One thing so many guitarists would love to be able to do is to play rhythm and then instantly be able to switch over to lead and then back.

To do this, you have to develop your rhythm skills and your picking skills. And then you have to practice navigating going back and forth.

A great way to work on this is to play songs like what I am going to share with you today in this “For What It’s Worth” guitar lesson.

This song only has a couple of chords. In this post, I’ll share how to play the whole thing from top to bottom. 

So grab your guitar and let’s get started!

Who wrote For What It’s Worth:

"For What It's Worth" was originally written by Stephen Stills, the lead singer and guitarist of the band Buffalo Springfield. It was recorded in Los Angeles in 1966, and released on their debut album Buffalo Springfield the following year.

While often considered an anti-war anthem, the song was actually inspired by the Sunset Strip curfew riots in Los Angeles that same year. These clas...

Today I want to share with you how to play “ A Horse With No Name” by America in 5 different levels.

We’ll start with an easier version that uses just two chord shapes and a simple strumming pattern. From there we’ll expand on the rhythm through 5 different levels and take the song from beginner to pro.

Also, if you’re newer to guitar and are looking for a good song to begin with, this one is one I would recommend. 

That will be the first part of the lesson (the 5 levels). 

After this, I’ll share with you a more advanced version using the alternate tunings and doubled guitar parts as well.

So grab your guitar and let’s get started with this Horse With No Name guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Horse With No Name?

The song "A Horse With No Name" was written by Dewey Bunnell of the American rock band America. It was the band's first and most successful single, released in late 1971 in Europe and early 1972 in the United States.  

The song topped the charts in Canada, Finland, and the Un...

"Do It Again" was written by Steely Dan’s core members, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker.

The song was released as a single in 1972 and also appeared on their debut studio album, "Can't Buy a Thrill," which was released the same year.

The recording of "Do It Again" took place at the Village Recorders studio in Los Angeles, California. The song features a fusion of rock, jazz, and blues elements, which is characteristic of Steely Dan's sound.

The band's meticulous attention to detail and studio craftsmanship is evident in the song's arrangement and production.

“Do It Again" received critical acclaim upon its release and has since become one of Steely Dan's signature songs. It reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.

The song's popularity has lasted, and it is often cited as one of the band's greatest hits. Steely Dan has won multiple Grammy Awards throughout their career, and while "Do It Again" itself didn't win a Grammy, it contributed to the band's...

Whelp… 

Today I have something cool for you…

And there really isn't much more to say other than THIS...

Right now, for the first time ever, I'm going to share with you how I play one of the most ICONIC guitar riffs of all time!

I’m talking about THE EPIC, THE LEGENDARY Lynyrd Skynyrd Tune…

 "Sweet Home Alabama."

Apparently, Ed King was the guy who came up with the main signature guitar part. (BTW your friends will recognize this right away when you play it!)

Ed played it on a Fender Stratocaster.

Now I’ve played this tune countless times with band after band… 

It always seems to come a little later in the set when everyone starts to cut loose on the dance floor…

In fact, I even learned a simple version of “Sweet Home Alabama” as one of the first riffs I ever played. (I’ll show you how to play that easy version too.)

My cousin showed it to me.

He taught me the chords and this little picking pattern. 

I remember playing it to my parents and friends as a kid… and even they...

Today I want to share with you an easy way to play “Rocket Man” on guitar.

This song has touched generations of listeners and was written by two legendary songwriting collaborators Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

In this post, you’ll learn the chords, strumming patterns, and even cool ways that piano parts can be interpreted on guitar.

So tune up and let’s dive into this “Rocket Man” guitar lesson!

Who wrote Rocket Man?

"Rocket Man" was written by the British singer-songwriter Elton John, with lyrics by Bernie Taupin. 

It was released on Elton John's 1972 album Honky Château. The song is one of Elton John's most iconic hits and remains a staple of his discography.

"Rocket Man" was recorded at the Honky Château Studio in France. This studio was known for its unique recording methods, including the use of a mobile recording unit.

The song reached the top ten on the charts in the United States and the United Kingdom. In 2018, "Rocket Man" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame...

Jimi Hendrix was one of the greatest rhythm guitar players ever. 

Now sure he came out onstage and did circus stunts like playing guitar solos with his teeth and behind his back. But too often his rhythm playing gets overlooked. 

The truth is, Hendrix changed the game in this area as well. 

He combined the influences of players like Curtis Mayfield and Cornell Dupree and had some of the most beautiful and inventive rhythm guitar playing you’ll ever hear.

Today I want to share an example of this with you in this Wind Cries Mary guitar lesson. 

So grab your guitar and let’s get started!

Who originally wrote The Wind Cries Mary?

"The Wind Cries Mary" is a blues rock ballad written by Jimi Hendrix. He wrote the song as a reconciliatory love song for his girlfriend in London, Kathy Etchingham. The song was originally titled "Katherine" before Hendrix changed it to "The Wind Cries Mary."

This groovy song was recorded at Studio One in London in July 1967. It was produced by Chas Ch...

Few guitarists are able to fuse together the roots of the blues and rock ‘n’ roll better than Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin. 

In fact, songs like ‘You Shook Me’, ‘Whole Lotta Love’, ‘Bring It On Home’ and ‘The Lemon Song’, are almost all directly ripped off from old blues classics. 

So it’s safe to say that Page’s style has come straight out of artists like Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Howlin’ Wolf, and Willie Dixon…

But he did take their sound and styles to a new place. And played some amazing guitar parts with Led Zeppelin. 

So today, I’m going to share with you one of them…

You’ll learn a great tuning for blues guitar. How to blend bluesy riffs right into your rhythm playing, and even some more advanced concepts about theory, chords, and scales…

So grab your guitar, tune down, and let’s jump into this “Hey Hey What Can I Do” Led Zeppelin guitar lesson.

Who Wrote Hey Hey What Can I Do?

"Hey Hey What Can I Do" is a classic rock song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin. It...

I’ve noticed over the years often students have a hard time hearing the difference between ARPEGGIO picking and FINGER-picking in a song.

This can be tricky to know and distinguish.

Both techniques can create a similar vibe. However, there is a slight difference in the sound and style with each technique. 

Today I want to share with you an example of arpeggio picking in this “Simple Man” guitar lesson. With hopes that it reinforces this technique in our minds. So we can easily recognize it when it comes up again. PLUS we’ll also take a look at a number of other super valuable techniques you can start using in your guitar playing right away.

So grab your guitar and let’s dive in!

Who Wrote Simple Man?

The song "Simple Man" was written by Ronnie Van Zant and Gary Rossington of the American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. It was released on their debut album, "Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd," which came out in 1973. 

The album also featured other iconic Lynyrd Skynyrd songs like "S...

Today I want to share with you how I play what is often cited as one of the greatest rock songs ever recorded. 

“What song is this?” you may be wondering…

I am talking about “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd. 

This epic composition has some INCREDIBLE guitar playing in it. And I am going to be breaking it down from top to bottom in this ultimate Pink Floyd Comfortably Numb guitar lesson.

So grab your guitar, tune-up, and let’s get started! 

Who wrote Comfortably Numb?

"Comfortably Numb" is an iconic song by the British rock band Pink Floyd. The tune was written by Roger Waters and David Gilmour, two of the band's primary songwriters. It was released on Pink Floyd's 1979 album, The Wall. The song is one of the most signature and lasting tracks in the band's catalog.

"Comfortably Numb" has it all, from powerful guitar solos, to haunting lyrics, and emotional depth. It features dual lead vocals, with Waters singing the verses and Gilmour taking over for the choruses and guitar so...

Neil Young was once asked about his perspective on his musical career, and his response was… 

"It's all one song." 

I thought that was an interesting way to look at it…

Now sure he’s had continuous themes and emotions in his vast discography. 

But there are a handful of his tunes that have REALLY resonated with audiences more than others. Ones they’ve latched on to for decades.

And today I want to share one of those with you.

In this lesson, you’ll discover how to combine syncopated rhythms with quick chord changes. How to play folk-style chord embellishments, and even how to add walk-ups and licks in the middle of your rhythm playing.

Plus if you are a singer yourself, or you want to accompany others, this song is a great example of how to do that with just one guitar.

So tune up, and let’s dive into this “Old Man” guitar lesson. 

Who Wrote Old Man? 

"Old Man" is a classic song by Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young. Neil Young wrote and recorded the song, and it was re...