Behold the magnificent title track from the eighth studio album by American rock band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

This album was the second album that Petty produced with the incredible Jeff Lynne. 

I’m going to break it down for you step-by-step.

So grab your axe and let’s dive into this “Into The Great Wide Open" chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Into The Great Wide Open?

"Into the Great Wide Open" was written by Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne, it’s the title track off the band’s 1991 album, Into the Great Wide Open. Lynne, who was a key figure in Petty's supergroup the Traveling Wilburys, co-wrote and produced the song. 

The song’s lyrics sing a story about a guy named Eddie. He’s a young man with dreams of rock stardom and moves to Los Angeles. At first, he finds success, but as he rises, he loses his way, caught up in fame’s superficiality. The lyrics depict both the allure of the music industry and its inevitable letdowns. 

The song was recorded at Sound City Studios i...

Ever felt pain and the longing to be in another place? 

Well, this song symbolizes that along with the freedom and beauty of the California lifestyle. 

It’s a simple song, but the emotions run deep. 

Below I’m going to break it down for you step-by-step.

So grab your 6-stringer and let’s dive into this "California Dreamin'" chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote California Dreamin'?

"California Dreamin’" was written by John Phillips and Michelle Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas. It came about during the winter of 1963 in New York where these two were living at the time.

They were longing for an escape from the cold weather and were dreaming of the California sunshine. The lyrics convey a sense of restlessness, isolation, and the desire to return to the warmth and freedom associated with the West Coast.

Initially, the track was offered to Barry McGuire (famous for "Eve of Destruction"), and it was McGuire’s producer, Lou Adler, who saw potential in the song for The Mamas & the ...

Are you struggling to play the F chord on guitar?

This chord can be quite the bugaboo for guitar players. In fact, there’s a reason why it’s called the “F” chord. 

Many guitarists hate and avoid it like the plague.

But I can show you how to not become one of those players - pain-free. In this post, I want to reveal some powerful tips to help you overcome what may feel like an insurmountable mountain.

So grab your guitar, and let’s learn how to play the F chord step-by-step!

What notes are in an F chord?

From a theoretical point of view, the F chord is built the same as any other major chord on guitar. However, because of the way the guitar is tuned (in standard tuning) only the open A string can be used in an F chord. But because it’s such a low note, it’s not ideal to have ring out. This means essentially you need more guitar skills like muting and bar technique.

Let me explain…

Major chords are built from a specific interval set. An interval is the distance between 2 notes...

How many classic rock songs can you think of that use odd time signatures?

If you’ve learned a lot of popular songs, you’ll know that not very many venture away from the common 4/4 time signature. However, here’s a cryptic tune that does just that.

It’s become one of Cream’s most iconic songs, and the guitar part is a blend of blues, rock, and psychedelic sounds.

In this post, I’m going to break down the mystery behind Eric Clapton’s guitar style to it. 

So grab your axe and let’s dive into this “White Room" chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote White Room?

"White Room" was originally written by bassist Jack Bruce and a poet named Pete Brown. Brown wanted to create surreal imagery rather than straightforward storytelling. Many have often described this tune as cryptic – the lyrics are very open to interpretation. 

But the song became a hit for the British rock band Cream – featuring Jack Bruce on bass, Eric Clapton on guitar, and Ginger Baker on drums. Bruce was the primary son...

Here’s an epic tune that brought about one of the first times in music history where Indian music was blended with Western pop.

George Harrison was hanging around with a new guru, sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar. And started learning to play and this sparked what became known as “raga rock.” 

So grab your axe and let’s dive into this “Norwegian Wood" chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Norwegian Wood?

"Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" is a fascinating Beatles track primarily written by John Lennon. But it was credited under the typical Lennon/McCartney songwriting partnership. Lennon later remarked that this song was about affairs he was having while married to his wife Cynthia. 

There wasn’t a specific one, but it was more about his clandestine behaviors of feeling attraction, and then frustration.

“Norwegian Wood” was released on The Beatles’ epic album Rubber Soul in 1965. Rubber Soul was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London. During this time George Harrison was hangin...

I’m sitting down to write you this today, about 2 miles away from where rock legend Tom Petty wrote “Free Fallin”.

Back in the day he lived in Reseda, California in the San Fernando Valley.

There’s a famous quote from Harlan Howard, a world-renown songwriter, who said, “All you need for a great song is three chords and the truth”. 

I think Petty shows this powerful point in this classic song.

So grab your axe and let’s dive into this “Free Fallin" chords and guitar lesson! 

Who Wrote Free Fallin'?

"Free Fallin'" was written by Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne. They had been writing a lot of tunes together and this track became one of Petty's most iconic songs. It debuted as a lead single for Petty's solo album, Full Moon Fever, in 1989. 

It’s a very simple tune, that apparently started off as a joke. Lynne was playing the chords and Petty was improvising lyrics about "free fallin'."  

As they developed the idea, the song took on a deeper meaning. Petty reflected on his quintessen...

Many people say: 

“I already know bar chords.”

As if there is a set amount. And once you can do them that’s it. Sure, some players might think of bar chords as being something like the dreaded F chord. And a few other variations. 

But this is very limited thinking.  

There are crazy advanced bar chords and even bars used in countless hit songs’ solos. Are these considered when they say “bar chords?”

What’s more important, is taking time to make sure you’ve mastered the fundamental technique. If you’ve mastered the bar technique, then you should be able to say… 

“I can play 2 string, 3 string, 4 string, 5 string, and even 6 string bars effortlessly. I use this technique in a very relaxed way for rhythm and soloing. And it doesn’t matter what style I am playing, or even if I am on an acoustic guitar with high action, outside in the cold.” 

Jimi Hendrix was a master of it. 

In this post,I want to help you further expand your horizons of the bar technique. Below are 5 famous exa...

Are you a fan of rock guitar?

Well if so, I want to let you in on a little secret. You see, there are countless rock hit songs that use this trick in their guitar parts. And it’s quite fun.

Maybe even a little addicting, so watch out.

What’s the secret?

Well, go through this “Runnin' Down A Dream” chords and guitar lesson and you’ll find out!

Who Wrote Runnin' Down A Dream?

"Runnin' Down a Dream" was written by Tom Petty, Mike Campbell, and Jeff Lynne. It’s an energetic classic rock song that was released in 1989 as part of Petty's debut solo album, Full Moon Fever.  

Although it was a solo album, it still featured many of Petty's longtime collaborators, including members of the Heartbreakers. During this time, Petty was experiencing a burst of creative freedom. He was working a lot with Jeff Lynne, who was not only the co-writer on this anthem, but a producer of the album as well. Lynne's influence along with Mike Campbell’s iconic guitar riffs really helped shape the sound ...

Here’s a classic indie pop ballad that’s been moving audiences since its release in 2005. 

The song was inspired by existential questions about what happens after death. The lyrics are deep and the guitar part is very soothing. 

I’m going to break down this style for you step-by-step in a way that I haven’t seen anyone do online yet. 

You see, most instructors explain the strumming pattern with a pick. However, if you listen to the original recording, it was done with a folk-style brushing pattern – similar to what Paul McCartney did on “Blackbird” 

So, grab your guitar, and let’s dive into this “I Will Follow You Into The Dark” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote I Will Follow You Into The Dark?

"I Will Follow You Into the Dark" is a song by Death Cab for Cutie, written by the band’s frontman, Ben Gibbard. It was released in 2005 as part of their fifth studio album, Plans.  

The inspiration for the song came about when Gibbard was grappling with thoughts of mortality afte...

If you’d like to jam a simple song that captures the gritty and bluesy side of the “Outlaw Country” sound… then this post can show you how.

It’s perfect for newer players. Or those that don’t like to have to memorize a million chord changes, or play tough bar chords.

This song is dirt simple. But it’s a lot of fun.

So, grab your guitar, and let’s dive into this “Waymore’s Blues” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Waymore’s Blues?

“Waymore's Blues" was co-written by Waylon Jennings and Curtis Buck. It was first recorded and released by Waylon Jennings in 1974 as part of his Dreaming My Dreams album. The song is a mix of country, blues, and outlaw music, reflecting Jennings' signature "Outlaw Country" sound—a genre he helped pioneer alongside other country rebels like Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash. 

The lyrics reflect a man on the move, likely symbolizing Waylon himself and his rebellious, free-wheeling spirit. It touches on themes of travel, love, and being a wanderer—hinting ...