If you want to play any popular American music from the past 150 years… then you’re going to want to be familiar with the blues. 

When you do this makes learning your favorite songs so much EASIER.

You’ll start to identify the fundamental patterns beneath the surface of the music. And you won’t feel like you have to start back at square one, every time you go to learn a new song. In this post, I want to share with you 3 simple ways to play the 12 bar blues progression. 

These examples are going to be in the key of A major. However, the blues can be played in any key – major or minor. So let’s start with the…

12 Bar Blues Progression Chords

There are 3 main chords to a simple blues progression. These are called the I, IV, and V chords. The I, IV, and V chords are the most common chords in Western music and are essential for understanding harmony. They come from the major scale of a given key and are built on the 1st, 4th, and 5th notes (or degrees) of that scale.

In the key of ...

Have you ever listened to a song and it just captivates you?  

It takes you away to another world?

Well, this one does that for me.

And it’s also done it for many other people as well. 

It’s an older song from back in 1931, and it’s become a standard. Below I’m going to dive into some pro tips on how to play it – particularly the version as recorded by The Mamas & The Papas. So grab your axe and let’s dive into this “Dream A Little Dream Of Me ” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Dream A Little Dream Of Me?

The music for "Dream a Little Dream of Me" was written by Fabian Andre with lyrics from Wilbur Schwandt and Gus Kahn. Gus was one of the most prominent lyricists of this era. He also wrote the lyrics for many other famous tunes like "It Had to Be You", and "I’ll See You in My Dreams".

“Dream A Little Dream Of Me” is a romantic ballad that sings about a couple parting. The singer asks their lover to "dream a little dream of me" even after they’ve gone. It’s filled with nos...

Ever been in deep emotional pain?

Well, here’s an epic Rolling Stones’ 12-string tune that might be just about that.

It wasn’t as popular at first as say tunes like “Satisfaction”, or “Paint It Black.”  

But it’s definitely become a crowd favorite over the years. So grab your axe and let’s dive into this “As Tears Go By” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote As Tears Go By?

"As Tears Go By" was written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and the Rolling Stones’ manager Andrew Loog Oldham. This collaboration was unusual in that it marked a rare songwriting contribution from Oldham – who was largely involved in the production side but also contributed lyrics.

“As Tears Go By” is an introspective tune possibly about heartbreak and the passing of time. The lyrics sing about deep sadness, and themes of loss. The song was written when the Rolling Stones were still in their early stages of stardom. Oldham thought of "As Tears Go By" as a more "pop-oriented" song, specifically written for t...

If you want to improve as a guitarist, one of the most important areas to focus on is technique.

Techniques are the keys to being able to unlock the sounds created on your favorite recordings.

But if a player is lacking the skills or understanding of the techniques required. Then their music is going to come up short.

Below I share 10 must-know guitar techniques for beginner and intermediate players. These are in no particular order, and there are many more than what I list here. But let’s get started with…

1) Slides

Slides are a versatile and expressive technique that can add a smooth, fluid sound to your playing. They can be added to single-note lines, chords, or even the beginning and ends of phrases or solos.

However, a lot of guitarists feel like they don’t have enough strength to slide. They can’t glide up or down the neck without the note dying off. This can be tough and annoying. 

2) Hammer-ons and Pull-offs 

These are technically two different techniques. Howe...

Picture this…

You’re outback, camping in the woods with some friends…

Nightfall hits and you build a fire…

You brought your guitar with you, and after a few shots of whiskey you decide to play a song for your friends under the stars… 

What tune are you going to play?

Well, here’s one that just might be a perfect solution.

Below I’m going to break down the guitar style behind it. So grab your axe and let’s dive into this “Wish You Were Here” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Wish You Were Here? 

“Wish You Were Here” was originally written by Roger Waters and David Gilmour of the English rock band Pink Floyd. It was first released in 1975 as the title track of their album of the same name, and it’s gone on to be one of their most legendary songs.

It was inspired by Syd Barrett, the band’s original frontman, who left Pink Floyd due to severe drug-induced breakdowns and mental health issues. The lyrics sing about a sense of alienation, regret, and disconnect from oneself and ...

How are your calluses?

Guitar can be tough as nails.

There’s so much information and so little organization on the internet for a consistent thread of study. But in this post, I want to share with you 7 essential guitar chords for beginners. Plus some easy diagrams and tips so you can build a strong foundation for playing your favorite songs on guitar.

Starting with the good ole’...

1) D Major

In my humble (but accurate opinion) this is a great first chord to try. It’s not too difficult like a full C chord because your fingers can remain relatively close. It sounds really good, and you can use this in millions of songs. 

To play a D major chord on guitar in open position, follow these steps: 

• Index Finger (1st fret hand finger) – Place it on the 2nd fret of the G (3rd) string.
• Middle Finger (2nd finger) – Place it on the 2nd fret of the high E (1st) string.
• Ring Finger (3rd finger) – Place it on the 3rd fret of the B (2nd) string.
• Strum from the D (4th) string down. Th...

If you were around in the early ‘90s, here’s a little ditty you couldn’t escape. 

It was on the radio, MTV, and playing in the background of countless coffee shops and dorm rooms. But here’s the crazy thing: R.E.M. never expected it to be a hit.

Below I’m going to break down how to play guitar in the style of this iconic tune. So grab your axe and let’s dive into this “Losing My Religion” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Losing My Religion?

“Losing My Religion” was written by all four members of the American alternative rock band R.E.M. Including Michael Stipe (vocals), Peter Buck (guitar, mandolin), Mike Mills (bass, keyboards), and Bill Berry (drums). It was the lead single from their 1991 album Out of Time, and despite having no traditional chorus, no electric guitar riff, and being built around a mandolin, it became their biggest song. 

While at a first glance, it’s easy to think the song is about religion. But the phrase "losing my religion" comes from a Southern saying...

Behold... the first music video from an Irish band to hit 1 billion views on YouTube.

The video was so polarizing it was banned in certain countries. The message behind the song and powerful imagery were meant to reflect the religious and political turmoil in Ireland during the early 90s.

Below I’m going to share with you some insider tips on how to play in the guitar style of it. It’s not too difficult and is a great choice for newer players.

So grab your axe and let’s dive into this “Zombie” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Zombie?

"Zombie" was written by Dolores O’Riordan, the lead singer of the alternative rock group The Cranberries. O’Riordan composed the song alone, both the lyrics and melody, during the band's 1993 tour in the UK.

It was a protest anthem written in response to the 1993 IRA bombing in Warrington, England. This tragic event killed two children: three-year-old Johnathan Ball and 12-year-old Tim Parry. The bombing was part of the long-running conflict kn...

Let’s talk about how to play the harmonic minor scale on guitar. This scale is a great scale to know whether you are a beginner or an advanced player. 

In this post, I’ll share two different ways to play the A harmonic minor scale on guitar. How to practice the A harmonic minor scale. And finally, a few examples of songs that use the harmonic minor scale, so you can hear the sounds in context. 

So make sure you’re tuned up. And let’s get started!

What is the A harmonic minor scale on guitar?

The A harmonic minor scale on guitar is just a series of 7 notes in a row. It is a way of grouping together a specific set of notes similar to the A natural minor scale but with one change. The A harmonic minor scale has a very specific sound to it, and the notes form the foundation for putting together chords in a minor key.

What notes are in the A harmonic scale?

The notes in the A harmonic minor scale are:

A - B - C - D - E - F - G# - A

This scale is based on the A natural minor scale...

Have you ever wondered how to hold a guitar pick?

Or which one you should use?

Or if you should even use one at all.

Well, in this post I’m going to share some insider tips for these questions. 

So grab your guitar and let’s start off with…

How To Hold A Guitar Pick

If you’re using a standard flatpick, I believe the best way to hold it is between two fingers. I use the thumb and the index finger.

First, curl your index and place the pick with the point of the pick following your index finger:

Then simply place your thumb on top like this:

I think gripping the pick with your thumb and index is best. However, there are players that have broken this rule. For example, Eddie Van Halen was known for holding the pick between his thumb and middle finger. This allowed him to keep his index finger free for fret tapping – another key technique in his playing style.

This approach gave him a more fluid transition between picking and finger-tapping. 

One thing I don’t recommend doin...