Free Guitar Lessons Blog » Acoustic Guitar Lessons

Strumming Patterns – Beginner Acoustic Guitar Lesson

Jane — Wed, 27 May 2009 17:31:25 +0000

Below is an instructional video that I came across. It deals with strumming patterns which may not be as fun as learning a new song, but is very useful if you want to start learning songs faster. The more patterns and ideas that you practice on your guitar, the more often you’ll recognise how a song is being played.

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Embellishing Open Chords – Acoustic Guitar Lesson

Jane — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:15:53 +0000

In this beginner’s guitar lesson the author teaches you how to spice up those open or cowboy acoustic guitar chords and really add some spice to your playing. With a little practice you’ll sound like you have been strumming the the old acoustic for years.

Works with electric guitars also. Best of luck.

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Fortunate Son – Creedence Clearwater Revival – Guitar Lesson

Jane — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:06:15 +0000

Another classic released by John Fogerty and the boys, “Fortunate Son” can be found on the album, “Willy and the Poor Boys”, which was released in 1969.

The song was very popular during the Vietnam War, and it can be heard in many Vietnam War movies, as well as, video games.

“Fortunate Son” reached position 14 on the United States music charts and Rolling Stone magazine ranked the song number 99 on their list “500 Greatest Songs of all Time”.

Even a beginner shouldn’t have many problems with this song. A little time spent with the backing track to get down the rhythm and it will be another song under your belt.

Fortunate Son Backing Track

Fortunate Son Song Chords

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Kansas – Dust In The Wind – Travis Picking Guitar Lesson

Jane — Mon, 11 May 2009 12:57:47 +0000

The single “Dust in the Wind” was released by the rock band Kansas on their album “Point of no Return”, in 1977. Later, Kansas also released a live version of the song on their album entitled “Two for the Show”.

According to some sources, Kerry Livgren wrote the song after reading a book of Native American poetry. One of the lines that caught his eye while reading the poetry was:

“For all we are is Dust in the Wind”

Kerry was a little hesitant to show his band members the song, since it was not typical of their current sound. Fortunately, he ultimately did, and they went ahead and released it. It went on to become became their biggest hit, and arguably, their best-known song.

The song will not be too hard for the beginner who has spent some time learning Travis picking. For those that are not familiar with Travis picking, some practice will be required (don’t give up).

I have managed to find a backing track for the song, which is included at the end of this post, along with a PDF chord chart. Any time spent mastering this song, in my opinion, is time well spent. A great song to add to your repertoire – have fun!

AUTHOR NOTE: Some of my YT friends have been kind enough to request a tutorial video on this great song. I hope this helps, please contact me with any questions you may have. Thanks for watching!

Dust in the Wind Backing Track

Dust in the Wind Song Chord Sheet

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Johnny Cash – Folsom Prison Blues – Guitar Lesson

Jane — Thu, 07 May 2009 03:12:03 +0000

Cash was inspired to write this song after seeing the movie Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison (1951) while serving in West Germany in the United States Air Force. Cash recounted how he came up with the “Reno” line: “I sat with my pen in my hand, trying to think up the worst reason a person could have for killing another person, and that’s what came to mind.”

The version covered in the video below is live and a little more upbeat than the original recording that was released by Sun records in December 15, 1955.

Below the video you’ll find a Folsom Prison Blues chord chart and backing track that you can play along with. I had a lot of fun with this one.

Folsom Prison Blues Backing Track

Click here to download –> Folsom Prison Blues Guitar Chords

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Neil Young – Heart of Gold – Guitar Lesson

Jane — Sun, 03 May 2009 10:02:44 +0000

Although Neil has never been one to worry about making hit records, this song is by far his greatest hit and probably best-known song. Neil wrote the song in 1971 while suffering from a back injury and released it on his harvest album in 1972.

The song’s composition is not difficult but it has enough of a hook that it catches your ears. An easy song for the beginning guitarist. However, the actual rhythm may take a couple trial runs.

I have included the backing track and a song chord sheet below. Another must know campfire song and a favorite of mine. Enjoy!

AUTHOR NOTE: This song is in the key of G and I’m using a regular ten-hole diatonic harmonica in the key of G… probably a Hohner Blues Harp by the looks of it, but I’d recommend the Big River by them… they’re usually cheaper and they’re pretty good. All the best! – E ps yes if you want to use an Em7 in the intro, it would be more correct. Em(7) D Em(7) D Em CD G… Em GC G…

Heart of Gold Backing Track

Heart of Gold Chords

I have put together a PDF document that you can use for a chord reference to the song. You can download it to your computer by clicking here Heart of Gold – Song Chord Sheet

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Eagles – Peaceful Easy Feeling – Guitar Lesson

Jane — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 23:40:04 +0000

“Peaceful Easy Feeling” was written by Jack Tempchin and was the third single from the Eagles’ debut album entitled simply “Eagles”. Glenn Frey sings the lead vocal, with Bernie Leadon providing the main harmony vocal (starting in the beginning of the second verse) and Randy Meisner completing this three-part harmony.

For the video below the Chords and Lead are Improvised in the key of D. At the bottom of this post you’ll find a backing track (and chord listing key of E) to the song that you can play along with.

Peaceful Easy Feeling Backing Track – Key of E

Eagles – Peaceful Easy Feeling Chords – Key of E (same as on the album)

Intro
E Esus E Esus

Verses
E A E A E A B7 2x

Chorus
A E A B E F#m A B7 E / Esus E Esus /

Interlude
E A E A E A B7 2x /A E A B E A B7

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America – Horse With No Name – Acoustic Guitar Lesson

Jane — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:46:02 +0000

America was formed in England by sons of US servicemen who were stationed there. Lead singer Dewey Bunnell wrote this when he was 19.

He claims that he based the images in the lyrics on things he saw while visiting the US.

An easy song to learn and a must know for the campfire.

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Green Day – Boulevard of Broken Dreams – Acoustic Guitar Lesson

Jane — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:31:19 +0000

“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” was released on Green Day’s seventh studio album, “American Idiot” on November 29th, 2004. The music for the song was written by Green Day, with lyrics by lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong. The song itself peaked on the American Billboard charts at number two.

Noel Gallagher of Oasis criticized Green Day in late 2006, saying, “They should have the decency to wait until I am dead [before stealing my songs]. I, at least, pay the people I steal from that courtesy”, referencing the fact that “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” uses the same chord progression as Oasis’ hit single “Wonderwall”.

A very easy song for even a beginner to learn and my favorite Green Day tune.

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Oasis – Wonderwall – Acoustic Guitar Lesson

Jane — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 06:23:20 +0000

The notion of the “Wonderwall” came from a film released in the sixties called “Wonderwall – from Psychedelia to Surrealism”, which starred Jane Birkin. She lives next door to a man who becomes fascinated with her, so he slowly makes holes in his wall so he can watch her through it. This is the “Wonderwall”.

Released on the album (What’ the Story) Morning Glory. It is the second-best selling in British history only surpassed by the Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

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