Five of the greatest and most impressive guitar solos, from Jimmie Hendrix to Van Halen.

Guitar solos are the place where master guitarists get to show off their skills. For a few music bars, the audience’s focus shifts away from the lead singer, and the guitarist gets the full attention. The best solos bring something original to the table and create an emotion that listeners won’t easily forget. 

Get your lighters ready, and let’s look at a few of the best guitar solos of all time. 

1. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, Guitarist: Brian May

Bohemian Rhapsody is Queen’s best-known song. It was a number-one hit when it came out in 1975. It hit the number-one spot again in 1992 after Freddie Mercury’s death. This piece remains popular over 40 years after its first recording. And for a good reason.

Freddie Mercury wrote this song from start to finish using a complex musical structure that doesn’t follow the rules. In an interview, Brian May discusses how Freddie wanted a guitar solo in the song and gave Brian May a free hand to work on it. May wanted the guitar to sing its own verse and wrote the classic guitar solo.

Brian May’s guitar solo in this song is short and sweet. The guitar interlude is crucial in tying the musical piece together. The first half of the song starts as a lyrical ballad. Then the guitar interlude signals a new episode in this rhapsody. It takes the piece from ballad-like rock to an emotional opera worthy of the stage. The song heads into rock and roll and ends on a smooth reflective note. 

Brian’s vibrato techniques and lyrical lines touch an emotional chord tying Freddie Mercury’s complex piece together. 

2. “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd, Guitarist: David Gilmour

Many consider the guitar solo in Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb the best guitar solo of all time. This piece contains two solos by David Gilmour, but the second one steals the show.

In a 1993 interview with Guitar World, David discussed how he wrote the guitar voice for Comfortably Numb. He “banged out five or six solos” in the studio and then listened to the playback. Then he pieced together the best parts for a well-structured solo with the interest of creative improvisation.

Guitar solos have become favorites because of the guitarist’s intricate fingerwork and original techniques. However, in Comfortably Numb, the behind-the-scenes studio work is responsible for half of this solo’s charm. The delay and doubling of the guitar’s voice create a full edgy sound–almost as if two guitars are playing at once.

The smooth tone, rapid rhythms, and expressiveness of the guitar’s sound make this solo unforgettable.

3. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses, Guitarist: Slash

Slash’s guitar solo in Sweet Child O’ Mine is one of the most memorable of 1980s rock. This song was Guns N’ Roses first hit song to hit Billboard’s Top 40s. 

But Slash was responsible for much more than just the guitar solo. His sweet riffs on the guitar were the inspiration for the creation of the piece. While Slash entertained the rest of the band during a rehearsal, he struck gold. Axl Rose listened in, liked what he was hearing, and began jotting down lyrics to match Slash’s notes.

The Sweet Child O’ Mine guitar solo begins with a relaxed, laidback tone before it steadily increases in energy. The bends and vibrato on the strings require a talented left hand. 

Slash makes use of the pentatonic scale in this piece. He builds energy with upstrokes and downstrokes as he plays. Although he tends to be more understated than other guitarists in his performance style, his raw improvs connect the audience to the piece on a rich emotional level. 

4. All Along the Watchtower, Jimi Hendrix, Guitarist: Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix admired Bob Dylan’s work and enjoyed covering many of his songs. In All Along the Watchtower, Hendrix reinterprets Dylan’s classic song, turning it into a creative masterpiece. Even Dylan admitted that Hendrix improved upon this piece.

Hendrix’s version came out in 1968 and included not one but four different guitar solos in All Along the Watchtower. In one of the solos, he uses a cigarette lighter to slide up the guitar neck. 

Hendrix was full of musical ideas and enjoyed bringing psychedelic sounds and original techniques to the guitar. His distinct musical voice makes this song a classic rock hit. 

5. “Eruption,” Van Halen, Guitarist: Eddie Van Halen

When Eruption first appeared on Van Halen’s debut album, it caused a stir. However, it was only by chance that this piece made it onto the album. As Eddie was practicing for an upcoming gig, his producer overheard him playing and encouraged him to record it.

Eddie Van Halen was using a tapping technique. But, instead of using it on one or two notes like most guitarists, he was playing a solo almost entirely with hammer-ons, pull-offs, and tapping. This technique requires both hands to tap out the notes going up the guitar neck while muting the bass notes.

The rhythm Van Halen uses is also tricky. Sometimes he taps on the first and fourth sextuplet notes, and sometimes he emphasizes the third and sixth notes. This makes it one of the most challenging solos for other guitarists to recreate. Van Halen’s imaginative style makes him one of the top 10 guitar soloists in rock history. 

Learn from the greatest guitarists, and put theory into practice.

Rock stars such as Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, Brian May, and others brought guitar solos to life with their innovative techniques and creative interpretations. 

You, too, can master skills on the guitar by listening to the classics, watching expert guitarists’ fingerwork, and learning guitar theory. To boost your skills,  Simply Guitar can help you lay the framework for music theory and walk you through chords and strum patterns step-by-step. 

Who knows? One day your guitar solo may hit the charts.

FAQs.

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In this beginner’s guide, we will teach you everything there is to know about natural and artificial guitar harmonics.

When you first pick up the guitar, your want to learn where the notes are on the frets and how to strum. However, as you advance in your skills, you discover new techniques to make your songs come to life. 

Guitar harmonics are fun to play and not too difficult once you learn how to find them on the guitar. This technique can add a bell-like quality to your strings. Are you ready to learn a new skill? Let’s dive into how to play natural and artificial harmonics on the guitar.

Are you ready to learn a new skill? Let’s dive into how to play natural and artificial harmonics on the guitar.

What are guitar harmonics?

You can hear subtle guitar harmonics every time you play the guitar. A note on guitar strings creates vibrations between the fret and string base.

The name note is audible because you play it intentionally. Then you have additional pitches that are less audible. These overtones are harmonic.

These overtones are harmonic.

When you play guitar harmonics, the string can vibrate from a fret to where the string meets the headstock. This technique brings the overtones to the forefront while the fundamental note takes a back seat. With this technique, you get a bell-like sound.

Guitar harmonics can add an impressive new tone to your guitar playing.  

Natural vs. artificial harmonics and how to play them.

There are two different types of harmonics you can play on the guitar: Natural and artificial harmonics. Let’s look at each type. 

How to play natural harmonics on guitar.

Playing a natural harmonic is not hard at all once you know where to find them on the fretboard. Follow the step-by-step. Then try playing natural harmonics on your guitar.

Step 1: Find the fret marker

To play a natural harmonic on the guitar, you can lightly rest your finger over any string on the fifth, seventh, or twelfth fret bars. These frets should be easy to find since there are dots that mark these frets. 

Step 2: Lightly touch the string 

After you find the fret, place your finger above the fret bar and lightly touch a string. You don’t want to press down too hard to fret the note. The string should touch only the tip of your finger and nothing else.

Step 3: Pluck and release

Once you pluck the string, release your finger to get a crisp, bell-like harmonic note. If you are using a capo, remember to count up the fifth, seventh, or twelfth from the capo instead of the headstock.

Different harmonic techniques.

Natural harmonics are straightforward to play. However, you have different techniques you can try when you play artificial harmonics on the guitar. These include tap harmonics, touch harmonics, and pinch harmonics. 

Artificial harmonic techniques can be tricky at first, but with practice, they can become second nature. To warm up your fingers so you can play these techniques nimbly, try these finger exercises: 5 Guitar Finger Exercises for Every Guitarist.

How do you read guitar harmonics in tablature?

Standard music notation indicates guitar harmonics with diamond-shaped notes and a dot next to the tablature numbers.

You may also see the words Harmonics or Harm above the staff.  These words indicate a natural harmonic. If there are several notes in a row you should play, you may see a dotted line after the word Harm. Here are a few other harmonic terms and their abbreviations that you commonly see in tablature: 

A final word on guitar harmonics.

Harmonics can be satisfying to play and give you a new dynamic to your guitar. For beginning guitarists, it is simpler to start with open-string harmonics. Then you can try out different techniques with artificial harmonics. 

To excel at guitar playing, you can download the Simply Guitar app. This app lets you stay on track while practicing guitar at home. It can also give you real-time feedback to strike all the right notes. Try it free for two weeks to see if it is for you!

FAQs.

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This article teaches what guitar frets are, their purpose, and how many frets there are on an acoustic and electric guitars.

Frets are important components of guitar playing. Without frets, finding notes and chords becomes guesswork. Guitars with fewer frets can sound smooth and mellow, while a guitar with more frets may have a brighter sound. 

However, when strings start to buzz, it may mean that your frets need work. So how do you clean and level frets on your guitar to get the best sound?

Read on and find out everything you need to know about guitar frets. 

What are guitar frets?

Guitar frets are strips of material spaced at specific intervals on the fretboard. Most often, the fret material is a nickel alloy. Other materials such as bone, wood, ivory, and stone don’t bend easily and are difficult to fit into a fretboard. 

Strings can easily bend over the domed top surface of the fret. At the bottom of the fret is a shaft that fits into the guitar neck. Some frets are glued into the fretboard, while others are set firmly into the wood. 

What is the purpose of guitar frets?

Frets divide the guitar into sections based on the Western music scale. They give the musician a guide making it easy to find standard notes. Each fret creates a point of tension for the guitar sound. If a guitar has no frets, the string vibrates from the guitar bridge. 

The number of guitar frets.

Most guitars have between 19 and 24 frets. The number of frets can vary based on the type of guitar and the genre of music you play. Acoustic guitars usually max out at around 20 frets, while electric guitars have at least 21 frets. 

How many frets are on an acoustic guitar?

Acoustic guitars can have 18 to 20 frets. However, the upper frets on an acoustic guitar are more for aesthetics than for use. The high frets on an acoustic guitar are hard to reach. Many guitarists don’t use the upper frets at all and stick to the 12 to 15 frets that are easily accessible. 

How many frets are on an electric guitar?

Electric guitars usually have at least 21 frets up to 24 frets. When a guitar has fewer frets, the tone of the guitar has a warm, mellow tone. Many jazz players prefer a guitar with fewer frets because of its smooth, jazzy sound. 

However, a guitar with 24 frets gives you four full octaves and can be easier to play. If you enjoy playing songs in the metal genre, you may need 24 frets for some songs.

What is fret leveling, and how do you level guitar frets?

When you play the guitar regularly, the strings can wear down or scratch the frets erasing the fret crown. A flat fret can be uncomfortable to play and may cause your guitar strings to buzz. The strings need to be able to contact the tip of the crown to give a clear sound. Leveling the frets puts them back at a standard height. So how does it work?

Step 1: Check your fret level with a fret rocker

Leveling, crowning, and polishing frets is a time-intensive process that can take up to five hours. So, before you start, make sure that fret leveling is necessary. Use a fret rocker to check your frets. The fret rocker has three sides, so you can measure the frets closer together and farther apart. Straddle three frets and see if the tool is stable. If it rocks, this means that the frets are unlevel. 

Step 2: Remove the strings and guitar neck from the body

To repair uneven frets, remove the guitar strings and neck. Bolt-on necks are the easiest to remove. Simply remove the bolts with a screwdriver. Once you separate the guitar neck from the body, you are ready to go to work.

Step 3: Mark each fret with a permanent marker

Use a permanent maker to mark the top of each fret. This trick helps you know if all the frets are level or not. Once all the marks disappear, it is time to stop sanding.

Step 4: Protect the fretboard with masking tape

The wooden fretboard shouldn’t come in contact with the sandpaper. However, for extra protection, you can protect the fretboard with masking tape.

Step 5: Sand the frets

A leveling beam is a straight block of wood covered in sandpaper. You can make one or buy your own. If the beam is large enough, you can lay the neck face down on the board and rub it back and forth using even pressure. Once all the marks from the permanent marker are gone, you know it is time to stop sanding.

Step 6: Recrown the frets

The frets are now level. However, your job is not over yet. You need to recrown each fret individually using a triangle file. This process can be painstaking and time-consuming. You may need the help of a luthier to finish the job correctly. With the crowns in place, you should have a comfortable guitar with a great sound.

How to clean and polish guitar frets.

After you level your frets, you want to finish the job by cleaning and polishing your frets. Over time your guitar frets can become dirty and dull from the moisture in the air, sweat, or the oil from your fingertips. You may notice a difference in how it feels to play the guitar and its sound. Time to clean your frets. But how?

Here are some steps to clean and polish your guitar frets:

Step 1: Take the strings off your guitar

To clean and polish your frets without making a mess, you need to remove the strings from the guitar. This gives you access to dirty frets and makes your job easier in the long run. 

Step 2: Protect the fretboard by using a fret guard 

You don’t want to get the polish on your fretboard when you polish the frets. Protect the wooden fretboard by using a fret guard. The guard has a slot that fits over the fret and lays flush against the fretboard. For the upper frets, you may need to cover the wood with masking tape since the fret guard may be too big to be useful. 

Step 3: Rub a polishing compound over the fret

Place a dot of polishing compound (such as Frine) on a microfiber cloth. Then, rub the polish firmly over the fret. You want to cover both the top and sides. Continue to clean until the fret looks clean and shiny. Polishing shouldn’t take more than a few seconds per fret.

Step 4: Use a cotton cloth to remove excess polish

After you apply polish to the fret and cover the top and sides, remove the excess polish. Use a cotton cloth and follow the same back-and-forth strokes you used to apply the polish. Also, if you notice polish on the wooden fretboard, wipe it off immediately.   

Step 5. Restring your guitar

After you finish polishing all your frets, it’s time to restring your guitar. Now is a great time to add new strings to your guitar. 

With a level, clean frets, and a new set of strings, it’s time to enjoy playing your guitar.

Learning is easy with guitar frets (and guitar apps).

Frets make playing the guitar easier. When your frets are clean and level, playing the guitar is more comfortable for your fingers and has the best sound. Frets can help you find the right notes—the right learning tools can make it easier to pick up skills on the guitar. 

You can try the Simply Guitar app if you want to play the guitar but don’t know where to start. This app is a no-stress way to learn the basics of guitar playing and can start you off on your musical journey.

FAQs.

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Left-handed and learning guitar? This article shares everything there is to know about left-handed guitars.

According to statistics, about ten percent of the world is left-handed. That adds up to about 700 million lefties on the globe. If you are a leftie, you notice that the world revolves around right-handers whenever you pull out a pair of scissors. 

So how can you play guitar left-handed? 

As a leftie, you have a few options. You can play right-handed, restring a guitar, or buy a left-handed guitar. 

Let’s see everything you need to know to become a left-handed guitarist.

What is a left-handed guitar?

A left-handed guitar is a mirror image of the average guitar. Everything from the strings to the slant of the saddle is opposite. This allows a left-handed guitarist to strum with the dominant hand and finger chords with the right hand. Since the dominant hand is more graceful, strumming and picking with the left hand can make for smoother-sounding music. 

However, left-handed guitars are a niche market, while right-handed guitars come with more options. For this reason, many lefties choose to start on a right-handed guitar as beginners. 

Before you decide to play as a leftie or learn like a rightie, it’s best to study the differences. You can even try out both designs in a guitar store to see which style is more natural for you. 

Left-handed guitars vs. right-handed: What are the differences?

The guitar is a reasonably symmetrical-looking instrument. So, it would be easy to assume that a leftie can just turn a right-handed guitar upside down to make a guitar more comfortable to play. However, making a left-handed guitar out of a right-handed guitar is not that simple. 

Here are a few key differences between left-handed and right-handed guitars:

The strings

The main difference between left-handed versus right-handed guitars comes down to the strings. The bass strings should be at the top of your guitar, and the treble notes should be below them. 

However, if you flip a right-handed guitar over to the left side, the bass notes are now at the bottom. To make a right-handed guitar a left-handed one, you need to restring the instrument from top to bottom.

The pickguard

Many acoustic and electric guitars have pickguards. The pickguard rests under the sound hole. This guitar piece protects your instrument from getting scratched up by over-enthusiastic strumming. However, if you play a right-handed guitar upside down, the pickguard would rest above the hole. This position is not very useful and looks wrong visually.

The pickguard is correct when you buy a left-handed guitar–below the soundhole. 

The saddle

The saddle angle can also reveal if the guitar is for lefties or righties. Notice that the saddle slants slightly to give the guitar a proper intonation. A left-handed acoustic guitar’s saddle needs to slant in the opposite direction. This slant ensures that the low E is the longest string and the treble strings are shorter. 

The strap peg

The strap peg on a right-handed guitar is above the guitar neck. However, if you flip it to the left side, the strap peg is now under the fretboard. This would make it awkward to play guitar with a strap! However, when you buy a left-handed guitar, the strap peg rests above the fretboard. This allows you to attach a guitar strap without interfering with the strings. 

The body shape

Some acoustic guitars have a symmetrical shape, but not all guitars do. Many guitar bodies have a single or double cutaway. This ergonomic design makes it easy for your fingers to reach the strings on the upper frets. With a left-handed guitar, you can strum with your dominant hand. This puts you on an even playing field with right-handed guitarists. 

Famous left-handed guitarists.

Suppose you are a left-handed guitarist, no worries. You are not alone on your musical journey. Many famous musicians have walked the road you are on. (But did you know they were left-handed?)

Jimi Hendrix

While left-handed guitars are available in the musical world today, Jimi Hendrix missed out on this opportunity.

He still chose to play his instrument as a leftie, but he had to flip a right-handed guitar to do it. Notice the pickguard is above the soundhole in pics of Jimi with his guitar. (Okay, we admit the flipped pickguard doesn’t look silly when it’s in this guitar icon’s hands.) Jimi Hendrix went on to write one of the 5 Best Guitar Solos of All Time.

Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney is another leftie who chose to flip the guitar on its head and restring it.

George Harrison may be the official lead guitarist of the Beatles. However, Paul certainly had some shining riffs and solos of his own. Some even argue that Paul is the better guitarist of the two. Whether you are Team George or Team Paul, it is undeniable that Paul McCartney is a gifted left-handed musician.

David Bowie 

Although David Bowie was a leftie, he learned to play the guitar as a rightie.

Left-handed guitars were few and far between, so he decided to take the mainstream route. It doesn’t seem to have slowed down his career any! 

Some lefties find it easier to use the dominant hand to finger chords since it is the naturally stronger hand. Whether you use your dominant hand to fret or strum, practice is what makes perfect in the long run.

Kurt Cobain

Kurt Cobain was a frontman for Nirvana and the face of 90s grunge rock.

He wrote and played drums right-handed, but when it came to guitar, he played as a lefty. Was he right-handed, left-handed, or ambidextrous? With Kurt Cobain, no one knows for sure. Cobain unsuccessfully for the perfect left-handed guitar and flipped several right-handed models. When he got into the spotlight, Fender designed a left-handed guitar just for him. That’s just one of the perks of being famous—and left-handed.

How to hold left-handed guitars.

The proper guitar position is a critical part of guitar playing, whether right-handed or left-handed.

The right hand’s job on left-handed guitars

As a beginner, it’s best to start sitting down with the guitar. Remember to keep your back straight and your feet on the floor. You can also raise one foot slightly to balance the guitar. 

With a left-handed guitar, your right hand plays the frets. You don’t want to bend your wrist. Instead, keep the wrist straight and curve your fingers. Place your digit behind the fret bar to finger a chord. This finger position gives you the clearest sound. Play in the middle or on top of the fret can give you unwanted string buzz. Keep the thumb of your right hand upright and rest it on the back of the guitar neck for support. 

The left hand’s job on left-handed guitars

On a left-handed guitar, the left-hand strums or picks the strings. First, get a comfortable grip on the pick. You should hold it between the first knuckle of your pointer and thumb. Keep your wrist straight and strum using your entire forearm. Generally, you want to land your strokes between the soundhole and bridge. However, you can experiment with different strums for unique sounds. 

Check out How to Hold a Guitar Properly for more techniques on holding your guitar correctly. Just substitute the terms right and left with dominant and non-dominant to play a left-handed guitar.

The five best left-handed guitars on the market.

If you feel more comfortable strumming with your left hand and fretting with your right, a left-handed guitar may be for you. Here are some of our favorite options on the market for lefties:

1. Best for beginners: Lyx Pro Left Hand 39-Inch Electric Guitar Starter Kit

This small-scale Lyx Pro electric guitar is perfect for beginning guitarists ten years old and up. The starter pack includes all the necessary equipment for a budding rockstar to begin his musical journey. The 39-inch guitar has a beautiful Canadian Maple top and rosewood fretboard. Its classic SSS pickup and 20-watt amplifier produce a satisfying sound for practicing at home. A headphone jack allows students to practice with a favorite song or a backup track. Extra amenities include a clip-on digital tuner, replacement strings, and an instruction booklet. 

The Lyx Pro left-handed electric guitar is an affordable option for a beginning guitarist. This complete kit can make dreams become a reality.

2. Best budget acoustic model: Fender CC-60S Left Hand Concert Acoustic Guitar

This concert Fender guitar is comfortable to hold and easy to play. Beginning guitarists can learn the fretboard and strum patterns as they play this small-scale concert guitar. 

The classic dreadnought body with its spruce top is perfect for either strumming or fingerpicking. It gives off a rich sound without an amp. 

This left-hand concert-size acoustic is an inexpensive model compared to many other left-handed guitars. However, the quality of the build and sound is everything you expect from the Fender brand.

3. Best mid-range electric guitar: Ibanez GRX 6 String Solid-Body

The Ibanez brand builds a quality guitar that musicians love. However, they make models to fit into a variety of budgets. This mid-range Ibanez electric guitar looks snazzy on stage with its iridescent blue poplar guitar body. The New Zealand Pine fingerboard and white dot inlays give this guitar great aesthetic appeal. And the sound doesn’t disappoint. The infinity R humbucker pickups create a warm, high-output sound. You can also try out the 5-way selector switch and T106 tremolo to add a unique touch to your pieces. The great looks and sound quality of the Ibanez guitar make it a perfect choice for beginning or advanced leftie guitarists. 

4. Best for performing: Candy Apple Red Fender Newporter 

The Fender Newporter acoustic guitar has a sound you can take to the stage. The glossy solid spruce top with cream accents provides visual appeal. This lightweight instrument also packs in the sound with superior sound resonance and sustain. You can also plug in this instrument for added volume. However, the natural acoustic tones still shine through. You can play solo riffs with this instrument. Or, use it to back up a lead vocalist. Whether you go solo or join a band, this high-performing, unconventional instrument is ready to bring a sound that doesn’t disappoint. 

5. Best luxury model: Fender Kurt Cobain Jaguar 

This mid-century style guitar is a carbon copy of the Fender 1965 Jaguar that Kurt Cobain played at the forefront of the band Nirvana. This luxury electric guitar has a solid alder body, metal accents, and pearlescent fret markers. Not only is it a gorgeous instrument, but it also includes a super distortion bridge pickup and a three-position toggle switch. Some extra perks are its hardshell case and an exclusive Fender book on Kurt Cobain. The Fender Kurt Cobain Jaguar is a professional instrument built for legends. 

These are some of our top picks for left-handed electric and acoustic guitars. You can also check out some of our favorite right-handed kids’ guitars for comparison: Kids Guitar: How To Buy A Guitar For Children.

Left-handed guitars for the win.

For a leftie who wants to play the guitar, two roads diverge. You can choose to invest in a left-handed guitar or a right-handed design. 

Whether you play a guitar upside down like Jimi Hendrix, right-handed like David Bowie, or decide on a left-handed guitar like Kurt Cobain, regular practice is key. You can build strength and grow your skills with the Simply Guitar app in as little as five minutes daily. This app takes you from the basics and lays a solid framework for more advanced material. Choose to try it free for two weeks and see if it works for you!

FAQs.

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Do you know what an arpeggio is, and why do you need them to play the guitar? In this article, we cover all the essentials of guitar arpeggios.

We know that arpeggios are essential to guitar playing because guitarists waste no time telling us they are.

Many guitar players don’t even touch their songs without warming up with scales and arpeggios. But for beginners, guitar arpeggios can be more complicated than strumming along to actual songs. 

So, where do you start? Is there an easier way to play arpeggios than hunting down each note across the fretboard?

The key is to learn arpeggios methodically and increase your skills step-by-step.

Also, you can learn shortcuts to help you simplify the process.

Let’s look at some practical examples to learn how to play arpeggios on the guitar.

What are guitar arpeggios?

An arpeggio takes basic chords and breaks them apart so you can hear each note separately. It’s similar to a broken chord, except broken chords allow notes to overlap in sound. 

For arpeggios, you want to articulate one note without the sound bleeding into the next. This note progression requires finger dexterity on the guitar.

When you play an arpeggio, you strum the three or four notes inside the chord separately instead of strumming the notes together.

After you play each note, you should lift your fretting finger to mute the sound before moving on to the following one. Articulate notes as you play the arpeggios going up or down the fretboard.

Why are guitar arpeggios important?

Many guitarists recommend practicing arpeggios in addition to scales on the guitar. But why are arpeggios so important? 

Improve finger skills on the guitar

Arpeggios break up chord blocks into individual notes.

Your fingers must intentionally fret a note without string buzz. Then your finger should stop the note before moving on. 

When you play each fret separately, intentionally position your finger against the fret to get a clear sound with no fret buzz.  Then, each finger knows its part when you put the notes back together in a block chord. Arpeggios can help you become familiar with chord shapes and note articulation.

Add depth to guitar songs

Arpeggios also allow you to highlight the harmony in a piece and improvise.

Take a blocked chord and replace it with an arpeggio to play over the melody line. You can add rhythm and movement to a song or guitar solo. 

While arpeggios can be a great way to improve finger dexterity, they can also add depth to a piece. Especially in jazz or blues guitar rhythms, arpeggios are invaluable.

Playing through arpeggios is especially useful for guitar beginners trying to land chords and add interest to songs. 

The differences between guitar arpeggios & scales.

You often hear how important it is to practice scales and arpeggios, but are those the same thing? While scales and arpeggios are similar in some aspects, they have different purposes. 

A regular scale hits every note available in a key signature. In Western music, the scale uses whole and half steps. However, arpeggios can include different intervals. 

Use a scale that matches your key signature as you improvise guitar riffs. Or, you can play an arpeggio in the harmony line instead of strumming a blocked chord. 

Practicing scales and arpeggios can help you become familiar with the notes and chord shapes in different key signatures. To learn more about guitar scales, check out: How to Play the Major Scale on Guitar for Beginners. 

Learning scales and arpeggios can help you learn your way around the fretboard until you know it like the back of your hand.

Triads and arpeggios.

Chords have at least two notes but can have five or more. You can choose to arpeggiate any chord on the guitar. However, the most common arpeggios in guitar music are major and minor triads. 

A triad contains only three notes. And you can build one on the guitar by using intervals of thirds. 

To form an arpeggiated major triad, start with the root note of the key. Then add the third and fifth tones. Make a minor triad by simply lowering the third tone a half step. 

In addition to major and minor arpeggios, you can also have augmented, diminished, and suspended triads. 

Read up on other common chords in Guitar Chords for Beginners: Ultimate Guide.

Examples of guitar arpeggios on the fretboard.

Once you know what arpeggios are, you need to know how to apply your knowledge to the fretboard. So, what are some practical ways to play arpeggios on the fretboard?

Pick a key signature

To play arpeggios on the guitar, first, pick a key. You can start with the G key since this is one of the simplest keys in standard tuning. Then, run through the G scale from low G to high G and back down.

Play a chord in the key’s root position

Find a chord on the guitar in the same key signature as your scale. Since triads are common chords, you can use the root, third, and perfect fifth. In the key of G, you can play a triad using the notes G, B, and D. Now, arpeggiate the chord using those same three notes.

Try a two-octave arpeggio

Once you play the basic G arpeggio scale, add in another octave. Take the two-octave arpeggio up and then back down several times. Two-octave arpeggios force your fingers to find the same G, B, and D notes in different places on the fretboard. 

Play the arpeggio diagonally

Playing the two-octave arpeggio keeps the pattern in a vertical position. However, you can expand the arpeggio by playing it diagonally. You can use a metronome to play up and down the fretboard. Start slowly. Then, as you become more confident in your finger positions, you can speed up the pace.

Try different strum patterns

When you master your arpeggios, you can play them using different techniques and strum patterns. 

Try out techniques such as:

• Alternate picking– Pick strings using an up-and-down motion.
• Hammer-ons–Play one note and “hammer” a second note on the vibrating string using your finger.
• Finger rolling–Roll your finger from one string to the next to play successive notes.

You can kill two birds with one stone when you try new fingering techniques as you play arpeggio patterns.

Guitar arpeggios shapes.

Focusing on playing each note in an arpeggio can be overwhelming. That’s a lot of different finger positions to learn! To simplify the process, zoom out to look at the big picture. Paying attention to the shape of the chord blocks can help you fret the right notes. 

The CAGED system makes it easy for many beginning guitarists to find the correct chord positions on the fretboard. CAGED focuses on five basic chord shapes. These include C, A, G, D, and E. This memorization tool is a shortcut to help you play arpeggios like a pro without diving into complicated guitar theory. 

Most arpeggios use each of the five CAGED shapes. However, the diminished 7th arpeggio has only one shape. 

Minor arpeggio shapes

Major arpeggios tend to sound upbeat and happy and are slightly more common than their minor counterparts. However, you also run into many minor guitar songs, so it is necessary to know both major and minor arpeggio scales.

Minor arpeggios usually sound poignant, dark, suspenseful, or mysterious. 

Once you know the major open-string arpeggio shapes, it is easy to play the minor arpeggio shapes with a few adjustments. The basic chord shapes are the same. Keep the root note and the perfect fifth. Then, lower the 3rd interval for each major arpeggio a half step to make it minor. 

To practice, each of these arpeggio shapes starts on the root note of a chord. Then play the arpeggio notes up and down the frets until you land on the root note again. 

Guitar arpeggios all day.

Once you learn basic guitar scales and chords, you are ready to tackle arpeggios on the guitar. At first, arpeggios can seem complicated to play. However, they become easier when you stop focusing on each note and start memorizing them in CAGED shapes. When you master scales and arpeggios, you can start playing the guitar like a pro.

Learn more about the basic skills you need to play the guitar using the Simply Guitar app. With this structured program, you can learn guitar theory fun and easy.

FAQs.

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Mastering beginner guitar strumming patterns is essential for any aspiring guitarist. This article teaches beginners how to play six basic strumming patterns that sound great on an electric and acoustic guitar.

Most beginners focus on learning finger patterns and positioning along the fretboard–it’s time well spent. 

Although the guitar is a two-handed instrument—the other half of the equation is strumming. 

On the surface, strumming can seem like a simple practice. However, the difference between noise and music is technique. 

And the intricacies of strumming are numerous. 

So what are the secrets to strumming like a pro? How do you read strumming diagrams? This blog arms you with everything you need to know.

What is guitar strumming?

Guitar strumming is a rhythmic stroking or sweeping technique that guitarists use to strike their guitar strings. 

There is an infinite number of strumming patterns. They affect the rhythm of a song and characterize various genres. 

You need to hinge from your elbow and rotate your forearm to strum. Many skilled musicians like to strum with their thumb, index finger, and middle finger, but today, we’ll focus on doing it a pick.

Guitar strumming tips for beginners.

For the most part, strumming is intuitive. You grasp the pick and strum in an upward and downward motion. However, like any technique, you can optimize the movement. 

Implementing and reinforcing the best habits is crucial–learning a skill correctly is easier than unlearning faulty practices down the line. 

Here are some tips to hone your strumming skills the right way:

• Relax. Relaxing your arm makes strumming feel more natural and helps you flow with the music. However, that doesn’t mean being loose like a noodle. Strumming is a balance of fluidity and integrity. 

• Use a light touch. Often, beginners need to grasp their pick more tightly. A tight grip can create tension in your wrist and forearm. It constrains the movement of your strumming and creates unnecessary friction on the strings. With a light touch, you can strum more effectively.

We dive into how to hold a pick in our blog, How To Properly Hold And Use a Guitar Pick. Give it a read!

• Don’t strum all of the strings. Strumming doesn’t require you to strike all of the strings every time. More often than not, you only need to strike between two and four of them. Generally, you hit the lower, thicker three strings on the down strum (E-A-D) and the higher three strings on the way up (G-B-E).

• Practice, practice, practice. As with anything else, practice makes perfect. Try out a bunch of patterns and work on them every day. The more you strum, the better you get. 

How to read strumming diagrams.

Before playing strumming patterns, you need to know how to read them. Lucky for you, it’s pretty simple.

Strumming diagrams mainly include symbols like:

• Down = ↓
• Up = ↑
• Mute = x

Now that you know how to read basic strumming diagrams—start practicing! 

We’ve put together a few basic patterns for you to try.

6 guitar strumming patterns ideal for beginners.

Applying a technique to your strumming can feel awkward at first. 

It’s like rubbing your stomach with one hand while tapping your head with the other. 

Your brain has to execute two different movements simultaneously. 

However, with some beginner strumming patterns, you can gradually ease your way to something more complex. 

Strumming patterns #1: Downward strumming

Let’s start with the most basic strumming pattern. 

Downward strumming is the more intuitive. When you’re just starting to play, your focus is on finger patterns along the fretboard. Often beginners tend to strike strum in a downward motion. 

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

↓   ↓     ↓    ↓ 

While you practice these patterns, you can also practice counting ‘1, and, 2, and, 3, and, 4, and strumming down for each number. 

Strumming patterns #2: Adding some upstrokes

Once you have the timing of your downward strum … down, it’s time to implement some upward strokes. 

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑

There is a different feel to sweeping upwards. On the up-stroke, you need to shift the positioning of your wrist slightly to pass over the strings smoothly. 

Strumming patterns #3: Adding some muting

Not that you’re familiar with the upward and downward strum. It’s time to mix things up! 

For this pattern, we’re bringing some muting. The strumming technique is the same. However, you need to lightly rest the fingers on your fretting hand on the strings to mute the guitar.

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

↓↑ ↓ x  ↓ ↑ x ↑

Muting adds a unique sound to your strumming. Musicians add muting to make creative rhythms in their songs. 

Strumming patterns #4: Southern Rock

Some patterns create a distinctive sound. The following pattern is quite common in Southern Rock. Give it a try!

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

↓    ↓↑     ↑↓

As you can see, there is a unique spacing between the strokes. How you space each strum can add can dramatically change the vibe of your song.

Strumming patterns #5: Light Rock

Let’s move on to a basic Light Rock pattern. This strumming sequence mixes in all fundamental techniques: downstrokes, upstrokes, and muting.

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

↓↑ ↓ x  x ↑ ↓ x

Like how that sounds? Another aspect of strumming to consider and practice is the speed at which you play the pattern—playing it slowly and quickly yields a different sound. 

Strumming patterns #6: Reggae

Let’s add a little bounce to your strumming with a basic Reggae. This pattern has more muting than basic strumming, which gives it the Raggae feel. 

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

x x ↓ ↑  x x ↓ 

These six strumming patterns should get you off to a good start. Once you have the hang of these, you should search for others—a quick Google search should yield some excellent results. 

Another thing to try is making up your patterns. Play around with the various techniques and try playing them at different speeds. 

The more you work on your strumming, the smoother it will be. 

Strum along.

Learning how to strum with proficiency is crucial in learning and playing the guitar. It dictates the tempo and rhythm and ultimately gives it a specific feel. 

While it may feel awkward to strum the strings in a calculated fashion, once you understand how things work, it dramatically affects your ability to play.

At JoyTunes, we help beginners and intermediate musicians build and learn the essential skills to play their favorite instrument. If you’re looking for a game-changing tool to take your guitar playing to the next level, check out Simply guitar. We pack tons of valuable information into compact lessons—so you can practice anytime and anywhere.

FAQs.

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What is guitar intonation? How to check guitar intonation? You will find out all the answers in this article.

The guitar is a beautiful-sounding instrument–when it is in tune.

However, sometimes you may notice that some areas of your fretboard are perfectly in tune while other notes sound sharp or flat.

It may mean that your intonation is off. 

Let’s look at how to get the perfect intonation for your guitar.

What is guitar intonation? (And why is it important?)

The intonation on a guitar (or any instrument, for that matter) is synonymous with pitch accuracy.

It may sound much like tuning. However, intonation and tuning differ slightly.

Your guitar can be in-tune according to your tuner, but the pitch can still sound off.

Bad pitch can be a guitarist’s worst nightmare–especially if you play in a band.

You may need an intonation adjustment if the notes are sharp or flat even after you tune the guitar strings.

Fixing intonation can be as simple as adjusting how you finger your guitar. Or, you may need to intonate your guitar by adjusting the action, strings, or saddle.

A guitar with perfect intonation allows your chords to sound in tune wherever you choose to play them on the fretboard.

How to check guitar intonation.

A guitar may be in tune and still have poor intonation when you sit down.

You may notice that part of your fretboard sounds in tune, and other areas of your fretboard sound sharp or flat. 

Here’s how to check your guitar’s intonation:

First, play an open string and check the note for pitch accuracy on a tuner.

Let the open-string ring while you play the same note on the 12th fret. If you have good intonation, the pitches should sound the same.

To double-check the intonation, you can also test a harmonic. Play an open string, and then play a harmonic at the 12th fret. 

You want to check the intonation of each string at the 12th fret. Why the 12th fret, you ask? The 12th fret is generally at the halfway point of the fretboard. It’s at an even distance between the nut and the guitar bridge.

A few of the strings on a guitar may have poor intonation, while others may not need any adjustments. This is especially true for classical guitars with nylon and metal strings on one guitar.

If the fretted or harmonic note is several cents sharp or flat, you may need to adjust your guitar’s intonation. 

What can cause guitar intonation problems?

When you play an instrument, you want it to be in tune.

So, when one or more strings have poor intonation, this can be frustrating. It would be best to sit down with a guitar tuner and painstakingly adjust your guitar. 

However, there are a few ways to prevent intonation problems in the future. Here are a few ways to keep your guitar in tune all across the guitar:

Tips for adjusting guitar intonation.

Adjusting the intonation on your guitar can be a task. You want to do the job right the first time around. 

Here are a few tips to make your job easier and save you time:

Make small intonation adjustments

A little goes a long way when you adjust your guitar.

Make small adjustments and check the intonation with a tuner as your work.

Once you finish an adjustment, retune your guitar.

Also, make one change to your guitar in one sitting. For example, if you adjust the truss rod, allow this change to settle for a few days.

If the guitar doesn’t pass the intonation test in four days, try another adjustment, such as moving the bridge.

If it ain’t broke…

You don’t need to intonate your guitar if a simple tuning can do the trick. Before adjusting the bridge saddle or truss rods, check the easy “fixes” first.

Ensure your guitar is in tune, your strings are in good condition, and you use the proper fingering techniques. 

If your guitar fails the intonation test, you should buckle down and adjust your guitar’s intonation.

How to intonate a guitar.

If it’s not an issue with the strings, the weather, or your fingering technique, it’s most likely a problem with the bridge saddle. Once you determine that you need to adjust the guitar’s intonation at the saddle, find a reliable tuner and get to work.

Adjust the truss rod

The bow of the neck can affect the intonation of your guitar.

If the truss rod is too tight, the guitar neck begins to bend.

Most guitars with steel strings have a truss rod to support the guitar neck. If your intonation is off, you can try adjusting this guitar piece.

To adjust the truss rod, see if your guitar neck needs a tighter or looser adjustment.

You can do this by laying your guitar on a flat surface. Is the guitar neck bending away from the strings, toward the strings, or straight?

This lets you know if you should loosen the strings, tighten them, or leave them alone. 

If you need to adjust the truss rod, look for the point of entry. Usually, there is a hole or cover near the guitar’s headstock.

Tighten the rod by turning it to the right or loosening it to the left.

Once you adjust the neck to the proper position, tune the strings and wait for it to settle.

In two to four days, you can check your guitar’s intonation. 

Adjust the bridge saddle 

 The most common way to intonate your guitar is to adjust the bridge saddle.

Moving the bridge can raise or lower your guitar’s intonation. To know which way to move the bridge, compare a fretted note on the 12th fret with its corresponding harmonic. A tuner can let you know if it is sharp or flat.

If the guitar’s intonation is sharp, move the guitar saddle away from the fretboard. This increases the string length and lowers the pitch.

If the intonation is flat, move the guitar saddle closer to the fretboard. This tightens the strings and raises the pitch. 

Now you know the direction to move the bridge… but how?

Adjusting different types of electric guitar bridge saddles

For electric guitars, adjusting the saddle is relatively simple. However, there are many different styles of bridges and saddles you may run into on electric guitars. 

Some guitars may tighten by turning to the right. However, others tighten by turning the screwdriver the opposite way. As you make adjustments, go slowly and check the string with a tuner to see if you are going in the proper direction.

Six adjustable saddles: Often, electric guitars have saddles you can adjust separately for each string. These include brands like Fender, Gibson, and others. Adjusting each of the six strings’ saddles, you can get close to perfection.

Most of these saddles use screws which are fairly simple to adjust. However, other guitars like Floyd Rose use hex nuts instead of screws. Adjusting six hex nuts can be more complicated because you must loosen the strings to reach the nut. 

Hex nut saddles require more time and patience. However, you still get a precise result at the end of your labor.

One saddle bridge: Some bridges don’t have separate saddles. Instead, all the strings share one saddle. This gives you less control. However, you can still move the bridge for better intonation. These bridges usually come with two adjustment screws at each end of the bridge. You can move both screws if all the strings need adjustment. Or, you can angle the saddle by adjusting only one side. (Most often, the low strings are slightly longer than the treble strings for proper intonation.)

Acoustic Guitars

The saddle can be slightly more difficult to adjust (and less precise) if you have an acoustic guitar. These guitars usually have one saddle spanning the bridge. You can replace the bridge if you notice wear or file down a saddle that is too high.

You can also use a compensated saddle with different height levels for the high and low strings. This offers different levels of tension to intonate your guitar.

Make sure your guitar saddle is at a slight angle. This allows the low-sounding strings to be longer than the treble strings for the best intonation.

Can you ever really get perfect guitar intonation?

You may notice that however often you adjust your guitar, the intonation is never quite “perfect.” Don’t sweat it. You can get very, very close to perfect intonation with proper adjustments to your guitar. However, with fretted instruments, you always have tone variations on the fretboard. 

If this imperfection bothers your perfect pitch, you can always try a fretless guitar. But be warned–with a fretless guitar, the intonation relies more on your fingering than the instrument. Want to try it? Check out What is a Fretless Guitar and How to Play It.

Final words.

To play expertly, you want a guitar in tune anywhere on the fretboard. Adjusting your guitar’s intonation can give you an instrument that is satisfying to play. With proper intonation, you can sound like a pro.

Got a great-sounding guitar and want the skills to match? Try out the Simply Guitar app. This app lets you learn the guitar step-by-step and gives you real-time feedback. It’s flexible, fun, and, for the first two weeks, it’s free! Follow the link to start your free trial. See if Simply Guitar is for you!

FAQs.

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This buyer’s guide explains everything you need to know before buying a guitar hanger. Check out some of the best guitar hangers in 2022.

Looking for the ideal way to store your guitar? 

You can keep it in the case, but taking it out is a bit of a hassle. To make things more convenient, you can use a guitar stand. 

This blog details everything that you need to know about guitar hangers, from how to install them to which ones you should buy.

What is a guitar hanger?

A guitar hanger is a small device that lets you hang your guitar on a wall.

They’re commonly made with metal, wood, and plastic and use foam or rubber to cushion your guitar’s headstock.

Why should you use a guitar hanger?

Guitar hangers and stands are game-changers for storing your instrument, providing your guitar with safety and accessibility. 

One potential drawback of using a guitar hanger is storing your beloved instrument in a seemingly precarious spot. That’s a fair concern. However, people worldwide use them without issue. 

Guitar stands work splendidly for many guitarists; they keep their instruments secure (much closer to the ground) and out in the open–ready for you to pick them up and play. 

Guitar hangers are more practical. They’re much smaller and cheaper, and because you mount them on a wall, they allow you to be more spatially efficient. Practicality aside, they also turn your instrument into a cool wall decor when you’re not using it.

How to install a guitar hanger.

Guitar hangers are perfect storage accessories. Generally, they come with two or more screws, so all you need is a screwdriver and a stud finder. 

Follow these steps to install your guitar hanger safely:

1. Gather the necessary tools (screwdriver, stud finder, hanger).
2. Find a beam in the wall and mark down where you’ll screw your device.
3. Remove the hanger from the packing.
4. Screw the base of the hanger into the beam. You must screw your handle into a beam, not the gyprock because it supports your instrument. 
5. Screw the base of the fork into the piece connected to the wall. 
6. Vacuum the dust.

Voila! Your guitar hanger is secure and ready for use.

Types of guitar hangers.

When it comes to guitar hangers, there a many creative designs. Some offer additional security, others focus on aesthetics, and some go with a more straightforward design.

While shopping for guitar hangers, you’re likely to encounter many different brands–each with unique details. Generally, there are three types of hangers. 

Average price.

Like anything, the price of a guitar hanger depends on the quality of the device. A guitar hanger can range from under $10 to $300. Some hangers are made with better materials than others. Many guitar hangers have more intricate designs, offering you more security or the ability to store many instruments. All of these factors determine the cost of the device.

3 excellent guitar hangers you can buy now.

There are tons of guitar hangers available. Here are three of the best you can buy today.

Hercules GSP38WBK Plus

One of the main concerns people have when buying a guitar hanger is the possibility of your precious instrument falling. For this reason, at the top of the list of our best guitar hangers of 2022 is the Hercules GSP38WBK Plus!

This device has an automatic locking system that helps to keep your guitar secure. With an ‘attractive’ wooden base, it compliments almost any interior. Additionally, the hanger has two rubber pieces that you can attach to the fork, which shortens the distance between each support pillar–allowing you to hand virtually and guitar on it.

String Wing Guitar Keeper Bundle

The String Wing Guitar Keeper is ideal for people with several guitars. It offers people a secure and convenient way to showcase and store their favorite instruments. This wall mount is handcrafted and comes with five adjustable hangers–ideal for collectors, shop owners, and guitar enthusiasts. And with a lifetime warranty, you rest easy knowing your instruments are in good … hangers. 

String Swing Hardwood Home and Studio Guitar Hanger

We present the String Swing Hardwood Home and Studio Guitar Hanger for those looking for a practical guitar hanger. It’s a durable and simple device, and ingenuity is imbued.

The forks curve upwards, and by doing so, secure your instrument without a locking mechanism. With foam padding for your headstock and quality materials, it’s a wall mount that you can depend on.

A guitar hanger is a practical and aesthetic solution for storing your instrument. They’re affordable and reliable, clear up a ton of space, and come in all shapes and sizes–so you can find the perfect device for your home. 

Practicality, affordability, and reliability are all essential characteristics of any tool. Ideally, your approach to learning the guitar incorporates those values. Simply Guitar is the perfect tool for anyone learning the guitar, allowing you to choose when, where, and how long you practice. 

Designed by music teachers, the app offers bite-sized lessons that effectively teach you how to play your instrument, read sheet music, and much more! You can use the program as a supplement to guitar lessons or as a primary source. Give it a try today.

FAQs.

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