Guitar Nine Columns: Guest Columnists

There's a chance you have too many unfinished songs sitting on your computer, or maybe even on your bookshelf - let's finish them.

Melodies are what stick in the listeners mind and convey passion and emotion: creating coherence in your solos.

These exercises will help you to focus on string crossing with alternate picking, and also to help you develop left/right hand synchronization, speed and stamina.

If left unquestioned, these kind of thoughts can start to really build up and hurt your progress as a musician.

Here are more true reasons for Vai's world-class guitar playing and the lessons each one holds for you.

Tommaso maintains the skill of songwriting is developed through years of practice.

An expert knows to practice simpler things.

Mike shows you moveable type patterns for the harmonic minor scale, and some ways you can get some fresh new modern type sounds.

Don't go with what feels easy as opposed to what is right.

Here are the true reasons for Vai`s world-class guitar playing and the lessons each one holds for you.

Tommaso argues these myths are designed to keep your playing stagnant.

The basis of all lyric writing - you may know one or two of these, but even then you need to practice the third one.

Playing a chord progression accurately does not necessarily mean the progression will sound good.

focusing on picking and moveable shapes that will help to create longer lines.

Studying other styles of music such as jazz, will only make you a better, more rounded acoustic guitar player and musician.

In part 3, you`ll learn how to easily play fast solo lines and riffs on your guitar.

Don`t waste another second of your time learning the guitar scales by using the CAGED system.

Tommaso explores the Harry Potter inspired "wizards only" theory of talent,

Is there any real benefit to learning more than one scale system? Here`s one opinion to consider.

Confused about the modes? Here is a way you can practice the modes that may help.

Although prolific, these two guitarists were really just culminations of hard work done by many guitarists before them.

And... a tasty lick to get your fingers working.

One of the oldest concepts in the book, adapted for modern rock guitar playing.

The biggest obstacle standing in the way of your guitar playing greatness is not learning complicated techniques.

Why do people still use the CAGED system? Here are some answers.

Chris covers a classic 1980`s example of style over substance.

3-string picking ideas that are great for developing your picking, and to help create lines.

Chris takes you through every inversion on string-set G-B-E, allowing you to bust one out when called upon to do so.

In part 2, you`ll learn how to create amazing blues guitar solos using open strings.

Why you need to stop dividing your fretboard in 5 today.

These 2-string scale fragment examples will increase your speed and your picking technique.

How to create amazing guitar solos using open strings and pentatonic scale patterns.

Check in with Joe Nevin and his 10 rocking guitar techniques you need to know.

You will get your skills back again by using these five approaches.

Discover how learning scales actually fosters creativity.

Integrating scales and arpeggios mechanically.

Read about new ideas for using perfect 5ths in your playing.

How to develop a lightning fast tremolo picking guitar technique.

Drastically improve your acoustic guitar playing with these easy to play, advanced sounding chords.

Scales are important to learn, but most instructors have put them emphasis on learning them by heart and simply playing them up and down.

All of your favorite guitar players play in a way that looks amazingly easy.

Here are Mike`s technique to help spice up your solos, instead of just running up and down arpeggios.