Techniques
Learn how to play guitar with these lesson videos on various guitar techniques. You'll learn concepts like alternate picking, bending, finger picking, soloing and improvisation, palm muting, how to use a slide, strumming and more!
Alternate Picking
Learn three basic alternate picking techniques along with picking exercises to help you understand this technique inside and out.
Banjo Style Licks
Learn Banjo-specific techniques applied to the guitar like the Clawhammer strum, Banjo rolls, and other Bluegrass concepts.
Bending & Vibrato (Beginner)
Use string bending and vibrato to make your solos expressive. Learn different bend variations plus your first bending licks you can apply anywhere.
Bending & Vibrato (Intermediate)
Apply bending and vibrato techniques to the Rock style, whole tone bends, downward bends, pre-bends, plus various vibrato tips.
Bending & Vibrato (Advanced)
These advanced bending technique lessons go deep with behind the nut bending, B-Bender guitar styles, applying bending and vibrato to licks, plus bending with chords.
Chord Melody
Chord melody playing is typically used in the Jazz guitar style. You’ll learn how to play bass notes with high register chord tones to suggest a melody.
Fingerpicking (Beginner)
Start learning the fingerpicking guitar style with a basic four-step pattern. Then apply that pattern to chord changes and songs.
Fingerpicking (Intermediate)
Here you’ll learn different fingerpicking patterns like the Pinch Pattern, adding bass motion, patterns for different time signatures, embellishments and other intermediate fingerstyle guitar techniques.
Fingerpicking (Advanced)
Take your fingerpicking to the next level with more advanced styles like ragtime, boom-chick, palm muting, syncopation, as well as combining fingerstyle patterns for more advanced playing.
Hammer-ons and Pull-offs
A quintessential guitar technique, learn how to master hammer-ons and pull-offs with these lessons.
Harmonics
Harmonics are an angelic sound on the guitar, and there are a few ways to play them. Learn different harmonics techniques like pinch harmonics, harp harmonics and basic harmonics.
Hybrid Picking
Using your guitar pick and fingers at the same time will open up your playing. Learn how to utilize hybrid picking with some basic exercises, apply it on a chord progression, then start speeding it up.
Improvisation & Soloing (Beginner)
Learn the basics of guitar soloing with single note melody exercises targeting chord tones.
Improvisation & Soloing (Intermediate)
Add to your improv skills with more complex rhythms, soloing in a minor key, building on guitar scales and chord tones and more.
Improvisation & Soloing (Advanced)
Solo like the pros by moving the minor pentatonic scale across the fretboard, using modes, and alternating between playing the chord progression and the melody.
Legato
Understand the different music concepts of staccato and legato, and techniques on how to play them on the guitar.
Palm Muting
The palm muting technique allows for more dynamics in your playing. You can mute with your palm or your fretting hand, and you’ll learn how to apply this technique to chord progressions and different guitar styles.
Slapping
Slapping isn’t only for bass players, it’s for the guitar too! Learn how slapping is applied to the guitar.
Slide - Bottleneck
The sound of slide guitar technique is unlike any other. First learn how to play with a slide in Drop D alternate tuning.
Speed Building
Learn how to play fast! Playing fast is flashy, impressive and fun. Learn some tricks that sound fast, how to truly build your speed and dexterity, and licks you can use to play fast.
Strumming (Beginner)
Knowing how to strum properly is key for every guitarist. Here you’ll learn basic strumming patterns, how to strum in different time signatures, and strumming in different styles.
Strumming (Intermediate)
Continue learning different strumming techniques in different styles, different patterns like boom-chick, and add some theory like Root-5 strumming.
Strumming (Advanced)
Learn how to strum on chords higher up on the neck, advanced genre-specific strumming techniques, and faster rhythms and subdivisions.
Sweep Picking
Impress your friends with these sweep picking techniques. We’ll take you through from the foundations of sweep picking to advanced applications.
Tapping
You’ll learn the guitar tapping technique inside and out with this tapping lesson series including two-handed tapping.
Touch Technique
A more subtle version of tapping, you’ll learn how to apply the touch technique as well as advanced ideas.
Travis Picking
Travis Picking is used by many guitarists across genres. First we’ll show you a simplified version so you can grasp the technique. Then you’ll learn advanced patterns and how to apply Travis picking to music.
Trills
A trill combines picking with hammer-ons and pull-offs to make a unique guitar technique and sound. You’ll learn the basics, plus intervals and how to use different rhythms.
Whammy Bar
Whammy bars are fun! Learn the right way to use this tool so you get the most out of your tremolo.
FAQ
What is the proper guitar technique?
Proper guitar technique includes keeping your wrists relaxed, your thumb behind the neck (not wrapped around it), using the tips of your fingers to press down on the strings, and keeping your fretting hand and picking hand coordinated. Good posture and clean, efficient movements are key to avoiding injury and playing with accuracy and speed.
What is the hardest guitar technique?
Many players consider sweep picking or tapping to be among the hardest techniques because they require a high level of coordination, speed, and accuracy. Advanced techniques like string skipping arpeggios or hybrid picking can also be very challenging due to the precise picking hand control and finger independence required.
What is the three finger technique on a guitar?
The three-finger technique usually refers to using just the index, middle, and ring fingers for fretting (skipping the pinky). It’s common in faster playing styles like shred or gypsy jazz where the pinky might be less efficient. While it can increase speed and dexterity in some cases, it limits reach and chord shape flexibility.
What is the best guitar picking technique?
The best picking technique depends on what style you’re playing, but alternate picking (down-up-down-up) is generally considered the most efficient and versatile. It allows for speed, control, and accuracy across both single-note lines and scales. Other essential techniques include economy picking (a blend of alternate and sweep picking) and hybrid picking (using a pick and fingers together), depending on your genre.
What are strumming techniques?
Strumming techniques include downstrokes, upstrokes, muting (palm or fret hand), accenting certain beats, and percussive strums like the “chuck.” You can also use dynamic control to change volume and intensity. Advanced strummers often combine these to add rhythm and feel to their playing.
What is the best strumming pattern for guitar?
One of the most versatile and beginner-friendly patterns is down-down-up-up-down-up (D-D-U-U-D-U). It fits tons of pop, rock, and folk songs and teaches you how to keep your hand moving in time. That said, the “best” pattern depends on the style of music you're playing—sometimes a simple all-downstroke pattern is perfect!
What is the most efficient way to practice guitar?
The most efficient way is to practice with a clear goal and minimize distractions. Focus on small, achievable sections—like mastering one chord change or one scale pattern—instead of aimlessly noodling. Use tools like a metronome, backing tracks, and even recording yourself to stay accountable and track your progress.
Is 2 hours of guitar practice a day enough?
Yes, 2 hours a day is plenty—if it’s focused and intentional. Break it into segments like warmups, technique, theory, repertoire, and improvisation for best results. Quality always beats quantity, so even 30–60 minutes of consistent, goal-oriented practice can lead to big improvements over time.
