Charlie Read teaches guitar, banjo and mandolin at C.A. House Music in Parkersburg. Read has recorded a ninth solo CD and has written his first book on guitar instruction, both recently released.

I’ve always liked that sound, especially the fourth [pickup position on a Strat]. When I was a kid, that was my favourite sound on the guitar; it’s even, it’s smooth, it has chimeyness but it still ...

Not only is blues a springboard for many other styles, such as country, rock and jazz, but it can also teach us many things about the art of phrasing in solos. Often it’s the small technical details ...