Acoustic Essentials

If you're diving into the world of acoustic guitar, we’ve got you covered. Whether you're dreaming of fingerstyle guitar magic, strumming along to your favorite acoustic guitar songs, or mastering easy guitar chords, it all starts with the basics. First up, get comfy with acoustic guitar chords – those foundational shapes that unlock tons of tunes. Practice your guitar strumming patterns to groove along smoothly. And if intricate melodies are more your speed, dip your fingers into the art of fingerstyle guitar. It's all about finding your rhythm and enjoying the journey of the acoustic guitar.

Artist / Title / Progress
Difficulty / style
Eric Clapton image
Sweet Home Chicago (Made Easy) Eric Clapton

Caren will show you a made easy arrangement of this Robert Johnson classic based on a version by Eric Clapton. The 12 bar blues form is fundamental to the genre, and has been used repeatedly for countless songs.

Published: 05/16/2017 Upgrade
T-Bone Walker image
I Got The Blues (Made Easy) T-Bone Walker

We’ve arranged this 12 bar blues classic in a made easy format for acoustic guitar with simplified chords and strumming. If you’re up for a challenge, we’ve also included a bonus lesson to learn how to play the song with a boogie diad approach. This song uses open 7th chords, the 12 bar blues form, and a steady strumming pattern.

Published: 03/23/2022 Upgrade
Eric Clapton image
Before You Accuse Me (Made Easy) Eric Clapton

We’ve arranged this song in a made easy format for acoustic guitar with simplified chords and strumming. If you’re up for a challenge, we’ve also included a bonus lesson to learn how to play the song with a boogie diad approach. This song uses open 7th chords, the 12 bar blues form, and a steady strumming pattern.

Published: 03/31/2022 Upgrade
The Beatles image
Let It Be (Made Easy) The Beatles

This tutorial is a made easy version of the iconic Beatles tune arranged for acoustic guitar. This song uses open chords, a simple strum pattern, and dynamics.

Published: 05/19/2022 Upgrade
Seal image
Kiss From A Rose (Made Easy) Seal

We’ll learn this song in a Made Easy format, with open chords and a simplified strumming pattern. In order to use open chords, we’ll need a capo placed on the 3rd fret. This song uses open chords, a 3/4 feel, a simple strumming pattern, and dynamics.

Published: 08/11/2022 Upgrade
John Lennon image
Imagine (Made Easy) John Lennon

There’s no guitar part in the original version of this song, so we’re going to use an acoustic guitar to strum along with the band in a made easy format. We’ll outline the simple chord progression in C major and have fun doing it! We are also including a bonus lesson that shows how to mimic the piano intro riff on guitar. This song uses open chords and barre chords, a simple strumming pattern, and dynamics.

Published: 02/23/2023 Upgrade
Anders Mouridsen
Embellishing The Cowboy Chords

Anders will show you how to embellish the basic open chords.

Published: 11/04/2019 Upgrade
Anders Mouridsen
Strumming Pattern Tried-and-True

Anders will add another classic strumming pattern to your arsenal.

Published: 11/04/2019 Upgrade
Anders Mouridsen
Classic Chords With Common Tones

Anders will explore a series of chords where certain notes on the treble strings remain static through all of them. We call these common tones and it's a great sound. The common tones give these chords some wild names, but don't worry too much about that for right now. Just consider them minor or major chords with some extra flavor added.

Published: 11/04/2019 Upgrade
Anders Mouridsen
The Chords We Love and Hate

Anders will show you helpful tips for dealing with difficult to play chords.

Published: 11/04/2019 Upgrade
Anders Mouridsen
Intro To Fingerpicking

One of the most beloved sounds on the guitar is the sound of finger picking. It sounds great on both electric and acoustic guitar, and it can be used to play an infinite number of songs. It can also be used for solo guitar playing and instrumental arrangements, and it's just a wonderful sound overall.

Published: 11/29/2021 Upgrade
Anders Mouridsen
Next Level Finger Picking

Anders will show you a slightly more elaborate finger picking pattern. It's a little more complicated than the one we used in the previous tutorial, but it is absolutely worth the hard work. This one uses the concept of inside and outside picking.

Published: 11/04/2019 Upgrade
Anders Mouridsen
Introducing Alternating Bass Notes

Anders will show you how to incorporate alternating bass notes into the basic fingerpicking techniques learned so far. It inherently has a country sound, which is fun, but if that's not your thing, simply consider it an exercise in right hand independence and overall finger picking technique.

Published: 11/04/2019 Upgrade
Anders Mouridsen
Finger Picking Practice Tune

Anders will show you a practice tune using the various fingerpicking techniques taught in this chapter.

Published: 11/04/2019 Upgrade
Soul Asylum image
Runaway Train (Made Easy) Soul Asylum

This is an acoustic Made Easy version of a 90s pop rock classic. Any guitar, acoustic or electric, is suitable to play this tune. This song uses open chords, a simple strumming approach, and dynamics. Released in 1993 as part of their album "Grave Dancers Union," this song chugged its way into the hearts of millions, becoming an anthem for the lost and the searching. What sets "Runaway Train" apart isn't just its soul-stirring melody or its evocative lyrics; it's the raw, emotional energy that captures the essence of feeling utterly lost. Digging into the Soul Asylum Runaway Train chords, you'll find that the song's musical backbone is both compelling and surprisingly straightforward, making it a go-to for guitarists looking to convey deep emotion without the complexity of intricate finger gymnastics. The Soul Asylum Runaway Train chords and lyrics weave through the track, guiding the listener on a journey through darkness and hope, with a touch of melancholy. For those eager to strum along, finding Soul Asylum Runaway Train chords and lyrics is like discovering a treasure map to the soul of the '90s alternative rock scene. The song's structure offers a gentle yet powerful acoustic experience, perfectly suited for those late-night introspective moments or around-the-campfire sessions. If you're itching to learn how to capture that haunting essence, a Soul Asylum Runaway Train guitar lesson might be your next stop. These lessons often dive deep into the nuances of the song, from mastering the chord progression to nailing the emotive dynamics that give Runaway Train its unforgettable sound. It's not just about playing the notes; it's about conveying the song's spirit, something that Soul Asylum did so effortlessly. Runaway Train became more than just a hit; it turned into a social message, famously accompanied by a music video featuring missing children, some of whom were actually found because of it. This added a layer of profound significance to the song, highlighting the power of music to make a real-world impact. So, whether you're a guitarist looking to learn a new song that speaks to the soul, or a music enthusiast curious about the story behind a '90s classic, Runaway Train chords Soul Asylum offers both a musical and emotional journey. Grab your guitar, hit those chords, and let the story unfold.

Published: 12/22/2022 Upgrade