Sep 30 2006
What Songs For The Guitar Should I Learn (And Re-learn)?
Now that I bought my first acoustic guitar (I’ve always borrowed Phillip’s, who has had at least three, I think: classical, regular acoustic, and a 12 string), what songs should I learn to impress the chicks?
I USED to know a lot of tunes, but that was 20 years ago: The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, etc. Plus I taught myself how to play The Trees and Closer To The Heart (I still remember to play its beginning) by Rush, and similar guitar songs.
Songs I do NOT care to learn: anything by Bon Jovi or most other Top 40 bands.
I gotta figure out some kid songs for my children, too.
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Tags: guitar
I gave my regular acoustic to an ex-girlfriend who I haven’t seen for years. I was recently talking to her, though, and she told me she doesn’t play it. I would take the guitar back now if I could, but she lives closer to Talkeenta than St. John’s now.
I recommend learning how to play “Slow Road Home.” Kids love it. Ask Paul C.
A big hit at family gatherings is usually Folsom Prison Blues, but that depends entirely on your range (my b-i-l can, my uncle can’t, and my sister’s boyfriend can, but has to change keys). Really, any Johnny Cash should put you in good stead.
If you can learn Fleetwood Mac’s Never Look Back, you’ll be a guitar god.
Oddly enough, I tend to be most impressed when someone just noodles something they made up. Maybe that’s what you need if you want to impress a rooster?
Seriously, I found getting a fairly elementary book about music theory really kept up my interest in guitar. Something about understanding the circle of 5ths and how music works i.e. ‘why does that note sound good and that one doesn’t?’ kept my programmer based engaged. Also learning the notes on the fretboard was very rewarding.
But it’s been years since I studied seriously though so now I just have to rely on sliding an E and A chord up and down the neck to impress - no one…
“46 & 2″
“Schism”
Both by Tool.
> Both by Tool.
That’ll be the day, although I SHOULD listen to them first, I suppose.
> I found getting a fairly elementary book about music theory…
I already play the piano, having a good foundation in music theory. Being creative is the hard part, as most artists can attest to. A buddy and I used to churn out pop songs in our late teens. I haven’t been able to do that since, but really, I haven’t tried either: it requires the right environment and mood.
I’ll be happy if I can play as well as Danny Schmidt; I can’t imagine being THAT creative - that’s wishing too much.
Schism - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ086rJVU4o
You won’t be disappointed. I promise!
What do we get in return for that broken promise?
Your kidding right?
Did you not like the video or the song?
Tool has a very beautiful acoutic-ish tune called, LAMC (Los Angeles Metropolitan Courthouse, IIRC). Well, technically, that’s just the intro. The song itself is unlisted but it usually goes by “Maynard’s Dick.”
Um… you could rewrite the lyrics, it really is a nice song.
I’ve been privately faffing around on my acoustic for the first time in years. Here are the songs I play to myself, mostly because they’re easy and I like them:
http://ma.gnolia.com/people/Darren/tags/guitar
Alice in Chains had some really good acoustic albums.
Here is the order of which I liked best.
1. Jar of flies
2. MTV Unplugged
3. Sap
I’ve never heard Alice In Chains, that I know of.
We live in different musical universes, Greg.
Never heard of Alice in Chains? That’s scandalous. That’s a travestity. That’s tragically unhip. Ho-ho.
They were the last great guitar band. So I say.
rekounas gave the right advice on them already.
And though it has little to do with your quest for tabs, you should try Clutch (associate link). There are a couple of blues tunes on the newest one which could be fun.
Just watched that Tool video (or tried). I’m out of the loop when it comes to most popular music. I’ve yet to feel like I’m missing out on anything.
There comes a point after one’s formative years where you either move on, or you never move on past the kind of music you listened too in your formative years. Whatever turns your crank.
I like to think I moved on. Although I can appreciate just about any form of music, these day I mostly listen to acoustic-based music, music that doesn’t need to be plugged in or highly-produced to sound like music. I’ve become an old fogie and I like it.
You could always learn to play Liquor and Whores by Bubbles
I HEARD of Alice In Chains. I wouldn’t recognize any of their songs, though. I haven’t heard of Clutch at all. I’ll take a listen to them. I’ll try Alice In Chains, too.
I like that Liqour And Whores tune. Here are the chords for it.
I wonder how Americans get or don’t get the Trailer Park Boys.
ahhh the trees….stick with rush..ahh or broons bane….jody i am in the same popular musical void…you mean rush is not popular?
my kids currently enjoy stan rogers…anja is wearing out between the breaks..she particullary likes…flowers of bermuda, and old maui..the song about the whalers…when she was younger it was barretts privateers..but she was getting too rowdy every time she listened to it…demanding a draught and a table to bang on…while she got drunk…
henry is currently entranced with the Oliver soundtrack in particular “pick a pocket or two…”
try playing ‘aloha de chocobo’ by nobuo uematsu, now thats some tricky stuff