Inside the Songwriting and Guitar Craft of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
Rawlings and Welch go deep about the writing and recording of their latest songs and the vintage guitar discoveries that helped shape them.
These articles originally appeared in the January-February 2024 issue of Acoustic Guitar magazine.
Jerron Paxton, Tray Wellington, and Yasmin Williams Reflect on Expanding the Boundaries of Black Country Music
Multi-instrumentalist and historian Dom Flemons hosts a roundtable discussion with three talented artists who represent different aspects of American roots music.
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Unlock New Sounds with a Partial Capo
Like a magic trick on your guitar, partial capos hold down some strings while leaving others untouched, changing the intervals between open strings.
Rising Classical Virtuoso Plínio Fernandes Explores the Music of His Native Brazil Through a Baroque Lens
Fernandes discusses his new album, his classical foundation, and the auspicious career opportunities now unfolding before him.
Learn an Elegant Cross-Picking Solo by the Great Tony Rice on “Banks of the Ohio”
Rice’s solo is an exceptional example of how chord shapes and cross-picking can flesh out a tasteful melody-based lead.
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Learn to Play “Tonight You Belong to Me” on Acoustic Guitar
This simple arrangement allows for easy, primarily open chording.
Tommy Emmanuel Shines with a Team of Top Acoustic Players on ‘Accomplice Two’
The Australian guitarist tells the story behind his latest self-produced album featuring David Grisman, Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, and others acoustic greats.
Sharpen Your Sight-Reading Skills by Playing Duets with Counterpoint and Triple-Stops
This second lesson in a three-part series on learning to sight-read on guitar adds some exercises that are a bit more complex.
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Review: The Boss AC-22LX Is a Compact Acoustic Amplifier with a Variety of Compelling Features
This portable combo amp offers an impressive array of features and a surprisingly big sound considering its small size.
How to Play the Indigo Girls’ Folk-Rock Anthem “Closer to Fine”
With tight harmonies, sturdy twin guitar strumming, thoughtful lyrics, and a bit of vocal countermelody, the song has all the hallmarks of the duo's style.
Blues Soloing Basics: Learn to Improvise on the 12-Bar Minor Pentatonic Scale
Understanding these few simple ideas will help make your blues playing more satisfying and musical.
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Review: The Yamaha FG9 R Boasts Boutique Specs and a Vibrant Tone
This limited-edition beauty feels like a bespoke guitar, and it truly shines whether flatpicked or fingerpicked.
Learn “In the Pines,” a Haunting Folk Song Recorded by Musicians from Lead Belly to Nirvana
The arrangement of this song, also known as "Where Did You Sleep Last Night," is inspired by Nirvana’s version.
How Great Literature—and Simplicity—Can Inspire Depth in Your Music
Poetry and literature can serve as a wellspring of inspiration for musicians and composers alike.
How Guitar Virtuoso Hiroya Tsukamoto Arrived at His Unique Acoustic Style
Each step of his musical journey has shaped his approach as a composer and performer.
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How to Clean a Guitar Fretboard the Proper—and Safe—Way
Cleaning and maintaining your fretboard can be fun and satisfying. Here are some expert tips on how to do the job the right way.
DADGAD, Dropped D, Open G, and More! A Beginner’s Guide to Alternate Tunings
It can be intimidating to change all the notes that you’ve worked so hard to learn, but the new sounds and new ideas you'll discover make it worth the effort.
The Year in Gear 2023: Guitars, Amps, Pedals, and Accessories for a Wide Variety of Styles and Budgets
In this annual year-in-gear retrospective, we take you on a tour of the exciting new acoustic guitars and accessories introduced in 2023.
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Great Acoustics: Reverend Gary Davis’ 1949 Gibson SJ-200 Finds a New Home
The story behind Davis’ SJ-200 is as murky as a Louisiana swamp.
ToneWoodAmp’s Helene Webman on Her Company’s Unique Gear and Mission
Webman tells the story behind one of the most intriguing pieces of guitar technology to emerge in the past decade.
Review: ‘Joni Mitchell Archives Vol. 3’ Takes a Deep Dive Into Her Creative Breakthroughs of the Early ’70s
New Rhino set spans a time when Mitchell made multiple musical breakthroughs—as a songwriter, guitarist, and bandleader.
