Posted in: Guitar by Dawn Funk on June 8th, 2008 | 24 Comments
10 classic songs every guitarist should know!
Is fingerstyle guitar a dying art?
With new guitarists turning to simple, 3 chord songs from the likes of Green Day, My Chemical Romance, and Fallout Boy, there seems to be less interest in the cool, classy style of finger-picking emulated older artists. Not that Green Day doesn’t have skill – emo-rock (or whatever it is) definitely holds its place in the hearts of this generation. On the other hand, though, why not expand your musical savvy to these 10 playable greats that can be appreciated by most age groups?
Simple and sweet with smooth vocals, Fire and Rain is not difficult to play. One of the best things about this song is that there is such a blue emotion put into the very notes.
Even though this song uses basic picking patterns, it sounds difficult. Don’t get stuck on the Dixie Chicks version – Fleetwood Mac pulls this off with refinery.
Here’s another beauty that’s best known for its covers by the likes of Stars on 54, Johnny Cash, and Olivia Newton-John. Yes, it sounds a little old but it’s fun to play.
So cliché it’s barely cool to play? Definitely. I mean, what guitarist hasn’t tried learning Stariway to Heaven? Yet it maintains rank in the best songs of all time. Listen to the version by mind-blowing duo Rodrigo y Gabriela – you’ll be inspired to take it up again.
Although some of the fingering may be a little difficult for beginning guitarists, this song has an easy rhythm. Across the Universe’s Hendrix-like guitarist, Jojo, brings an ultimate coolness to this tune.
Despite having been written for beginners, some of the most popular guitarists of our time like Tommy Emmanuel, Eric Clapton, and Mason Williams have performed this number. If your friends aren’t familiar with it, they’ll be impressed by your playing.
What’s to say? Yes, it’s been overloved by our parents, but it’s still a timeless song.
Finally, a few harmonics. This piece will force you to use your pinky (if that’s something you’ve avoided) and is even more meaningful because of the tragic death of Jim Croce.
So Mood for a Day takes a little more skill and practice than some of the others on this list, but it really is worth the effort.
If you are past everything on this list of fingerstyle songs, then Petite Etude should be a breeze. This little-known gem sounds classical and is beautiful to listen to over and over again.
While there are great modern musicians who occasionally utilize the fading fingerstyle guitar (think Chili Peppers or Jack Johnson) this list suggests just a sample of older songs that are essential to a learning guitarist’s expertise.
Looking for more free, accurate tabs? Check out acousticpower.com. You’ll have to download the free software Power Tab Editor 1.7 in order to view the files, but it’s small in size and allows you to create your own tabs.
Here is a piece that I\ August 7th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
http://www.macjams.com/song/37823
Slient Night Humming Bird
Marc September 13th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Great list
Here are some of my personal favorites:
Blackbird – Beatles
Guaranteed – Eddie Vedder
Etude – Giuliani (for those classically inclined)
And my all time favorite is…
Is there anybody out there? – Pink Floyd
Jessie April 19th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
thank you for posting this. i am in high school and i play flamenco/fingerstlye guitar. it is nice to find some songs that people might actually recognize when i play them. i enjoy all of the older songs a lot. have you learned blackbird by the beatles?
Try This Song May 4th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
The Wind by Cat Stevens is a great simple fingerstyle song.
Just look at it—
http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/scorch.asp?ppn=SC0009960
Oh, and by the way, I agree with Marc. Blackbird is a great fingerstyle.
Greg July 27th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Eric Clapton never recorded Classical Gas anywhere that I can find.
Ernie August 3rd, 2009 at 11:03 am
youtube Eric Clapton classical gas…its there.
Bob Halloran October 5th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
How about Airproofing by Leo Kottke?
hen October 16th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
simple man – lynnard skynard
Mattcaffee December 15th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
actually clapton never recorded classical gas, it was mason williams, clapton said he could never see himself touching that mans song, he respects it to much. He did talk about doing it but decided not to.
Flatpick January 12th, 2010 at 5:33 pm
“Bob”, as you get older and discover how many mistakes you (just like the rest of us) make, you’ll hopefully learn to be more tolerant of others. I tried your link and it tells me the performer is Mason Williams, not Eric Clapton. It appears the Youtube poster may also have been mistaken. After all, like the rest of us, they’re probably human too.
You’ll actually enjoy life more if you lighten up a bit. :-}
MAxito February 22nd, 2010 at 11:30 am
MY fav in fingerstyle is benighted by Opeth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjtZW_FCSTo .
GUY February 23rd, 2010 at 6:43 am
I think babe i’m gonna leave you should be in there too.
Ralph February 27th, 2010 at 6:20 am
Nothing else matters by Metallica…amazing song..
Williamz May 27th, 2010 at 6:44 pm
babe im gonna leave you is an amazing song to play fingerstyle, its my personal favorite. dust in the wind is pretty easy and fun too.
chris August 25th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
anything by andy mckee is pretty amzing! youtube!
Billy3va September 10th, 2010 at 6:18 am
Don’t forget “Annie’s Song” by John Denver.
Matt September 19th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
More Than Words by Extreme is a great song for fingerstyle.
jaimemragos October 18th, 2010 at 11:10 am
Nice article. I hope I could also play the guitar while singing love songs.
Jenn November 19th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Of course Eva Cassidy is a good choice. I particularly recommend “True Colours” and “Somewhere over the rainbow” .. After a while you can sing along too.
HALP ME December 9th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
i cant find a good tab for Blackbird by the beatles….. T.T some1 plz post a link! i’d appreciate it…
Michael December 10th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Ever tried to play Dee by Randy Rhoads? Its less than a minute long but a great picking exercise.
mostpopulararticle January 12th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
Your Triond articles are being followed by The Triond Experiment blog and when your articles happen to be related to the blog posts, your article links are automatically pulled up and attached with the blog posts as a related article.
This article is currently showed under “More Music Articles from Musicouch ” inOn Guitar With or Without You .
Thanks and best of luck!
Michael A. March 31st, 2011 at 2:54 am
Andy Mckee is so amazing. He is regarded as one of the worlds most talented solo acoustic guitar players. Rylynn, For My Father, Shangai, and Heather’s Song are my favorites. Check out his album “Art of Motion”. I respect the heck out of this list, but you have to listen to Andy Mckee and realize that he SHOULD be in this list.
Here is a link to Rylynn on youtube. Enjoy
Nils Meyer April 20th, 2011 at 2:59 pm
How cheap and shallow. Not a mention or even hint of Chet Atkins, Doc Watson, Merle Travis, JOHN FAHEY, You are probably saying now, hunh? Ha-ha !