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Get Back Guitar Lesson (The Beatles)

rock Jun 29, 2024

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...

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Mary Jane's Last Dance Guitar Lesson (Tom Petty)

rock Jun 24, 2024

“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...

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The ULTIMATE American Girl Guitar Lesson (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers)

rock Jun 17, 2024

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....

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Whole Lotta Love Guitar Lesson (Led Zeppelin)

rock Jun 17, 2024

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...

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Hurt Johnny Cash Guitar Lesson (Just Like The Record)

rock Jun 13, 2024

Here’s a haunting song with an interesting backstory.

Originally performed by the Nine Inch Nails, producer extraordinaire Rick Rubin convinced Johnny Cash to do a cover, which catapulted the song to major fame.

In this post, I’ll be covering the guitar played on Johnny Cash’s legendary recording.

So tune up, and let’s get started with this Hurt Johnny Cash guitar lesson!  

Who wrote Hurt?

"Hurt" was originally written and recorded by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails (NIN). They released it on their second studio album, The Downward Spiral, in 1994.

Here’s more of the backstory…

Trent Reznor wrote "Hurt" as the closing track for The Downward Spiral. It was recorded in 1993 at Le Pig, Trent Reznor's home studio in Beverly Hills, California. The studio was famously located in the house where actress Sharon Tate was murdered by members of the Manson Family in 1969. Reznor rented the house to work on the album, adding an eerie layer...

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Sister Golden Hair Guitar Lesson (America)

rock Jun 11, 2024

If you’re a fan of music from the 70s, here’s an iconic tune that captures the essence of the folk-rock style during this time.

It’s got a 12-string, acoustics, electrics, and even a lap steel melody that is sure to transport you back in time to this wonderful era of music. 

It’s a crowd-pleasure to play at parties. In fact, I’d recommend every guitarist add it to their setlist. 

So grab your guitar, tune up, and let’s dive into this Sister Golden Hair guitar lesson.

Who Wrote Sister Golden Hair

"Sister Golden Hair" was written by Gerry Beckley, one of the founding members of the American rock band America. It was released in 1975 on their album Hearts

Beckley has said that the song is about a person who is hesitant about love and unsure about making a serious commitment. The title character, "Sister Golden Hair," is often interpreted as a symbol of an idealized love interest who represents both attraction and the fear of...

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Donā€™t Let Me Down Guitar Lesson (Beatles)

rock Jun 09, 2024

Today I want to share with you a song that is often considered one of the greatest Beatles songs.

It came about at a turbulent time for the band. It was 1969, the same year that John Lennon informed the other members of the band that he was leaving.

This song was primarily written by John Lennon, and it's a raw and heartfelt plea that expresses his vulnerability and dependence on Yoko Ono.

So grab your guitar and let’s dive into this “Don’t Let Me Down” guitar lesson!

Who wrote Don't Let Me Down?

"Don't Let Me Down" is a song by The Beatles, primarily written by John Lennon and credited to Lennon-McCartney. It was released as a single in 1969, with "Get Back" as its B-side.

The recording sessions for "Don't Let Me Down" took place in January 1969 during the Get Back/Let It Be sessions, which were famously fraught with tension among the band members. Despite the strained atmosphere, the song emerged as a powerful expression of emotion.

“Don’t Let...

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Born To Be Wild Guitar Lesson (Steppenwolf)

rock Jun 03, 2024

Here’s an epic rock riff that’s sure to get your hands grooving like a well-oiled machine. 

This one takes us back to 1967. It’s a legendary song that has been in movies and played at parties, and it’s often cited as one of the first heavy metal songs.

I believe it’s a must-know for every rock guitar player. So grab your axe and let’s dive into this “Born To Be Wild” guitar lesson.

Who originally sang Born To Be Wild?

“Born To Be Wild” was originally written by Canadian musician and songwriter Mars Bonfire (a stage name for Dennis Edmonton). He shopped the song around to other bands first, but Steppenwolf was the band that took it and turned it into a hard rock anthem.

You see, Mars originally wrote it as more of a slower, introspective song. But it ended up taking on a harder, more aggressive tone with Steppenwolf. “Born To Be Wild” was recorded in 1967 at American Recording Co. in Studio City,...

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Play That Funky Music White Boy Guitar Lesson (Wild Cherry)

rock May 23, 2024

 

Here’s a funky, bluesy groove you can use to improve your timing and have a ball playing. 

It’s been proven to keep an audience twisting and shaking on the dance floor, all night long. It’s been played in party bands for decades and below I’m going to show you how to play the iconic guitar parts and lock into a foot-tapping groove.

So put on your dancing shoes and let’s dive into this “Play That Funky Music White Boy” guitar lesson.

Who wrote Play That Funky Music White Boy?

"Play That Funky Music" was written by Rob Parissi, lead vocalist and guitarist for the American funk rock band Wild Cherry. The song was released in 1976 and became a huge hit. It’s become a classic from the disco era.

Rob Parissi, was inspired to write "Play That Funky Music" after the band kept getting repeatedly asked to play more disco and funk songs during their live shows. 

Wild Cherry initially played rock music, but they noticed the rising...

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Behind Blue Eyes Guitar Lesson (The Who)

rock May 05, 2024

The year was 2002…

I had just bought tickets to see the Who at the Hollywood Bowl and was ecstatic.

You see, Pete Townshend was one of my idols, and seeing him do the windmill arm live was definitely on my bucket list.

The show I had tickets to was on a Sunday night…

But something tragic happened the Friday before the show...

News broke that John Entwistle had passed away...

My heart sank as I thought this is it, I’m not going to the Who. They are going to cancel the shows.

So they canceled Friday night's show and Saturday’s show. But the first show back was the show I had tickets to on Sunday night.

And wow was it a powerful night…

In fact, Roger Daltrey came up on the mic, and the first thing he said to 17,500 Who fans at the bowl was…

“Tonight we play for John”...

Another amazing side-note to this story is that legendary bass player Pino Palladino had stepped in and learned all of John’s bass parts for the whole show in...

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