So you can play some of your favorite songs and even improvise a basic solo line over some chord progressions, but you are far from playing those screaming bends, insanely fast tremolo techniques, or tapping those impossible sounding notes. Well guess what? You may be a lot closer than you think!

It is one thing to play notes and chords in different rhythms and speeds but its the real rock techniques that spice up your music and breath life into your playing.

Throwing a bend or hammer-on here and a slide or a harmonic note there will turn a boring guitar line into a technical, colorful melody.

Unlike the piano or other instruments there are literally countless ways to alter the qualities of a note. Strings bend, fingers slide, tap, and mute. It is these things that make the guitar such a wonderful instrument.

My following lessons will improve your guitar playing by providing instructive guides to heaps of great techniques. You will finish each lesson with the skills and the know-how to go away and perfect your style. You can learn at your own pace and in whatever order you like.

Remember to take your time, I encourage you to get yourself a metronome to control your timing. Start every new technique slowly and gradually speed it up as you go.

Essential Rock Guitar Techniques

- Hammer-On

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Learn to play two ascending notes with one pluck of the string.

- Pull-Off

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Learn to play two descending notes with one pluck of the string.

- Slide

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Learn how to properly slide a note up or down the neck.

- Bend

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Learn how to bend a note.

- Dead Note

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Learn how to play a dead note and what its purpose is.

- Palm Mute

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Learn how to semi-mute the strings to create a cool sound often heard in rhythm guitar.

- Vibrato

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Learn to perform a vibrato correctly.

- Harmonics

Learn the magic of the harmonic note on guitar.

- Tremolo

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Learn how to tremolo pick properly and sound like a pro.

- Finger Tapping

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Learn the art of finger-tapping.