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Acoustic Guitar

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lessons, music to play, and how-tos for all guitarists
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Sus Chords, Arpeggio Embellishments, Minor 7 Barres, Humidity, Non-Diatonic Chords | Teaching Artist July Recap

Sun, 08/03/2025 - 06:00
 Isa Burke, Mamie Minch, Thu Tran, Lisa Liu, Sean McGowan (l-r)
Here’s a recap of all the new Acoustic Guitar Teaching Artist lessons from July. And there is a lot more to look forward to: interactive hangouts, virtual open mics, and more!

New From Acoustic Guitar— ‘The Steve James Songbook’

Fri, 08/01/2025 - 06:00
New From Acoustic Guitar— ‘The Steve James Songbook’
This songbook includes full guitar parts in standard notation and tablature, with lyrics, plus the stories behind 20 of Steve’s original songs.

Americana Champion Margo Price Takes Flight with Her New Signature Gibson J-45

Wed, 07/30/2025 - 06:00
Margo Price on porch swing with signature model Gibson J-45 acoustic guitar, Courtesy of Gibson Brands, Inc.
The Nashville singer-songwriter talks about her bond with her instruments, her songwriting philosophy, and more.

Letter from the Editor: Acoustic Guitar Issue 354

Fri, 07/25/2025 - 06:00
 Acoustic Guitar Issue 354
If there’s a thread running through this issue, it’s not reinvention for its own sake, but the idea that familiar forms still hold new meaning.

Great Acoustics: Barney Kessel’s Well-Worn 1931 Gibson L-5 Helped Score Hits by Ella Fitzgerald, Elvis, and Others 

Wed, 07/23/2025 - 06:00
Barney Kessel's Gibson L-5
In July 1948, Kessel purchased this early Gibson L-5 from Smith and went on to use it for two decades of studio sessions.

Review: I’m With Her’s Acoustic Palette and Chamber-Folk Instincts Shine on ‘Wild and Clear and Blue’

Sun, 07/20/2025 - 06:00
 Alysse Gafkjen
The arrangements are rustic but current; the harmonies, tight but never smug, infuse the record with a sense of quiet inventiveness.

Flatpicking Fire: Trey Hensley Smokes His Taylor Gold Label 517e

Sat, 07/19/2025 - 23:45
 Trey Hensley Smokes His Taylor Gold Label 517e
Sponsored by Taylor Guitars: Once dubbed “Nashville’s hottest young player” by Acoustic Guitar magazine, Trey Hensley brings his signature blend of Appalachian grit and bluesy finesse to Taylor’s new Gold Label 517e. In this video, captured at Soundcheck Nashville, Hensley weighs in on the new round-shoulder dreadnought and demonstrates its earthy depth and warm, old-school tone.   […]

5 Minute Lesson: Julian Lage Teaches How to Add Dimension to Your Playing

Wed, 07/16/2025 - 06:00
Julian Lage seated with guitar. Photo by Alysse Gafkjen
Julian Lage shows how to turn a single melodic line into a layered, expressive statement—with just one subtle move.

Christian Lee Hutson Is Writing Songs Like a Bird on Rollercoaster 

Wed, 07/09/2025 - 06:00
Christian Lee Hutson Is Writing Songs Like a Bird on Rollercoaster 
The singer-songwriter talks about melody, his “magical” Martin guitar, and the stripped-down tracks on his latest release, ‘Paradise Pop. 10 (Deluxe)’

Learn a Contemporary Fingerstyle Arrangement of “Cielito Lindo,” a Mexican Cultural Treasure

Tue, 07/08/2025 - 06:00
 Joey Lusterman
Janet Noguera reimagines the iconic Mexican tune “Cielito Lindo” with modern textures, lush harmonics, and unexpected chord movement.

Contrast, Comping, Fretting, Ear Training, and Neck Issues | Teaching Artist June Recap

Sun, 07/06/2025 - 06:00
Contrast, Comping, Fretting, Ear Training, and Neck Issues |  Teaching Artist June Recap
The five Acoustic Guitar Teaching Artists are creating lessons for guitarists just like you, with a new lesson every week. Here's a recap of all the TA activity from June.

Learn to Play Dave Van Ronk’s Freewheeling Take on “The Entertainer” | AG Patreon Song of the Month

Fri, 07/04/2025 - 06:00
Learn to Play Dave Van Ronk’s Freewheeling Take on “The Entertainer” | AG Patreon Song of the Month
Much like Van Ronk himself wasn’t concerned with strict adherence to societal norms, the version doesn’t follow the original chords exactly.

Explore the Art of Flatpicking Through Two Standout Billy Strings Solos

Wed, 07/02/2025 - 06:00
 Jesse Faatz
These solos from two classic American tunes, “Brown’s Ferry Blues” and “Reuben’s Train,” highlight the flatpicker’s deeply rooted and highly adventurous style.

Seven-String Classical Virtuoso Douglas Lora Explores His South American Roots

Sun, 06/29/2025 - 06:00
 Filipe Rafaeli
The newest member of the LAGQ reflects on his deep connection to classical and Brazilian music, his career as a seven-string guitarist, and his new role in the iconic quartet.

Learn a Slack-Key-Tinged Fingerstyle Arrangement of “Lady Athenry,” a Traditional Irish Jig

Fri, 06/27/2025 - 06:00
Learn a Slack-Key-Tinged Fingerstyle Arrangement of “Lady Athenry,” a Traditional Irish Jig
Although this is a dyed-in-the-wool old Irish melody, you’ll notice a bit of a slack-key influence; at times the arrangement sounds more Hawaiian than Celtic.

The Pursuit of Playability: Taylor’s Action Control Neck™ Explained

Thu, 06/26/2025 - 23:45
 Taylor’s Action Control Neck™ Explained
Sponsored by Taylor Guitars: Since its earliest days, Taylor Guitars has been committed to crafting instruments that are easy to play. That pursuit of playability has driven a series of transformative neck design innovations. Bob Taylor’s slim-profile, bolt-on necks, set a new benchmark for playability in the 1970s. His groundbreaking NT neck, introduced in 1999, ensured […]

Review: Martin’s New D-28 and D-X2E Billy Strings Signature Models

Wed, 06/25/2025 - 06:00
Martin-D-28-and-D-X2E-BILLY-STRINGS
Inspired by two of Strings’ longtime musical companions, the stage-worthy D-28 and the road-ready D-X2E reflect the flatpicker's fast rise and deep roots.

How To Build Your Own Fingerstyle Arrangements

Sun, 06/22/2025 - 05:01
How To Build Your Own Fingerstyle Arrangements
In this lesson, we’ll look at how to build an arrangement of a melody from the ground up by working on the traditional tune “Greensleeves.”

Join Sean McGowan, Alex de Grassi, and Grant Gordy for an Introduction to ‘The Holistic Guitarist’

Fri, 06/20/2025 - 06:00
Join Sean McGowan, Alex de Grassi, and Grant Gordy for an Introduction to ‘The Holistic Guitarist’
On July 17, Acoustic Guitar is hosting a live virtual event to celebrate the release of ‘The Holistic Guitarist: A Complete Guide to Musical Well-Being’ by Sean McGowan.

A Dylan Role for His Guitars Is Just the Latest Chapter in Lark Street Music Owner Buzzy Levine’s Vintage Saga

Wed, 06/18/2025 - 06:00
 Mac Randall
Loaning instruments to be used in Hollywood films is only a small part of the Teaneck music store proprietor's business, but it makes for some good stories, as the following interview shows.

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