"TAPPING IS THE MOST-USED WEAPON IN MY ARSENAL!"

Jon Gomm's tips for getting more out of your acoustic guitar

As one of the most innovative finger stylists on the planet, Jon Gomm knows a thing or two about how to elevate the humble acoustic guitar to extraordinary heights. From beautiful tapestries of natural harmonics to frenzied eight-finger-tapping and brain-boggling feats of multitasking, there's no doubt about it: he's got the magic touch.

But it can be tricky to know where to begin if you want to move your playing on from open-tuned strum patterns and fingerpicking to a more progressive acoustic style. As Jon says: "Experimentation is the key. What's great about modern fingerstyle is that it really means: 'Pick up an acoustic guitar and do whatever techniques you want, in whatever genre you like."" Jon has made an art of doing just that for the last two decades.

Whether you want to unlock a new tuning, start working on your percussive chops or simply choose the right guitar for the job, plunge into this treasure trove of tips and tricks and level-up your skills today.

How would you describe your approach to the guitar?

I try to approach the guitar as if I've never seen one before, and don't have any preconceptions about how to make sounds with it. If you give a guitar to a little kid, the first thing they'll do is bang on it like a drum. At the same time, I've learned every technique and style I can, and try to mix them all up with no boundaries. It's a contradiction, but for me it's the best of all worlds. Acquire the broadest knowledge possible, then forget it all and express yourself.

What are a couple of the most essential techniques in your playing?