Guitar Command

Alternate Picking Exercises For Guitar

Alternate picking is the main guitar picking technique. If you play with a pick you should get into the habit of alternate picking early on: a good picking technique will help you to play faster and more fluently.

In this lesson, we start by explaining what alternate picking is. We then provide several alternate picking exercises that you can use to develop your technique.

A special ‘bonus’ exercise is provided at the end of the lesson – it’s a challenging picking study that’s good for a bit of ‘guitar shop showing off’!

How To Hold A Guitar Pick & Basic Picking Technique

This article will show you how to hold a guitar pick and also explains basic picking technique.

Although there is no official ‘right way to hold a guitar pick’, we’ll show you a good basic technique that you can use, and if necessary adapt, to find a style that works for you.

Read on to find out more…

How To Hold A Pick

Guitar Command Complete Reference Book Coming Soon

The choice for this week’s Guitar Chord Of The Week was inspired by the Brazilian World Cup; our featured chord is a major 6/9 (Maj6/9) shape with an open, Latin sound.

Learn the chord, then play it in the Brazilian-style chord progression provided.

New Release – Drum Backing Tracks

Guitarists and bassists all over the world are using Guitar Command backing tracks to improve their playing.

Now drummers can join in the fun!

Pro Drum Backing Tracks Album Covers — Pro Drum Backing Tracks – Available from iTunes now.

Minor 9th Chord Low Voicing

This week’s Guitar Chord Of The Week is a minor 9th chord that is played on the bottom four strings. This low voicing can be very effective, especially when used with other ‘low’ chords. Hear for yourself by playing the example chord progression provided at the end of the article.

Minor 9th Guitar Chord Diagram — Minor 9th Guitar Chord

Five Great Guitar Albums

This isn’t a ‘best-of’ list, nor is it limited to a particular genre of music. This is simply a collection of great guitar albums that have become favorites in the Guitar Command office. It’s a mixed bag, which just goes to prove the versatility of the guitar: the same skills used to play alternative rock songs can be transferred to classical or jazz music. We hope that you enjoy the list: let us know what you think of the albums in the comments.

7sus4 Chord Of The Week

Need a quirky, interesting sound to inspire your songwriting? The 7sus4 can be used to add originality to an otherwise plain chord progression. Give it a try!

Guitar Command have recently released two bass guitar books. These are our first printed bass guitar books, and both are packed with information for all bass guitarists.

Dominant 13th Chord

A new series of Guitar Chord Of The Week begins with a dominant 13th chord shape. Learn it, play the example chord progression, then use it in your own songs!