Guitar Practice
Today, we have an etude that's sure to dazzle your friends and audience. 😛 Seriously though, it's one of those lines that generally looks and sounds more difficult than it actually is (once you get it down).
It's a repeating pattern, but sounds cool, especially once you get it up to a decent tempo (the example audio is at a medium tempo). This is a bit easier played fingerstyle, as the picking pattern might not be something you're used to with a pick (but is good practice for your picking hand played with a pick).
Guitarist Spotlight
Josh Smith
Who is Josh Smith?
Josh Smith is a blues guitar virtuoso, producer, and educator known for his soulful playing, impeccable technique, and deep understanding of the blues.
His mix of blues, jazz, and rock influences has made him a sought-after session player and solo artist, earning him a reputation as one of the most skilled and tasteful guitarists of his generation.
His playing is soulful, powerful, and packed with emotion.
His Story
Born in Florida, Josh picked up the guitar at just 6 years old. By the time he was 12, he was already performing live, and as a teenage he was sharing stages with legends like B.B. King and Jimmy Thackery. By 18, he was touring with his own band and releasing his own albums. Josh built his career by playing live, recording great music, and constantly improving his skills.
Beyond his career as a performer, Josh is also a passionate educator. He has released a variety of instructional materials, including courses for TrueFire, blues guitar books, and masterclasses that break down his unique approach to phrasing, tone, and improvisation. Josh also actively shares guitar lessons and gear demos on YouTube and social media.
Josh is known for his ability to explain complex concepts in a way that’s accessible to players of all levels, making him a favorite among aspiring blues guitarists.
When he’s not on stage or teaching, Josh runs Flat V Studios in Los Angeles, where he produces and collaborates with top-tier musicians across multiple genres.
What Makes Him Stand Out?
- Incredible feel & expression – Every note he plays has meaning and emotion.
- Blues with technical skill – He respects the tradition but also pushes the limits.
- Amazing tone – His guitar always sounds rich, warm, and powerful.
Why You Should Listen
Whether he’s playing a fiery solo, breaking down blues fundamentals, or producing records for other artists, Josh Smith is a driving force in modern blues guitar.
Josh is a true master of his craft, and has played with legends like Joe Bonamassa, Eric Gales, Greg Koch, and Kirk Fletcher.
If you love authentic, soulful blues guitar, Josh Smith is a name you need to know.
Key Gear
- Chapin T-Bird t-style guitar
- Marc Rutters 1957-style Stratocaster with Ron Ellis pickups
- Ibanez FlatV1 signature guitar
- Morgan JS-12 (Signature Princeton Reverb-style amp)
- Morgan JS40 (Signature Super Reverb-style amp)
- Vox AC40
- King Tone Soloist overdrive
- Eventide H9
- Cybaby Wah
- Mythos Pedals Argonaut Mini Octave pedal
- Vemuram Myriad Fuzz
Watch Josh talking about improve your lead playing by practicing your rhythm playing:
Check out Josh Smith
Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook
Gear Showcase
Carr Amplifiers
What is Carr Amplifiers?
Pittsboro, North Carolina- based Carr Amplifiers makes hand-built boutique tube amps that combine vintage tone with modern innovation,. Their amps are designed to give guitarists rich, dynamic sound without the old-school headaches (like weird hum and unreliable parts).
The Story
Steve Carr started Carr Amplifiers in the late ‘90s because he wanted classic tube tone without the limitations of vintage amps. Instead of just copying old designs, he took the best parts of vintage circuits and made them better—more reliable, more versatile, and more inspiring to play through.
What Makes Them Special?
- All hand-built – No mass production, just pure craftsmanship from start to finish. We're talking unique circuit designs, meticulous point-to-point construction, premium components, and hand-crafted cabinets.
- Vintage-inspired, modern-enhanced – Classic tones without the annoying quirks.
- A-list quality – Played by pros who demand the best possible tone.
Why You Should Care
If you’re serious about your sound, Carr Amps should be on your radar. They’re not cheap, but they’re worth every penny—ridiculous tone and stunning craftsmanship.
Carr Amps You Should Check Out
- Super Bee - Designed to capture the blackface 4x10" Super Reverb sound in a smaller (10" or 12") package. The built-in attenuator takes it down to 2 watts for bedroom jams.
- The Rambler - 1 x 12" Deluxe-style amp built to be an ideal pedal platform - with dramatically expanded clean headroom & solid bass response.
- Mercury V - Delivers 16 watts of snarling Marshall-esque British tones. Features lush srring reverb, an onboard attenuator, and a post-power amp Line Out to send it to the PA or into your recording interface for tracking.
- Sportsman - Very versatile 19-watt, single-channel, 1x12" combo. Features a unique Headroom control that lets you go from glassy cleans to tweed-style breakup with the turn of a knob.
Check Out Carr Amplifiers
Homepage | Instagram | View Amps on Reverb
News & Notes
- Gibson officially released the Warren Haynes Les Paul Standard 60s Cherry. It features a mahogany body with maple cap, mahogany neck with a50s Vintage profile, rosewood fretboard with 22 medium jumbo frets, hum-free P-90 DC Soapbar pickups, a 15 dB boost switch, and a hardshell case. MSRP is $2,799. View on Reverb
- Fender added a new limited edition Sparkle 3-Color Sunburst finish to it's Player II series.
- Gibson released a new RD Custom guitar in Ebony. Initially released in 1977, the Gibson RD is known for its unique appearance, which takes inspiration from both the Explorerâ„¢ and Firebirdâ„¢ designs. Aside from it's interesting shape, the 25.5" scale length is different than the Gibson standard.
- Casino Guitars posted an interesting YouTube video answering the question 'How Much Do Guitar Shops REALLY Make Each Day?'. Spoiler: for most of them; not a lot. Reminder to support your local mom & pop guitar shops whenever you can.
- Philip McNight interviewed Guitar Center CEO Gabe Dalporto. They discussed how Guitar Center can compete with Amazon and safeguard the future of its physical stores. Something Dalporto has talked about recently is carrying higher tier guitars in their stores. After watching the Casino Guitars video above, this strategy makes sense (as guitar shops really rely on higher ticket items to make a profit).
Book Recommendation
Josh Smith: Modern Blues Guitar Phrasing: Learn to Transform the Ideas of Your Musical Heroes Into Your Own Unique Voice on Guitar.
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