Hey Reader, This week we’re looking at “The Pass” by Rush. This is a moderate-level lesson, but don’t let that scare you off. A lot of the song sits in a comfortable place on the guitar, and once you get the feel of the changes, it starts to come together pretty naturally. What I like about this one is how much emotion is in the parts without needing anything overly flashy. It’s a good tune for working on clean chord movement, timing, and keeping the rhythm steady. Take it slow at first and...

Hey Reader, This week’s lesson is built around 5 classic riffs that are great for more than just learning the song. We’re looking at parts from “Dreamline,” “Life in the Fast Lane,” “Lights,” “Breakdown,” and “Closer to the Heart.” Each riff gives your hands something useful to work on. Alternate picking, string skipping, timing, and overall fretboard control all show up in a musical way. That’s what I like about practicing riffs like these. You’re not just running an exercise. You’re...

Hey Reader, This week’s lesson is a quick 5-minute routine for those times when your fingers feel stiff or sloppy right when you pick up the guitar. We’re working through a few simple exercises that help with strength, dexterity, and coordination. There’s a chromatic walk for finger independence, a spider walk to get both hands working together, and some trills and short speed bursts to build control. The big thing here is to start slow and keep the notes clean. Even a few minutes of focused...