https://acousticguitar.com lessons, music to play, and how-tos for all guitarists Fri, 20 Dec 2024 16:45:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://i0.wp.com/acousticguitar.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/AG_Favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 https://acousticguitar.com 32 32 103806923 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-buck-currans-slow-stately-dadgad-arrangement-of-black-is-the-colour-of-my-true-loves-hair/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-buck-currans-slow-stately-dadgad-arrangement-of-black-is-the-colour-of-my-true-loves-hair/#respond Fri, 27 Dec 2024 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=146245 The song is a lament, performed in the style of an Irish slow air, so take it slowly, making every note count to convey the song’s brooding mood.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-buck-currans-slow-stately-dadgad-arrangement-of-black-is-the-colour-of-my-true-loves-hair/feed/ 0 146245 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-happy-traums-bluesy-take-on-the-traditional-song-he-was-a-friend-of-mine/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-happy-traums-bluesy-take-on-the-traditional-song-he-was-a-friend-of-mine/#respond Wed, 13 Nov 2024 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=145766 This tune from Traum's last album exemplifies the late guitarist's signature steady bass groove and complex picking.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-happy-traums-bluesy-take-on-the-traditional-song-he-was-a-friend-of-mine/feed/ 0 145766 https://acousticguitar.com/the-water-is-wide-learn-hiroya-tsukamotos-orkney-tuned-fingerstyle-arrangement/ https://acousticguitar.com/the-water-is-wide-learn-hiroya-tsukamotos-orkney-tuned-fingerstyle-arrangement/#respond Sun, 28 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=144557 Simple and modern at the same time, this interpretation of the Scottish folk classic keeps the fundamental harmony of the original.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/the-water-is-wide-learn-hiroya-tsukamotos-orkney-tuned-fingerstyle-arrangement/feed/ 0 144557 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-in-the-pines/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-in-the-pines/#comments Tue, 05 Dec 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=142595 The arrangement of this song, also known as "Where Did You Sleep Last Night," is inspired by Nirvana’s version.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-in-the-pines/feed/ 1 142595 https://acousticguitar.com/gordon-lightfoot-the-wreck-of-the-edmund-fitzgerald-guitar-lesson/ https://acousticguitar.com/gordon-lightfoot-the-wreck-of-the-edmund-fitzgerald-guitar-lesson/#respond Fri, 22 Sep 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=141079 Lightfoot recorded the song on a 12-string—specifically, a Gibson B-45-12—but it will work just as well on a six-string.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/gordon-lightfoot-the-wreck-of-the-edmund-fitzgerald-guitar-lesson/feed/ 0 141079 https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-play-shake-sugaree-an-elizabeth-cotten-fingerpicking-staple/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=139159 Cotten plays “Shake Sugaree” on a guitar tuned down a whole step, using chord shapes in the key of C major that sound in Bb.]]> 139159 https://acousticguitar.com/cam-ye-oer-frae-france-a-dropped-d-arrangement-of-an-irreverent-scottish-song/ https://acousticguitar.com/cam-ye-oer-frae-france-a-dropped-d-arrangement-of-an-irreverent-scottish-song/#respond Fri, 19 May 2023 15:53:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=120951 Popular versions have been performed by Steeleye Span, Ewan MacColl, and Dick Gaughan]]> https://acousticguitar.com/cam-ye-oer-frae-france-a-dropped-d-arrangement-of-an-irreverent-scottish-song/feed/ 0 120951 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-guitar-arrangement-of-scottish-folk-song-fortune-turns-the-wheel/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-guitar-arrangement-of-scottish-folk-song-fortune-turns-the-wheel/#respond Sun, 19 Feb 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=134192 "Fortune Turns the Wheel" is simple, and the sung melody needs little in the way of instrumental propulsion, so the guitar setting is spare in this arrangement.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-guitar-arrangement-of-scottish-folk-song-fortune-turns-the-wheel/feed/ 0 134192 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-the-scottish-folk-song-my-bonnie-lies-over-the-ocean-on-guitar/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-the-scottish-folk-song-my-bonnie-lies-over-the-ocean-on-guitar/#respond Thu, 19 Jan 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=134161 Learn an easy guitar arrangement of the traditional Scottish folk song "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean."]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-the-scottish-folk-song-my-bonnie-lies-over-the-ocean-on-guitar/feed/ 0 134161 https://acousticguitar.com/the-basics-a-bluesy-lick-you-need-to-know/ https://acousticguitar.com/the-basics-a-bluesy-lick-you-need-to-know/#respond Fri, 04 Nov 2022 16:25:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=118741 This blues lick is fairly easy to play on guitar, and when played well can create a very evocative sound that will add movement and interest to your accompaniment.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/the-basics-a-bluesy-lick-you-need-to-know/feed/ 0 118741 https://acousticguitar.com/john-henry-play-this-acoustic-guitar-tribute-to-an-american-folk-hero/ https://acousticguitar.com/john-henry-play-this-acoustic-guitar-tribute-to-an-american-folk-hero/#respond Thu, 20 Oct 2022 15:30:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=120940 Passed down from the late 1800s, the folk ballad “John Henry” tells the story of a Black steel driver who dies in an effort to best a steam drill in laying down steel for the construction of a railroad. Henry is thought to have been a real person, whose proof of existence has been pieced […]]]> https://acousticguitar.com/john-henry-play-this-acoustic-guitar-tribute-to-an-american-folk-hero/feed/ 0 120940 https://acousticguitar.com/video-lesson-the-secrets-behind-bob-dylans-inventive-acoustic-guitar-work/ https://acousticguitar.com/video-lesson-the-secrets-behind-bob-dylans-inventive-acoustic-guitar-work/#respond Mon, 13 Jun 2022 16:15:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=118712 Bob Dylan's great acoustic guitar playing is often overlooked. Here we showcase his deceptive chord moves, his fluency with standard and non-standard tunings, and his knack for constant reinvention.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/video-lesson-the-secrets-behind-bob-dylans-inventive-acoustic-guitar-work/feed/ 0 118712 https://acousticguitar.com/intimate-aoife-odonovan-performance-of-prodigal-daughter/ https://acousticguitar.com/intimate-aoife-odonovan-performance-of-prodigal-daughter/#respond Sun, 01 May 2022 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=129122 Once you’ve gotten a feel for the fingerpicking pattern, played in dropped-C tuning, look for ways to add your own variations to the song. ]]> https://acousticguitar.com/intimate-aoife-odonovan-performance-of-prodigal-daughter/feed/ 0 129122 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-house-of-the-rising-sun-on-guitar/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-house-of-the-rising-sun-on-guitar/#respond Mon, 21 Mar 2022 16:18:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=125770 Here's an easy arrangement for guitar of "House of the Rising Sun" that's great as a campfire song—whether you're cooking dinner inside or outside.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-house-of-the-rising-sun-on-guitar/feed/ 0 125770 https://acousticguitar.com/tangled-up-in-blue-bob-dylans-apparently-unfinished-masterpiece/ https://acousticguitar.com/tangled-up-in-blue-bob-dylans-apparently-unfinished-masterpiece/#respond Sun, 23 Jan 2022 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=127041 Here are tips for playing Bob Dylan's "Tangled up in Blue," as arranged on The Bootleg Series, Vol. 14 in an intimate and intense version with just guitar, harmonica and bass.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/tangled-up-in-blue-bob-dylans-apparently-unfinished-masterpiece/feed/ 0 127041 https://acousticguitar.com/remembering-folk-icon-elizabeth-cotten-and-her-distinctive-guitar-approach/ https://acousticguitar.com/remembering-folk-icon-elizabeth-cotten-and-her-distinctive-guitar-approach/#respond Thu, 23 Jul 2020 17:51:59 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=118668 “Nobody did teach me. Everything I know, I learned all by myself, so I give myself all the credit!”]]> https://acousticguitar.com/remembering-folk-icon-elizabeth-cotten-and-her-distinctive-guitar-approach/feed/ 0 118668 https://acousticguitar.com/play-an-easy-version-of-the-traditional-song-darling-corey/ https://acousticguitar.com/play-an-easy-version-of-the-traditional-song-darling-corey/#respond Fri, 03 Apr 2020 23:27:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=114777 Here is a simple version of "Darling Corey" using two chords, A and G, that will give you plenty of practice switching between those two chords.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/play-an-easy-version-of-the-traditional-song-darling-corey/feed/ 0 114777 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-the-irish-folk-song-the-lassie-who-had-the-land-2/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-the-irish-folk-song-the-lassie-who-had-the-land-2/#respond Sat, 29 Feb 2020 10:30:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=115392 When Jody Stecher first heard this song, he couldn't get it out of his mind.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-the-irish-folk-song-the-lassie-who-had-the-land-2/feed/ 0 115392 https://acousticguitar.com/acoustic-classic-rocky-mountain-high/ https://acousticguitar.com/acoustic-classic-rocky-mountain-high/#respond Fri, 17 Jan 2020 16:23:09 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=113988 This folk-rock gem became the official state song of Colorado in 2007.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/acoustic-classic-rocky-mountain-high/feed/ 0 113988 https://acousticguitar.com/play-the-irish-tune-whiskey-in-the-jar-2/ https://acousticguitar.com/play-the-irish-tune-whiskey-in-the-jar-2/#respond Sat, 14 Dec 2019 08:57:52 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=112195 This tune has been popular for over 200 years and is an instantly recognizable pub favorite.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/play-the-irish-tune-whiskey-in-the-jar-2/feed/ 0 112195 https://acousticguitar.com/amazing-grace-learn-arlo-guthries-take-on-this-great-hymn/ https://acousticguitar.com/amazing-grace-learn-arlo-guthries-take-on-this-great-hymn/#respond Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:58:39 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=111830 Audiences at the Woodstock Festival in August of 1969 were treated to Arlo Guthrie’s languid folk-country version, the inspiration behind the arrangement shown here.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/amazing-grace-learn-arlo-guthries-take-on-this-great-hymn/feed/ 0 111830 https://acousticguitar.com/video-lesson-learn-basic-bossa-nova-patterns-inside-and-out/ https://acousticguitar.com/video-lesson-learn-basic-bossa-nova-patterns-inside-and-out/#respond Sun, 25 Aug 2019 13:52:07 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=103793 Bossa nova emerged from a unique combination of samba rhythms and harmonies from Brazilian folk music mixed with American jazz.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/video-lesson-learn-basic-bossa-nova-patterns-inside-and-out/feed/ 0 103793 https://acousticguitar.com/there-but-for-fortune-travis-picking-joan-baez-style/ https://acousticguitar.com/there-but-for-fortune-travis-picking-joan-baez-style/#respond Fri, 15 Mar 2019 19:57:59 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=110473 As with any folk accompaniment, you needn’t bother with playing exactly what’s on the printed page. It would sound overly studied to play things note for note.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/there-but-for-fortune-travis-picking-joan-baez-style/feed/ 0 110473 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-the-choice-wife/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-the-choice-wife/#respond Thu, 24 Jan 2019 22:51:10 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=109678 This arrangement makes an excellent introduction to fingerstyle Celtic guitar—and a sweet selection to add to your repertoire.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-the-choice-wife/feed/ 0 109678 https://acousticguitar.com/both-sides-now-two-distinct-approaches-to-the-joni-mitchell-classic/ https://acousticguitar.com/both-sides-now-two-distinct-approaches-to-the-joni-mitchell-classic/#respond Fri, 14 Dec 2018 19:22:10 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=109159 Inspired by a passage in the Saul Bellow novel 'Henderson the Rain King', Joni Mitchell penned what would become one of her most popular songs in 1966.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/both-sides-now-two-distinct-approaches-to-the-joni-mitchell-classic/feed/ 0 109159