Released in late 1984, “Easy Lover”—co-written and performed by Phil Collins and Earth, Wind & Fire vocalist Philip Bailey—stands as one of the defining pop-rock duets of the 1980s. Born out of a studio writing session in Los Angeles where Bailey wanted to capture a more aggressive, up-tempo R&B and rock crossover sound, the track … Read more
Learn how to play Gordon Lightfoot’s iconic folk ballad The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald on acoustic guitar. This comprehensive lesson covers capo placement, essential open chord shapes, picking dynamics, strumming patterns, and bass note walk-downs. Master these core acoustic techniques to capture the atmospheric, hypnotic rhythm and narrative storytelling of this legendary track.
Few tracks capture the soaring energy of classic rock quite like Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” Driven by Jonathan Cain’s iconic piano line and Neal Schon’s brilliant, singing guitar work, the song is an absolute crowd-pleaser and a masterclass in building emotional momentum through chord voicings and melodic lead accents. Using the play-along video above as … Read more
AC/DC’s “Back in Black” features one of the most legendary and instantly recognizable rock riffs in music history. While Malcolm and Angus Young’s powerhouse rhythm and blues-drenched pentatonic leads are built for an overdriven twin-guitar attack, breaking down the core chord structure and opening pentatonic licks is a fantastic exercise in rhythm, tight palm muting, … Read more
Released on their 2009 album Humbug, “Secret Door” is one of Arctic Monkeys’ most atmospheric tracks. Produced during the Humbug sessions—where bandmate Jamie Cook and Alex Turner leaned heavily into vintage textures, tape delays, and heavy reverb—the song abandons straight-ahead indie-rock strumming in favor of dynamic shifts, minor-to-major contrast, and moody arpeggiated voicings. 1. Required … Read more
Explore the legacy of Robert Doc Mthalane, widely revered as the Jimi Hendrix of South Africa. Known for his explosive work with Afro-rock band Kabasa and Busi Mhlongo, Mthalane revolutionized South African guitar culture by fusing traditional Zulu Maskandi rhythms with high-gain electric rock, creating a fiery, enduring sound that continues to inspire guitarists worldwide.
The landscape of guitar education has underwent a massive shift over the past decade. Where players once sat next to record turntables or cassette decks constantly rewinding five-second snippets to decipher a progression, modern musicians have access to real-time artificial intelligence and algorithmic chord recognition. With a single URL paste or audio upload, smart software … Read more
The landscape of guitar education has underwent a massive shift over the past decade. Where players once sat next to record turntables or cassette decks constantly rewinding five second snippets to decipher a progression, modern musicians have access to realtime artificial intelligence and algorithmic chord recognition. With a single URL paste or audio upload, smart … Read more
When discussion turns to the absolute peak of 1970s jazz-fusion, Ray Gomez stands as one of the most explosive, criminally underappreciated guitarists to ever pick up a Stratocaster. While his extensive session resume spans work with everyone from Chaka Khan to Jack Bruce, his defining moment on record remains his monumental performance on Stanley Clarke’s … Read more
Every great song rests on a foundation of chord progressions—the harmonic engines that drive melodies, establish emotion, and give music its momentum. Whether you are picking up an acoustic for the first time or expanding your rhythm toolkit, understanding these core progressions unlocks thousands of songs across rock, pop, blues, and folk. Here is a … Read more
