I’ve spent a lot of time lately going back to blues playing - and not only lead stuff, but really working on new chord shapes I might have missed, or at least never learned the name of. Chords like 13’s and 9’s, and really pushing myself to understand the theory behind each chord, what substitutions work, and how my lead playing can improve my knowing all these important target notes (like the 3rd and 7th).

This week’s issue is filled with great lessons - we have everything from where to get started with hybrid picking, to a eye-opening tone tips video from Joe Bonamassa, and much more. I also have a few links to brand new music you can check out - new Liquid Tension Experiment, John Mayer, and announcements from other guitarists too. There’s also a little bit of gear news, with Norm at Norman’s Rare Guitars possibly finding one of the first ever Telecasters ever made. Let’s jump right in!