Behold…

One of the greatest live recordings of all time.

Now, the original version was released in 1974 on Bob Marley’s album Natty Dread. But it’s the live version that really put the song on the map.

It also has a very interesting backstory that showcases Marley’s kind and generous character. Below, I’m going to share some insider tips for how to play it on guitar.

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “No Woman No Cry” chords and guitar lesson! 

Who Wrote No Woman No Cry?

“No Woman No Cry” is widely believed to have been written by Bob Marley. However, the songwriting credit is officially listed as Vincent Ford. Ford was a close friend of Marley’s who ran a soup kitchen in Trench Town, Jamaica, where Marley grew up.

Marley grew up in poverty, and he intentionally gave Ford the songwriting credit so he could collect royalties. This money helped keep Ford’s soup kitchen open and was one of the many behind-the-scenes gestures of generosity Marley showed in his lifetime.

Here’s a raw and honest Nirvana song that was written secretly about Kurt Cobain’s then-girlfriend, Tracy Marander. 

It’s built of just 2 sections and a handful of chords. Below, I’m going to share some insider tips for Kurt Cobain’s guitar style behind it.

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “About A Girl” chords and guitar lesson! 

Who Wrote About A Girl?

“About a Girl” was written by Kurt Cobain, the frontman and guitarist for the American grunge rock band Nirvana. It first appeared on their 1989 debut album, Bleach, and later gained widespread acclaim with the acoustic version from MTV Unplugged in New York album released in 1993.​

Kurt Cobain drew inspiration for the song from his then-girlfriend, Tracy Marander. The lyrics reflect tensions in their relationship. Interestingly, Marander discovered the song was about her only after reading Michael Azerrad's 1993 biography, Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana.​

“About A Girl” was recorded in December 1988 at Rec...

Picture this…

You’re slow dancing with the love of your life. Your #1 girl.

But suddenly you look around at the room you're dancing in… and it’s on fire.

The whole place is going down, and you know you’re doomed.

That’s what John Mayer sings about in his powerful song, “Slow Dancing In A Burning Room.”

Below, I’m going to share some insider tips on the tasty guitar style behind it.

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Slow Dancing In A Burning Room” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Slow Dancing In A Burning Room?

​“Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” is an epic song written by singer-songwriter/guitarist John Mayer. It’s from Mayer’s 2006 album Continuum. Although it was never released as a single, it’s become one of Mayer's most acclaimed tracks, celebrated for its emotional depth and masterful guitar work.​ 

John Mayer wrote “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” as a metaphor for a relationship on the brink of collapse. The vivid image of a couple dancing while eve...

Mr. William Withers sang:

===

Sometimes in our lives, we all have pain

We all have sorrow

But if we are wise

We know that there's always tomorrow

===

Those are the opening lyrics to a powerful song first released in 1972.

It’s gone on to become one of the most beloved songs in American music history. Below, I’m going to share with you some insider tips for playing in this style on guitar.

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Lean On Me” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Lean On Me?

“Lean On Me” was written by legendary soul singer Bill Withers. It’s one of his most popular songs, and it’s become an iconic piece of American music history. 

“Lean On Me” was included on his second album Still Bill, but was first released as a single in April of 1972. The song quickly shot up to No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts.​

Withers drew inspiration for “Lean On Me” from his upbringing in the coal mining town of Slab Fork, West Virginia. After moving to Los A...

Years ago I was sitting in a music class with blues guitar grand puba Kenny Burrell…

He didn’t have his guitar with him that day. But he did have a grand piano in the room.

So he walked over to it and played the notes:

E

G

A

Bb

B

D

E

In that order, slowly, he hunted and pecked at the keys. (Kenny isn’t a piano player. But, he would often use the piano to demonstrate certain sounds he was talking about.)

He then looked up at the class and said, “Do you know what that is?”

The room was silent.

He said, 

“That’s the blues scale.”

Then he paused and said,

“Do you have that worked out? All over your instrument?... 

…because if not you’re going to want to do that.”

Decades later, I still remember this lesson. And as I became a more proficient musician. I’ve only seen MORE value in it. 

You see, when I play lead guitar, in pretty much ANY style, I rely on knowing the blues scale on my instrument. The blues seems to always sneak its way into my soloing somewhere.

But whe...

Have you ever gone to great lengths for someone in love?

You made sacrifices and did what you thought was the “right thing”.

This may sound like a great idea… until they don’t reciprocate. Then, it can end in utter tragedy. But today, I want to share with you a song about that.

Now, all the other lessons online are missing this one little trick I am going to show you that makes all the difference. 

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

Who Wrote Yellow?

"Yellow" was written by Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Champion– all four members of the British rock band Coldplay. It’s one of their most iconic songs that first appeared on their debut album, Parachutes, released in 2000.  

It was co-produced with British record producer Ken Nelson. 

Apparently the song’s inception began one evening during a recording session at Rockfield Studios in Wales. The band had just finished the track "Shiver," and took a break outsid...

Want to play an instantly recognizable epic rock guitar riff?

Well, if so, this post could be just what you’re looking for. 

You see, this riff is often cited as one of the greatest classic rock guitar licks of all time. 

It's been heard on TV shows like The Simpsons and King of the Hill. 

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

Who Wrote China Grove? 

China Grove was written by Tom Johnston, a founding member, guitarist, and lead vocalist for the American rock band The Doobie Brothers. 

It’s one of their most iconic songs, loaded with rock ‘n' roll energy, killer guitar riffs, and a quirky little twist of small-town storytelling.

The driving guitar riff powers the song. Johnston said he came up with the groove during a jam session. The piano part was laid down by Bill Payne, keyboardist of Little Feat, who played on the session. Johnston later said Payne’s opening piano part was so infectious, it helped him come up with the whole v...

If you want to play incredible lead and rhythm guitar… then you’re going to need to know chords.

Below I’m going to share 10 Epic (Minor) Blues Guitar Chords Every Guitarist Should Know.
So grab your 6-stringer and let’s dive in, starting with…

1. Open Em

In my humble (but accurate) opinion, this is one of the greatest guitar chords of all time.

For many players, it may have even been the first chord you ever learned. Yet it sounds so good – especially if you drag your pick from the treble to the bass strings like this:

A great bluesy song that uses this Em is “I Put A Spell On You” as recorded by Creedence Clearwater Revival. The original was done by Screamin' Jay Hawkins, but it’s an AWESOME 16-bar blues:

2. Moveable Minor

This chord is the same basic idea as the open Em chord but it makes it moveable. This can be tough if players have not learned to play bar chords effortlessly yet. But once you get it down, it can open up a lot of doors.

You see this can now be played ...

Stressed out or got problems?

Here’s a pro tip: put on some Bob Marley and drift away. 

His deep reggae grooves and feeling can help ease your mind, and they are also a TON of fun to play on guitar. 

Below I’m going to break down some essential reggae guitar tips and tricks used in one of Bob Marley’s most popular songs.  

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

Who Wrote Three Little Birds?

“Three Little Birds” was written by Bob Marley and released by Bob Marley & The Wailers on their 1977 album Exodus. Like many of Marley’s tunes, it was credited to Bob Marley alone.

The lyrics on this gem are very uplifting and reassuring, the chorus sings the famous lines: 

===

Don’t worry about a thing,

‘Cause every little thing is gonna be all right.

===

It’s a beautiful tune with a positive outlook on life. 

According to some accounts, Marley was inspired by actual birds that he would see outside his home in Kingston, Jamaica. He ...

True story:

I used to live in Box Canyon, where the psychopathic serial killer/cult leader Charles Manson used to hang out with his “Manson Family”.

Now, I lived there some 30 years later, things have changed quite a bit. I even recorded an album deep in the canyon. (Which you can listen to online called Songs From Box Canyon.)

But apparently Manson believed The Beatles’ had coded messages in their songs to him. Now what’s even scarier is I used to take little hikes out my back porch into the canyon when I lived in Box. And on one sunny day, I came around a bend and saw carved in a rock the words “Helter Skelter”.

I kid you not, it gave me the heebie jeebies.

However, the phrase "helter skelter" is a reference to a British amusement park slide, but Manson took it to mean impending doom and destruction.

So grab your 6-stringer, and let’s dive into this “Helter Skelter” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Helter Skelter?

“Helter Skelter” was primarily written by Paul McCartney...