https://acousticguitar.com lessons, music to play, and how-tos for all guitarists Mon, 13 Oct 2025 20:43:24 +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-to-strum-and-sing-fats-wallers-classic-aint-misbehavin/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-strum-and-sing-fats-wallers-classic-aint-misbehavin/#comments Wed, 15 Oct 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=148268 Penned in collaboration with composer Harry Brooks and lyricist Andy Razaf, the song made its debut in 1929 and was an instant sensation.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-strum-and-sing-fats-wallers-classic-aint-misbehavin/feed/ 3 148268 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-contemporary-fingerstyle-arrangement-of-cielito-lindo-a-mexican-cultural-treasure/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-contemporary-fingerstyle-arrangement-of-cielito-lindo-a-mexican-cultural-treasure/#comments Tue, 08 Jul 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=147764 Janet Noguera reimagines the iconic Mexican tune “Cielito Lindo” with modern textures, lush harmonics, and unexpected chord movement. ]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-contemporary-fingerstyle-arrangement-of-cielito-lindo-a-mexican-cultural-treasure/feed/ 2 147764 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-dave-van-ronks-freewheeling-take-on-the-entertainer-ag-patreon-song-of-the-month/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-dave-van-ronks-freewheeling-take-on-the-entertainer-ag-patreon-song-of-the-month/#respond Fri, 04 Jul 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=143401 Much like Van Ronk himself wasn’t concerned with strict adherence to societal norms, the version doesn’t follow the original chords exactly.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-dave-van-ronks-freewheeling-take-on-the-entertainer-ag-patreon-song-of-the-month/feed/ 0 143401 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-slack-key-tinged-fingerstyle-arrangement-of-lady-athenry-a-traditional-irish-jig/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-slack-key-tinged-fingerstyle-arrangement-of-lady-athenry-a-traditional-irish-jig/#respond Fri, 27 Jun 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=148076 Although this is a dyed-in-the-wool old Irish melody, you’ll notice a bit of a slack-key influence; at times the arrangement sounds more Hawaiian than Celtic.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-slack-key-tinged-fingerstyle-arrangement-of-lady-athenry-a-traditional-irish-jig/feed/ 0 148076 https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-play-simon-and-garfunkels-bossa-nova-inspired-ballad-so-long-frank-lloyd-wright/ https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-play-simon-and-garfunkels-bossa-nova-inspired-ballad-so-long-frank-lloyd-wright/#respond Fri, 30 May 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=147781 The guitar part is challenging yet satisfying to learn, full of unusual changes and rich voicings.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-play-simon-and-garfunkels-bossa-nova-inspired-ballad-so-long-frank-lloyd-wright/feed/ 0 147781 https://acousticguitar.com/play-jimmie-rodgers-bluesy-hit-waiting-for-a-train/ https://acousticguitar.com/play-jimmie-rodgers-bluesy-hit-waiting-for-a-train/#respond Sun, 06 Apr 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=147290 “Waiting for a Train” first became a hit in 1929. Here, we’re keeping it simple and playing in C—an easy key for open-position cowboy chords.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/play-jimmie-rodgers-bluesy-hit-waiting-for-a-train/feed/ 0 147290 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-michael-row-your-boat-ashore/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-michael-row-your-boat-ashore/#comments Fri, 14 Mar 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=144743 “Michael” uses a four-chord progression, arranged here in D (D, F#m, G, A7). ]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-michael-row-your-boat-ashore/feed/ 1 144743 https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-play-lisa-loebs-enduring-pop-folk-hit-stay-i-missed-you/ https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-play-lisa-loebs-enduring-pop-folk-hit-stay-i-missed-you/#respond Wed, 26 Feb 2025 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=146972 First released in 1994 with the movie ‘Reality Bites,’ “Stay” is in the long lineage of breakup songs, but in many respects is far from a conventional pop song. ]]> https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-play-lisa-loebs-enduring-pop-folk-hit-stay-i-missed-you/feed/ 0 146972 https://acousticguitar.com/little-joe-the-wrangler-learn-dom-flemons-fresh-take-on-a-classic-cowboy-ballad/ https://acousticguitar.com/little-joe-the-wrangler-learn-dom-flemons-fresh-take-on-a-classic-cowboy-ballad/#respond Fri, 17 Jan 2025 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=146277 The transcription here is based on the version Flemons recorded for his 2018 album ‘Black Cowboys,’ which highlights the African American experience in country music.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/little-joe-the-wrangler-learn-dom-flemons-fresh-take-on-a-classic-cowboy-ballad/feed/ 0 146277 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-gillian-welch-and-david-rawlings-powerful-new-folk-rocker-empty-trainload-of-sky/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-gillian-welch-and-david-rawlings-powerful-new-folk-rocker-empty-trainload-of-sky/#respond Wed, 08 Jan 2025 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=146270 As with all of the duo’s songs, the basic ingredients of “Empty Trainload of Sky” are dead simple, with just two sections and four chords. ]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-gillian-welch-and-david-rawlings-powerful-new-folk-rocker-empty-trainload-of-sky/feed/ 0 146270 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-to-flatpick-the-hanukkah-classic-maoz-tzur-rock-of-ages/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-flatpick-the-hanukkah-classic-maoz-tzur-rock-of-ages/#respond Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:57:29 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=146759 This accessible arrangement, inspired by Maybelle Carter’s style on classics like “Wildwood Flower,” is perfect for the holiday season.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-flatpick-the-hanukkah-classic-maoz-tzur-rock-of-ages/feed/ 0 146759 https://acousticguitar.com/explore-open-d-tuning-with-mary-flowers-colorful-arrangement-of-dinks-song/ https://acousticguitar.com/explore-open-d-tuning-with-mary-flowers-colorful-arrangement-of-dinks-song/#respond Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=146307 With its simple, movable chord shapes—many requiring just two fingers—open-D tuning adds a shimmering quality to this traditional song.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/explore-open-d-tuning-with-mary-flowers-colorful-arrangement-of-dinks-song/feed/ 0 146307 https://acousticguitar.com/updated-acoustic-guitar-song-lists-1990-to-2024/ https://acousticguitar.com/updated-acoustic-guitar-song-lists-1990-to-2024/#comments Sat, 14 Dec 2024 20:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=110052 We've published the music to more than 1,500 songs in Acoustic Guitar magazine since 1990. Now you can easily locate the issue in which a song appeared.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/updated-acoustic-guitar-song-lists-1990-to-2024/feed/ 14 110052 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-steve-baughmans-christmas-medley-patreon-song-of-the-month/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-steve-baughmans-christmas-medley-patreon-song-of-the-month/#respond Fri, 06 Dec 2024 20:54:46 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=146665 This fingerstyle Christmas medley includes “Angels from the Realms of Glory” and not one but two versions of “Away in a Manger.” ]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-steve-baughmans-christmas-medley-patreon-song-of-the-month/feed/ 0 146665 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-the-beatles-ballad-and-i-love-her-as-interpreted-by-pat-metheny/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-the-beatles-ballad-and-i-love-her-as-interpreted-by-pat-metheny/#comments Sun, 24 Nov 2024 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=145773 Metheny manages to capture the wistful vibe of this Beatles classic while casting it in a bossa nova–inspired setting and updating it with his intricate sense of harmony and phrasing.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-the-beatles-ballad-and-i-love-her-as-interpreted-by-pat-metheny/feed/ 2 145773 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-challenging-arrangement-of-spotted-pony-by-the-late-great-guitarist-dudley-hill/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-challenging-arrangement-of-spotted-pony-by-the-late-great-guitarist-dudley-hill/#comments Wed, 20 Nov 2024 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=145759 Hill’s rendition of this traditional Missouri fiddle tune sounds straightforward but is deceptively tricky.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-challenging-arrangement-of-spotted-pony-by-the-late-great-guitarist-dudley-hill/feed/ 1 145759 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-gwenifer-raymonds-haunting-solo-guitar-arrangement-of-the-sacred-harp-hymn-idumea/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-gwenifer-raymonds-haunting-solo-guitar-arrangement-of-the-sacred-harp-hymn-idumea/#comments Tue, 05 Nov 2024 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=145750 My instrumental arrangement of “Idumea” was originally conceived for clawhammer banjo, but here I’ve translated it to guitar with an alternating bass pattern.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-gwenifer-raymonds-haunting-solo-guitar-arrangement-of-the-sacred-harp-hymn-idumea/feed/ 1 145750 https://acousticguitar.com/live-workshop-holiday-songs-for-fingerstyle-guitar-with-sean-mcgowan/ https://acousticguitar.com/live-workshop-holiday-songs-for-fingerstyle-guitar-with-sean-mcgowan/#comments Fri, 01 Nov 2024 22:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=146122 In this live workshop, ‘Holiday Songs for Fingerstyle Guitar’ author Sean McGowan explores an arrangement from the book and gives an inside look into his arranging process.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/live-workshop-holiday-songs-for-fingerstyle-guitar-with-sean-mcgowan/feed/ 1 146122 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-cole-porters-lets-do-it-lets-fall-in-love/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-cole-porters-lets-do-it-lets-fall-in-love/#respond Wed, 16 Oct 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=145755 Compared to some of the songs we’ve covered in this series, this is a fairly adventurous arrangement using quite a few chords. ]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-cole-porters-lets-do-it-lets-fall-in-love/feed/ 0 145755 https://acousticguitar.com/play-kacey-musgraves-dreamy-ballad-too-good-to-be-true/ https://acousticguitar.com/play-kacey-musgraves-dreamy-ballad-too-good-to-be-true/#respond Fri, 04 Oct 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=145209 This intimate song is built on layers of acoustic guitar, with fingerstyle parts that are so closely entwined it’s often hard to pick out the individual instruments.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/play-kacey-musgraves-dreamy-ballad-too-good-to-be-true/feed/ 0 145209 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-the-doobie-brothers-roots-rock-anthem-black-water/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-the-doobie-brothers-roots-rock-anthem-black-water/#comments Sun, 22 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=145212 This mellow 1974 tune features an acoustic solo that requires a bit of dexterity and finesse to play convincingly.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-the-doobie-brothers-roots-rock-anthem-black-water/feed/ 2 145212 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-jazzy-reharmonized-arrangement-of-sweet-georgia-brown/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-jazzy-reharmonized-arrangement-of-sweet-georgia-brown/#comments Fri, 13 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=145191 This beloved tune became a popular standard, performed by guitarists like Django Reinhardt, Doc Watson, and Bucky Pizzarelli, among many others.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-jazzy-reharmonized-arrangement-of-sweet-georgia-brown/feed/ 2 145191 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-bob-dylans-it-aint-me-babe-patreon-song-of-the-month/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-bob-dylans-it-aint-me-babe-patreon-song-of-the-month/#comments Sun, 08 Sep 2024 12:21:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=145795 Learn to play “It Ain’t Me, Babe,” first released on the 1964 album ‘Another Side of Bob Dylan,’ a defining piece of Dylan’s catalog.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-bob-dylans-it-aint-me-babe-patreon-song-of-the-month/feed/ 2 145795 https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-play-in-the-jailhouse-now-on-acoustic-guitar/ https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-play-in-the-jailhouse-now-on-acoustic-guitar/#respond Sun, 01 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=145199 “Jailhouse” has been recorded many times over the years—often in very divergent styles—by the likes of Hank Snow, Johnny Cash, and others, and has been featured in major motion pictures.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-play-in-the-jailhouse-now-on-acoustic-guitar/feed/ 0 145199