No. 217, January 2011

On the Cover: Andy McKee. The contemporary fingerstyle sensation explains the percussive style that turned him into a YouTube star. Plus, a look at McKee's guitars and gear.

Songs:

• David Gray – "Babylon" 
• Bob Dylan – "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere"
• John Lennon and Paul McCartney – "Day Tripper"

Features: Three Paths to Fretboard Mastery: Deepen your fretboard knowledge by exploring new approaches to practicing scales and arpeggios; All About Guitar Ergonomics: How to make sure your guitar is a good physical match for you; 25 ways to enhance your jamming experience; Mary Gauthier. The Louisiana-born guitarist and songwriter gives her hardscrabble childhood an unflinching look on The Foundling.

Lessons:

• Corey Harris Lesson. The blues guitarist describes the art of fusing American and African musical influences. 
• Learn the Reverse Boom-Chuck – A simple change in your strumming can help you mimic the style of a piano or keyboard.
• Percussive Rhythm Techniques – Use scratch rhythms, fret-hand tapping, and percussive slapping to add energy to your guitar playing. 

Gear Reviews:

• Lowden Pierre Bensusan Model
• Córdoba Fusion Orchestra 
• Fishman Loudbox Mini Acoustic Amp