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Californication Guitar Lesson (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

rock Aug 24, 2023

Today I want to share with you how I play “Californication” as recorded by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. 

This song has some amazing guitar playing in it done by the legendary guitarist John Frusciante.

We’ll start off with the iconic opening riff, then we'll go through the chords and different patterns you can use to start playing the whole song today! 

So make sure you’re in tune and let’s get started!

Who wrote Californication? 

“Californication” is a song by the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. It’s the title track and lead single from their seventh studio album, released in 1999. The song was written by the band members Anthony Kiedis, Flea, John Frusciante, and Chad Smith, and it explores themes of the dark side of Hollywood and the cultural impact of mass media on society.

Musically, "Californication" is a blend of alternative rock, funk, and psychedelic influences that are all characteristic of the Red Hot...

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Heart Of Gold Guitar Lesson (Neil Young)

rock Aug 15, 2023

Today I want to share with you how to play “Heart Of Gold” by Neil Young on guitar.  

This song is a classic, and it’s not too hard to play.

Taking a look at how Neil Young approaches the different rhythms, chord progressions, and even his catchy licks off the chords will help elevate any guitarist’s playing.

So make sure you’re tuned up and let’s get started! 

Who originally wrote “Heart Of Gold”

"Heart of Gold" was originally written by Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young. It was released as a single in 1972 and later appeared on his album "Harvest." The song became one of Young's most successful and lasting hits, reaching the number-one spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

"Heart of Gold" is characterized by its mellow acoustic guitar melody, simple chord progression, and introspective lyrics. Young wrote "Heart of Gold" during a time when he was struggling with fame and the pressures of his career. He later...

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While My Guitar Gently Weeps Guitar Lesson (Beatles)

rock Aug 13, 2023

Today I want to share with you one of the most LEGENDARY guitar songs of all time.

In fact, for the first time ever I am going to peel back the curtain on this timeless song. 

I’m spilling the beans on how to play “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” on guitar.

We’ll cover the background of the song, the chord progressions, the strumming patterns you need to know, and even how to solo over it in the style of Eric Clapton.

So grab your guitar. Get tuned up, and let’s get started!

Who wrote While My Guitar Gently Weeps?

"While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is a song by the English rock band The Beatles. It was written by George Harrison, the lead guitarist of the band. And it was included on The Beatles' self-titled album, commonly known as the White Album, released in 1968.

"While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is one of Harrison's most iconic compositions and is often regarded as one of The Beatles' finest songs. 

Harrison wrote the song in 1968, during a...

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Money Guitar Lesson (Pink Floyd)

blues rock Aug 10, 2023

Do you have the courage to play the blues in a 7/4 time signature?

Well, that’s exactly what we are going to do in this “Money” guitar lesson. 

"Money" by Pink Floyd is an iconic masterpiece from the legendary album The Dark Side of the Moon, released in 1973. 

It's got a super catchy bassline and some unique time signature changes that really set it apart for a rock song. Plus the solo sections of the song follow standard blues progressions!

I’m going to break down for you the chords, soloing, time signatures, and even how to capture that iconic Pink Floyd guitar tone. 

So make sure you’re tuned up and let’s dive in!

Who wrote Money? 

The song "Money" by Pink Floyd was written by the band's bassist Roger Waters. It was included on their iconic album "The Dark Side of the Moon," released in 1973. "Money" became one of Pink Floyd's most popular and recognizable songs. Its catchy bass line and thought-provoking lyrics about...

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Tuesday's Gone Guitar Lesson (Chords and Lead)

rock Aug 08, 2023

Today I want to share with you how to play “Tuesday’s Gone” by Lynyrd Skynyrd on guitar. This tune is a beloved classic rock ballad in the key of A major. In this post, we’ll dive into the origins of the song, the chord progressions, strumming patterns in a 6/8 time signature, and even some music theory. 

So make sure you’re in tune, and let’s dive into this “Tuesday’s Gone” guitar lesson!

Who wrote Tuesday’s Gone?

"Tuesday's Gone" was written by Ronnie Van Zant and Allen Collins. Ronnie Van Zant, the lead vocalist of Lynyrd Skynyrd, was known for his songwriting skills and contributed significantly to the band's repertoire. 

Allen Collins, the guitarist of Lynyrd Skynyrd, collaborated with Van Zant on many of their songs, including "Tuesday's Gone." Together, Van Zant and Collins created the heartfelt lyrics and bluesy melodies that have made the song a beloved classic.

What key is Tuesday’s Gone in?

...

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How to Play Johnny B. Goode on Guitar

rock Aug 01, 2023

Today I want to share with you how to play “Johnny B. Goode” on guitar.

This song is iconic and has a number of quintessential Chuck Berry guitar moves in it. We'll unpack rhythm & blues rhythm patterns, early blues rock licks, his signature double-stops, and even how to get a Chuck Berry-style guitar tone.

In this guitar lesson, I am going to highlight specific areas of his playing with the goal of players being able to take some of his guitar style and infuse it into their own music.

So with that said let’s get started!

Who wrote Johnny B. Goode?

"Johnny B. Goode" was written and first recorded by legendary guitarist and singer Chuck Berry. The song was released in 1958 first as a single and it reached #2 on the Billboard charts.

This song is considered one of the most recognizable songs in the history of popular music, and it was even ranked #33 in Rolling Stone Magazine’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Johnny B. Goode Chords

There are...

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Learn Cinnamon Girl by Neil Young in this Guitar Lesson

rock Jun 13, 2023

In this post, I'll be unraveling the secrets behind one of Neil Young's most iconic tunes, "Cinnamon Girl." You'll learn how to master the iconic licks, tuning, rhythms, progressions, and I'll even cover some tone tips too in this step-by-step lesson.

Who wrote Cinnamon Girl?

"Cinnamon Girl" was written by Canadian-American singer and songwriter Neil Young.

The song debuted on the album Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, in 1969 featuring the backing band Crazy Horse.

The song was later released as a single and went to #55 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1970.

The track features Young on guitar and lead vocals. Plus Danny Whitten, also on guitar, Billy Talbot on bass, and Ralph Molina on drums. 

What tuning is Cinnamon Girl in?

The guitar part for “Cinnamon Girl” is in a double-drop d tuning. This is accomplished by tuning down the 6th string and the 1st string on the guitar 1 whole step from standard tuning.

6th string: E = D (1 whole step down)

5th string: A = A

...

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The Ultimate Guide To Learning Eric Clapton's Little Wing on Guitar

rock Jun 01, 2023

Eric Clapton is undoubtedly one of the greatest blues rock guitarists of all time, and his iconic rendition of “Little Wing” is a masterpiece that every guitarist should check out. But let's face it, mastering the song can be a daunting task, especially for beginners. Fortunately, with the right approach, anyone can learn to play “Little Wing” like a pro.  

In this step-by-step guide, I'll break down everything you need to know to learn the song, from the basic chords to more intricate soloing examples. I'll also provide helpful tips and tricks along the way to help you perfect your technique and truly capture the essence of Clapton's style. Regardless of your level, this guide will help you see key insights into playing in the style of Eric Clapton and unpack one of the greatest rock guitar songs of all time. 

So grab your guitar and let’s get started!

Who wrote Little Wing?

“Little Wing” was originally written by Jimi...

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Step-by-Step Guide to Learning 'You've Got to Hide Your Love Away' on Guitar

rock May 27, 2023

If you’re a guitarist looking to improve your playing one of the best things you can do is learn Beatles songs.

Each one is jam-packed with golden nuggets that will help you level up your guitar playing and musicianship in so many ways.

In this post, I’ll break down the guitar style behind the classic tune “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away.” So grab your guitar and let’s get to it!

Who wrote You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away?

"You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" was written and sung by John Lennon although it is credited to Lennon and Paul McCartney. It was released in 1965 on the Beatles album Help! The song is a beautiful blend of folk and rock that has captured the hearts of many music lovers. Lennon described where he was with his writing in an interview about the song as “That's me in my Dylan period again. I am like a chameleon, influenced by whatever is going on. If Elvis can do it, I can do it. If the Everly Brothers can do...

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How to play Last Child by Aerosmith on guitar

rock May 23, 2023


In this post, you’ll get a breakdown of tips and tricks to help you unlock Aerosmith's hit song "Last Child." Throughout this lesson, you will discover the connection between blues and rock guitar styles as we delve into the key points of playing "Last Child."

Who wrote Last Child?

"Last Child" was originally written by Steven Tyler and Brad Whitford. It was first released as a single from the album Rocks in 1976. The song reached number 21 on the Billboard charts and became one of the many hits for Aerosmith during the mid-1970s.

How do you play Aerosmith Last Child on guitar?

The opening guitar part for “Last Child” starts off using a guitar technique called arpeggio picking. This is where you plant down a chord with your fretting hand and then pick out individual strings one at a time. Instead of strumming the chord, you are breaking it up and creating an arpeggio. 

You’ll need 3 shapes for your fretting hand, Dm9, G6, and E7.

Here’s how I...

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