Tension? Is It Holding Back Your Guitar Playing?

Struggling to nail ‘that lick’? Sometimes feel you are ‘fighting’ your guitar just to get the notes out? The solution may not be better technique. We discuss the progress killer that is tension!
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Tension? Is It Holding Back Your Guitar Playing?

14th April, 2021 by Stuart Shields

Struggling to nail ‘that lick’? Sometimes feel you are ‘fighting’ your guitar just to get the notes out? The solution may not be better technique. We discuss the progress killer that is tension!

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How To Play In Time

1st April, 2021 by Stuart Shields

It’s the skill most prized amongst serious and amateur musicians alike; transforming even the simplest guitar part into something magical. We dig deep into the topic of staying in time.

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5 Ways To Improve Your Tone By Adjusting Your Playing

26th March, 2021 by Mitch Laddie

It’s not an old wives tale, tone really is in the fingers! So instead of swapping out your guitar or reaching for a gear based solution, Mitch Laddie shares some tips to improve your tone naturally.

GUITAR MAINTENANCE 4 SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR GUITAR PLAYING FIT

Playing In Front Of People - Beat Those Nerves!

19th March, 2021 by Stuart Shields

Do your favourite riffs fall to pieces, even under the gaze of close kin and family pets? If you have ever uttered the words ‘I can play this perfectly when no-one is watching’; read on!

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Do Cables Affect Your Guitar Tone?

4th March, 2021 by Stuart Shields

Another tone debate which has raged across online guitar forums - does your guitar cable have any bearing on your actual tone?

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Mitch Laddie’s Top 5 Blues Guitar Tips

25th February, 2021 by Mitch Laddie

Licklibrary blues expert, Mitch Laddie helps you fast track your blues guitar playing with 5 tips used by the pros; guaranteed to instantly supercharge your skills and sound.

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8 Steve Vai Facts Every Fan Should Know

19th February, 2021 by Stuart Shields

Who provides those voice overs on Passion & Warfare? Why is his signature axe called a JEM? What’s the deal with Frank Zappa’s ‘Black Page’? We look at 8 top Vai facts and talk a little about bees.

GUITAR MAINTENANCE 4 SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR GUITAR PLAYING FIT

Who Invented Shred Guitar Techniques?

11th February, 2021 by Stuart Shields

Who tapped the first lick? Who swept that first sweep? And who do we have to thank for the slippery legato shred runs we all love to try and master?

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Tips For Returning To The Guitar After A Break

28th January, 2021 by Stuart Shields

Picking up your guitar again after taking some time away doesn’t have to feel like starting all over again! We explore the positives of getting back in the guitar saddle after a musical break …

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Learn Your Fretboard In 3 Easy Steps

15th January, 2021 by Stuart Shields

With 6 strings and (potentially) 24 frets, the fretboard offers 144 places to play only 11 notes! So how do you learn every note? There must be some short cuts, right? Indeed there are, read on …..

GUITAR MAINTENANCE 4 SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR GUITAR PLAYING FIT

4 Ways To Get A Great Rock Tone From Any Amp

8th January, 2021 by Stuart Shields

When you crank it up are you still struggling to get that magic tone? Before you rush out and invest in any new gear, here are a few ways to make the most out of what you’ve got.

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5 Practice Tips For The Holidays

18th December, 2020 by Stuart Shields

Everybody loves Christmas! But it can be tough when you are unable to spend as much time with your loved ones …. Of course, we are talking about your guitars!

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Why Do Guitarists Pull ‘Guitar Faces’?

11th December, 2020 by Stuart Shields

You know the ones; those pained, contorted faces, which all the greats sport when pulling out their best licks. But why? What causes them? And, do they actually help your playing?

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Pop Songs With Surprisingly Awesome Guitar Riffs

27th November, 2020 by Stuart Shields

We all know those classic songs, for which the guest guitar solo transformed a catchy pop tune into something more. But what happens when pop acts add a crunching riff to one of their hits?

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3 Effective Ways To Turn Scales Into Solos

13th November, 2020 by Stuart Shields

So, you’ve put in the hours, listened to your teachers and learnt all your scales. Your neck is a playground of notes! But when you solo, all that comes out are scales! Sound familiar? Read on …

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Secret Celebrity Guitarists

6th November, 2020 by Stuart Shields

Now, we’re all familiar with the 6 string escapades of Johnny Depp and the vintage guitar collections of Steven Seagal and Kiefer Sutherland, but does Hollywood harbour any true secret axemen?

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3 Spooky Sounding Chords For Guitar

29th October, 2020 by Stuart Shields

With the Halloween season upon us we celebrate some of the most unnerving and spine chilling chords; straight from the horror movie soundtrack playbook.

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What Makes The Perfect Guitar Solo?

23rd October, 2020 by Stuart Shields

Is there such a thing as the perfect guitar solo? There have certainly been plenty of contenders! Does a formula for writing the ideal solo exist?