Hot Acoustic Guitar How-Tos
How To: Play "21 Guns" by Green Day on acoustic guitar
In this video, we learn how to play "21 Guns" by Green Day on acoustic guitar. The chords of the verse are D minor, B flat major, F, and C. Once you have all of these chords, you will be able to start out playing the first verse and have the melody for the song. Move the chords down and up as you play to create a more in depth sound as you are playing. As you go through all of the different verses and chorus, you can add in your own variations to make a more unique song, then sing the normal ...
How To: Play "Live Forever" by Oasis on acoustic guitar
In this video, we learn how to play "Live Forever" by Oasis on acoustic guitar. Start with G, D, A minor 7, C, D, then play this twice. After you do this, you will have the first part of the introduction to the song finished up until you reach where the chorus is at. After this, go into an E minor 7 with the third finger down to the bottom. After this, do a D, then E minor 7 again, then C, D, E minor 7, D, and E minor 7 again. At the end of the chorus, you will go to an F suspended and then g...
How To: Play "Half the World Away" by Oasis on acoustic guitar
In this video, we learn how to play "Half the World Away" by Oasis on acoustic guitar. Start with a C, then CF, then move your middle finger to the fourth string. After this, you will repeat this and your intro will be finished. Now, verse one will start with C again, then F, then C, CB, A minor, D7, then back to CF. This will finish up verse one, then start the chorus in A minor, then C, and B7. Continue going back to A minor, then CF, D7 suspended, and G. Once you have the chorus, you can c...
How To: Play the intro riff to Michael Jackson's "Beat It" on your guitar
Emulate the Prince of Pop with this easy to follow guide on how to play the intro riff to Michael Jackson's "Beat It" with your guitar. This popular guitar riff only uses three strings (E, A and D), so it's quite a simple riff to memorize.
How To: Play "Through the Glass" by Stonesour on guitar
In this video, we learn how to play "Through the Glass" by Stonesour on guitar. You will need to tune your guitar with E flat tuning to play this song correctly. The intro will be the chords: e, B, G, D, A and E, then repeat once more. Once you finish the intro, move onto the verse, which is: e, B, G, D, A, and E. These are the basic chords that you will use throughout the entire song as you play. You will need to change the chords to play higher or lower depending on the part of the song you...
How To: Play "Best of You" by Foo Fighters on acoustic guitar
In this tutorial, we learn how to play "Best of You" by Foo Fighters on acoustic guitar. There are three chords you will be playing with most of the song. The first is a C sharp Minor, putting your ring finger on the fourth fret of the A string. Your index finger should be on the second fret of the D string and your pinkie finger on the fourth fret of the E string. This is a weird shape that you will have to get comfortable with. Once in this position, you will be able to better play this son...
How To: Play Oasis "Wonderwall" on acoustic guitar
In this video, we learn how to play Oasis "Wonderwall" on acoustic guitar. The strumming pattern in the beginning of the song is what you really need to pay attention to. The chords you will need to learn are G, D, and A. This will cover the intro of the song, but you will have to play different chords to make the sound come through correctly. The song doesn't consist of playing that many chords, but you will have to move your fingers quickly to keep up with the beat of the song. Continue to ...
How To: Play a basic Blues improvisation on acoustic guitar
In this video, we learn how to play a basic Blues improvisation on acoustic guitar. The idea of this is to jam and have a good time while you are experimenting with your guitar. Start by playing an intro, then continue on playing the minor pentatonic sounds that you can play. You can play only a few notes or play as many as you can. Play with the scale and then improvise where you feel you can. You can also play in with another person if you are feeling comfortable. When finished, you will ha...
How To: Play "Stranger Things Have Happened" by Foo Fighters
In this video, we learn how to play "Stranger Things Have Happened" by Foo Fighters. You can fingerpick this one or use a pick to get a different sound if you are comfortable with that. For the melody you will play the A string, B string, E string, with different frets to create different sounds. As you continue, you will learn how to play the strings of the chorus and the rest of the versus. Make sure you are sliding your finger to the correct strings and have the right frets so the sounds m...
How To: Play "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton on guitar
In this video, we learn how to play "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton on guitar. The lead starts with E, A, D, G, B, and E, which is also the rhythm. After this, start with the intro to the song. The intro is: H, a, +E, E, E, +Q, a, +E, +E, E, and E. Make sure you are using higher strings while you are playing the lead and into the rhythm of the first verse. Continue to play the rest of the song, changing between higher and lower chords as you go through them all. When finished, sing in the...
How To: Play "...September Ends" by Green Day on guitar
In this video, we learn how to play "...September Ends" by Green Day on guitar. Start off by placing your ring finger on the fifth fret of the D string, using the very tip of the finger. Place the first finger on the third fret of the B string. When you have these placed, you will start the intro and continue to play. As you move along the song, the chords will stay around the same range but you will need to change the pattern to go slower or faster. When you get to the chorus, change the fin...
How To: Play Velvet Underground's "I'll Be Your Mirror" on guitar
In this video, we learn how to play Velvet Underground: I'll Be Your Mirror on guitar. The only chords you will need to play are: D, G, A, and Em. The guitar should be drop tuned one whole step before you begin to play. Get used to playing the chords first, then start to play them together to make the verses of the song. Play the different sections at first, with the lyrics, then start to add all the sections together to create the entire song. When finished, you will have this Velvet Undergr...
How To: Play "Never Say Never" by The Fray on guitar
In this video, we learn how to play "Never Say Never" by The Fray on guitar. The verse for this song is: G, D, Em, Em, Cadd9, Cadd9, G, D/F#. Then, the chorus is: G, Bm, Em, Cadd9. The bridge is: Am, Em, D, Am, Em, D, Cadd9. Play these separately and master them before you start to put the entire song together. After you do this, start to add in the lyrics to each section so you can figure out where the words go while singing with the different chords. Once you have each section finished, sta...
How To: Play The Smiths "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out"
In this video, we learn how to play The Smiths "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out". The intro starts with D minor, then F major 7, then G. This is a very simple intro that you will play over twice, then move onto the first verse. This starts with A minor 7, then G, then A minor 7, G, F, C, and G. You will play this over four times after you play the intro to the song. To play the second verse, it's exactly the same as the first chorus, so continue to play this. Once you get into the chorus...
How To: Play Nickelback "If Today Was Your Last Day" on guitar
In this video, we learn how to play Nickelback "If Today Was Your Last Day" on guitar. This is a faster strumming song that has a lot of B minor chords played in it. The other chords you will play for it are a D and an A. The D and A will be played in two measures, then the rest will be played with a B minor. The song goes up and down, then goes back to the quick strumming pattern as before. You may need to get used to how quick this song goes, but it can be done easily after you get the hang...
How To: Play "She Bangs the Drums" by Stone Roses on guitar
In this video, we learn how to play "She Bangs the Drums" by Stone Roses on guitar. Start the intro with an A, then move to the third string second fret and then play the E. You will play this several times, until you reach the first verse of the song. After this, you will play the chords G, B, and e until you reach the end of the song. There will be chord changes up and down throughout the song. You must also sing along to match up the lyrics with the sound of the chords as you go, then fini...
How To: Play "History" by The Verve on guitar
In this video, we learn how to play "History" by The Verve on guitar. Start with the intro twice, which is E, A, D, G, B, and e. Once you have played the intro, start out with playing the first verse. It starts with G, then moves to D, A, E, then Asus 2, Em, C, and D. Play the intro over and add in the first verse, adding in the lyrics to the first line. After this, continue on the play the rest of the versus, and also add in the chorus. As you continue, add in more lyrics and perfect the son...
How To: Play "Kiss A Girl" by Keith Urban on acoustic guitar
In this video, we learn how to play "Kiss A Girl" by Keith Urban on acoustic guitar. The intro is played by using the chords D, A, and G two times. After this, you will sing the first and second verse of the song. These versus both use the same chords, just in different order. You will first move from D to A, to G, then repeat this over again. Singing along with the song will help you place how the lyrics should be sang while playing the different chords. As you reach the end of the song, rem...
How To: Play "Jezebel" by Iron & Wine on guitar
In this video, we learn how to play "Jezebel" by Iron & Wine on guitar. Start off in B minor with capo on the second fret. Use the A minor, then use the chords C, G, and F. After you learn these simple chords, start to put them together to learn the main riff of the song. Continue playing until you reach the chorus, which will sound close to the same as the verses do in the song. This is a quiet song, so keep it in A minor chord as you continue to play. When finished, play the chords separate...
How To: Do basic fingerstyle exercises to practice fingerpicking
In this video, we learn how to practice fingerpicking with basic fingerstyle exercises. First, position your fingers so the third is picking the thinnest, the second is picking the second, and the third is picking the third. The thumb should be picking the thickest string on the guitar. Now, start to pick going from your thumb down to the bottom finger. You may have to look at your fingers as you go down, but once you have practiced this, you will get a feel of how to play. When you fingerpic...
How To: Play Oasis "Wonderwall" on acoustic guitar
In this video, we learn how to play Oasis "Wonderwall" on acoustic guitar. The intro starts with B minor 7, G, D suspended 4, and A 7 suspended four. You will play this twice to get the introduction complete. After this, you will play C at 9, and D suspended 4 to get the second verse of the song. Continue to repeat these patterns until you reach the chorus, which will have a different sound to it than the rest of the song. After you have completed learning the movement of your fingers for the...
How To: Play "Space Oddity" by David Bowie on the guitar
In this video, we learn how to play "Space Oddity" by David Bowie. For the chorus, you will play an F minor 7, then an E minor. For the verse, you will play a C 2, then E minor, A minor, and A minor 7. Continue to play through the song using different chords and strings to get the different sounds in the song to sound correct. Once you get through the entire song, play through from beginning to end without stopping. After you have this down, you can add in the lyrics to get them to sound righ...
How To: Play the old spiritual song "Morning Has Broken" on guitar
In this video, we learn how to play the old spiritual "Morning has broken" on guitar. Start with D, then G, A, F#, B, G7, C, F, and C when you first begin the song. Then, play D on the different frets so you are getting different sounds each time you touch the strings. As you continue to play through the song, learn the different strings individually so you know how to play them properly. Play the song in sections before you group all of them together. When finished, you will have one complet...
How To: Play "Help" by The Beatles (Noel Gallagher) on guitar
In this video, we learn how to play "Help" by The Beatles (Noel Gallagher) on guitar. First, play A for the intro, then A major 7, F# minor, D, G, A, the start the second part. The second part is simply just repeating the first part. Make sure your guitar is tuned so these sound soft while you are playing them. Continue to play these chords through the versus of the song while singing the lyrics to the song. When you get to the chorus, you will have to change the chords slightly and make sure...
How To: Play "Candy Says" by Velvet Underground on guitar
In this video, we learn how to play "Candy Says" by Velvet Underground on guitar. Start off by tuning down the guitar one step for all the strings. Start to play the introduction chords, doing small sections then piecing them together. The chords are E, G sharp minor, G, and C sharp for the chorus. Once you get past the first chorus, start with the middle of the song and add in the lyrics as you sing the song. Continue to play the rest of the song adding in the other chorus parts, then when y...
How To: Play the hit song "Cooler than Me" by Mike Posner on acoustic guitar
Every summer a few feel-good songs come out that just beg to be bumped at maximum volume rolling in the ride, getting ready for action. The Mike Posner tune "Cooler than Me" definitely is that, especially when you play it on that most summery of instruments the acoustic guitar. This video will teach you how to do just that. It's pretty simple, so why not learn it?
How To: Play Johnny Cash's "I Walk The Line" intro on the acoustic guitar
Before Reese Witherspoon won an Oscar for her performance as June Carter, Johnny Cash's lifelong love, and before Joaquin Phoenix ever channeled his inner rock star to play the man himself, there was the one and only Johnny Cash.
How To: Play Colbie Callait's "I Never Told You" on the acoustic guitar
Colbie Callait's new single "I Never Told You" is a song about regret that anyone can relate to. In the song, Callait sings about a past relationship in which she failed to tell her lover just how much he meant to her. The song is bittersweet and soulful without being too mushy.
How To: Use a capo on an acoustic guitar to change the key of open chords
If you want to get really good at playing the guitar, it stands to reason that you learn how to use a capo. Happily, the Internet is awash in high-quality tutorials like this one, which presents an overview of how to shop for a guitar. For more information, including a step-by-step overview, watch this free video guitar tutorial.
How To: Choose & Buy a Guitar
Choose and buy a Guitar - A beginners guide to the Guitar. The guitar is one of the most popular musical instruments there is, appealing to both the young and the not so young and spanning different musical genre's such as blues, pop, rock, classical and many more.
How To: Play practical jokes using your guitar
In this video, we learn how to play practical jokes using your guitar. The first trick is called the jack in the box. First, take your pick and put it in between your strings and slide it down. Then, put your hand over it and play the jack in the box song. The next trick is to give the illusion you are tuning your guitar in the middle of a song. You will cover your fingers with your forearm to give the appearance and play with your other hand to make it look like it's being tuned. The last tr...
How To: Play "Thunder" by Boys Like Girls on the acoustic guitar
"Thunder" by Boys Like Girls is the ultimate late summer song. About a boy who falls head over heels over a girl and then gets propelled into a whirlwind romance, "Thunder" rhapsodizes on effervescent, fleeting summer love that crashes wildly into your life.
How To: Play Avril Lavigne's "Take Me Away" on the acoustic guitar
You either hate Avril Lavigne or you love her. A few years ago, she wore all baggy pants and baggy shirts with punky ties and black nail polish and said she never wanted to be like Britney Spears. And today, she's grown into a much more mature woman who has her own perfume line, though the girl's got one heck of a mouth on her.
How To: Play Michael Buble's "Haven't Met You Yet" on the acoustic guitar
Learning how to play popular songs on the guitar gives you all the trappings of rock stardom - swoon-worthy finger dexterity, girls, and unkempt hair - without the drug addictions and STDs. Become a small town hit by learning how to strum Michael Buble's single "Haven't Met You Yet" on the guitar.
How To: Change acoustic guitar strings
Chris Rego teaches us how to change acoustic guitar strings in this tutorial. First, you will want to loosen up the strings and then remove them from the place they are at. After this, you will want to replace the strings and then wrap it three times around the post. Use the winder and insert it inside the key while you are replacing the new string inside. After this, continue to tighten the string depending on what you want the sound to come out as. Continue to do this for all of the strings...
How To: Play "Say It Ain't So" by Weezer on guitar
Want to play an unplugged version of Weezer's "Say It Ain't So"? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and it 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 "Say It Ain't So" on your own acoustic guitar, take a look!
How To: Play "Airplanes pt II" by B.o.B on acoustic guitar
The song "Airplanes pt. II" added Eminem to the already star-power-packed pairing of B.o.B and Hayley Williams and gave the song even more enduring appeal than it already had. This video will teach you a fun easy cover of it to play on acoustic guitar. If you're new to guitar and like the song, this is the video for you.
How To: Play B.o.B and Haley Williams hit song "Airplanes"
The song "Airplanes" by the megastar collaboration of B.o.B, Hayley Williams, and Eminem is a immense hit (second year in a row we've had a summer hit about planes...) and people around the world are figuring out how to play it on all sorts of instruments. This video will show you how to play a simple version of the song on acoustic guitar. The songs melancholy really comes through on acoustic, so practice these chords and start playing!
How To: Tune an acoustic guitar
Before you can play your acoustic guitar, you'll need to know how to get it in tune. Don't know how? Not a problem. This free video guitar lesson will walk you through the process. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, and to get started tuning your own E, A, D, G, B & E strings on your acoustic guitar, watch this helpful guitarist's guide.
How To: Play "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" by Green Day
Interested in learning how to perform "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" by Green Day? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and it 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 "Good Riddance" on your own acoustic guitar, take a look!