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How to play Last Child by Aerosmith on guitar

rock May 23, 2023


In this post, you’ll get a breakdown of tips and tricks to help you unlock Aerosmith's hit song "Last Child." Throughout this lesson, you will discover the connection between blues and rock guitar styles as we delve into the key points of playing "Last Child."

Who wrote Last Child?

"Last Child" was originally written by Steven Tyler and Brad Whitford. It was first released as a single from the album Rocks in 1976. The song reached number 21 on the Billboard charts and became one of the many hits for Aerosmith during the mid-1970s.

How do you play Aerosmith Last Child on guitar?

The opening guitar part for “Last Child” starts off using a guitar technique called arpeggio picking. This is where you plant down a chord with your fretting hand and then pick out individual strings one at a time. Instead of strumming the chord, you are breaking it up and creating an arpeggio. 

You’ll need 3 shapes for your fretting hand, Dm9, G6, and E7.

Here’s how I...

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Play "I Shot the Sheriff" Like Clapton

rock May 21, 2023

Unlock this crowd-pleasing song, and iconic Clapton style with this lesson on how to play “I Shot The Sheriff” on guitar.

In this post, you’ll get a breakdown of tips and tricks for playing this classic tune as well as diving into some signature Eric Clapton guitar techniques and tones. So get tuned up and let’s dive in! 

Who originally did the song I Shot the Sheriff?

"I Shot the Sheriff" was originally written by Jamaican reggae musician Bob Marley. It was first released on the album Burnin’ in 1973 with his band Bob Marley and the Wailers.

A year later, Eric Clapton recorded the song and released it on his album 461 Ocean Boulevard. Both Clapton’s version and the original Marley version are in the key of Gm, so the chords are the same however in this post, I’ll be focusing more on Clapton’s version.

I Shot the Sheriff Guitar Chords

To play “I Shot the Sheriff” you’ll need to know 4 core chords, Gm, Cm, Eb,...

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Black Coffee In Bed Guitar Lesson

rock May 20, 2023

"Black Coffee in Bed" is a timeless classic that has been a favorite of music fans for over four decades now. The song was written and recorded by the British band Squeeze. It’s a soulful track that captures the pain and heartache of a relationship gone wrong. With its unique chord progression and catchy lyrics, "Black Coffee in Bed" has become a staple of radio playlists and concert performances around the world. 

If you're a guitar player who loves the sound of soulful rock, then learning how to play "Black Coffee in Bed" on guitar is a must. In this post, I’ll take you through the key elements of the song so you can start playing in this style today.

So grab your guitar and a cup of coffee, and let's get started.

The Story Behind Black Coffee In Bed

The story behind "Black Coffee in Bed" is an interesting one. According to Squeeze's lead vocalist and songwriter, Chris Difford, the song was inspired by a real-life experience. Difford had recently gone through a...

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Witchy Woman Guitar Lesson: An Insider’s Look at the Eagles’ Signature Sound

rock May 18, 2023

The Eagles are widely regarded as one of the greatest rock bands especially known for their exceptional guitar skills.

If you want to level up your rock guitar game then look no further than this guitar lesson on how to play in the style of “Witchy Woman”.

Who wrote Witchy Woman? 

"Witchy Woman" was written by Don Henley and Bernie Leadon. Leadon a founding member of the Eagles had actually already started writing the "Witchy Woman" riff when he was a member of the band the Flying Burrito Brothers. 

The song came to life when Leadon went over to Henley’s new spot where he was living in an old house near the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Henley recalled Leadon coming over one day and playing a “Strange, minor-key riff that sounded sort of like a Hollywood movie version of Indian music.”

He thought it had a haunting quality to it and this became the rough version they put down on cassette tape. Later it was recorded in the studio with the...

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The ULTIMATE House of the Rising Sun Guitar Lesson

rock May 16, 2023

Looking for a way to level up your rock guitar skills while also adding an awesome crowd-pleasing song to your repertoire?

Well, this "House Of The Rising Sun" guitar lesson has got you covered.

If you're a fan of folk and blues music, then you've likely heard "House of the Rising Sun" at least once. This iconic song has been covered by countless artists over the years, but perhaps none have captured the haunting melody quite like The Animals.

As a guitarist, learning to play "House of the Rising Sun" can be a challenging task, but it's sure to capture the attention of your audience once you get it down.

In this post, I'll break down the song into simple steps, so you can start playing it on your own in no time. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, this guide will help you master this classic tune and add it to your repertoire. So grab your guitar, and let's jump in!

Who wrote the original version of House Of The Rising Sun

"The House of the Rising Sun" is a...

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The Ultimate "I Love Rock N Roll" Guitar Lesson

rock May 13, 2023

Unlock this instantly identifiable rock riff in this guitar lesson on how to play "I Love Rock 'N Roll" as recorded by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

Whether you are a beginner or a pro, this rock riff should be a part of your vocabulary. In this post, you'll gain deeper insight into essential rock guitar techniques and how you can develop them, so you can use them in your own music and have a lot of fun playing rock guitar.

Who wrote I Love Rock N Roll?

"I Love Rock 'n' Roll" was originally written by Alan Merrill and Jake Hooker, and was first recorded in 1975 by the British rock band The Arrows.

However, later in 1981 it was covered by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, and released as a single from her album using the same title. The song became a defining tune for Jett’s career and was her highest-charting hit song which made it all the way up to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

I Love Rock N Roll Chords

“I Love Rock N Roll” is all based around just 3...

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Tush Guitar Lesson: Tips and Tricks for Perfecting Your Blues Rock Guitar Style

rock May 11, 2023

Ready to learn the 67th greatest hard rock song of all time according to Rolling Stone Magazine?

If so this Tush guitar lesson is the perfect resource for you! 

Who wrote Tush?

"Tush" was written by American blues rock band ZZ Top and was the single released off their fourth studio album Fandango! in 1975. 

Apparently, the entire song was written in just a few minutes during a sound check in Florence, Alabama.

It’s amazing how sometimes the best songs come the fastest. Another great example of this is Freddie Mercury when he talked about how he wrote “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” in just a few minutes as well.

Sometimes inspiration strikes and it’s almost like the songs just fall right out of the instrument. It’s truly amazing!

Tush Chords

Tush is a great example of how classic blues progressions made their way into rock songs. This one follows a standard 12-bar blues progression in the key of G and uses the I, IV, and V chords.

I chord =...

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Rock Out with Alice Cooper: No More Mr. Nice Guy Guitar Lesson

rock May 09, 2023

Do you like rock guitar riffs and singers with cool, raspy voices? 

Well, if so, this "No More Mr. Nice Guy" guitar lesson is for you. 

From the epic opening rock guitar riff to the big chords in the verse, to even the syncopated bassline part that matches up with the melody in the chorus, this song has a lot to offer the aspiring rock guitar player. 

I'll walk you through the whole thing, step-by-step, in this guide, with the goal of unpacking this EPIC rock guitar style.

Who wrote “No More Mr. Nice Guy”

“No More Mr. Nice Guy" was written by Michael Bruce and Alice Cooper for the American rock band Alice Cooper. The song was first released as a single in 1973, off their sixth studio album Billion Dollar Babies. The song reached number 25 on the US charts and since then, it has become an anthem of rock 'n' roll.

Signature Riff

One of the coolest guitar parts in the song is the opening signature riff. It starts off with an A power chord but is played...

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Green River Guitar Lesson: Tips and Tricks for Blues Rock Players

rock May 05, 2023

If you're a fan of blues and rock guitar, then this “Green River” guitar lesson by Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) is perfect for leveling up your skills. 

This song skillfully blends the two styles of music and adds a swampy feel for good measure.

I’m going to break it down for you step-by-step so when you're done you'll have an awesome version that will sound great for accompanying yourself, playing along with the recording, or even jamming with other people as well. 

Who wrote Green River?

"Green River" was written by John Fogerty for the American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival. It was first released as a single in July 1969, one month before the full Green River album was released.

The song was written about a vacation spot on Putah Creek, near Winters, California that Fogerty used to go to as a kid. 

Green River Chords

You’ll only need to know 3 chords to play “Green River” and they are E7, C, and A.

You can play E7...

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Get Your Blues Groove On with this "Got My Mojo Working" Guitar Lesson

blues May 04, 2023

Looking to expand your blues repertoire and improve your timing and groove?

This ultimate guide to how to play “Got My Mojo Working” on guitar has got you covered. 

In this guitar lesson, I’ll share with you how to play the signature blues groove, rhythms, turnarounds, and even talk soloing for this classic blues tune. It follows a typical 12-bar blues progression, and if you practice the tips shown here, you’ll have your audience tapping their feet and swaying to the beat in no time!

Who originally sang Got My Mojo Working?

"Got My Mojo Working" was written by Preston "Red" Foster, and it was first recorded in 1956 by R&B singer Ann Cole. This version has a great upbeat groove to it. The lyrics of the song describe something called mojo, which has been associated with hoodoo, an African-American folk magic tradition.

Later in 1957, Muddy Waters put his own spin on the arrangement and changed the lyrics just slightly. His most famous version of the...

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