Hot Acoustic Guitar How-Tos
How To: Play "Same Jeans" by the View on acoustic guitar
Want to perform an unplugged version of the View's "Same Jeans"? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the guitar, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing "Same Jeans" on your own acoustic guitar, take a look!
How To: Play "Rude Boy" by Rihanna on acoustic guitar
Want to play an unplugged version of Rihanna's "Rude Boy"? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords from three different angles. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the guitar, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing this Rihanna song on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Play "Rhythm of Love" by Plain White T's on an acoustic guitar
Want to play an unplugged version of Plain White T's "Rhythm of Love"? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords from three different angles. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the guitar, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing this PWT song on your own guitar, watch this video ...
How To: Play Paramore's "Pressure" on acoustic guitar
In this tutorial, we learn how to play Paramore's "Pressure" on acoustic guitar. First, you will need to tune your guitar using drop D tuning. After this, listen to the song to get a feel for how it sounds as you play, and where the chords change. After this, learn the different chords you will be playing and start playing them on the intro of the song. Once you have this down, learn how to play the first verse, then the chorus and the rest of the verses. When finished getting through the son...
How To: Play "Happy Birthday" on the guitar
In this video, we learn how to play "Happy Birthday" on the guitar. You will start out with the G on the E string on the D and the B string. Repeat the D note and then start with the E on the B string. After this, play the B and G strings, then the D major. Now, play the A note on the E string. Then repeat. Once you finish, you will plat on the 10th fret an A and an E. Then, add on the 12th note the B and G strings. Add in a C7, then the F#. The song will go faster, then continue to repeat un...
How To: Play "Upside Down" by Jack Johnson on acoustic guitar
In this tutorial, we learn how to play "Upside Down" by Jack Johnson on acoustic guitar. Start off with playing the intro to the song. Make sure you are playing the right chords and your fingers are on the right frets. As you continue, you will start to play the middle of the song and all of the verses that are in the song. Make sure you pay attention to the highs and lows of the song, as well as where the stops to the song are. After you do this, you will be able to play this song through wi...
How To: Play "Magic" by B.o.B and Rivers Cuomo of Weezer on acoustic guitar
Want to play an unplugged version of the B.o.B's "Magic"? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords from multiple angles. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the guitar, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing this B.o.B. song on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Play "Misery" by Maroon 5 on an acoustic guitar
Want to play an unplugged version of Maroon 5's "Misery"? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords in tab notation. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the guitar, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing this Maroon 5 song on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Play acoustic guitar and learn basic finger picking
In this video, we learn how to play acoustic guitar and learn basic finger picking. Start with an A minor, then hold this for a while to better understand this chord throughout the entire song. After you have this down, you will need to start playing the first verse of the song and break down the entire rest of the song. Make sure you understand the pattern of the music as you play, so you can play it accurately. Once you have done this, play the chorus and then the rest of the verses. Focus ...
How To: Change a string on an acoustic guitar
In this tutorial, we learn how to change a string on an acoustic guitar. First, you will put the string in the bridge pin. Make sure the ball from the string is against the bridge plate. If the ball is underneath the bridge pin it will make the string come out easily. After you have the string locked in, pull the string out tightly until it reaches the bottom of the guitar. Pull it to the tuner you want to wind it to, then pull it out a couple of more inches to know how much slack to give it....
How To: Play "Rock and Roll" by Velvet Underground on guitar
In this tutorial, we learn how to play "Rock and Roll" by Velvet Underground on guitar. The chords to play this on the electric guitar would be bar chords D, C, and G. Play these together slowly at first so you understand the rhythm you are looking for. Once you have these down, you will have the basic sounds down for the entirety of the song. After this, play the first verse of the song, then play the second, chorus, and the rest of the verses. You will need to pay attention to where the pau...
How To: Play "I'm a Little More Country Than That" by Easton
In this video, we learn how to play "I'm a Little More Country Than That" by Easton. There is a riff that is played at the beginning, which is played on the fourth fret. Put your middle finger on the third fret of the high E string and your pointer finger on the second string. On the third note, move your middle finger to the third fret and then play it over several times. Once you finish this, you can move into the intro of the song and then start to play the verses. Incorporate the lyrics i...
How To: Play "House of the Rising Sun" by the Animals on an acoustic guitar
Want to play an unplugged version of the Animals' "House of the Rising Sun"? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords in tab notation. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the guitar, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing this Animals song on your own guitar, watch this video tu...
How To: Play "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor on an acoustic guitar
Want to play an unplugged version of Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger"? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords in tab notation. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the guitar, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing this Survivor song on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Play "Wild Thing" by the Troggs on an acoustic guitar
Want to play an unplugged version of the Troggs' "Wild Thing"? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords in tab notation. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the guitar, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing this Troggs song on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Play "American Woman" by the Guess Who on an acoustic guitar
Want to play an unplugged version of the Guess Who's "American Woman"? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords in tab notation. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the guitar, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing this Guess Who song on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Play "Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne on an acoustic guitar
Want to play an unplugged version of Ozzy's "Crazy Train"? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords in tab notation. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the guitar, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing this Ozzy Osbourne song on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Play "Money" by Pink Floyd on an acoustic guitar
Want to play an unplugged version of Pink Floyd's "Money"? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords in tab notation. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the guitar, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing this Pink Floyd song on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Play "Sweet Child o' Mine" by Guns N' Roses on an acoustic guitar
Want to play an unplugged version of Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child o' Mine"? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords in tab notation. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the guitar, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing this GNR song on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Play "Sunshine of Your Love" by Cream on the acoustic guitar
Want to play an unplugged version of Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love"? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords in tab notation. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the guitar, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing this Cream song on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Play "Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones on the acoustic guitar
Want to play an unplugged version of the Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction"? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords in tab notation. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the guitar, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing this Rolling Stones song on your own guitar, watch this video...
How To: Play a Delta Blues style progression on a resonator guitar
If you're looking to get into slide guitar, the place to start is in the Delta, the deep south, with artists like Son House, Robert Johnson, and Bukka White. You can find their music on the Library of Congress' website as it is all open to the public now. In this video you will learn how to play some basic Delta Blues with some finger picking techniques, slide techniques, a standard I IV V progression, and more.
How To: Play a Chicago Blues style twelve bar blues on the guitar with finger picking
It's extremely important as a musician to learn how to play the 12 bar blues. Understanding how to feel your way through all 12 bars without getting lost and staying in time is crucial to you succeeding in other styles of music. If you're looking to spice up your 12 bar blues with something a little more melodic, check out this great video lesson! You will learn how to play an Elmore James, Chicago Blues style 12 bar blues riff over the chord progression using finger picking.
How To: Pick the right resonator (steel) guitar and bottleneck slide
Resonator guitars (also known as steel guitars) are a unique type of guitar made with tricones or a single aluminum cone, and are great for slide guitar for both Blues and Country music. Made famous by artists such as Son House (see deathletter blues). If you're not really sure which would be the best, what a resonator (steel) guitar is exactly, or how to pick out the right slide for the sound you're going for, this fantastic video will you guide perfectly! You will learn a little history abo...
How To: Play "Falling Slowly" by Glen Hansard on acoustic guitar
Want to play Glen Hansard's "Falling Slowly" on the acoustic guitar? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the guitar, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing this Glen Hansard song on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Play "Stand Tall" by Dirty Heads on acoustic guitar
Want to play Dirty Heads' "Stand Tall" on the acoustic guitar? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the guitar, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing this Dirty Heads song on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Play "American Honey" by Lady Antebellum on the guitar with Dave Haywood
Lady Antebellum's guitar player Dave Haywood somehow finds time while on the road to show you how to play the guitar part for "American Honey". He will show you how he tunes down the guitar to an open C# tuning (take DADGAB and tune it down another half step) and then breaks down the entire song from intro to the end.
How To: Play "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum on guitar with Dave Haywood
As a touring musician, you never really have a lot of time to sit down and do things like this, but you're in for a treat. Lady Antebellum's guitar player Dave Haywood gives you an in-depth video lesson on how to play the rhythm gutiar part in "Need You Know" while out on their Keith Urban tour. You will learn the chords that he used and also some of the methods that he used in fingering his chords, as well as putting the capo on the 4th. fret. Although what isn't clear is what tuning his gui...
How To: Play flamenco and classical guitar with basic chords and scales
Many parents think that starting with Classical Guitar is how you're supposed to learn Guitar, which isn't true, you can learn Guitar any way that you want! But, that doesn't mean that Classical and Flamenco guitar is not UBER awesome at the same time! If you've got a nylon string guitar and want to learn how to get some of those cool licks and chord progressions down that you hear in movies like Desperado, start here! In this video you will learn the basics of using finger picking, using you...
How To: Play basic Blues on the acoustic guitar
The blues is where it all began. Before you learn how to play rock or jazz or metal, you should start with the blues. Learning the basic 12 bar form can help you feel out measures and develop your sense of direction in music, and learning how to play the shuffled rhythm will help to increase your proficiency with learning other rhythm patterns. In this fantastic video you will get a basic over view of the Blues on the acoustic guitar and a quick variation on the standard blues shuffle.
How To: Clean the body and fretboard of an acoustic guitar
Perhaps you have received your guitar as a gift, or picked it out for yourself; and whether it is your first guitar or if you are a grizzled veteran of the frets, there may come a time when your guitar may lose its like new looks. Oil from a performer's hands, combined with dirt and dust, collects to build an unsavory grime on both the fret board and the body of the guitar reducing the overall aesthetically pleasing look of the instrument. Watch this video and you'll be properly cleaning your...
How To: Play "Your Body Is a Wonderland" by John Mayer on acoustic guitar
Want to play an unplugged version of John Mayer's "Your Body Is a Wonderland"? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords in tab notation. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the guitar, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing this John Mayer song on your own guitar, watch this vid...
How To: Play power chords with a 5th string root note
Justin Sandercoe teaches us how to play power chords with a 5th string root note in this tutorial. Start out by placing your first finger on the root note and your third and fourth finger underneath. The tip of your fourth finger should be touching the sixth string. Push the tip of it up until you've trained it to always touch the sixth string, without this the song will sound terrible. Once you have the chord shape down, you will need to start to play some riffs. Move the fifth string root a...
How to Play Jazz guitar: II-V-I Chord Sequences
In this video, we learn how to play Jazz guitar: II-V-I Chord Sequences. You will play this in C, D minor, G7, and C major. You will be using different frets, so you have to pay attention to where your finger placement is and how you are placing your entire hand. When you start to play, you will notice how many different combinations there are on the guitar and see how the flow of the jazz sequence goes. Once you learn this, you can incorporate it into jazz music that you are playing, then yo...
How To: Play "Julia" by The Beatles on acoustic guitar
In this tutorial, we learn how to play "Julia" by The Beatles on acoustic guitar. This song is not too difficult, but it is for more intermediate finger pickers. You will want to start out with the intro of the song, making sure you have your fingers on the right frets and know the chords that are played in this part of the song. Continue on to play the different verses and the chorus, as well as the ending verses of the song. As you are playing, make sure you pay attention to where the song ...
How To: Play "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve on guitar
In this tutorial, we learn how to play "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve on guitar. This is a great song to learn if you are a beginner. Many of the chords on the guitar repeat during this song, you will just need to change the height and how low the chords are played. Also pay attention to when there are pauses in the song as you play. Start with the intro and go all the way to the last verse of the song in different sections. After this, play the song all together and practice the song mo...
How To: Play "What It's Like" by Everlast on acoustic guitar
In this tutorial, we learn how to play "What It's Like" by Everlast on acoustic guitar. First, take the D minor chord with the middle finger chord on the second finger. Play this and pick the D, G, and B. Make sure the pinkie is on the third fret of the high E for the first hit of the string. This will lead you through the intro of the song. Once you start the first verse, you will be using the same chords throughout the entire song. Start to sing in the lyrics with the song, then when you re...
How To: Play "Whole Wide World" by Wreckless Eric on guitar
In this tutorial, we learn how to play "Whole Wide World" by Wreckless Eric on guitar. There are only two chords in this song: E and A. This is a great song for beginners, so just make sure you know finger placement before you begin. Learn the lyrics to the song and listen to it so you have an idea of how the melody goes. After this, play the intro to the song then start with the different verses. Add in the lyrics as you are playing the chords, going back and forth between the two. After thi...
How To: Play "Dakota" by Stereophonics on guitar for beginners
In this video tutorial, we learn how to play "Dakota" by Stereophonics on guitar for beginners. First you will want to get down the different chords that you will play throughout the entire song. Once you have these, start to break the parts of the song down into sections. Now start to learn the intro, first verse, second verse, chorus, and so on as you go. After you have learned these separately, start to play this Stereophonics song from beginning to the end. After you have done this, add i...
How To: Play the minor pentatonic scale on your guitar
Justin teaches us how to play the minor pentatonic scale in this tutorial. This is a useful scale that you will use as long as you play the guitar. Start with your first finger in the fifth fret of the thickest string. Play A, then reach up with your fourth finger in the eight fret. All fingers should be in ascending order with the different frets. Move onto the next string, playing first finger and third finger. Go onto the next string with the fingers changing in between the frets as you go...