The following are different things which I recommend to my students and any guitarist out there when it comes to improving your playing.
Please Note: Every item listed on this page is something which I bought and paid for, I have spent a considerable amount of time using, and which has actually helped me to moving my playing skills forward.
Recommended Software
All of the software listed below are programs which I use on a near daily basis. I use them to work on learning or creating music, as well as develop new content for my students.
Guitar Pro 7 - The Best Way to Learn Music with Guitar Tablature
Guitar Pro allows you to work with guitar tablature like never before. You can open and read transcriptions, have the software play it back to listen, slow it down and repeat parts to make learning easier, and even write out music of your own.
You will find a near limitless number of open source transcriptions available online.
Transcribe! - Slow Down Music to Help You Learn It By Ear
When learning music from an audio recording or video, Transcribe! is my favorite slow-down program. Its simple layout makes it very easy and intuitive to use, while it's powerful audio engine helps to keep audio quality clear even at 25% playback.
Neck Diagrams - Create High-Quality Fretboard Diagrams for Chords, Scales, & Arpeggios
This program allows you to create professional-level fretboard diagrams. You can customize nearly every aspect of the diagrams include number of frets, position, fingerings, even the colors.
Recommended Equipment
Qwik Time QT-5 - A Bare-Bones Metronome Built-to Last
When I was about 7 years old, my parents bought one of these to use when practicing piano. I used it for almost 20 years! Suffice to say that these things are built to last. The QT-5 is the perfect no-nonsense metronome for anyone looking for a non-app based solution.
M-Audio BX5 Monitors - Crisp & Clear Audio For Your Home Studio
These monitors have been my favorite near-field solution for my home studio. I've used them for countless recording projects including the full-length Opus Rex album EVOLVE.
Recommended Books
"The Jazz Theory Book" by Mark Levine
A compendium of tools every student of jazz (or music in general) needs in an easy-to-understand package. Although certainly not for beginners, Levine's book has become the go-to text when it comes to understanding modern jazz theory.
"Music Reading for Guitar" by David Oakes
If you are looking for an effective method to learn sight-reading on the guitar, this one is at the top of my list. It approaches reading starting with the fifth position, which makes total sense to me; you tend to play in the middle of the neck, but the open position when reading most contemporary music.
Includes tons of explanations, exercises, and pieces to help you strengthen your reading skills.
Learn more about "Music Reading for Guitar"
*I strongly recommend memorizing the notes on the fretboard before delving too deep into sight reading.
"The Music Lessons: A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music" by Victor Wooten
In this captivating story about a struggling musician, Wooten teaches insightful lessons about studying, playing, and creating music.
“The best book on music (and its connection to the mystic laws of life) that I've ever read. I learned so much on every level.”—Multiple Grammy Award–winning saxophonist Michael Brecker
"Guitar Zero: The Science of Becoming Musical at Any Age" by Gary Marcus
Think you can't teach an old dog new tricks? Guess again! In Guitar Zero, Gary Marcus shatters the myth that even if you've missed the window of youth, you can still learn play the guitar.
Through refreshing stories and sound science, Marcus explains how it's never too late for adults to learn to play a musical instrument; all while using himself as the guinea pig!
"Creative Guitar 1: Cutting-Edge Techniques" by Guthrie Govan
Guthrie is one of my favorite players and this book is chock full of his superb musical sense and charming English wit. The book takes you through a wide variety of topics including everything from Scale & Chords, Developing Technique, Finding a Great Tone, and even a solid introduction to Music Theory geared towards guitar players.
"Creative Guitar 2: Advanced Techniques" by Guthrie Govan
Just as the name says, this book is all about developing advanced technical skill on the guitar. Guthrie covers nearly all aspects of technique including Alternate, Sweep, & Economy Picking, Tapping, and even Finger Style playing. The book also delves beyond Create Guitar 1, exploring wider Scale shapes, more unusual Chord Voicings, and even developing sounds from other instruments.
Recommended DVD/Video
"Intense Rock" by Paul Gilbert
When it comes to ferocious alternate picking chops, Paul Gilbert is one of my favorites. In Intense Rock, Paul takes takes you step-by-step through the techniques you'll need to play some of his most terrifying licks. You'll learn how to play articulate picking sequences, 3-note-per-string scales, and some of Paul's signature string skipping ideas.
I still own the VHS copy that I bought when I was 15 years old and spent hours pouring over. Now, if I only still had a player... 😛
"Rock Discipline" by John Petrucci
Progressive metal master, John Petrucci, shows you how it's done. In Rock Discipline, you'll learn the same exercises Petrucci used to hone his mechanically precise brand of picking, legato, and more. More than just a technique video, you'll also learn about building speed, chordal ideas, and even how John gets his signature sound.
Rock Discipline was my own personal video guitar bible when I was 19 years old. Many of the exercises in this video can still be found among my favorite chop builders.
Yngwie Malmsteen - Guitar Instructional
The master himself shows you up close and personal how it's done. Yngwie shares with you may of his signature licks as well as performs a number of well-known tunes. To be fair, this video is more about demonstration than actual instruction, but the material presented in this video will provide you with many years of ideas to work through and conquer.