Originally Posted by: sixpickerHey Leah4EverAndEver,
Slipin Lizard gives some great advice as far as learning a new song goes. It applies in most cases, but here is a little different. [/QUOTE]

My advice was based on the fact that she said she was just learning guitar, so I stand behind it.


[QUOTE=sixpicker] and it's not as easy as just learning the chord progression.

Totally, utterly incorrect. ALL songs can be broken down to their basic chord progression. You are totally putting the cart before the horse here, by making suggestions to a beginner that are aimed at getting the song sounding exactly like the recording. Learn the basic song structure first, then worry about getting it sounding just like the record. There are multiple instruments in the song, including guitars. Instead of trying to get a guitar part sounding exactly like the record it would be a much better exercise to learn the chord progression and "cover" the tune. Its something musicians have done a million times the world over, and allows them the creativity to modify the guitar part as they desire while still being true to the song. Think of simple songs like "Knocking on Heaven's Door" or "House of the Rising Sun". These have been covered many times, with different variations by many different people, including some big name artists/guitar players. If everyone strove to get the guitar part sounding exactly like the version they had heard, then all the versions would sound the same. Instead they brought their own creativity to the song. And I guarantee you that everyone one of the guitarists that covered those songs started by breaking down the basic chord progression first.

Leah, the advice sixpicker is giving is in my opinion too technical at this stage. Trying to take on hammer ons when the chords you're fretting are having issues with muted notes is just asking to struggle. Trust me, the advice i gave you is good, and it will get you playing the song for yourself and friends so that it is recognizable and "sounds good". When you get the basic version down, then you can worry about getting all the added expressive parts later. Also, if you find that a lot of chords require tricky fingering, especially where you have to bar with your index finger, remember you can always try a capo and see if that makes things easier. Nothing out there says you have to play the song in the same key as it was recorded.

Good Luckj