August 21, 2026
Dave Rubin: A Blues Guitar Expert Looks Back
After crafting more than 150 instructional books, the esteemed player, educator and Hal Leonard author discusses his approach to teaching the heart and soul of American music.
Tag: Electric Guitar
August 6, 2025
Music & Arts Alum: Anthony Pirog
One of the finest guitarists of his generation reflects on his formative years as a student at Music & Arts. “That’s where my first real musical education began,” says Pirog, who plays with Fugazi’s rhythm section in the Messthetics.
April 16, 2025
Fender vs. Gibson: How Scale Length & String Gauge Affect Playability
Music & Arts’ resident guitar guru, Alan Day, shares a pro tip that will help beginning electric guitarists choose the perfect set of strings based on scale length.
February 13, 2025
Music & Artists: Jared James Nichols
The blues-rock guitar hero talks Epiphone Les Pauls, Blackstar amps, playing electric without a pick and the fine art of riff-writing.
January 16, 2025
Young Bob Dylan: Getting to Know the Complete Unknown
Elijah Wald, whose book Dylan Goes Electric! inspired the new biopic A Complete Unknown, talks about the musicianship of an American icon. Plus: Music & Arts Gear & Book Guide
July 29, 2024
Steve Bello: Rock Beginner Basics
The revered shredder and dedicated Music & Arts instructor shares his favorite tips and techniques for aspiring rockers.
July 14, 2023
Beginner Instruments: Brands and Models You Can Trust
As a musician, choosing the right beginner instrument is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable learning experience. To help you get started, we have compiled a list of top beginner-friendly musical instruments along with specific brands and models that are highly regarded in the industry. Whether you aspire to play the guitar, piano, violin, or […]
April 22, 2020
Helpful Information for Beginner Guitarists
Learning to play the guitar can be a fun and exciting adventure, but becoming comfortable with the instrument can be hard, especially those who are new to the world of music. Whether you’re a brand new guitar player or haven’t picked up the instrument in quite some time, there are a few important things to […]
April 17, 2020
Five Things You Didn’t Know About the Electric Guitar
Whether you love or hate the electric guitar, one thing is for sure: when Bob Dylan took the stage at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 and plugged in his electric guitar for the very first time, music took a turn towards electric. Decades after his legendary performance, the electric guitar remains one of the […]
April 1, 2020
How to Play Guitar Chords: Important Tips for Beginners
Learning how to play guitar chords begins with the basics, such as learning the names of each guitar string and how to read chord diagrams. Whether you’re taking guitar lessons or learning on your own, playing chords is an important first step. Learning how to play guitar chords will help you become a great guitar […]