Nicolas Adams
Professional Guitarist
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Co-authored Articles (38)
How to
Play Guitar
You can use a guitar to play anything from death metal to classical and everything in between. Learning to play guitar is more approachable than learning to play many other instruments, once you master a few basics. You,...
How to Find the Name of a Song without Knowing the Lyrics
The web’s most comprehensive list of legit sites and apps to answer the question, “What song is this?” Got a tune stuck in your head but can’t remember what it’s called or who made it? At a bar when a catchy so...
How to Play Seven Nation Army on Guitar & Bass
A step-by-step lesson for the hit White Stripes song "Seven Nation Army" is a popular rock song by the band The White Stripes. After being covered by pop artist Martin Collins, nearly everyone knows a version of "Seven N...
How to Find the BPM of a Song
Easy ways to estimate a song’s BPM by ear or using technology The beats per minute (BPM) of a song tells you how many beats play during 1 minute, indicating the song’s speed or tempo. If you’re training to be a DJ,...
How to
Adjust Action on a Bass
Adjusting the action on a bass (which is the height of the strings from the fret board) is an important part of the overall setup of the instrument. This must be done when the instrument is new. In addition, exposure to ...
How to
Finger All Chords on Guitar
If you want to learn how to play guitar, basic chords are a good place to start. There actually are thousands of playable guitar chords, so you're not necessarily going to learn how to play them all. However, you can get...
How to
Fix Guitar Tuning Pegs
Do your guitar strings frequently fall out of tune or make a rattling sound when you play? If they do, you might have an issue with your tuning pegs or tuners. Since tuning pegs control the tension of your strings, they ...
How to
Position Your Fingers on Guitar Strings
One of the most fundamental, yet still difficult, skill for beginning guitarists is figuring out how to position their fingers. Many beginners feel like their fingers hurt, or they struggle to get a solid, ringing note w...
How to
Use a Guitar Whammy Bar
A whammy bar (also called a tremolo arm) is a device attached to electric guitars that bends the strings. Classic guitarists like Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen used the whammy bar for their dramatic solos. The whammy...
How to
Strum a Guitar
Expert tips for strumming a guitar with or without a pick for beginnersWhile it’s important to learn the rudiments and scales when you’re learning to play the guitar, the fun part is when you can start strumming. Wit...
How to Hold a Guitar Properly for Beginners (Sitting & Standing)
Plus, how to support the neck with your fretting hand and hold a pickJust like you've got to walk before you run, you've got to learn to hold the guitar properly before you learn to rip through a Mixolydian tapping solo ...
How to
Teach Yourself to Play Bass Guitar
While an experienced instructor can help tremendously, it is possible to teach yourself to play bass guitar. Take some time to get used to the instrument, even if you already know how to play guitar. Have patience, and r...
How to
Play Slap Bass
Add a funk sound to your bassline with our technique breakdownIf you love the groovy bass lines in popular funk and rock songs, you might want to learn how to play slap bass. The technique for slap bass differs from that...
How to Adjust the Truss Rod on a Bass Guitar
Stabilize your strings with a few simple tools A truss rod is a steel bar that runs through the neck of a bass guitar and helps to stabilize it. Over time, the wooden neck of your bass will bend or straighten slightly be...
How to
Start Learning Guitar
Learning how to play the guitar can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. If you're just starting off, it's important that you practice specific techniques before trying to tackle an entire song. First, you'll need t...
How to
Palm Mute
Everything you need to know about the palm mute technique Palm muting is a commonly used guitar-playing technique in which you use the side of your strumming hand to mute the notes being played. The purpose is to cut ou...
How to
Make a Recording Studio
Have a musical itch? Do you want to set up your own home recording studio? With all the gear required, it can be tough to know where to start. While studio-making can be overwhelming, the basics are actually pretty strai...
An Expert-Approved Guide to Finger Picking
Master fingerpicking with our trusted adviceOnce you've had some practice strumming your guitar, either with your fingers or with a pick, you may be interested in learning fingerpicking, or fingerstyle. It can take some ...
How to
Clean a Guitar
Over time as you play your guitar, it's likely going to build up dirt, sweat, grime, and dust and will need a proper cleaning. Cleaning your guitar is a simple process, involving only a few things that you probably have ...
How to
Get Rid of Feedback From Your Amp
Nothing breaks the mood of live music more than the shrieking feedback that can come from an amp. Feedback is the effect that sound waves make when the output is being recorded by the input. It creates an infinite sound ...
