Have you ever been frustrated trying to figure out a song by ear?

It’s not easy when you’re banging your head against the wall trying to figure out a certain chord, lick, or melody.

Years ago, I was playing a gig with this brilliant organ player who Downbeat magazine rated “Organist Of The Year” and he was talking to me about transcribing Steely Dan. There was one chord, that he had on loop, and was just banging keys on the piano trying to find it.  

For some guitarists, this seems to come naturally for others they need to focus more on the fundamentals of ear training. 

Below I share with you some tips on guitar started (as a guitarist) and simple steps forward to improve your ear.

1. Simple Pitch Matching Skills:

Start by becoming more tuned to the sounds around you. It could be as simple as hearing a doorbell, or noticing a truck backing up. Try to match the note back. This is the most basic level of ear training called pitch matching, and...

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...

There’s an old joke… 

Mozart’s little sister would walk into the room, go to the piano, and play:

C, D, E, F, G, A, B…

Then walk out.

Mozart would frantically run to the piano and hit the note C to resolve the tension he felt. This was how she would tease him. 

But that’s the power of a good ear.

I believe, it’s one of the most valuable skills a musician can have.

Why?

The answer is simple: music is a hearing art. You’re only as good, as what you can hear. Below I’m going to be talking about the benefits of having a good ear and developing your relative pitch. Relative pitch is simply a discovery of how your own mind interprets sounds.

So let’s get started with the 7 ways ear training makes you a better guitarist, beginning with:

1. Tonic recognition 

Music at any given point has a tonality or a “home” key. This is talked about when musicians say things like, “The song is in the key of...

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...

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...

If you're down and out, and you feel real hurt, here’s an epic blues groove to pick you right back up.

And that’s something special about the blues. It often comes out of sad circumstances. But ironically when you listen to it or play it on your guitar. You feel better.

So grab your axe, that’s what we’re going to do in the post. 

I’m going to break down a classic from none other than the Velvet Bulldozer himself, in this “I’ll Play The Blues For You” Albert King guitar lesson. 

Who wrote I’ll Play The Blues For You?

"I'll Play the Blues for You" is a classic blues song written by Jerry Beach. It was made popular by Albert King though, one of the most influential blues guitarists and singers of all time. King’s recording of it was released in 1972 as the title track from his iconic album "I'll Play the Blues for You." 

The song’s lyrics talk about a musician promising to play the blues for someone...

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...

“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...

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....

Guitar World magazine named this song one of the greatest guitar songs of all time 

Below I am going to share with you interesting insights behind it no one is showing on the internet.

You see it was released in 1969 but the riff comes straight out of the blues. It was inspired by the old-school masters Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon.

So grab your guitar and let’s dive into this “Whole Lotta Love” guitar lesson.

Who wrote Whole Lotta Love?

"Whole Lotta Love" was written by the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. It was released in 1969 as the opening track of their second studio album, Led Zeppelin II, the song is widely regarded as one of the greatest rock anthems of all time.

Jimmy Page came up with the main riff for "Whole Lotta Love" after listening to the Muddy Waters track "You Need Love," written by Willie Dixon. Led Zeppelin then adapted the riff and added their own lyrics and arrangement to it.

“Whole Lotta Love” was recorded at various...