Most musicians are grounded in traditional tertian harmony-the harmony system based on the intervalic relationship of thirds. For westerners, it is as common as the air we breathe, the very foundation we base our musical language upon. Used correctly, it allows for proper cadences, familiar melodic movement and, not to mention, it just sounds groovy.

Every guitarist should have a basic grasp of reggae especially if rhythm guitar is even of passing importance. And how could it not be?

The Essential Guitar Nutshell Jazz Chord Primer

Playing in the Styles of the Skatalites, Specials, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, No Doubt, and Sublime by Dale Turner

The forerunner of wild performers like Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, Guitar Slim is reknowned for his irrepressible flashy stage antics, primeval distortion and feedback, emotional guitar solos, impassioned vocals and a groundbreaking crossover repertory.

To arpeggiate is to play chords as successions of single notes. How, when and where this is done musically by innovative guitar soloists makes for a fascinating and revealing exposition—and is the topic de jour of this episode of Essential Guitar.

Randy Rhoads, Ed Van Halen and Yngwie Malmsteen. Each had a unique and innovative style and each virtually founded a school of modern rock guitar playing. And each utilized arpeggios in a novel and compelling way. Their influence affected practically every player to follow and arpeggios were part of that story.

Blues 101

Blues 101