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song guides and technique tips from our teachers
featured Song Guide
Jingle Bells is one of the most popular, most cheery and infectious of all Christmas songs. The 19th Century original by James Pierpont (the WIkipedia entry for it is well worth a read) refers to sleigh bells as ‘jingle bells’ but you don’t have to be in a snow-bound place to know this song - it gets sung everywhere from Greenland to the Australian Outback! This finger-style version includes chord symbols so a second guitar/ukulele can accompany with the chords, or for a sing along and hey, the whole lot can go together! Merry Christmas all!
Latest Technique Tip
If you're thinking of starting guitar lessons, finding the right teacher for you is crucial! If you get the right start on the instrument, you'll have a much smoother time moving forward. Finding a new guitar teacher can be daunting, especially if you’re completely new to guitar. But we’re here to help! With a few tips, you can make the process a little bit easier and set yourself up for success straight away. Read on!
most popular song guides
Happier Than Ever by Billie Eilish is the title track from her second album Happier Than Ever. Released in 2021, the casual, old-school guitar style makes it sounds more like a 1950s Country lament until the energy starts to build towards the Grunge/thrash style ending. An intelligent mix of chords and the blending of styles make it a great song for acoustic guitarists.
Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes is the big global hit from their 2003 album Elephant. Based on a simple seven-note riff it, became the White Stripes’ most enduring hit and remains popular around the world on radio, television and streaming formats. The riff, repeated in power chords, and the solo based on the same tune make it a perfect choice for developing electric guitarists.
The classic ‘90s hit from Oasis that became their signature song and epitomizes the whole Britpop era. The opening strains from the rhythm guitar are one of the most recognizable of all strumming songs. The original is played on acoustic steel-string but it sounds great on electrics too. Not so suitable for nylon-strings though; you won’t get the jangle!
This lovely fingerstyle number has become a wedding staple around the world since its release in 2017. Whilst the original is played on acoustic steel-strings, it sounds great on classical guitar. It can also sound good on electric guitars with medium-heavy gauge strings and wider spacing to allow for comfortable finger-picking.
Wow, a current hit song with a prominent and continuous electric guitar part! Okay, we’re doing it! Medium tempo number that doesn’t just repeat the same four bars over and over (what a relief)! The part is intelligently arranged and fits really neatly with the percussion track, making it a good chart to play along with. Works best on electric but will also sound okay on steel-string acoustic.
Jingle Bells is one of the most popular, most cheery and infectious of all Christmas songs. The 19th Century original by James Pierpont (the WIkipedia entry for it is well worth a read) refers to sleigh bells as ‘jingle bells’ but you don’t have to be in a snow-bound place to know this song - it gets sung everywhere from Greenland to the Australian Outback! This finger-style version includes chord symbols so a second guitar/ukulele can accompany with the chords, or for a sing along and hey, the whole lot can go together! Merry Christmas all!
Leave The Door Open is the big-production Philadelphia-Soul style hit from the 2021 album An Evening With Silk Sonic by the ‘super duo’ Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak. A Top 10 hit in over twenty countries, Leave The Door Open is a fantastic advanced chord study piece for guitarists to help develop their understanding of jazz harmony.
If you're thinking of starting guitar lessons, finding the right teacher for you is crucial! If you get the right start on the instrument, you'll have a much smoother time moving forward. Finding a new guitar teacher can be daunting, especially if you’re completely new to guitar. But we’re here to help! With a few tips, you can make the process a little bit easier and set yourself up for success straight away. Read on!
Deck The Hall is one of the most popular of all Christmas songs. Of Welsh origins, it is a staple for group carol singing and is heard widely in the lead up to, and on Christmas Day. Deck The Hall is a jolly little number that is easy to accompany on guitar/ukulele and is perfect for a bit of sing-along merriment this Christmas!
Get Lucky (feat. Pharrel WIlliams and Nile Rogers) is the 2013 hit from their last album Random Access Memories. A Top 10 hit in many countries around the world Get Lucky won Record of The Year at the 56th Grammy Awards. It’s classic disco rhythm makes a great example to help electric guitarists develop their funk rhythm work.
Welcome to the FAQ for Modern Guitar Chord Styles, Book 3. The most in-depth and sophisticated book in the Modern Guitar Chord Styles series, MGCS3 builds on from MGCS2 but focuses on Jazz, Blues and Funk chord work and the wide range of music this leads you into. Packed with sophisticated examples and progressions, MGCS3 can develop your skills to a tertiary standard, giving you the ability to participate in professional guitarist activities such as theater and studio chart reading/playing.
To find out more about MGCS3 and how it can help you, read on