Favorite Guitar songs

A couple years ago I bought a guitar on ebay, figuring that I would teach myself to play by watching youtube videos, and just trying to learn as I go. Well, it's still a work in progress.

But one of the things I enjoy is trying to learn new songs... just to see whether or not I can play them. I was just curious if any of you play guitar, and if so, what some of your favorite songs are?

If anyone is interested, I can post a long list of songs I have "tried" to play... all fairly easy.

 

I tried to play the guitar back around 1970 but never could master it I learned a little but not enough where I felt comfortable with anyone hearing me play I don't remember whatever happened to that guitar - I guess life got in the way. I have a lot of respect for those that can play music! Wish I could do more than play the radio or record/tape player.

 

I know how you feel. Everybody and I mean everybody in my family has some type of musical talent, except me! I attend choir with my wife but am not a member. They keep asking me join and I tell them I would like nothing more, if only I could sing even a little bit. All my daughters sing and play an instrument. I play the radio.

 

I would practice on G, C, and D chords.
Get aggressive on the chords and try to bring out (or play) 2 notes of the chord only.

G can be played open.

I like songs like Metallica Fade to Black. Even if you don't like rock, the song will play like classical music or a classic old rock song.
Am, C, G, Em.

Another easy classic is Neil Young's Heart of Gold.

 

I'd been working on Guns and Roses's Sweet Child of Mine but I bought a drum set about a year ago and the guitar has taken a back seat since.

 

I played guitar during teen years, and a little for many years after. Mostly classical and folk. Haven't played much in years, but after having carpal tunnel surgery and getting back most of the feeling in my fingers I would like to get back to it. Although now, I am actually more interested in trying to build one rather than playing. Have always wanted to, now may actually have the time to do it.

 

Well, I'm a shining failure at what guitar lessons can give you. I gave up because the only thing I was taught was scales. I was never taught to play music and eventually got frustrated and quit. Tried a few times to pick it up again and play around but the spark was never there. I think I can play the opening riff to Stairway to Heaven, there is one Pink Floyd song and Home on the Range. Fairly poor return on my parents investment in my lessons.

 

Haha, yeah that's about where i'm at. LOL

ROTFL, yeah i'm REAL good at playing the radio too.

Good songs, have tried both of them. I'm just not very good at any of the fingerpicking stuff at all.

Patience was one of the first songs I tried to learn... fairly easy chords... little bit of a riff in the intro that's a challenge to learn.

Yikes, sorry! After a few hours of playing I feel like I'm gonna NEED surgery. Building one sounds like a fun project.

I haven't actually learned the scales... just chords. Got me to playing, I guess, which is what I was after. At least your folks tried!

 

I've always wanted to play the guitar, but never had the time for it. On our local yard sale site someone had what I REALLY wanted to learn to play............a steel guitar. Nothing sweeter to hear as a background instrument, but you need to enjoy country music to understand it.

 

You should have bought it, Larry... never too old to learn! Just hurts your fingers like #$@! for a few weeks until you get some callouses on your fingertips.

You'd be playing Alabama- Sweet Mountain Music in no time!

 

A steel or slide guitar is sweet. Eric Clapton's MTV Unplugged was a classic use of it. (I think Dolly Parton can jam on one too)

X, have you tried Highway Song by Blackfoot?

Em, C. For the 3rd chord, keep the C fingering and slide it up the neck 2 steps/2 frets.

Let that ring (keep it open from 3rd fret to 5th fret) and go quickly back to Em.

 

I'd get lost with the pedals and tone bar, but it sounds sweet. I know it isn't for everyone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97svDuqFctI

 

Thanks for the link Larry. I think everyone would like that, it can't be imitated.

I like all music. Here's Clapton playing a Dobro Guitar with a Slide. Not the same as a steel guitar but these guys know their blues.
I admire the "rock gods" who are really just old bluesman and know all about it.
Truly amazing, we need to keep music in schools.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36Yl6O6OR9Y

 

I play alittle of everything.

Dust in the wind is a good one to learn..

Ive never mastered anything but get by to sound good, especially when the other players drown me out and cover my mistakes..

Drums I was fairly proficient at but this was the last time I played any instruments. 14 years ago before gray hair..


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI_L3-a-WYU&t=4s

 

Well, back then you looked like a nice guy!

And that drum beat sounds good.

 

That's pretty good Mike, real good..
I knew you were into electronics because of your advice on TV and other things.
Recording is a whole other thing though and your tape sounds good.
I used to record on a Tascam Porta 3 (4 track cassette) and it's hard to get any kind of nice sound as an amateur.
It's fun to try though and I think you mastered it

 

Brian,

I can honestly say that I have never heard that song in my life. They must not play it north of the Mason-Dixon line?

Mike,

Nice video! Love the goatee!

 

I picked up a guitar one time and started messing around with it and wound up playing the solos from Free Bird and Crazy Train, then Sweet Child O Mine and Black Star. I thought, gee, that's not much of a challenge. I thought it would be harder.






Then I woke up.

 

While it isn't directly related to playing the guitar, I happened to watch a 2013 documentary in two parts the other night. History of the Eagles. Some of the best music, both instrumental and vocal around, considering all the internal strife of the group. Joe Walsh was awesome and crazy.

 

First a correction. 2 frets are not 2 steps. Each fret is a 1/2 step. 2 frets are 1 step. C is a hard chord to slide since you have to mute some strings along the way. Learn barred chords.

I was a fairly decent rhythm guitarist in the 60s & 70s. The only problem was that there were a 600 million others. Rhythm guitarists aren't used these days. The lead guitarist does both.

You would be better off having a small keyboard at the same time that you learn guitar. It's much easier to learn theory & structure that way. I've been trying to convince a friend of mine but she let the keyboard collect dust so I took it home.

Lou Reed, whom I couldn't stand made his career with only two chords, C & F. He started with his first album around 1967. The group was called the Velvet Underground. Every song was the same. In 1981, he finally added an A minor chord to his songs. I almost fell on the floor. When he died about a year or two ago, he was hailed as some great musician.

On the opposite end of the spectrum & if you want a challenge, try some Frank Zappa.

 

Joe is a great guitarist & he could be a comedian besides. His quotes about watching the Navy do maneuvers on David Crosby's boat were hilarious. Read Crosby's auto biography "Long Time Gone". It's about 500 pages but you'll finish it in a flash.

 

Got it
It's been awhile since I practiced any scales or tried to figure out what I'm doing.

I do try to pick it up once in awhile though and make some noise.

 

Just tried playing Roy Orbison - Crying... I like it.

Now if i could just sing it like he does... unfortunately my falsetto is not as good as his.

 

Roy Orbison's was not falsetto. It was real. He had a 3 octave range. I do work for an older client in town who is what I consider to be a violin virtuoso. He played recording session back up in an orchestra back in the early years. He commented that the worst accompaniment he did was with Roy Orbison. He first hated the music, then it began to grow on him. He was there when he recorded "Running Scared", where Roy had to hit a high "A" with his natural voice and he was afraid his voice would crack. He said he just let it rip and it worked.

In his studio he has an old 16 track recorder, which reminds me of an older "room" size computer.

 

My singing only sounds good if there is loud equipment drowning out my voice

 

Even in the shower I can't carry a tune...

 

I'm learning to play a guitar, it was always one of my dreams The process isn't easy for me but anyway I see some progress in my practises and I really hope to be able to play some of the song by my favourite band Zeromancer!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeromancer

 

Keep after it motifsky... don't let sore fingers stop you. Make time for it and practice a little every day.

 

Welcome to the forums from Ukraine.

As your fingers get stronger you'll get faster and better. Good luck.

Zeromancer
Good song.... "Clone your Lover"
Love their cover of "Send me an Angel".

 

Really interesting history about a few of the 'British Invasion' recording artists from the sixties.' The Yardbirds were one of the first to experiment with electric guitar special effects such as distortion, feedback, and fuzztone. One example is Beck's Bolero from 1966. I still listen to this old school stuff.

 

A few favorites that ive learned to butcher....

Both sides now - Joni Mitchell

​​​​​​If - Bread

Fire and Rain - James Taylor

Old Friends - Simon & Garfunkel

Wildfire - Michael Martin Murphy

 

You Tube them so we can see!

One of my favorite guitar riffs: Opening lead-in to Heart's Crazy on You

 

They definitely are not YouTube worthy!

 

Under the Bridge by Chili Peppers is pretty easy to learn, as is One by Metallica. Smells Like Teen Spirit is super easy.