If you want to learn to play guitar like a thunderous rock god.

Here's a powerful riff to help set you on your way. 

In fact, few guitar riffs hold as much raw energy as this one. It blends elements of the blues with searing rock guitar solos. 

I’m going to share its most iconic moments in this post. 

So grab your guitar and let’s dive into this “Stranglehold” guitar lesson.

Who wrote Stranglehold?

“Stranglehold” was written by American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, Ted Nugent.  While Ted is often credited with the song, Rob Grange, the bassist, also played a significant role in its creation. 

Apparently "Stranglehold" is a song that evolved from a spontaneous jam session. The riff came about during a rehearsal, and then quickly took shape as the band experimented with different musical ideas. 

The recording captured the band's live energy, with Nugent's guitar work being a standout feature. His extended guitar solo, which lasts several minutes, is a central feature of ...

If you want to master the art of rock guitar, then you are going to need to do something very important.

And that is...

Listen to great rock records.

So below are 10 epic rock guitar albums every guitarist should know.

As I go through them, I’ll some share key points I’ve gleaned from studying these masters of rock guitar.

So without further ado, here they are (in no particular order):

1. Back In Black AC/DC

Angus Young is one of the greatest grand pooh-bahs of rock guitar. Malcolm gets credit too. But Angus was a master at creating killer riffs. He also plays the h3llz out of them in a stadium full of fist-pumping rock fans.

2. The Dark Side of the Moon Pink Floyd

David Gilmour’s soaring leads with Pink Floyd have no doubt moved the world. Everything on this album from the way he bent strings, to the chord progressions, to even the use of psychedelic sounds is incredible.

3. Rumours Fleetwood Mac

Take a listen to tunes like “Go Your Own Way”. You'll hear how Lin...

Here’s an edgy song made famous in the classic film “The Graduate” in 1967.

It all started with a bluesy riff Paul Simon mashed together with a catchy sing-along melody that made history.   

I’m going to share facts about the song and go through some of Paul Simon’s iconic guitar work in this post. 

So grab your guitar, and let’s dive into this “Mrs. Robinson” guitar lesson.

Who Wrote Mrs. Robinson?

"Mrs. Robinson" was written by Paul Simon, one-half of the American folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel. The song was released in 1968 and is famously associated with the film "The Graduate," directed by Mike Nichols. 

Nichols, a fan of Simon & Garfunkel's music, initially wanted to use their existing songs for the movie's soundtrack. But Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel decided to write new material. 

At the time, Simon had been working on a song titled "Mrs. Roosevelt," which evolved into "Mrs. Robinson." Nichols didn’t like the political element so they put a tacet on the “Roosevelt” l...

If you like playing along with your favorite recordings or even jamming songs with friends, then here’s a quick and easy tune to add to your setlist and have blast playing.

You only need 3 chords to get through it. And, you’ll potentially unlock a lot of powerful guitar skills like:

• Improving your rhythm
• Improving your fingerpicking
• Improving your strumming
• Combining licks and chords
• Playing lead guitar

So grab your axe and let’s dive into this “Can’t You See” guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Can’t You See?

"Can't You See" was written by Toy Caldwell, the lead guitarist and primary songwriter for the classic Southern rock group the Marshall Tucker Band. Caldwell was known for his distinctive guitar playing and made big contributions to the band’s iconic sound.

He wrote "Can't You See" while recovering from a motorcycle accident. The song's bluesy tone and reflective lyrics show Caldwell's emotional state during his recovery.  

“Can’t You See” was released in 1973 on the group...

True story: 

The first time I ever heard this song was when one of my childhood best friend’s played it at a high school talent show.

I remember sitting in wooden fold-down chairs, in the school auditorium when they came on to perform. But something looked a little bit different with the rhythm section. The drummer (who played with my friend) managed to cover keys and drums at the same time. He moved away the floor tom and played the synthesizer part on a keyboard setup where the floor tom would be with his right hand. The rest of his body played the rock drum beat.

I was blown away. My childhood friend sang the lead, and the crowd loved it.

There’s just something about this rock anthem that is so satisfying to listen to and play.

So grab your guitar and let’s dive into this The Cars’ “Just What I Needed” guitar lesson!

Who wrote Just What I Needed?

"Just What I Needed" is a classic rock song by the American rock band The Cars. It was written by the band's lead vocalist and r...

While the Rolling Stones may be known for their hard rock songs…

If you’re gonna go “acoustic” this is how you do it.

Below I’m going to share a beautiful song featuring raspy vocals from Mick Jagger, and a soulful groove from the rest of the band. Including a beautiful 12-string guitar part I believe to be played in a mysterious open tuning with a partial capo. 

Fear not though, if you want to stay in standard tuning, I am going to cover both.

So grab your guitar and let’s dive into this “Wild Horses” guitar lesson! 

Who wrote Wild Horses?

"Wild Horses" was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the two principal songwriters in the English rock band The Rolling Stones.

The inspirations for "Wild Horses" have been somewhat debated. Mick Jagger has said the song is about his relationship with Marianne Faithfull, a singer and actress he was romantically involved with in the late 1960s. Faithfull herself has claimed that the phrase "wild horses couldn't drag me away" was som...

Here’s an iconic song about an unusual love triangle between music legends Eric Clapton, and the wife of his fellow friend and musician George Harrison of The Beatles.

It’s got searing rock guitar riffs fit for any stadium. And also later became a mellow acoustic version featured on Eric Clapton’s famous Unplugged record.

I’m going to unearth little-known facts about this song, and break down key points to Eric Clapton’s guitar style.

So grab your axe, and let’s get started with this “Layla” guitar lesson.

Who wrote Layla?

"Layla" is a rock song written by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon, first released by Derek and the Dominos. Jim Gordon, an American drummer and songwriter, co-wrote the piano ending for "Layla." It’s like almost like a completely new journey after the first part of the song. 

"Layla" was recorded in 1970 at Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida. It was produced by Tom Dowd.

The backstory goes…

"Layla" was inspired out of Clapton falling in love with Pattie Boyd, ...

Here’s a powerful song that was performed live during the Beatles' famous rooftop concert on January 30, 1969.

This was the last public performance of their career. This gig was filmed and included in the "Let It Be" documentary.

It’s a simple song, but it’s packed with energy and showcases the Beatles’ connection to blues and early rock and roll.

So grab your guitar and let’s dive into this “Get Back” guitar lesson.

Who wrote Get Back?

"Get Back” was written primarily by Paul McCartney, but it’s credited to the songwriting duo Lennon-McCartney. The song was released as a single on April 11, 1969, and later included on the album "Let It Be" in 1970.

"Get Back" was created during the "Get Back" sessions, which were intended to return the Beatles to their roots by recording a straightforward rock album without a bunch of studio effects. The sessions were done in January 1969, initially at Twickenham Film Studios and later at the Beatles' own Apple Studio in London.

Early ver...

“She grew up in an Indiana town 

Had a good lookin' mama who never was around

But she grew up tall and she grew up right

With them Indiana boys on an Indiana night…” 

It’s lyrics like these that showcase Tom Petty’s brilliant ability to craft a story that grabs a hold of you. 

And often overlooked, is how powerful his band and his right-hand man guitarist Mike Campbell were. 

Mike’s guitar playing propelled many of the Heartbreaker’s most lasting hits. And in this post, we’ll take a look at a few of his guitar stylings and how this was all made happen.

So grab your guitar, tune up, and let’s dive into this “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” guitar lesson.

Who wrote Mary Jane's Last Dance?

"Mary Jane's Last Dance" was written by Tom Petty and recorded by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. First released as a single in 1993, then it was later included on the band's Greatest Hits album. 

Tom Petty was a brilliant songwriter and a master storyteller. And this song is just one of many that...

Behold a song brimming with American spirit and blistering rock guitar parts. 

It’s been played in countless party bands and kept audiences on the dance floor rocking all night long.

You only need to know 6 chords and a few simple riffs to get playing it like the record today.

So grab your guitar and let’s dive into this “American Girl” guitar lesson. 

Who wrote American Girl?

The song "American Girl" is a classic rock song written by Tom Petty and recorded by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. It was released in 1977 as the second single from their debut album, also titled Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. 

The song captures a sense of restlessness and longing for freedom, typical of many young Americans. The song was even recorded on the Fourth of July, 1976, adding a layer of American spirit to the theme.

The album Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, which includes "American Girl," was made at the Shelter Studio in Hollywood, California. "American Girl" has gone on to become one...