Acoustic Guitar

Whether you’re a freelancing sideperson, a member of a touring band, or a bandleader, the basic responsibilities are the same. Here are some waysto make that next gig a success.

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This lesson will show you how drawing a line between two chord tones can create melodic embellishments and add a touch of sophisticated tension to your playing.

Sponsored by Taylor Guitars: Our third Super Auditorium Showdown features award-winning singer-songwriter Joshua Taylor putting two voices of the Gold Label Collection to the test: the Gold Label K14e with Hawaiian koa back and sides and the Gold Label 514e with mahogany back and sides. Both guitars share a torrefied Sitka spruce top, which adds a […]

“Honolulu March,” recorded by guitarists Pale K. Lua and David K. Kaili around 1914–15, reflects the early steel-guitar style that captivated mainland audiences during the first Hawaiian-music craze. Lua was one of the early lap-steel players to record commercially and tour the mainland with Hawaiian troupes at a time when the instrument’s sliding, vocal-like sound was still new to […]

While improv and exploration are key to the duo’s performance, restraint and simplicity have equal weight.

From the Spring 2026 Issue of Acoustic Guitar magazine With this issue, Acoustic Guitar settles into its new quarterly rhythm. At a time when publishing—and so much else—feels unsettled, the change has prompted us to look closely at what belongs in each issue and how deeply we want to explore it. A quarterly pace also feels closer […]

Developing a healthy and positive mindset will go a long way toward helping your musical success.

A student of Reverend Gary Davis, Book Binder spent decades sharing the blues with audiences everywhere from concert halls to small clubs.

Hammond spent more than half a century carrying forward the country-blues tradition in his commanding solo performances.

Hull’s rich tone and attention to detail in the chord voicings and picking patterns are evident throughout this heartfelt and beautifully crafted song.

On his first album in seven years, the folk fixture delivers a set of spare, thoughtful songs grounded in voice and guitar.

Whether you fingerpick or flatpick, dropped-D tuning adds depth and texture, and can anchor a melody with a strong, pulsing bass.

Sponsored by Taylor Guitars: The Grand Auditorium has long been celebrated for its balance, comfort, and musical versatility — a guitar equally at home on the couch, in the studio, or under stage lights. Now, that trusted platform has been thoughtfully reimagined from the inside out. The Next Generation Grand Auditorium introduces a trio of purposeful […]

Playing the supportive role as a musician calls for heightened awareness, deep listening, patience, and an open mind.

Music drawn from theater, film, and folklore becomes a vehicle for close ensemble playing and thoughtful arrangement.

This transcription of the Carole King classic comes from the original studio recording—played in G but sounding in A, thanks to a capo at the second fret.

Walking through NAMM for hours, what stood out just as much as the guitars themselves were the players, many of them young and clearly invested in the instrument.

The Canadian-born folksinger’s nimble guitar work and captivating vocals are on full display in this stripped-down session.

Mastering a short classical arrangement can be a refreshing break from the routine—and a good way to build some new skills.