Are you looking for cool gifts for guitar players in your life? Find 23 ideas perfect for beginners and advanced players in this article!

Finding the right gift for guitar players can be a difficult task. If they are beginning guitarists, you may not know what equipment they need to get started. After guitarists have been playing for years, they already have many of the tools they want. 

We’ve put together some gifts for guitar players that are practical and unique. You can choose from tools that can assist guitarists on their musical journey. Or, pick out some guitar swag that lets them flex their skills.

Look at these 23 gifts for guitar players and find the best one for the guitarist in your life. 

Gift ideas for beginner guitar players.

Beginning guitarists learn the proper guitar position and how to place their fingers on the frets. Some essentials like picks, tuners, and quality instruments are needed initially. Other accessories like a footstool, guitar strap, and guitar stand can make a beginner’s life easier. 

Also, a guitarist can enjoy a gift that is just for fun! You can tip your hat to their hobby with a cool t-shirt, a wallet with pick-pockets, or a purse in the shape of an electric guitar. 

Here are some practical (and fun!) gift ideas for beginning guitar players.

1. Donner Adjustable Guitar Foot Stool 

Many guitarists (especially classical guitarists) use footstools when they play the guitar. Raising one leg helps them get into the proper guitar position. Some beginners use a stack of books to rest their feet. An adjustable footstool can make a guitarist’s practice sessions so much easier.  

2. Vincent Van Gogh Guitar Picks Gift Tin  

Art comes in many forms. This guitar pick gift set combines two art forms by putting Van Gogh’s artwork on musical tools. The twelve medium celluloid guitar picks represent six different art pieces and come in a gift tin. A pick-holder key chain holds your favorite picks, so they are at the ready when it’s time to jam. A guitar player who loves the arts should enjoy this unique gift.

This guitar footstool can adjust to six different heights for your comfort. It also has a non-slip surface, so your foot stays in place. As you head out to a lesson, this foot stand folds flat for easy travel. Give a beginning classical guitarist a leg up with this Donner Guitar Footstool.

3. Finger Strengthener for Guitar 

Even though you are not near a guitar, you can still practice your skills. This finger strengthener is not just your average fidget. It can help you maintain a proper curved finger position and press into the frets for the best sound. 

You have four buttons with adjustable tension to press down. Take it slow as you exercise each finger. Gradually build your finger strength and transfer your newfound finger skills to your guitar frets. This exercise tool can shape your fingers for the guitar.

4. Portable Phone Tripod and Selfie Stick 

This portable selfie stick and tripod can serve many needs. The portable tripod comes with a remote and has a wireless connection of up to 10 meters. As a selfie stick, it extends up to 40 inches to include the whole gang. However, you can also fold it to eight inches, pop it into a bag, and carry it with you. 

Use it to take pictures of you and your band. Or, set up the tripod to hold your phone while you practice with apps. A tripod allows beginning guitarists to easily follow along with a phone app as they learn guitar at home. Check out The 4 Best Guitar Learning Apps to use with this selfie tripod stand.

5. Abbey Road Tapestry Wall Hanging 

George and John from the Beatles had some undeniable guitar skills. If you want to walk in their footsteps, you can do so quite literally with this Abbey Road tapestry throw. 

Use this soft fleece blanket to cover your bed, or hang it on the wall of your music room. You can also use it as a photo op for your band of guitarists. This Abbey Road tapestry can bring a smile to a Beatles fan.

6. Pick-a-Palooza DIY Guitar Pick Punch Gift Pack 

A guitarist can never have too many picks! This Pick-a-Palooza DIY gift pack allows musicians to make their own guitar picks. The starter pack comes with enough material to make up to 100! 

Guitarists can choose the colorful sheets from the set. Or, they can punch out picks using old I.D.s, gift cards, or hotel cards. You can carry ten of your favorite picks in the leather key chain holder. 

With this DIY pick punch set, a beginning guitarist never has to worry about running out of picks!

7. Women’s Guitar Crossbody Purse 

Do you know a female guitarist who loves strumming on electric guitars? This crossbody purse is a perfect gift. It’s just the right size to hold a phone, ID card, wallet, keys, sunglasses, and makeup. This small-scale PU leather crossbody can be handy to comfortably fit your essential items. Then you can keep your hands free to carry your guitar and gear! 

Everyone can see that you love to play electric when you carry this funky crossbody purse.

8. Pink Floyd Vintage Tee

Dark Side of the Moon is one of Pink Floyd’s most iconic albums, so why not put it on a t-shirt? With splashes of tie-dye color on black, this retro Pink Floyd tee is an eye-catcher. It is 100% cotton, comfortable to wear, and machine washable. Any guitar player can attract the audience’s attention when sporting this classic rock graphic tee.

9. Guitar Accessories Gift Box by Guitar Lab 

If a musician is just beginning to play guitar, this gift box of accessories can help him on his journey. It includes a high-quality guitar strap with pockets to keep your picks handy, 18 plectrums in unique colors, a digital tuner, and a capo. These practical accessories come gift-ready in a metal tin. Add a bow and this gift this tin of guitar accessories to a guitarist you know. It is sure to his day.

10. Love Me Tender Couple Coffee Mugs 

Is your soulmate a guitarist? If so, this sweet set of mugs can be a way to acknowledge your S.O.’s favorite hobby. Each matte-finished coffee cup has a full design on it. When you set your coffee cups next together, sparks start to fly! 

These mugs are microwave and dishwasher-safe. This set of two mugs can be a perfect gift for an anniversary, birthday, or Valentine’s day. They might even inspire your guitarist to croon out “Love Me Tender” on the guitar in his best Elvis impression.

11. Fender Sunburst Acoustic Guitar Bundle 

For students just starting, this full-size Fender acoustic guitar can offer a solid sound at a decent price. The mahogany back and sides give it a good sound, and the sunburst finish makes it an eye-catcher. Its solid construction means it can put up with wear and tear. Also, the slim neck makes it easy for small hands to play. 

The bundle comes with a guitar, soft-side case, tuner, strap, picks, and more. For less than $200, a beginner is ready to start playing guitar with this Fender guitar set.

12. Deluxe Guitar Performance Seat and Stand 

In need of a stool and a guitar stand? This Deluxe Guitar Performance Seat is a two-in-one. You adjust the seat and footrest to the best position for you. The back cushion also provides firm support. Behind the seat is a guitar stand that allows you to hang your guitar up when it’s not in use. 

This chair is padded to make longer practice sessions more comfortable. If you are traveling to band practice, it easily folds up so you can carry it with you. The stand can hold your guitar until it’s time to practice when you’re at home.

Gift ideas for professional guitar players.

Many advanced guitarists already have gear. They can also be picky about brands and quality. Here are some unique gifts that can hit the right note.

13. Foot Traffic Men’s Novelty Socks 

These Foot Traffic novelty socks allow guitarists to strut their stuff in style. They feature a  guitar neck with six strings, a pick, and a wood-color toe and heel to complete the look. You can’t take anything too seriously wearing these socks! 

These novelty guitar socks are a perfect gift for a guitarist who eats up attention and loves all things guitar. These guitar socks are ready to take your favorite guitarist to the stage.

14. Dunlop 257 Joe Perry “Boneyard” Slide 

Slide guitar is a fun technique to get a cool sound and play legato tunes. After a guitarist conquers the basics of guitar, they can master sliding with this Boneyard Large Ceramic Slide.  

Aerosmith’s own Joe Perry designed this Dunlop slide so you can get a bright and warm tone as you play guitar. Whether the guitarist you know loves blues or rock and roll, a guitar slide can add a new layer of depth to his playing. 

15. Vitruvian Man Guitar Music Player Da Vinci Guitarist T-Shirt 

Leonardo Da Vinci was an artist, inventor, and musician. How did he feel about Rock N’ Roll? A rockin’ Da Vinci novelty t-shirt will make a modern musical artist smile. 

The updated version of Da Vinci’s Vitruvian man takes a classic piece of art to a new level. Instead of focusing on proper body proportions, it pictures a man jamming with a “rock on” symbol in one hand and an electric guitar in the other. A guitarist can proudly show off this edgy t-shirt art at the next band practice.

16. Rock Guitar Stainless Steel Barbecue Tool Set 

If the professional guitarist you know also has a weakness for BBQ, why not combine the two passions? 

These rock guitar barbecue tools are a great way to show a guitarist some love. The durable stainless steel spatula and tongs are extra long. Also, the wooden handles keep you from being burned by the heat. You can even pop off bottle caps with the curved edge of the guitar body. 

Whether the guitarist you know is fond of fresh-grilled steaks or baby back ribs, these tools can hit the spot.

17. GIGmate Guitar Tool Kit 

The GIGmate Guitar Tool Kit includes the tools you need to keep your acoustic or electric guitar in tip-top shape. It comes with carbon steel string cutters, a Phillips and flat screwdriver, a LED flashlight, 5 Allen wrenches, a string gauge, and more. You can zip up the tools in its handy case and take them with you on gigs. With this compact guitar tool kit, beginner guitarists and expert players can be ready for anything.

18. Aircell Guitar Strap 

After hours of playing guitar, a guitar may seem heavier than it is. The right guitar strap can prevent an achy-breaky shoulder from ruining the mood. This Aircell strap distributes the weight of your instrument, making it much more comfortable for your shoulder and back. Also, the material wicks away sweat and moisture so you can stay cool under the bright lights.

This Aircell Guitar Strap is a must-have for serious guitarists.

19. Licensed Marshall Jack Rack 

With this licensed Marshall Jack Rack, you can always find your keys. Mount this key rack next to your door or on your music room wall using screws. It has four key rings so you can plug your keys into the “amp.” This lightweight key holder looks like an authentic Marshall jack. A guitarist can enjoy this practical wall decor. Also, he should never lose his keys!

20. Minimalist Bi-fold Leather Wallet with Guitar Pick Holder 

The Minimalist Bi-fold Wallet is made of full-grain leather. Each piece has unique marks and scars. This wallet is small enough to comfortably into a pocket. Still, you have plenty of space to store your cash, I.D. cards, credit cards, and backstage passes. Next to these essential items, you have two deep slots to hold your guitar picks. 

Wherever you go, you are always ready to play the guitar. Pull a pick out of your wallet, pick up a guitar, and strum out a favorite tune.

21. Steampunk Guitarist Lamp  

The Steampunk Guitarist Lamp is a unique gift for a guitarist who has everything. This edgy light is made from malleable iron pipes and has a US plug. It comes with an Edison bulb that emits a warm yellow glow. 

As it sits on your side table, it can encourage you to keep at the guitar. This steampunk lamp can be a perfect companion for a guitarist who stays up late practicing his techniques.

22. Marshall Major IV headphones 

These Marshall headphones are some of the best on the market. The ergonomic design form fits your ear for easy listening. You get the clear base and treble notes and up to 80 hours of charge to play all of your favorite tunes. A friend can even plug into your headphones and listen along. These headphones let you listen to your playback or memorize riffs and techniques from some of your favorite guitarists. With their great sound and ability to hold a charge, you’ll never want to take these Marshall Major headphones off.

23. String Swing Guitar Keeper 

One guitar is never enough for professional guitar players. If the musician you know has a guitar collection, this String Swing Guitar Keeper can keep them up and out of the way. Just mount the wood-look strip to a wall of the music room. Then hang the guitars on the five hooks. You can add or subtract guitar holders according to the need. Adjust the hangers to display the guitars at the best angle. Not only does the guitar keeper protect guitars, but it also is the perfect way to show off a stunning collection.

Choose the best gift for the guitarist in your life.

Some guitarists may appreciate getting new gear, while others can enjoy a fun gift with a guitar theme. Now that you’ve seen some great options for beginner and professional guitarists, it’s decision time. You can choose one of the great options on the list or give a gift that keeps on giving with Simply Guitar. 

This app helps beginning guitarists learn guitar with fun challenges and step-by-step teaching methods. With a good guitar and the right learning tools, a budding musician can become a master guitarist.

The post 23 Coolest Gifts For Guitar Players 2022 appeared first on Learn to Play an Instrument with step-by-step lessons | Simply Blog.

You can learn how to play the guitar, but how long does it take to learn it? How many hours do you need to practice? Find out the answers here.

When picking up a new instrument, start with goals. Where do you want to be in three months, six months, or a year? What milestones should you achieve? On average, how long it takes to learn guitar?

Every musician’s journey differs, but anyone can learn to play the guitar. Some pick it up at lightning speed, while others need more time. However, you can reach your end goal by setting your pace and sticking to it. Slow and steady wins the race, right? 

We’ve broken down the guitarist’s first year into small soundbites. These realistic mile markers can help you set goals and start you off on the path to becoming an expert guitarist.

Become a guitarist: Year one.

Want to learn to play the guitar? The first year is a learning curve for beginners. Once you have all the basics, you can start fine-tuning your skills.

Your first month

Starting, you probably won’t sit down and play a guitar solo like Slash. Some of the simple steps may seem tedious at first. However, the foundation you lay at the beginning of your journey is crucial to your future success. 

In the first month, you want to focus less on speed and more on accuracy. Here are a few goals to achieve in the first month:

• The proper guitar posture and finger positions.
• Deciphering guitar chord charts
• Playing open-string chords
• Tuning the guitar strings
• Guitar Anatomy

Months 1-3

You can practice some of the most common open chords in the first three months of learning guitar. Playing the full version of a chord can be complicated for beginners. So, instead, start by practicing chords such as Am7, Cmaj7, Dsus2, and G6.

These simple chords sound great but only require you to play two frets. As you build confidence on the guitar, you can flesh out these chords with more notes. 

Learn the correct finger positions for chords. The long-term goal is to play by feeling instead of watching your fingers. Practice moving smoothly from one chord to the next. You can even say the chord names out loud to remember their positions. Once you feel comfortable with two chords, add one more. 

Also, you want to work on rhythm and strum patterns in your first three months of playing guitar. You can tap one foot on the floor to help you keep rhythm or use a metronome for accuracy. The strum patterns can vary depending on the song and the genre of music. If you are practicing a well-known song, look up the song on YouTube to see which strum patterns other guitarists use.

Months 3-6

The guitar posture and finger positions should begin to feel natural in three to six months. You probably have some finger callouses and know a few chord patterns. Also, your ear should let you know when your guitar starts sounding out of tune. 

If you are not committed to playing the guitar, this three-month period is when you may be ready to throw in the towel. Some of the “honeymoon phase” of learning a new instrument is over, and you have to buckle down to work. 

However, if you stick to your practice sessions, this period is where you can start to make real progress. You want to continue to add to your chord repertoire. Also, you can flesh out some of the simple chords you have been practicing and achieve a fuller sound.

Practice new songs that stretch your skills. 

Months 6-12

Once you play the guitar for six months, you build confidence in your skills. You should know many common chords and be able to pick out new pieces fairly quickly.

At this point, you are ready to dig deeper into guitar theory. Before you begin practicing a new piece, try playing guitar scales first. This makes your fingers nimble and increases your accuracy on the frets. You can also work on improvisation and guitar solos. Play the guitar with other musicians to learn new techniques and put your skills to the test. 

How long does it take to become…

Common myths about learning guitar.

For every person who encourages you in your musical journey, there is someone out there ready to chime in with discouraging advice. We’re here to dispel the common myths about learning guitar and encourage you to follow your dreams.

Here are a few common myths you may hear:

It’s too late to learn the guitar.

Never say never! You always have room to grow and learn new skills. 

While many think that learning guitar as an adult is more difficult many find the opposite true.  With time management skills and motivation to learn, adults can often learn a new instrument faster than young students. If you want to play the guitar, no time is better than the present!

Know how to play by ear, or don’t play at all.

Many famous musicians were self-taught and picked up the guitar by ear. These instant success stories can intimidate those of us without the same incredible talent.

Some musicians imply that if you can’t pick up a guitar by ear, you shouldn’t pick it up at all. But that’s like saying that you can’t learn math if you aren’t Einstein. 

You may have to put more hours of work in than someone with a gifted ear. However, even musicians with inherent talent need to learn music theory. Once you learn the correct positions, fingering, and basic music theory, you may even find that you are ahead of those who rely only on their natural skills to play guitar.  

If you have small hands, you can’t play the guitar.

Having large hands can be an asset when it comes time to learn a new instrument. You have an easier time on the fretboard reaching the right chords. But you can’t help it if the gene pool didn’t gift you with large hands. 

If you have small hands, your fingers must work harder to reach the right chords. The large fretboard on classical guitars makes stretches even more difficult for those with small hands. 

So, can you still play the guitar? You can look at kid-size guitars and warm up with finger exercises and stretches before you play. 

Also, check out Pepe Romaro’s guitar skills. This master guitarist is just a little over five feet tall and has smaller-than-average hands. Yet, he is a pro at the classical guitar and proof that anyone can play the guitar. Size doesn’t matter.

You don’t have time to practice guitar.

It is true that the more time you have to practice, the faster you can advance from a beginner to an expert guitar player. However, not everyone has hours a day to devote to learning a new instrument. 

Playing the guitar is still possible even if you have little free time. Carve out short practice sessions and dedicate all your attention to the amount of time you do have. It may be 10, 20, or 30 minutes, but that’s okay. Mastering one chord or one concept in 10-minute sessions a day can have an exponential effect. Instead of waiting for the “perfect” moment, start with what you have. 

Tips to speed up your learning process.

It is better to take it slow than to skip over critical theory techniques. However, if you want to fast-track your learning, there are a few ways to speed up the process.

1. Choose a practice space without distractions

Choose a quiet area to practice that is free from distractions. The perfect spot could be your bedroom, a university practice room, or any other quiet space you can concentrate. Turn the T.V. off and put your phone on silent mode so you can give the guitar all your attention.

2. Have the right tools 

It is easier to learn a new instrument when you have the right tools on hand. Find a chair that is the right height and use a footstool. If you don’t have a footrest, you can use a stack of books. Make sure you have a pic if you are playing acoustic or electric. For classical, you want to pay attention to how you clip your nails. Find a book, program, online app, or teacher and start playing guitar.

3. Devote regular time to practice

Carve out a regular practice time. As a beginning guitarist, start with short practice sessions. Then after the callouses build on your fingers, you can increase the time you spend practicing. The more you practice, the more you can learn. 

You can learn guitar in record time with a quiet place to learn, the right tools at your disposal, and regular practice.

Little by little.

It’s a great idea to set goals as you learn the guitar and estimate how quickly you can advance. Just keep in mind that every person learns at their own pace. 

Whether you are in your first year of guitar or have put in 19,999 hours of practice, your hard work pays off. So, give yourself grace, learn from your mistakes, and let your passion for guitar playing shine through. 

To organize your time and create more efficient practice sessions, download the app Simply Guitar. This app can guide you through the fundamentals of guitar and helps you advance to the next level.

The post How Long Does It Take to Learn Guitar?  appeared first on Learn to Play an Instrument with step-by-step lessons | Simply Blog.

Do you know who invented the guitar? Learn more about the history of your favorite instrument.

History allows us to glimpse the past, contextualize the present, and understand the future. 

As far as subjects go, it’s vast. 

However, we carve a path through time by pursuing a specific topic (like the guitar). At the end of the road, we get a deeper understanding and appreciation of the topic and its events.   

This article looks into the guitar’s origins and offers a brief overview of the events and people that shaped its evolution. 

Origins of the guitar.

In history, the line between fact and myth can be ambiguous. Archeologists and historians try to make sense of the past with the evidence they find. 

The origins of the guitar aren’t accurate. There’s no record detailing its lineage. Evidence of stringed instruments appeared between 4000 and 5000 years ago. You can see depictions of these instruments in Egyptian hieroglyphs. 

But at which point is a stringed instrument considered a direct guitar ancestor? 

This issue is a contentious one. Some scholars argue the family tree begins with the Greek lyre. Others claim the story of the guitar starts with the Arabic oud making its way to Europe during the invasion of Spain. 

The exact point when a stringed instrument becomes a guitar may be unclear. However, we can see how the instruments have transformed over the centuries.

The evolution of the guitar.

Countless (too many to mention without writing a book) stringed instruments have been played over the ages, eventually taking unique shapes and creating distinctive sounds. 

If you go back far enough, many instruments’ ancestry overlap–check out our blog, A Complete Piano History.

Who invented the classical guitar?

Antonio Torres Jurado (1817-1892) was a Spanish guitarist, luthier, and the most important guitar maker of the 19th century. Considered the father of the modern classical guitar, it’s thanks to his innovations that the modern guitar has its shape, dimensions, and tuning. 

The classical guitar’s body is deeper and spacier, allowing it to create greater, fuller, and louder sounds. However, arguably the most game-changing aspect is in the tuning pegs. Instead of tunning pegs that had been used for centuries prior, the classical guitar was equipped with tuning gears. Gears enable musicians to fine-tune their instruments–turning them moves the strings in smaller increments. 

Despite significant technological innovations, the classical guitar remains the fundamental design manufacturers use today.

Who invented the electric guitar?

Adolph Rickenbacker invented the electric guitar in 1931.

Rickenbacker was born in Basel, Switzerland, in 1887. He immigrated to the United States in 1896 and settled in Los Angeles, where he began his career as a machinist and toolmaker.

In 1909, he and two partners founded the Rickenbacker Manufacturing Company, which produced metal stampings for the automobile industry. The company later diversified into other products, including electric guitars.

In 1931, Rickenbacker developed the first electric guitar, which several major manufacturers adopted. He later founded the Rickenbacker Guitar Company, which produced several iconic instruments, including the “Frying Pan” and “Capri” models.

Rickenbacker died in 1976. His legacy continues to influence the design of electric guitars.

So who invented the guitar?

The history of the guitar is long and complex. It would take books to explain the full story. This blog highlights many of the notable developments of the instrument.

At Simply, we help blossoming musicians hone their skills by offering useful information and tools that empower them. One of the tools in our shop is Simply Tune. It’s a free chromatic tuner that lets you quickly and effectively tune your guitar. So you can get back to practicing and playing with a guitar that sounds just right.

Another excellent guitar-mastering tool we have is Simply Guitar. But only use it if you want to learn to play fast and efficiently!

FAQs.

The post Who Invented the Guitar? A Brief History appeared first on Learn to Play an Instrument with step-by-step lessons | Simply Blog.

Do you know what guitar scales are? This article teaches you the most common scales and how to play them on guitar.

Scales are essential when it comes to improving your guitar skills. They’re the foundation for creating your riffs, solos, melodies, and more! By practicing them, you familiarize yourself with the various strings and frets and improve your finger dexterity.

Countless scales are available to play—you can even create your own. 

Let’s descend (or perhaps ascend) into the world of scales, learn about the different types, how you can practice them, and ultimately improve your skill on guitar. 

What is a guitar scale?

A guitar scale is an organized sequence of notes you play in ascending or descending order. They provide a framework for soloing and improvisation. They’re among the fundamental exercises for guitarists. 

Another essential skill any guitarist needs is the ability to play chords. Learn about them in our blog, Guitar Chords for Beginners: Ultimate Guide.

However, scales should always remain a part of your practice. There are many different scales, each with its unique sound and feel.

Different types of guitar scales.

The guitar is an elaborate instrument, so you can create your own even among the countless scales today.

Despite the endless potential for designing different patterns, there is a general categorization or style of scales.

The most common are the major and minor scales. The major scale consists of seven notes, while the minor has six. Other guitar scales include the blues scale, the pentatonic scale, and the chromatic scale–we’ll go over some more too!

The most common and easy guitar scales.

Within each type of scale, there are easier or simpler versions. However, you can make them more challenging by adding notes or altering the sequence or pattern can make them more challenging. 

The most common guitar scales are the major and minor scales. Technically, almost every other type of scale has a major and minor version. 

When it comes down to the easiest scale to play, the consensus agrees that it’s the pentatonic scale.

Pentatonic scale

The pentatonic scale is one of the most popular scales for beginners. They’re often referred to as the skeletal version of the heptatonic scale (seven notes) because they consist of five notes per octave.

If you’re curious about pentatonic scales, check out our blog, Pentatonic Scale Guitar.

Additionally, pentatonic scales are perfect for practice as you easily transpose them to different positions on the fretboard. And you can use it for a variety of different play styles.

The Major Scale

The major scale is one of the most important scales in music. It’s the basis for many popular songs, and people use it in various genres. The major scale consists of seven notes (heptatonic). 

The first note of the major scale is called the root note, and the other notes are called scale degrees. The major scale is a diatonic scale, which contains five whole steps and two half steps. The half steps occur between the third and fourth scale degrees and the seventh and eighth scale degrees.

The Minor Scale

Similar to the major scale, the minor scale is a scale that contains seven notes, each a whole step apart. People use a type of musical scale in sad or somber-sounding musical pieces. The minor scale is used in many different genres of music, including rock, blues, and jazz. 

The Aeolian Mode

The Aeolian Mode is also known as the natural minor scale. On the guitar, the Aeolian Mode starts on the sixth string and fifth fret and uses the following pattern: whole, half, whole, half, half, whole.

Blues scale 

The blues scale can be major or minor, with pentatonic variations. Its distinguishing mark is an added flat fifth, or ‘blue note.’ This scale is used–unsurprisingly–in blues and rock music. 

Dorian mode

The Dorian mode is a minor scale with the sixth degree raised. It’s often used in blues and rock music. Practicing the Dorian mode refines your soloing and chord-building ability in the blues and jazz styles.

The Mixolydian Mode

The Mixolydian mode is a musical scale commonly used in blues and rock guitar. It’s a great scale to solo in when you want to create a bluesy sound.

How to practice scales on guitar.

When it comes to practicing scales on the guitar, there are a few different approaches that you can take. One approach is to run up and down the scale, starting from the lowest note and working your way up to the highest. 

Another approach is using a metronome and practicing playing the scale at different tempos. This is a great way to work on your speed and accuracy.

Finally, you can also practice scales by using a backing track. It offers a feel for how the scale sounds in a musical context.

Regardless of your approach (we recommend trying all of them), it is important to be consistent with your practice. Try to set aside time to work on your guitar scales each day. If you can do this, you’ll be well on becoming a better guitar player.

Guitar scalability.

Scales are an essential part of practicing the guitar. By playing them, you improve your skills on many fronts. Your finger dexterity and strength increase, your positioning becomes more efficient, and your overall ability to improvise and play songs dramatically levels up.

Guitar requires a multifaceted approach. It’s a vast instrument that can create tons of unique sounds. Finding time to practice can be tricky unless you’re a professional musician. With an app, Simply Guitar offers bite-sized lessons that cover everything you need to learn your instrument. Give it a try today!

FAQs.

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Every guitarist works on finger strength and flexibility to play effortlessly, comfortably, and clean. Here are 5 guitar finger exercises to get you started.

If you want to be able to pick up the guitar and play freely, you need to ensure you’re consistently working on your finger fitness. Lucky for us, guitarists have been experimenting and inventing new guitar finger exercises for decades. 

In this article, we’ve picked our five favorite finger exercises and explained how to do them in a way that is appropriate for both beginner and intermediate players. 

Why are guitar finger exercises so important?

Muscles were made to move. In our society, we could go by days or even weeks at a time without moving much. From the bed to the car, to the desk, to the couch, to the bed again. We have to be conscious and active about keeping our bodies moving and in shape. The same goes for our technique and finger fitness in guitar playing. 

The precision and fluidity of your finger movement is something that you could spend forever improving and refining, and this practice is a big part of becoming a pro player. This doesn’t mean you should get stuck practicing the same exercises for years at a time – but it means that you understand the “technique practice” mindset and continue to engage with it.

Guitar finger exercises 1: general hand motion.

Before you even pick up the guitar, it’s good to do simple exercises using only your hands. These get the blood flowing, release tension and create more space between the muscles and bones. 

• Bring your hands up to the height of your mouth. Turn your hands so the palms face outwards and the backs touch. Then, cross your fingers over one another. Bring the palms back towards each other as your elbows move away from your body and downwards. This should close the hands. Your thumbs should be closest to your face and cross over each other like swords. Then start rotating your hands so that your wrists move in a full circle. Do this between eight and thirteen times in each direction. 
• Sit on the floor. Place your palms on the floor by your sides, fingers facing forward. Let all the weight sink into your hands, and then push into the floor until your sitting bones and torso is raised. Leave the feet on the floor. Rotate your hips in circles to the right and the left, between eight and thirteen times each way. Repeat this exercise with your hands facing the other direction on the floor. 
• Nothing is quite as fun as a finger massage! Take each finger and press firmly on either side, from the nail to the root of the finger. Press on each knuckle and also the bones in between them. This releases a different kind of tension from the fingers, allowing the energy in them to flow smoothly. 

Guitar finger exercises 2: two fingers.

Once your hands are warm and ready, it’s time to pick up the guitar. But let’s start with a simple exercise that only uses two fingers. You can do this exercise using your first two fingers, the second and third fingers, and the third and your pinky fingers. You can practice it on the guitar neck, but we will focus on the first and second frets. 

• Start by playing the first fret of the sixth string with your first finger and the second fret of the sixth string with your second finger. Use this pattern as you ascend on all the strings until you reach the high E string.
• Once you do, it’s time to descend. Start the descending pattern by playing the first fret of the second string with your first finger and the second fret of the second string with your second finger. Follow this pattern to descend to the sixth string.
• After completing ascending and descending patterns on the first two frets, repeat this exercise on the second and third frets using your second and third fingers. 
• Piece of cake? Do it again using your third and pinky fingers, with the same pattern, but this time on the third and fourth frets.

Guitar finger exercises 3: 1-2-3-4 pattern.

This is a level up from the two-finger exercise. Not only does it require four fingers, but it also makes you refine your left-right hand synchronization. Use this exercise to improve coordination, stretch your fingers, and start roaming freely around the fretboard. You should check out a video if you’re a more visual learner, but in short, you will be moving up the string and the fretboard, playing chromatic notes with four fingers on the fretboard in your left hand while picking with an alternating down/upstroke in your right hand. This is how you do it step by step:

• Start by putting your first finger on the high E-string on the 1st fret. In your right hand, you pick the string with a down stroke. 
• Remain on the high E string, but now place your second finger on the second fret and, using your right hand, pick an upstroke. 
• Next, you’ll use your third finger on the third fret with a downstroke on the high E string. 
• Finally, use the pinky or fourth finger on the fourth fret and do an upstroke. 
• Repeat this pattern on every string as you climb up the fretboard. Once you get the hang of it, you can begin to move through the exercise faster. 

Make sure to breathe steadily to release any tension in the body. Keep the wrist relaxed, and don’t overstretch the fingers. You’ve got nothing to prove. There’s no need to hasten the pace of development. 

Guitar finger exercises 4: barring. 

You’ve probably heard about barre chords if you’ve started playing guitar. Barring is an element of guitar technique that takes quite a bit to master and develop. The motion of pressing the side of the finger down firmly into the steel or nylon strings across multiple frets feels foreign and unintuitive in the beginning. “Why should I inflict such pain upon myself?” you’re probably asking. We’ve all been there. The body is incredibly adaptable, and you will get used to the sensation. In time there’s even something pleasant about it, like a particular sort of massage. Here are some barring exercises and tips to help you build this discipline slowly:

• Start by gently pressing the finger across the strings on a certain fret. Just enough to feel the strings against them. 
• Slowly add a little bit of pressure – take a deep breath.
• Add a little more pressure, and keep breathing. Every time you push down harder, pick the strings with your right hand to see if you’re pushing hard enough to create the desired pitch.
• The idea of this exercise is to discover the minimum amount of effort required in barre chords to create your intended pitch. If you start pressing down with full power, you will quickly fatigue and damage your fingers. The idea is to achieve maximum results with minimum effort. This is something to remember for all aspects of guitar playing. 
• Take breaks as often as you need. You don’t want to push yourself into a corner where there is bruising or even bleeding in some extreme circumstances. Stay attentive to your body’s needs – no music is important enough to justify causing harm to yourself or others, and all good things take patience and perseverance. 

Guitar finger exercises 5: single string.

This exercise is notorious for being a tongue twister for fingers. The whole exercise takes place on one string and requires real agile, almost acrobatic movements from your fingers and wrist. This is how you do the single-string exercise: 

• Start by playing the first fret with your first finger. Then instead of playing the second fret, play the third fret with your third finger. Now you must go back and play the second fret with your second finger, followed by the fourth fret with your pinky finger.
• For the second stage, you need to play the second fret with your first finger, then the fourth fret with the third finger, followed by the third fret with your second finger, and the fifth fret with your pinky finger. 
• Get the pattern? You want to repeat it across the whole fretboard, all on the same string.
• You want to start this exercise from the first fret of the first string and gradually make your way to the 12th fret, from which you will descend back to the beginning. 
• Repeat this same sequence on every string, ascending and descending. The exercise is designed to be confusing initially, so don’t be overwhelmed, work slowly. If you do, you will loosen up the whole structure of your hand and fingers, and it will come super naturally to you in time.

Fingers are friends!

Once you start playing guitar, your relationship with your fingers becomes deeper. They’re no longer just these skinny little things at the ends of your hands – they are pristine artistic tools that can create incredible beauty with perfect precision and delicacy. Start taking good care of your hands and fingers, keeping them hygienic and moving daily.

Once you know how to warm your fingers, put your nimble hands to good use alongside the Simply Guitar app. It’s the difference between learning to play guitar today and putting it off until who-knows-when.

FAQs.

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Are you new to the world of guitars? Learn how to tune your guitar using a guitar tuner.

A guitar tuner is an essential tool for beginners. It helps keep your instrument sounding how it should. There are tons of tuners on the market. 

The truth is, they all work well. It’s just a matter of finding one that you’re comfortable using and that suits your needs and budget. 

This blog details everything you need to know about tuners, from the different types, their pros and cons, and how to use them.

What’s a guitar tuner?

A guitar tuner is a device that helps you tune your instrument to the ideal pitch. In other words, they interpret the frequency of a vibrating string.

Frequency refers to the number of times something happens in a given period. A tuner measures the frequency in hertz (Hz). Hertz is the unit of measurement which refers to the frequency of sound in a second. 

A guitar tuner picks up the sound of a string via a sensor, cable, or microphone, measures the frequency of the vibration, and compares it to the nearest relative note. The device tells you whether you need to tighten or loosen the tension.

Different types of guitar tuners.

Modern guitar tuners come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. You buy a tuner with various designs, including handheld tuners, clip-on tuners, and pedal tuners. You can even download a guitar tuner app. 

Of course, having the right tools makes tuning much easier. However, it may complicate things if you don’t know how to tune your instrument. Learn how by reading our blog, How to Tune a Guitar!

Tuning your guitar.

Before tuning your instrument, there are a few things to keep in mind. There are many tone formats for tuning your guitar. However, as a beginner, you want to set your device to standard tuning. 

Generally, a tuner is preset to standard tone (E-A-D-B-G-E). So if you want to change it to an alternative setting like dropped, open, or modal, you have to adjust it. 

What does it mean when your guitar is out of tune?

The strings on your guitar are out of tune when they’re too sharp or too flat (tight or loose). This makes the music you play sound funky (not in a good way) and messes with your overall sound, making your vibration feel ‘off.’

How to use a guitar tuner app.

Modern citizens rely heavily on their phones, and it’s no wonder. With it, you can access virtually any bit of information within seconds, send messages through multiple platforms with ease, and download use tools in the form of apps. 

You can download a tuner from Apple’s App store or Google’s Play store. There are tons of tuners that work well. A good one to start with is Simply Tune. It works well and is free!

Tuner apps pick up sound waves via a microphone. Most of them offer a built-in guide on how to tune your guitar. Although, that may not be the case for all of them.

Here’s a step-by-step process on how to use a tuner app:

1. Download the app of your choice.
2. Adjust the tone settings if you need (most tuners automatically tune to ‘standard’ tuning).
3. Open the tuning page of your app.
4. Play a string and see what the app indicates. 
5. If your string is out of tune, loosen or tighten it until it is in tune.
6. Repeat this process with all of the strings.

How to use a pedal guitar tuner.

Pedal guitar tuners tune your guitar through electrical signals, identifying them as pitch. They have an input for you to plug your guitar into and an output jack so you can plug your tuner into your amp or another pedal. 

Often pedal guitar tuners are ideal for performers. The issue with other tuners that rely on sound is that they also pick up background noise, making tuning your instrument difficult or impossible.

Pedal tuners are the most reliable as they have direct, unhindered access to your guitar’s tone. 

To use your pedal tuner:

1. Plug your guitar into the device.
2. Plug your device into your amp or another pedal.
3. Turn on your pedal tuner.
4. Play a string. The pedal tuner uses green and red lights to help you tune your guitar. 
5. Tighten or loosen the string until the light is green.
6. Repeat the process with every string.

How to use a handheld guitar tuner.

Handheld guitar tuners (depending on your device) offer users two methods for tuning. You can tune your guitar using the device’s microphone or plug your guitar (assuming it’s electric) into it.

Handheld tuners are easy to transport, making them the ideal tuning device for any guitarist. 

To use your handheld tuner:

1. Plug your guitar into your tuner (if you want to tune using electrical signals).
2. Turn your tuner on.
3. Adjust the settings.
4. Play the string you want to tune and observe what the tuner indicates.
5. Tighten or loosen the strings.
6. Repeat the process for all the strings.

How to use a clip-on guitar tuner.

Another option is a clip-on guitar tuner. These pocket-sized tuners clip-on to your guitar. The devices are small, easy to store, and typically cost under $20. Most clip-on are chromatic tuners, meaning you can tune your instrument to any note in the chromatic scale. 

They work similarly to a tuning app–it picks up sound via a microphone. However, the microphone in a clip-on tuner is specifically designed to tune your instrument. This allows you to tune your guitar with more precision. 

To use a clip-on tuner, start by:

1. Clipping the tuner on the headstock of your guitar (place it on the tip, so it doesn’t hinder your ability to use the tuning machines).
2. Turn on your tuner.
3. Pluck a string. The tuner’s screen will indicate whether the string is too flat or sharp.
4. Tighten or loosen the string until it’s in tune.
5. Repeat the process with each string.

What guitar tuner is better for beginners?

No type of tuner’s better for beginners than the next. For every kind of tuner, higher and lower-quality devices are available. More sophisticated tuners are more expensive. 

When choosing a tuner as a beginner, there is no wrong answer. It ultimately comes down to which type suits your needs. For instance, if you’re playing an acoustic guitar, a pedal tuner doesn’t make sense–you want a tuner that has a microphone. 

Consider how much you’re willing to spend, which tuner works best with your instrument type, and the environment you play in the most. 

Tuning out

A guitar tuner helps you get your instrument sounding right quickly and accurately. As a beginner, tuning your instrument by ear may not be possible, and playing guitar that’s out of tune is hardly ideal. Therefore, a tuner is essential.

At Simply, we design and create various tools to help you learn practice, tune, and ultimately excel at playing your instrument. Simply Guitar is an app that teaches you everything you need to know about owning and playing the guitar. Take your guitar playing to the next level today!

FAQs.

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Who are the greatest female guitarists of all time? Who is the best guitar player of them all? Find out the answer in this article.

Female guitarists make up a significant portion of the guitar field. When Fender studied over 20,000 U.S. guitarists, they found that at least half of the new guitarists were female. 

If you are a guitarist searching for some female role models to teach you their ways, there is certainly plenty of talent to go around. Women have been rocking it in the guitar field since the creation of the guitar. 

Whether you enjoy playing blues, jazz, rock n’ roll, or gospel, there is a female powerhouse that has already blazed the trail for you on the guitar. 

Take a look at these famous female guitarists. Then follow in their footsteps and show your skills to a waiting world.

Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell is a musical legend whose talent and hit songs inspired other musical icons. Well-known musical artists such Bob Dylan, Prince, Taylor Swift, and Alanis Morissette point to Mitchell as a source of inspiration. Although she made it big in the music scene, Mitchell’s was a Cinderella story. 

Joni Mitchell was born Roberta Joan Anderson in a small town in Canada. She suffered from Polio as a child and found a love for performing and singing while recovering. She taught herself how to play the guitar and had a small following as a teenager. In adulthood, she was alone in an attic apartment with no money.

In 1965, Joni married and became Joni Mitchell. The marriage lasted only two years, but her new last name would carry her through her 40+ year career as a guitarist. In 1968, Mitchell’s debut album, Song to a Seagull, began to attract attention, launching her into the music industry.

As a guitarist, Mitchell is well known for her rich and mellow songs. Her trick to get this sound on the guitar is opening tunings and tuned-down guitar. Her childhood bout with polio left her with a weak left hand. Open guitar tunings allowed her to form chords on the frets and learn to play the guitar. In her career, Joni used over 57 different open tunings in her guitar compositions. 

Joni’s life has had its ups and downs. However, she leaned into music as a source of comfort and self-expression. In doing so, she became an unforgettable guitarist.

Mother Maybelle Carter

Born in 1909 in Southwest Virginia, Mother Maybelle Carter was a guitar master and significantly impacted the county-western music genre. She taught herself to play the guitar by ear at the young age of thirteen. Once she learned the basics, she began blazing her unique trail. 

Many innovative guitar techniques such as the church lick, thumb brush, and Carter Family picking trace back to her. She could make one guitar sound like many when she played back-up for the Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters’ band. 

Mother Maybelle’s fingerpicking techniques and overall skill on the guitar turned a background instrument into a lead. She also inspired many other musicians in the music industry. Chet Atkins, Doc Watson, and Johnny Cash were just a few of Mother Maybelle’s famous admirers. Mother Maybelle was among the first women inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Today we recognize Mother Maybelle Carter as a trailblazer in the Country Western music scene. We also know her as the mother of June Carter Cash and the mother-in-law of Johnny Cash. She earns her place as one of the best female guitarists.

Kaki King

Kaki King is an alternative-indie artist and the first female guitarist to get a slot on Rolling Stone’s list of “guitar gods.” At a young age, she had an ear for music and became a prodigy on the guitar at four. After a few years of playing, she set aside the guitar for the drums. However, her first passion never really died. It just lay dormant. 

While attending New York University, Kaki picked the guitar back up and has never been able to put it back down. She admits, “The guitar has been my adversary, as well as my best friend. It’s shaped my life entirely, and I owe it everything I have.” 

Kaki has a unique approach to guitar playing and is not afraid to mix it up in her music. She interweaves classical guitar, progressive jazz, flamenco, and pop styles to create her signature sound. Her album, The Neck is a Bridge to the Body, is an original multimedia performance with the guitar as center stage.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe

In 1915, Sister Rosetta Tharpe was born to a religious and musically-gifted family on a cotton farm. When she was only four years old, Tharpe already knew her way around the guitar. By six, this budding prodigy was a traveling performer in an evangelical music group. 

Rosetta Tharpe took her unique playing style, vocals, and gospel music to nightclubs, churches, and concert halls. As a performer, she revamped the “norms” and created a sound uniquely her own. Through her skilled fingers, gospel music met up with blues, jazz, and an electric guitar.

Although her dress was often unassuming, her guitar skills and personality were larger than life. She is known as the “Godmother of Rock ‘n Roll” and “the Original Soul Sister.” Some famous admirers of her talent include Elvis Presley, Keith Richards, and Miranda Lambert.

In 2007, Tharpe was posthumously granted a well-earned spot in the Blues Hall of Fame. Years after her death, Sister Rosetta Tharpe still inspires many other artists to show off their talent to the world. 

Jennifer Batten

If Michael Jackson was the King of Pop, Jennifer Batten would be the high priestess of shred. You can see playbacks of this musical powerhouse rocking out next to Michael Jackson and showing off her skills on the electric guitar. With so few female lead guitarists on the stage, Jennifer Batten was sure to stand out. Also, her big, blonde hair, wild costumes, and amazing solo riffs on the electric guitar certainly kept the audience’s attention.

Through the 80s and 90s, Batten grew her career next to Michael Jackson. She later collaborated with the British guitarist Jeff Beck. In an interview with Guitar Girl Mag, she admits that working with other creative artists, such as Beck and Jackson, encouraged her creative style. 

When she decided to perform as a solo act, Batten wanted to bring a new element into her performances. She kept the electric guitar and decided to go fully instrumental without vocals. To create a sensory-rich environment, Batten includes visual media in her solo act. 

In her guitar teaching program and steampunk art, Jennifer Batten keeps creativity alive on and off the stage. 

Nita Strauss

Born in the 1980s, Nita Strauss lost no time making a name for herself in the guitar world. She is a modern-day giant in the guitar niche and even got the top spot in Guitar World’s 10 Female Guitar Players You Should Know list. 

Also, she is certainly motivated when it comes to career goals. Her mad skills on the guitar first got attention when Strauss was part of The Iron Maidens band. From there, Strauss continued to build her resume playing with big names such as Femme Fatale, Consume the Fire,

Critical-Hit, and LA KISS. 

In 2014, another female guitarist, Orianthi, passed off the torch to Strauss when she resigned from Alice Cooper’s band. Strauss took over and continued to play for Alice Cooper until 2022, when she left to begin work with Demi Lovato. 

The guitar company Ibanez also recognized Strauss’s special talent when they chose her as their first female signature artist. 

With a successful career already behind her and more goals ahead, Nita Strauss has made a mark on guitarist history. Some even consider her the best female guitarist in the world today.

Nancy Wilson

Nancy Wilson is a gifted guitarist paving the way for women guitarists in rock and roll. She started playing the guitar when she was ten and became a guitar virtuoso. In the 1970s, Nancy joined the male-led rock band Heart. She played lead guitar, sang, and wrote songs next to her sister Ann, Steve Fossen, and the brothers, Roger and Mike Fisher. Heart started to get attention when they released the hit song Dreamboat Annie in 1976. 

After Heart’s founders left the band in the 1980s, Nancy and Ann became the band’s leaders. The sisters continued to write new albums and added new members. Together they created many platinum albums, selling over 35 million records total.

Wilson mixes techniques from hard rock, flamenco, and classical guitar to achieve her iconic sound. Her band went on to make it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the guitar brand, Gibson, named Nancy one of the greatest female guitarists of all time. She and her sister Ann also received a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

Lita Ford

The ‘80s punk rocker, Lita Ford, is known as the “Queen of Metal.” She has also been called the “Goddess of Shredding.” Ford carved out a spot as lead guitarist in the band, The Runaways, next to Joan Jett’s powerful vocals. She quickly became essential to the band’s iconic sound. Her edgy riffs, metal hooks, and talented guitar solos reveal Ford’s show-stopping talent. When the band split up in 1979, Ford became a successful solo act, firmly establishing her place in the Rock and Roll genre.

Guitar Player Magazine granted Lita Ford a Certified Legend Award for being the first female shredder in the history of Rock and Roll.

Recently, Lita Ford launched a guitar line called Lita Ford Guitars. Other aspiring guitarists can pick up a guitar in her name and follow in the footsteps of a legend. 

Bonnie Raitt 

Bonnie Rait is arguably one of the most influential guitarists of all time. She received the Rolling Stones’ approval twice by making it to their “100 Greatest Singers of All Time” list and the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.” But the accolades and applause don’t stop there. 

Raitt grew up in a Quaker family in California. Her father, John Raitt, was a Broadway musical star, and it seems that Bonnie followed in his footsteps with musical talent. She dropped out of college to follow her music dreams. She toured with blues and folk performers and played guitar alongside names such as Sippie Wallace, Jackson Browne, and Little Feat. 

As she moved into more of a pop sound in the 1970s, her career picked up speed. Her slide guitar skills and first hit recording, Runaway, earned Raitt a place in the spotlight. In 1990, she received not one but three Grammy awards.

Although Raitt’s roots are in blues music, she pulls in techniques across rock, folk, and country. When you combine her guitar skills with her voice and lyrics, this ten-time Grammy winner becomes a legend. 

Get inspired. Be an inspiration.

Although the guitar world has historically been a male-dominated enterprise, times are changing. Women guitarists are on the rise and are ready to take center stage. These famous women guitarists use innovative techniques on the guitar and play across all genres. 

Speaking of innovation—the Simply Guitar app can help bring your guitar skills closer to these great guitar-wielding women.

Allow these famous women to inspire you as you learn to play the guitar. Once you start shredding tunes on the guitar, you, too, can be an inspiration to other music beginners.

Check out these famous Female Pianists to meet more famous females in the music world. 

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Do you know who the most famous guitarists of all time are? 

Countless guitarists have graced the stage over the ages, each knowing how to move crowds, injecting them with life and passion. Some performed well, others did great, but some distinguished themselves from everyone else. 

Who were these guitar legends?

This article introduces ten of the greatest guitarists who’ve ever lived.

Jimi Hendrix

1942 – 1970

Born in Seattle, Washington, Jimi Hendrix is a legendary musician and one of the most influential guitarists. He’s a pioneer in feedback and distortion in rock music and is known for his innovative and experimental playing style. 

Hendrix was also a master of the blues, fusing elements of blues and rock to create his own unique sound. He died tragically at 27, but his legacy continues to live on through his music.

Eddie Van Halen

1955 – 2020

Eddie Van Halen was a rock guitarist, songwriter, and producer–responsible for some of rock’s most iconic songs and albums. He’s famous for his innovative and ground-breaking guitar playing style, influencing the sound of hard rock and heavy metal in the 1970s and 1980s. 

Van Halen passed away in 2020, but his legacy as one of rock’s greatest ever musicians will live on forever.

Many musicians have a passion for songwriting and have been doing so early in their careers. If you’re a guitarist looking to write your own music, take a look at our blog So You Want to Be a Songwriter.

Slash

1965 – present

Slash is a world-renowned guitarist and songwriter. He’s best known as the lead guitarist of the American rock band Guns N’ Roses, achieving worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. 

Slash’s guitar playing is on a whole other level. Like many of the guitarists on this list, he’s considered one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time. 

Don’t take our word for it. Take a look at this Youtube video of Slash entertaining thousands of people.

He’s received numerous awards and accolades, including being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Pat Metheny

1954 – present

Pat Metheny is an American jazz guitarist who was born in Kansas City. He started playing the guitar when he was just 12 years old. 

Metheny was one of his generation’s most innovative and successful jazz guitarists. He released his first album in 1974, and over the next four decades, he recorded more than 40 albums as a leader and sideman. 

Metheny won 20 Grammy Awards, and in 2015, he was inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame.

Steve Vai

1960 – present

Steve Vai is an American guitarist, songwriter, and producer. Vai’s work with legendary guitarist Frank Zappa and his solo work in the 1980s and ’90s established him as one of his generation’s most technically proficient and innovative guitarists. 

His signature style combines elements of rock, metal, blues, classical, and jazz, and he is known for his use of harmonics, tapping, and sweep-picking. 

Vai has released 15 solo albums and has collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Ozzy Osbourne, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake, and Alcatrazz. He is a three-time Grammy Award winner and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. 

Carlos Santana

1947 – present

Carlos Santana is a Mexican-American rock guitarist. He first became famous in the late 1960s and early 1970s with his band, Santana, which pioneered a fusion of rock and Latin American music. 

Santana’s music is characterized by its catchy melodies and Latin-influenced rhythms. Some of his hits include “Black Magic Woman,” “Oye Como Va,” and “Smooth.” 

He’s won 10 Grammy Awards and 3 Latin Grammy Awards. In 2000, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Tommy Emmanuel

1955 – present

Tommy Emmanuel is an Australian guitarist and singer-songwriter. He’s been voted “Best Acoustic Guitarist” by Guitar Player magazine five times and awarded the Order of Australia.

His live performances are renowned for their technical mastery and showmanship. Emmanuel’s style of guitar playing is often described as “fingerstyle” or “cheater guitar,” as he uses various techniques that allow him to play melody, harmony, and rhythm simultaneously. He is also known for using percussive techniques on the guitar, which create a drum-like sound.

Emmanuel has been awarded multiple Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Guitar Player magazine Hall of Fame and the Australian Music Hall of Fame.

Derek Trucks

1979 – present

Playing since the age of nine, Derek Trucks is a slide guitar virtuoso and Grammy Award-winning musician. 

He is best known for his work as a member of the Allman Brothers Band, with whom he played from 1999 to 2014. He won a Grammy Award with the band in 2012 for their live album, Live at the Beacon Theatre. In 2010, he formed the Derek Trucks Band, releasing seven studio albums. The band’s most recent album, Already Free, won a Grammy the same year it was released for Best Contemporary Blues Album.

Trucks is considered one of the greatest slide guitarists of all time and have been ranked as one of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time by Rolling. 

Stevie Ray Vaughan

1954 – 1990

Stevie Ray Vaughan was an American blues rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Vaughan was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He began playing guitar at seven and was influenced by blues artists such as Muddy Waters and Albert King. 

Vaughan formed the band Double Trouble in the early 1980s and released his debut album, Texas Flood, in 1983. The album was a commercial and critical success, and Vaughan became a mainstream celebrity. 

Stevie released four more studio albums before his death in 1990–a helicopter crash that took his life. Vaughan was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.

Guthrie Govan

1971 – present

Guthrie Govan is a world-renowned guitar virtuoso and one of the most influential guitarists of our generation. 

He’s known for his incredible technical ability, unique and instantly recognizable style, and ability to make complex guitar playing look effortless. 

Guthrie has inspired a new generation of guitarists with his skills, shaping the sound of modern guitar music. He is a pioneer and a true master of the instrument. His crisp playing earns regard by many to be the greatest guitarist ever to live.

Join the best guitarists.

The guitar is incredibly dynamic, and in the right hands, it can produce beautiful and inspiring sounds. Many of these legends helped shape the music genre they played in or demonstrated mastery of the instrument on a whole other level. 

Each of these legends shared an understanding of how to play with their guitars. The good news is you don’t have to be a legend to join them. Simply Guitar is an app that helps you make consistent steps toward guitar greatness.

FAQs.

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