Some guitar players prefer to go down the multi-fx route for their entire chain; using products like the Helix from Line 6, the Kemper Profiler and a seemingly endless list of others to create your entire signal chain is commonplace. Whether or not you should do this is entirely your choice, and something I have discussed in a blog post before. The purpose of this blog post is to discuss uses for these systems within an existing guitar rig, whether you have a conventional amp

When it comes to mastering the guitar, understanding the relationship between scales, chords, and arpeggios is a critical step. These three elements form the backbone of music, creating the framework for melody, harmony, and improvisation. Whether you’re strumming chords for your favorite song or crafting a solo, these fundamentals will improve your technique and deepen your understanding of how music works. In this article, we’ll break down what scales, chords, and arpeggios

Let us start off by stating that the world of acoustic instruments is a minefield. Unlike electric guitars, the shape, the woods used in construction, the nut and saddle material all make a significant difference to the sound. This is because the instrument itself produces the sound that you hear, rather than with an electric guitar where the speaker in the cabinet or PA speaker makes the biggest difference to the tone.  You can read more about the different types of acoustic

The sound of an electric guitar begins with its pickups, the small, magnetic components that transform the vibrations of your strings into an electrical signal. These signals become the tones we know and love, and while every aspect of a guitar affects its sound, few elements are as influential as the pickups. Among the wide variety of pickups, single-coils and humbuckers stand as the two most iconic types, each with its distinct sound, advantages, and limitations. For guitar

One thing that I struggled with for a very long time was having my guitar solo at an appropriate volume compared to the rest of the band. The idea was for the guitar to still fit in tonally, but have the lift and any ambience that I required. I have experimented with many different methods over the years, and I have discovered a few that work best for me. In this blog post I am going to discuss a variety of things you can do to effectively get your solo from your fingers to t

Overdrive, distortion, and fuzz are the unsung heroes of modern guitar playing, forming the foundation of countless iconic tones. While these effects share a common goal adding grit, sustain, and character to your sound. They achieve it in different ways, each with its own unique voice. Whether you’re a blues player chasing warm overtones, a metalhead seeking crushing power, or an experimental artist diving into chaos, understanding these effects is essential for crafting you

Pull-offs and hammer-ons are two of the most important techniques for any guitarist to master. They form the backbone of smooth, connected playing, adding speed and fluidity to your music. Whether you’re playing a gentle acoustic melody or shredding an electric guitar solo, these techniques can make your playing sound more dynamic and expressive. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what hammer-ons and pull-offs are, how to perform them effectively, and how to practice for

It is all well and good having a nice selection of pedals, sometimes people put weeks of research, testing and decision making into choosing the right product for them. Then it goes right next to the equally as special pedal and then it all gets powered by something from the Stone Age. Often the one part of a rig that lets a guitar player down is the power supply, and they are not all made equally. In this blog post, I will discuss the pros and cons of different power supplie

Funk music is all about groove, rhythm, and style. Whether you’re laying down tight, percussive rhythms or throwing in some tasty licks, your guitar needs to match your vibe. The Fender Stratocaster, with its bright tone and versatile design, is one of the best tools for the job. But to truly unleash its funky potential, you’ll want to fine-tune your setup. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to set up your Strat for funk playing. From hardware t

If you have read any of my gear related blog posts in the past, you would have undoubtedly come across my advice where I explain the approach I recommend you take when buying new gear. This includes figuring out what you need, what gear you use, factoring in budget and various other points of interest. In this blog post, I want to walk you through my own personal journey that happened very recently – buying a new delay pedal. Read on to learn when I decided I wanted a new del

Music is more than sound; it’s a pulse, a rhythm, and a vibe that brings people together. Few genres embody this better than funk, soul, R&B, and their related styles. These groovy genres have roots that run deep in African American musical traditions, evolving over decades and branching into countless substyles that inspire artists and audiences alike. Let’s take a journey through the rich history, defining characteristics, and notable artists of these enduring genres and th

Rock music is more than just a genre, it’s a cultural movement that has evolved over decades, branching into countless subgenres that reflect its dynamism and diversity. From the early days of Rock ‘n’ Roll to the experimental worlds of post-rock and shoegaze, rock’s evolution mirrors cultural, technological, and musical shifts. In this article, we’ll dive into the history, defining characteristics, and notable bands of rock’s foundational and alternative subgenres, concludin

Drive pedals are one of those strange things that guitar players love, despite the fact that most of them are derived from a select few circuits. Some people buy specific models because their favourite player uses them, and manufacturers like to over complicate things by having a million different drive sounds in one.  Josh Scott of JHS Pedals proved that you can make something cheap like the Digitech Bad Monkey sound almost indistinguishable from an original Klon Centaur, so

Neo-soul is more than just a genre—it’s a vibe that bridges the timelessness of classic soul with the innovation of modern music. Emerging in the 1990s, neo-soul blends the best elements of soul, R&B, jazz, funk, and hip-hop, creating a sound that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Known for its authenticity, emotive lyrics, and organic instrumentation, neo-soul has captured the hearts of music lovers seeking depth and groove in equal measure. This article explores neo-soul’s de

Rock ballads have a way of hitting you right in the feels. Whether it’s the soaring vocals, heartfelt lyrics, or unforgettable guitar parts, these songs linger in your mind and often become a soundtrack to life’s big moments. For beginner guitarists, rock ballads are not only inspiring but also a fantastic way to build skills. They typically feature simple chord progressions, making them accessible while still feeling rewarding to play. Rock ballads hold a special place in th

All too easily the word ‘legend’ is passed around, in all walks of life but especially in regards to music. However, on December 3 rd  2025, certified music industry legend Steve Cropper sadly passed away at the age of 84. Please see below for the interview our leader Michael Kaplan did with Steve back in 2017 (the picture above is from that same day). He was a true gentleman too! Steve Cropper Interview Career Highlights I suggest watching the interview above, and checking o

I find that sometimes the most impressive players are not necessarily the flashiest, the fastest or write the heaviest riffs. As I get older and mature as a musician, I constantly find that I am enamoured with those players that just sit in the pocket as tight as possible, become one with the rhythm section and remove the work ‘shred’ from their dictionary. As you can see by the title of this blog post, today I want to talk about some great funky players, those that have a st

Tuning your guitar for the first time can feel intimidating, especially if you’re worried about breaking a string or don’t know where to start. Don’t worry! With a little guidance, you’ll have your guitar sounding great in no time. This guide will walk you through the entire process step-by-step, using clear explanations for every detail. By the end, you’ll be ready to strum confidently. Step 1: Gather Your Tools Before you begin, you’ll need a guitar tuner. There are several

Have you ever imagined what our life would be like if you were a noble adventurer, fighting dragons and ancient beasts in mystical realms in forgotten times? Well, some people have anyway. One small problem with this is that it is not really possible given that dragons and other assorted beats are rather hard to obtain. The closest we can get is to immerse ourselves in the world of power metal, where the themes often revolve around fantasy and, in many cases, the whole band i

One thing that surprises me all the time with rock guitar players is how many random bits of riffs they know. In fact, I would hazard a guess that the average player would only be able to get through the whole song that those riffs come from 1 in 10 times. This is where rock guitar players differ from a jazz guitarist, because the latter tend to memorize changes and melodies much more frequently.  Some players, like Paul Gilbert, are a veritable encyclopedia of guitar riffs,