At Guitar Tricks® we make learning how to play songs a lot of fun!
Our instructors cover every section of the song slowly at first, and once you get each part down you get to play along with a professional backing band! For difficult songs we offer a 'Songs Made Easy' version for beginners, which is simplified to the basic chords and one guitar part.
Each song includes accurate guitar tabs as well as standard music notation.
Free Lesson: Sweet Home Alabama (Made Easy!)
Anders will show you this classic Southern Rock anthem in a version that has been made easy, so you can hang at any level.
This is a really fun song that almost everyone knows, and it features three basic chords repeating throughout the whole song, so if you can learn and perform even the simplest version of it, it is bound to pay off.
Let's learn a very simple arrangement of a beautiful melody: Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" theme! We'll take this one in three steps: first the single note melody, the we'll learn the theme in two voices, and finally we'll add a third voice for a full arrangement.
Caren will show you an acoustic guitar part arranged to play along with this classic tune. She'll show you the basic chord progressions, the finger picking pattern and a bonus lesson on how to mimic the famous piano motif.
In this tutorial, Anders Mouridsen will teach you "Alive", by Pearl Jam. Anders will introduce the song and look at the gear and tone, then dive into the epic opening riff. You'll learn the band hits before we break down the verses, choruses, then the bridge. The song's breakdown comes next, then we're off to the guitar solo in 4 parts. We'll detail the ending, then do full and single guitar performances before you take over in the jam along.
In this set of beginner song lessons, Caren Armstrong will teach you "Wide Open Spaces", by The Dixie Chicks. We'll start with an overview of the song, then take a look at different capos and how to use them. Next up is a breakdown of the chords in the song, followed by the strumming pattern. Then we'll look at the song form and do a slow-play; we'll conclude with a play along performance then a jam along.
Mike will show you how to play this modern R&B pop ballad that we’ll learn on acoustic in a made easy style with open and barre chords and a simple strumming pattern.
In this set of holiday song lessons, Caren Armstrong will teach "Frosty the Snowman", as made famous by Gene Autry. Caren will talk about the song and the gear & tone; then define the song form and teach the boom-chick strumming. We'll learn the song intro before we look at the verse and bridge parts, then learn the outro. We'll break down the walk-up bass run, then do a play along performance.
Mike will show you 2 guitar layers. Guitar 1 is the main rhythm guitar layer that provides the iconic, tough, solid riffing throughout the song. Guitar 2 adds some high voicings and melodies that add sparkle and ornamentation to the riffs.
In this series of song lessons, Caren Armstrong will teach "Who Will Save Your Soul", by Jewel. Caren will talk about the song and the gear and tone, then go over the chords used, the strum pattern, and the song form before she details the intro, verse, chorus, the breakdown, and the ending. You'll do a play along performance with Caren, then play the song by yourself in the jam along.
Caren will show you how Creedence Clearwater Revival created a sound that blurs the lines of genre and a song that appeals to virtually every music lover.
This essence of this song is 3 easy chords and a shuffled strum. It also includes one barre chord, B minor, just to keep things harmonically interesting. If you're new to barre chords, here's your chance to get started! We'll also be taking a look at the signature intro riff, which features a few more chords and some fun rhythmic challenges.
In this tutorial we are going to take a look at how to play the metal tune "Breaking the Law" by Judas Priest. This song includes some great rhythm guitar techniques along with cool effects that are equally heavy and easy to play. We will break down how to play all the parts of the song, as well as how to capture some of the cool production techniques that you hear. At the end we'll play along with the backing track, then you'll jam along on your own!
Anders will teach you all the fantastic rock guitar playing in this tune. First there's the call & response based main riff, then a rocking rhythm guitar part, then a slide solo followed by a standard blues-rock licks solo.
Mike will show your both guitar layers. Guitar 1 is the rhythm guitar tuned to open G that gives the song its distinctive country flavored sound. Guitar 2 is the lead guitar that adds some exciting solo blending major and minor pentatonic sounds, combining rock and country flavors into to the arrangement.
In these ten lessons, Henrik Linde will teach an acoustic strumming version of "California Dreamin'", by The Mamas and the Papas. After an overview and talking about the tones, Henrik will teach the song intro chords and counter melody. Next up are the verse and chorus chords and strumming, and the 12 string licks. To follow, we'll look at the part played under the flute solo, and then the outro "tag". Last up are the play along and jam along.
Caren will show how to play a Made Easy version of this song in order to strum the chords along with the band. This is a fun song that presents several challenges. We'll use numerous root position open & barre chords.
Tom will show you how the guitar weaves super tasty lines and occasional chords between and around the vocals to create an exciting and dynamic arrangement of a simple form!
Mike will show you the 2 guitar layers in this song. Guitar 1 is an acoustic guitar that plays some gentle arpeggiated chords as well as some full dynamic high energy strumming. Guitar 2 is a crunch electric guitar that plays some aggressive strums and tasty licks in the second half of the tune.
In this series of lessons, Hunter Perrin is going to teach you "Gimme Three Steps", by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Hunter will go over the lessons then delve into the gear and tone a bit, then he'll break down the cool intro riffing and lead. We'll learn the verse rhythm before we take on the 1st solo, then get into the chorus rhythm. The 2nd solo comes next, then the outro solo; we'll tie things up with a play along performance and a jam along.
