Tips & Tricks

for beginning to advanced players

Electric Techniques
Acoustic Techniques
Bass Techniques
Repair
Restringing
General Techniques

Electric Techniques

  • Economy Picking For Pentatonic Licks

    Smooth, effortless-sounding fast picking is a goal for many guitar players. One of the most effective ways of achieving this oft-elusive aim is by using economy picking, which minimises changes in pick direction, helping to make your solos and licks sound slick and articulate. It's not an easy technique to grasp, but well worth perfecting if you want to really advance your playing.

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  • Stretchy Licks That Sound Hard

    Using some wide intervals in your solos can be really ear-catching and break you out of the cliched "blues boxes" that it's easy to get stuck in. And don't worry if you don't have huge, Paul Gilbert-style hands - with good technique and hand position you can cover wide stretches with ease.

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  • How to Learn Notes on the Electric Guitar and Other Must Know Basics

    In this electric guitar beginner lesson, you’ll learn everything from how to find the notes to half steps, whole steps, sharps, flats and more.

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  • How to Add Bends, Slides and Vibrato for Electric Guitar

    Add more character to your solos with these classic electric guitar techniques. Learn the lick that has them all – bends, slides and vibrato.

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  • How to Play Arpeggios on Electric Guitar

    Marc Seal takes us step-by-step through this electric guitar exercise to improve pick leading (leading the pick to the next string) and chord progressions.

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  • How to Improve Your Hammer ons and Pull offs – Beginner Electric Guitar Lesson

    Two essential techniques, hammer ons and pull offs, beginner electric guitar players should practice for a smoother sound.

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  • How to Play Pinch Harmonics on Electric Guitar

    Seasoned guitarist Marc Seal demonstrates how to perform pinched harmonics so you can make your electric guitar solos squeal and scream!

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  • How Your Guitar Pick Can Change Your Sound

    Los Angeles session guitarist, songwriter, teacher and endorsing artist, Tom Strahle, demos how something as simple and inexpensive as a guitar pick can have a big impact on your playing.

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  • How to Play Natural Harmonics on Guitar

    Seasoned guitarist Marc Seal demonstrates how to add vibrancy and color to your electric guitar playing with natural harmonics.

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Acoustic Techniques

  • Nashville Tuning And How To Set It Up On An Acoustic Guitar

    Nashville tuning is one of the classic "best kept secrets" of studio guitarists, and can add a beautiful, shimmering high-end to acoustic or electric rhythm guitar parts. Far from being a complicated alternate tuning, Nashville tuning simply requires the use of the "thin strings" from a 12-string guitar set, tuned as normal.

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  • Learn To Play A New Orleans-style Rhumba On Acoustic Guitar

    Rhumba-style chord progressions are an instantly-identifiable part of the New Orleans blues sound, but they're mainly associated with piano players like Professor Longhair and Dr John. The syncopated, rolling groove is adaptable for guitar with a little work however, and will add an unusual, distinctive rhythmic tool to your arsenal.

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  • How To Play Slap Harmonics On Acoustic Guitar

    One of the wonderful, unique things about the acoustic guitar is the extent to which it allows you to introduce a percussive edge to your playing. The bright, powerful sound of steel strings combined with a resonant body allows for real expression and tonal variety when using hammer-ons and slap techniques. Add in the use of harmonics - those beautiful, ringing fundamental tones - and you have a recipe for a really dynamic style.

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  • 3 Legato Phrasing Techniques by Fingerstyle Master Alex de Grassi

    Acoustic guitar legend Alex de Grassi adds expression to his melodies with slides, hammer ons and pull offs.  Watch as he shows these 3 legato phrasing techniques to create fluidity and texture. 

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  • How to Play Slap Acoustic Guitar

    Develop your fingerstyle techniques with these acoustic percussive slap exercises from Maneli Jamal.

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  • How to Slap and Pop on Acoustic Guitar

    In this acoustic guitar lesson, Marc Seal teaches us common bass-style techniques like slapping and popping to coax some different sounds from your acoustic.

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  • How to Play Percussive Harmonics on Your Acoustic Guitars

    In this easy-to-follow percussive harmonics lesson, Maneli Jamal demonstrates how to get this full and rich sound.

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  • How To Hybrid Pick – Beginner Acoustic Guitar Lesson

    Use this easy riff to improve your hybrid picking.

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  • Learn to Play Percussive Acoustic Guitar Rhythms

    Maneli Jamal demonstrates how to get percussive elements out of the acoustic guitar while playing a chord progressions in 4/4.

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  • How to Use Dynamics to Improve any Guitar Performances

    Fingerstyle master Alex de Grassi demonstrates the use dynamics (volume variations) to highlight and contrast the interplay between the thumb and fingers; and to add color, nuance, and refinement to any guitar performance.  

    Watch Now

  • How to Arpeggiate More Efficiently

    Seasoned guitarist Marc Seal demonstrates how to arpeggiate (play chords one note at a time) more efficiently and accurately using a technique known as “pick leading.”

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  • How to Get the Best Tone from your Acoustic Guitar

    Fingerstyle master Alex de Grassi demonstrates how to get the best tone, and more volume, from your acoustic guitar using the “preloaded free stroke.”

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  • Learn Hybrid Picking and Tapping

    Endorsing artist Massimo Varini gives a close-up demo of his hybrid picking and percussive slap chops. Learn how to use these percussive techniques on your acoustic guitar to create a real beat.

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  • How to Write a Song

    Endorsing artist Ben Montague explains how experiences can inspire lyrics, chords can spark melodies and how he makes choruses "as big as possible." Learn this acclaimed British solo artist's songwriting tips. 

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  • Blues Guitar Lessons

    Mike Eldred, Elixir Strings endorsing artist, has been called "The best unknown guitarist in America." Watch as he demonstrates how to play key blues guitar turnarounds. Try playing different turnarounds to add variety to your blues. 

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  • Fret Hand Control

    National Fingerstyle Guitar Champion, Pete Huttlinger, demonstrates a terrific exercise to develop fret hand control. 

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  • Strumming Patterns

    Los Angeles session guitarist, songwriter and teacher, Tom Strahle, talks about the importance of acoustic players knowing many grooves.  

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  • Building Complementary Parts on Two Acoustic Guitars

    Hudson Taylor, the Dublin folk duo, explain their jam-led approach to songwriting and reveal how they build complementary parts on two acoustic guitars. Hudson Taylor is made up of brothers Alfie and Harry.

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  • Preparing for a Session

    Los Angeles session guitarist, songwriter, teacher and endorsing Elixir® Strings artist, Tom Strahle, shares what it takes to make it in the studio scene. 

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  • How to Arrange a Pop Song

    Endorsing Elixir® Strings artist Ulli Boegershausen shows how to arrange Richard Marx's "Right Here Waiting For You" for acoustic guitar. 

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  • Percussive Techniques

    Endorsing artist Tom Crouch breaks down the techniques behind his unique cover of Daft Punk's "Get Lucky." Tom slows the pace to show how chords combine with percussive effects to turn his acoustic into a one-man band. 

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  • Phil Keaggy Demonstrates Capos and Looping

    This is classic Phil Keaggy. If one capo is good, two are better. In addition to capos, he integrates looping into the demonstration. 

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  • Alternate Tunings

    Elixir® Strings caught up with George Marinelli while he was on the road with Bonnie Raitt. He talked about how he uses alternate tunings. 

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  • Practice Techniques

    Shun shares how he practices improvising, rhythms and more. 

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  • The Art of Live Looping

    Elixir® Strings endorsing artist Arthur Lee Land shows, step by step, the art of looping. From percussion to banjo, watch as he builds the tracks for his song "Into the Waters." 

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  • Advice and Playing Techniques for Budding Blues Guitarists

    Eric Bibb discusses and demonstrates finger picking, good groove and guitar bass-line techniques.

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Bass Techniques

  • Techniques To Make Bass Warm-Ups Fun

    We all know that practicing is key to continuous improvement as a musician. There's no escaping the need to put in the time to develop great technique, but warming up even before a practice session or gig is equally important. Without warming up, your hands won't work efficiently, your technique will suffer and you increase the risk of injury too. But warming up is even more boring than practicing, right?

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  • How to Play Root Fifth on Bass Guitar

    The most popular and solid interval in creating a bass line.

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  • How to Connect Chords with Half Steps

    A common bridging technique in jazz and blues.

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  • How to Enhance Slap Bass Lines with Muted 8ths

    Take it to the next level with 16ths.

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  • Bass Looping Techniques

    Endorsing artist Chris Hargreaves walks through the bass looping techniques he uses with Submotion Orchestra, demonstrating how even non-virtuosos can achieve atmospheric soundscapes and percussive effects with a blend of echo, reverb, delay, EQ and panning. 

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  • Dave Marks Tutorial

    Top session bassist and endorsing artist Dave Marks believes a knowledge of FX makes a musician more versatile and therefore, more employable. Watch as he talks us through his pedalboard - from drive to flange - giving insider tips and tricks for each stompbox. 

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  • Hadrien Feraud's Flight of the Bumblebee

    Hadrien Feraud shows us his warm up exercise. It starts out slow, but ends crazy fast. How fast can you play Flight of the Bumblebee?

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  • Bass Guitar Pick Techniques with Hellmut Hattler

    Friend and German endorsing artist Hellmut Hattler gives us a quick look at how he uses a pick to get his distinct sound. 

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  • Bass Syncopation Exercise Yolanda Charles and Phil Gould

    Watch and listen as Yolanda demonstrates the exercise she uses to practice syncopation with drummer Phil Gould. 

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  • Bass Tapping Technique

    Need help with your tapping technique? Watch as Derek Jones, Bassist for KÅ by Cirque du Soleil, shows us his tips for bass tapping.

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  • Practicing with a Metronome

    Improve your timing and groove. Practice with a metronome! Check out personal tips from Derek Jones, Bassist for KÅ by Cirque du Soleil, for the best way to practice bass with a metronome. 

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  • Chordal Progression Technique

    Want to improve chordal progressions? Watch as Derek Jones, Bassist for KÅ by Cirque du Soleil, performs. 

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  • Tips for Fretless Bass Intonation

    Bassist for KÅ by Cirque du Soleil, Derek Jones, demonstrates tips for great fretless bass intonation. 

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  • Singing and Playing Bass Guitar

    Session luminary and Elixir® Strings endorsing artist Yolanda Charles makes grooving on a busy bassline and counterpoint vocal look simple. Here she walks us through the art of juggling melody and rhythm using "Lean On Me" by Bill Withers. 

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General Repair

  • Tuning New Strings Up To Pitch

    To prevent endless tweaking, your first move is to grasp each string where it passes over the pickups and gently pull it upwards away from the body, so eliminating slack at the nut, bridge and tuners.

    Learn More

  • How To Repair a Strap Button

    John Carruthers shows us the proper way to fix a strap button. 

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  • How to Clean Your Guitar (Part 1)

    Rob Magargal at the Taylor Guitars repair facility shares how they clean and maintain guitars. 

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Electric Repair

  • 7 Tips for Troubleshooting Why Your Electric Guitar Won’t Stay in Tune

    Professional guitar technician and international roadie, Ryan Huddleston, shows 7 tips to troubleshoot why your electric guitar won’t stay in tune.

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  • 9 Tips for Troubleshooting Noise in Your Electric Guitar Rig

    Professional guitar technician and international roadie, Ryan Huddleston, demos 9 tips to troubleshoot noise in your electric rig.

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  • Cleaning Your Electric Guitar

    Is your guitar covered in grunge? John Carruthers will show you the best way to clean your electric guitar. 

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  • Cleaning Your Guitar Electronics

    Are the electronics on your guitar crackling? John Carruthers shows you how to clean your guitars electronics. 

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  • How to Restring your Floyd Rose Tremolo System

    John Carruthers shares tricks for making your restringing effort much easier.

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  • Setting Up Your Stratocaster Guitar

    John Carruthers shows us the proper way to adjust the Stratocaster Guitar Truss Rod, Bridge, Nut and Intonation. This is a 4 step series. 

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  • Setting Up Your Tune-o-Matic Guitar

    John Carruthers shows us the proper way to adjust the Tune-o-Matic Guitar Truss Rod, Bridge, Nut and Intonation. This is a 4 step series. 

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  • How to Restring your Gibson Style Tune-o-Matic Bridge

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  • How to Restring your Bigsby Style Bridge

    Learn how to restring your Bigsby equipped guitar with this simplified technique.

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  • How to Restring your Telecaster

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  • How To Repair a Broken Jack

    John Carruthers shows us the proper way to repair a broken jack. 

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Bass Repair

  • Cleaning Your Bass Guitar

    Is your bass covered in grunge? John Carruthers will show you the best way to clean your bass guitar.

     

    Watch Now

  • Cleaning Your Bass Guitar Electronics

    Are the electronics on your bass crackling? John Carruthers shows you how to clean your bass electronics. 

    Watch Now

  • How to Tune a Bass Guitar

    Jeff Suta at Ibanez shows us how to tune a bass guitar. 

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  • Setting Up Your Bass Guitar

    John Carruthers shows us the proper way to set up your Bass. This is a 4 part series. Videos include adjusting the Truss Rod, Bridge, Nut and Intonation. 

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  • Why String Gauge Matters

    The string gauge used on an acoustic guitar makes a huge contribution not only to how the guitar feels but how it sounds and how it responds to changes in tuning etc. So it's a really important consideration. If you always buy the same string gauge out of habit, it's worth taking some time to think about whether they're really the best option for you.

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  • Phosphor Bronze and 80/20 Bronze String Comparison

    In addition to the choice of which gauge of string to use on your acoustic guitar, the type of string is an important consideration. Elixir® acoustic strings are available in both 80/20 Bronze and Phosphor Bronze, but which one is right for you? And what are the differences in the way they sound?

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  • How To Set Up Your Acoustic Guitar To Match Your Playing Style

    Your preferred playing style - whether strumming with a pick or fingerstyle - has an impact on how your acoustic guitar needs to be set up. There's no "one size fits all" approach, just as no single string gauge suits everyone. In this video, master luthier Ron Ruggiero (who apprenticed under Roger Sadowsky and now operates Ruggiero’s Guitar Workshop in Yardley, PA.) shows the steps necessary to get your instrument playing exactly as you needed.

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  • Changing your String Gauge

    It's very good idea to experiment with different gauging – but it's essential that you prepare your instrument's setup before changing your gauge.

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  • How to String a Guitar

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  • How to Restring Your Taylor Guitar

    Rob Magargal at the Taylor Guitars repair facility shares how they restring guitars after cleaning the body. 

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  • Replacing Bass Guitar Strings

    Jeff Suta at Ibanez shows us how they replace strings in the Ibanez workshop.

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  • How to Restring Your Bass Guitar with John Carruthers

    John Carruthers demonstrates in this how-to video the steps to take when restringing your bass guitar. 

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General Techniques

  • How to Use Dynamics to Improve any Guitar Performances

    Fingerstyle master Alex de Grassi demonstrates the use dynamics (volume variations) to highlight and contrast the interplay between the thumb and fingers; and to add color, nuance, and refinement to any guitar performance.  

    Watch Now

  • Preparing for a Session

    Los Angeles session guitarist, songwriter, teacher and endorsing Elixir® Strings artist, Tom Strahle, shares what it takes to make it in the studio scene. 

    Watch Now

  • Building Complementary Parts on Two Acoustic Guitars

    Hudson Taylor, the Dublin folk duo, explain their jam-led approach to songwriting and reveal how they build complementary parts on two acoustic guitars. Hudson Taylor is made up of brothers Alfie and Harry.

    Watch Now

  • How to Write a Song

    Endorsing artist Ben Montague explains how experiences can inspire lyrics, chords can spark melodies and how he makes choruses "as big as possible." Learn this acclaimed British solo artist's songwriting tips. 

    Watch Now

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