8 Steve Vai Facts Every Fan Should Know

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.
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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?

GUITAR MAINTENANCE 4 SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR GUITAR PLAYING FIT 6

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 …

GUITAR MAINTENANCE 4 SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR GUITAR PLAYING FIT 2

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.

GUITAR MAINTENANCE 4 SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR GUITAR PLAYING FIT 17

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!

GUITAR MAINTENANCE 4 SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR GUITAR PLAYING FIT 16

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?

GUITAR MAINTENANCE 4 SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR GUITAR PLAYING FIT 15

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?

GUITAR MAINTENANCE 4 SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR GUITAR PLAYING FIT 14

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 …

GUITAR MAINTENANCE 4 SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR GUITAR PLAYING FIT 13

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?

GUITAR MAINTENANCE 4 SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR GUITAR PLAYING FIT 12

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.

GUITAR MAINTENANCE 4 SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR GUITAR PLAYING FIT 11

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?

GUITAR MAINTENANCE 4 SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR GUITAR PLAYING FIT 10

The Secret Of Great Pentatonic Guitar Soloing!

16th October, 2020 by Stuart Shields

It’s the first scale every guitarist must learn and our go-to choice when we want to play a good honest melodic guitar solo; but can we have too much of a good thing?!

GUITAR MAINTENANCE 4 SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR GUITAR PLAYING FIT 8

The Worst Gigs In History

10th October, 2020 by Stuart Shields

It’s not always smooth sailing in the rock & roll world, for every ying there’s a yang and for every one of history’s greatest shows there’s some of the worst concerts of all time.

GUITAR MAINTENANCE 4 SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR GUITAR PLAYING FIT 7

8 Facts You Didn’t Know About Eddie Van Halen

2nd October, 2020 by Stuart Shields

Who doesn’t love a bit of trivia, right? Matching his legendary guitar technique and chops is gonna take some time, so for now, here’s some top Eddie Van Halen facts to impress your friends with!

GUITAR MAINTENANCE 4 SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR GUITAR PLAYING FIT 6

5 Tips For Making A Quick & Easy Guitar Video

25th September, 2020 by Stuart Shields

So, you’ve put in the hours mastering that song and you want to show off your good work to more than your significant other or household pets. Let’s help you share your guitar playing with the world!

GUITAR MAINTENANCE 4 SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR GUITAR PLAYING FIT 4

Understanding & Hearing The Modes - A Quick Guide

18th September, 2020 by Stuart Shields

Ah, the topic that has melted the brains of guitarists for generations; The Modes! What are they & why should I care? We give you a crash course in The Modes without all that bothersome theory!

GUITAR MAINTENANCE 4 SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR GUITAR PLAYING FIT 3

Guitar Maintenance - 4 Simple Ways To Care For Your Guitar!

11th September, 2020 by Stuart Shields

Together, you have shared moments of triumph; the highs and lows of your guitar journey - care for your guitar and it will care for you!