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Guitar Songs You Should Learn
There are certain songs that every guitar player should try to learn. Either they are commonly requested or they have cool guitar parts that will expand your playing skills. I am going to list songs in several styles of music and explain why I think they should be add to your “play list.” While most are electric guitar songs, there are some acoustic songs also.
Obviously, this type of list won’t ever be comprehensive, and no doubt, many will disagree with my choices — and find many ommissions. So I am open to suggestions. If you think a song is essential for guitar players to learn, email me and tell me why. If I agree, I’ll add it to the list and give you credit for your suggestion.
This is a huge list and will take most players years to complete (if ever.) That's alright. Just take them one at a time. Each one has stood the test of time and has something good to offer.
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1950’s
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Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry defined a new way to play guitar for the rock and roll generation. From the cool rhythm parts to the sliding double stops and unique bends, this song is a crash course in 50’s style guitar playing and paved the way for much of what was to follow.
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Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash
Johnny cash driving, train-like "boom chucka, boom chucka" alternating bass/chord rhythm created a new standard for guitar rhythm for both country and rockabilly guitarists for generations.
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Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
An early rock and roll classic from the era when players still used jazz guitars and played jazz chords. The ninth chords still sound way cool and the manic solo is a blast to play.
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Surf
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Wipe Out - The Surfaris
Back when instrumental rock was cool, Wipeout ruled. An catchy riff/melody and easy three chord rhythm make this a classic. Drummers love it too, making it more likely to be requested. Grab a Strat, a clean amp, slap on some reverb (or tremolo) and get busy.
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Walk Don’t Run - The Ventures
Another cool riff, but the way cool descending barre chord intro alone makes this one worth learning.
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Riff Based
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Day Tripper - The Beatles
Many of The Beatles’ songs were based on cool riffs, but this is my first choice due to its instantly recognizable riff, chunky chorus, and guitar solo.
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Smoke On The Water - Deep Purple
The song that put the "power" into power chords. Sure, everyone knows the opening riff, but can you play the verse and chorus? If not, get busy.
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Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix
The granddaddy of all hard rock riffs by the man who reinvented guitar playing in the 1960's. Extra credit if you can learn any Henrdix solo note-for-note.
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Sunshine of Your Love - Cream
Take a great opening riff and mix it with galloping chords that end the chorus and you get this classic rock guitar standard.
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Bridge Of Sighs - Robin Trower
A moody, slow burning blues/rock masterpiece. This classic moves from an opening trill to a combination of riffs, chords, and fills. It then features unusual (for rock) chords in the chorus and a simple, yet highly effective, single note riff as an outro.
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Southern Rock
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Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd
Do I really have to explain. Almost every beginning guitar player wants to learn this one. Always a crowd pleaser, you simply have to know this one.
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Melissa - The Allman Brothers
The use of open chord shapes ascending and descending the neck makes for a beautiful acoustic guitar part. It is easier to play than it looks and a great chords progression to practice soloing over.
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Classic Rock
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House Of The Rising Sun - The Animals
Traditional song of lament made famous by UK band The Animals thanks to cool minor key arpeggio chords and emotional vocals.
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Proud Mary - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Cool intro chords and catchy chorus makes this a must know tune.
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Takin’ Care Of Business - Bachman Turner Overdrive
Clever twist on the standard Chuck Berry rhythm, plus great solos and witty lyrics that appeal to anyone who ever dreamed of playing in a band.
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All Right Now - Free
Ambiguous chords in the opening and one of the coolest solos of all time make this one worth the time spent learning it.
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Stairway To Heaven - Led Zeppelin
Nearly every Zeppelin song qualifies, but this is the ultimate Zeppelin epic combining fIngerstyle playing, arpeggios, power chords, riffs, and solos to create a smorgasbord of rock guitar.
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Dream On - Aerosmith
One of the most instantly recognizable guitar parts in rock history was written on piano by singer Steven Tyler. A cool climbing and descending solo in the intro also makes it worth learning.
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Acoustic
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Heart Of Gold - Neil Young
Cool driving chords and riff in the intro, and unusal chord progresion in the chorus, sandwiched an easy verse section. Bonus points for getting a harmonica holder and wailing on the mouth organ.
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Take It Easy - The Eagles
Great sounding open chord progressions are easy to learn and play. The intro has an unusal (for pop music) C13 chord. If you play electric try the country flavored riff in the beginning also.
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The Joker - Steve Miller Band
One of the funnest and most recognizable acoustic riffs (bass lines) of all times. Add a little country style hammering in the chorus section and you have a classic. If you are ambitous and play electric also, try the wah/slide guitar "wolf wistle" during the verse.
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Fingerstyle
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Dust In The Wind - Kansas
Another instantly recognizable guitar masterpiece. If you want to really impress, learn the violin solo on guitar.
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Blackbird - The Beatles
A classic Paul McCartney song that flies up and down the guitar neck like a bird. Very cool.
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Jazz
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The Girl From Ipanema - Getz/Gilberto
Great Bossa Nova chord progression that is as cool as an ocean breeze and great fun to play.
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Latin Rock
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Oye Como Va - Santana
Cool Am7 to D9 rhythm with tasty guitar playing throughout. And of course, the very cool walk-down arpeggios chords before the organ solo.
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Instrumentals
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Europa - Santana
Want to add some emotion to your playing? Study this song. Carlos grabs at the heart in the beginning and then goes for the gut at the end. Classic.
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Christian
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Big House - Audio Adrenaline
Funky rhythm guitar, fun lyrics, and simply one of the coolest opening riffs of all time have made this song an enduring classic.
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Meant To Live - Switchfoot
This Drop D monster of guitar riffing has lyrics as powerful as its chords.
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Amazing Grace - John Newton
Just about everyone on Earth knows this song. You should too. Three chords.
suggestions
I consider this list a work in progress. I realize I have left out a lot of styles of music. If you think a song is essential for guitar players to know, email me and tell me why. If I agree, I’ll add it to the list and give you credit for your suggestion.
