Guitar Magazine

Who were the best jazz bassists? On this page we take a look at the lives and work of some of the greatest bassists in jazz history…

Read moreThe Best Jazz Bassists: Who Are The Greatest Jazz Bassists Of All Time?

Contemporary jazz guitarists include Kurt Rosenwinkel, Gilad Hekselman, Julian Lage, Tom Misch, Mike Moreno and Lionel Loueke. These young jazz guitarists represent a new generation of musicians carrying on the jazz guitar tradition.

If you’ve listened to your favorite jazz guitar albums so many times that you can sing each solo note-perfect in your head and hear the first notes of the next song before it’s even started, then check out this guide to the new generation of jazz guitarists and their work…

Read moreContemporary Jazz Guitarists: A List Of Exciting Young Jazz Guitarists

How To Get A Jazz Guitar Sound

Getting a good jazz guitar sound requires a combination of gear, playing technique and acquired knowledge. Jazz guitarists typically use archtop guitars, strung with heavy gauge, flatwound strings. They play using small, thick picks and rarely use anything other than the neck pickup, often with the tone turned down. The sound is amplified with powerful solid state amps, or valve amps with a clear, unnuanced sound. The use of effects is kept to a minimum, but reverb may be used in varying degrees.

While the above may describe how to get a traditional jazz guitar tone, there are many variations on this theme. On this page we take a look at the gear and techniques used by jazz guitarists, and how jazz guitar tone has evolved since the early days of jazz guitar…

Read moreHow To Get A Jazz Guitar Sound: The Guitar, Strings, Pick and Amplifier You Need For A Jazz Tone

The warm, shimmering sound produced by a chorus effect is one of the most recognizable electric guitar sounds in modern music.

Whether it’s provided by an old-school effects pedal or its modern, software equivalent, this classic effect includes a number of ‘standard’ controls such as depth and rate that can be altered according to the player’s requirements.

On this page we’ll explain just what the chorus effect does; take a look at the standard chorus pedal controls; and find out how you can use chorus in your own playing.

Most guitarists use an effect pedal, or ‘stompbox’ to get their chorus sound, and further down the page we’ll take a look at some classic guitar chorus pedals.

Read moreWhat is a Chorus Pedal, What Does A Chorus Pedal Do, And How / When to Use Chorus in Your Playing

What Is A Compressor Pedal?

A guitar compressor pedal smooths out the audio levels of your playing by suppressing the loud parts and boosting the quiet parts. This results in a flatter, more even tone. Potential benefits of compression are: increased sustain; a louder overall tone; and a sound that potentially sits better in a mix. Over-use of compression can result in a lifeless, un-musical tone that lacks nuance and can be tiring for the listener.

Read moreWhat is a Compressor Pedal, What Does A Compressor Pedal Do, And How / When to Use Compression in Your Playing

On this page we answer the question ‘What is a Spanish guitar?’ by looking at the instrument itself, the way in which it is played and the music written for the instrument. We also explain the difference between a Spanish guitar and an acoustic guitar…

Read moreWhat Is A Spanish Guitar? The Difference Between Spanish & Acoustic Guitars

What are the best guitar lessons on YouTube? With many thousands of guitar lessons available on the popular video sharing site, the space is looking a little over-saturated. We separate the wheat from the chaff in order to find you the channels you should be watching…

Read moreThe Best Guitar Lessons On YouTube: Discover New Channels & Improve Your Guitar Playing

On this page we’ll take a look at the best jazz guitars. First we’ll discuss the pros and cons of various types of jazz guitar. We’ll then take a look at some of the very best jazz guitars of past and present.

Read moreThe Best Jazz Guitars, Past & Present