Guitar Sessions

Explore open-string chord shapes up the neck that give you alternate-tuning-like sounds with easy fingerings—while staying in standard tuning.

Play a funky dropped-D guitar arrangement of the classic traditional song, inspired by the Grateful Dead.

Learn an acoustic arrangement of the Cream classic, played in dropped-D tuning.

Learn how to play the original George Harrison guitar riff, and then how to adapt it for other keys and other songs.

Learn an acoustic arrangement of Don Henley’s classic song, with a guitar adaptation of the original synthesizer riff.

Try this exercise to improve your fretting finger dexterity and strength and practice alternate picking too.

Here’s a great exercise for warming up and playing melodies and lead too.

Learn a fingerstyle guitar arrangement of the Jimmy Cliff classic from The Harder They Come.

Learn the correct tuning and the intro riff for the Brandi Carlile’s Joni Mitchell–esque song.

Part two of a video lesson on playing sixths intervals on guitar, as used in classic riffs from songs by Cat Stevens, Van Morrison, Jim Croce, and more.

Explore sixths intervals on guitar, as used in classic riffs from songs by Van Morrison, John Fogerty, Cat Stevens, and more.

Learn four secrets of Jerry Garcia’s lead guitar style in this video lesson.

Learn to play a Joni Mitchell classic, inspired by her triumphant return to the stage at Newport Folk Festival 2022, in this video lesson.

Learn what slash chords are and how to use them to sweeten the sound of a chord progression or bass line.

Learn to play a Richard Thompson classic in this video lesson.

A video lesson on adapting cool chord progressions from other songs to spur your own song ideas.

Learn an arrangement of the CSNY classic in dropped-D tuning, as used by Graham Nash.

Learn how to play John Lennon’s classic song, including the original guitar intro.

Learn a DADGAD arrangement of the classic Christmas carol.

Learn the basics of open G tuning and an arrangement of the Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses,” as played by Keith Richards.

Learn the fingerpicking guitar part for John Prine’s classic “Hello in There.”

Learn “The Cave” as played by Marcus Mumford in open-D tuning.

Learn the classic guitar hook from “Passionate Kisses,” as heard on the Lucinda Williams original track as well as Mary Chapin Carpenter’s Grammy-winning cover.

Learn Jason Mraz's original guitar arrangement, his redo in an alternate tuning, and a standard tuning version that includes the intro riff.

Learn simple, powerful ways to add freshness and variety to chord progressions.

Learn how to play the Grateful Dead’s “If I Had the World to Give” arranged for acoustic guitar.

Learn how to play Brandi Carlile’s “The Eye,” watch a new cover video, and download a free mp3.

Discover the guitar secrets of Paul Simon’s classic story song “The Boxer,” and learn an arrangement that incorporates the original guitar intro, instrumental interlude, and more.

Learn how to use the partial capo to sound like a one-man bluegrass band. Play the John Lennon Songwriting Contest winner “Fly.”

Learn a set of essential jazz chord shapes and try them out in a classic tune.

Learn a set of great-sounding chord shapes in this popular alternate tuning, and try an arrangement of an original song.

Get started with this essential flatpicking technique—great for both accompaniment and soloing.

Learn a rocking arrangement in dropped-D tuning with an instrumental break.

Learn a complete arrangement of Shawn Colvin hit, complete with instrumental riffs based on the original recording.

Learn Tracy Chapman’s original, hypnotic accompaniment part—moving up the neck as in “Blackbird.”

A simple, powerful way to create more distinctive chord progressions.

Learn how to use chord shapes up the neck to play Jerry Garcia’s iconic solo in “Touch of Grey.”

A partial capo and alternate tuning unlock “Dear Prudence” in a way you’ve never heard on one guitar before.

Learn a two-guitar arrangement that simulates the hypnotic textures of the original recording.

Learn how to smooth out chord changes by using smart and efficient fingerings.

Re-create the George Harrison masterpiece using an alternate tuning and partial capo.

Learn how John Fogerty really plays "Fortunate Son" as well as "Bad Moon Rising," "Proud Mary," and other Creedence Clearwater Revival classics.

Learn a complete arrangement in dropped-D tuning that includes an instrumental break plus a feature of Prine's own rendition that almost no one—not even Bonnie Raitt—includes in their covers.

Learn a bluesy guitar arrangement of the Stevie Wonder classic in a cool dropped-C tuning.

Learn a complete acoustic arrangement of the Grateful Dead classic, with a chord melody intro and instrumental break.