As a beginner, you might feel daunted by the complexity of guitar playing, but fear not! The songs we’ve chosen are not only iconic but also beginner-friendly. They offer a perfect blend of simplicity and challenge, making them ideal stepping stones in your musical journey. These choices are flashy, fun, and perfect for impressing your friends and family. While being classics in their own right, they also offer beginner guitarists a great starting point to hone their skills. Let's dive into the world of riffs, chords, and melodies that have shaped the landscape of music as we know it. So, tune your guitars, flex your fingers, and prepare to rock your way through some classic guitar parts. Let’s get started!
1. "Thunderstruck" - AC/DC
"Thunderstruck" is a legendary track by the Australian hard rock band AC/DC, known for their high-energy performances and powerful guitar-driven sound. The song features a distinctive guitar part, characterized by fast 16th notes on the B string, creating a rapid-fire, electrifying effect. This song is often learned by beginners due to its repetitive nature, allowing them to practice and master their coordination on a single string. It's a fantastic piece for developing precision and speed. Angus Young of AC/DC actually invented this riff as a speedy warm-up drill. When his bandmates heard him practicing it, they joined in to give us the foundation of “Thunderstruck”!
The part is usually played using hammer-on and pull-off techniques. These are chained together in an endless stream of notes. You can start slowly and build up speed as you memorize the pattern. As you get going, you will notice that you no longer need to pick the notes with your right hand since the left hand will keep the string ringing with all of its movement. You can think of the song like a left hand workout!
You should also know that Angus Young actually picked all the notes of this riff. This is a much more challenging task, so most guitarists don’t learn it this way. However, picking every note with strict alternate picking is an even better exercise for connecting your left hand fretting with your right hand picking.
2. "The Joker & the Thief" - Wolfmother
Wolfmother, another Australian hard rock band, brought a fresh wave of classic rock with "The Joker & the Thief". The song is known for its catchy main riff, which involves hammer-ons on the 3rd and 4th strings. This song is a favorite among beginners as it introduces them to the concept of hammer-ons, a fundamental technique in rock music. It also helps in developing rhythm and timing. I like to think of it as a companion part to “Thunderstruck”, since it has a similar warm-up-like technique.
You can play the part by hammering-on 2 notes, picking the open D string and hammer-on fret 5 and then 7. Then repeat this on the G string. It is a very simple part, but sounds incredible when you work it up to speed. It reminds me of a repeating synth part!
3. "Over the Hills & Far Away" - Led Zeppelin
"Over the Hills & Far Away" is a classic track by Led Zeppelin, one of the most influential rock bands of all time. The song begins with a beautiful acoustic intro, followed by electric guitar sections. This song is popular among beginners as it offers a blend of acoustic and electric playing techniques, providing a comprehensive learning experience. It's a great song for understanding the dynamics between acoustic and electric guitar parts.
The acoustic guitar part contains open strings followed by long strings of hammer-ons and pull-offs. When played quickly, the part is very flashy and has a groovy rhythm. It is a fun song for showing off on an acoustic guitar while still sounding very musical and tasteful. Led Zeppelin was known for their acoustic driven folk songs as well as their hard rock sounds. This is one of the reasons why “Stairway to Heaven” became so iconic. It combines both of these elements. We recommend learning it too!
4. "Miserlou" - Dick Dale
"Misirlou" is a surf rock classic by Dick Dale, known as the King of the Surf Guitar. The song is famous for its fast-paced, Eastern-sounding melody played using a rapid alternate picking technique. Beginners often learn this song to master the alternate picking technique, which is crucial for playing fast melodic lines. It's also a great introduction to the unique sound of surf rock.
Since the part mostly stays on either the low E string or the high E string, it is great for working on alternate picking. Basically, start alternate picking the low E string and build up speed until it sounds like a fluttering continuous ringing tone. This is called “tremolo” picking. Then you can change the fretted note to adjust the pitch. The right hand is like a machine churning out constant fast notes and the left hand plays an exotic sounding melody. It is very flashy and very cool sounding! Use the bridge picking on your electric guitar for that authentic surf guitar twang.
5. "Good Love is On the Way" - John Mayer Trio
John Mayer Trio's "Good Love is On the Way" is a bluesy track that showcases Mayer's intricate guitar work. The song features a catchy main riff and a soulful solo, making it a treat for guitar enthusiasts. Beginners find this song appealing as it introduces them to mixolydian mode and techniques, such as double stops. It's an excellent piece for those looking to venture into blues/rock guitar.
The guitar part is a bit similar to “Over the Hills and Far Away” because it uses open chords and many pull-offs into open strings. The part is based around an open A chord and an open G chord. They are connected by notes from the A mixolydian mode. Check out our article on the modes of the major scale if you’d like to know more about the modes and common songs that use them.
6. "Johnny B Goode" - Chuck Berry
"Johnny B Goode" by Chuck Berry is one of the most recognizable songs in rock and roll history. The song's intro, a high-energy guitar riff, has become one of the most famous guitar parts ever. This song is a staple for beginners, offering them a chance to learn the fundamental rock and roll techniques, such as bends and slides. It's a fun and energetic song that helps beginners improve their timing and precision.
This song is based on an A blues progression and the opening lick blends notes from the A major and A minor blues scales. The repetitive double-stop slides in the intro became forever associated with the electric guitar. It is pretty easy to play using the familiar A minor pentatonic scale pattern on the 5th fret with extra slides and bends thrown in. Check out our articles on the pentatonic scale positions if you’d like to learn about the original rock and roll playing style.
Big Bag of Licks
These are just a few famous guitar parts that can take you to the next level. It is always fun learning a new guitar part that sounds impressive but can be played without much technical trouble. Learning these songs not only provides beginners with a solid foundation in various guitar techniques but also deepens their appreciation for music. Each song, with its unique guitar part and musical history, offers a window into the world of rock guitar playing. So pick up your guitar, tune those strings, and learn these famous flashy guitar parts. Remember, practice is key, and most importantly, enjoy the process. Happy strumming!
-Ryan
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