to ask ourselves. ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/the-myth-of-good-guitar-tone Wed, 20 Mar 2024 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/the-myth-of-good-guitar-tone Can anyone truly craft the perfect guitar tone? And what qualifies as a good guitar sound anyway? Sam Bell discusses ..... ]]> https://www.licklibrary.com/news/looking-after-your-mental-health-as-a-musician Mon, 04 Mar 2024 02:18:20 +0000 https://www.licklibrary.com/news/looking-after-your-mental-health-as-a-musician Mental health for musicians is an important topic that doesn't get talked about enough. Richard Shaw discusses some tips to help keep negative thoughts about our playing, and ourselves, at bay... ]]>