Get Full Access Today To Learn
The House of the Rising Sun
Plus 11,000 More Guitar Lessons.
| Product | Cost | Lessons | Instructors | Instructor Help | New Lessons | Return Policy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guitar Tricks | $19.95 | 11,000+ | 45 Instructors | Yes | Yes, Weekly | 60 Days |
| Guitar Dvd's | $30 - $60 | 20 - 30 | 1 Instructor | No Interaction | No | No |
| Guitar Books | $20 - $40 | 30 - 40 | 1 Instructor | No Interaction | No | No |
| Other Sites | $20 - $40 | 100 - 500 | 1-5 Instructor | Sometimes | Sometimes | 3-7 Days |
| In-person | $40 - $80 | 1 Hour | 1 Instructor | Yes | Yes | No |
The backing track will start with six hi-hat clicks. This is called the count in. The purpose is to let you know that the song is about to begin, how fast the tempo (the pace) is, and exactly when it will begin. Since the song is in 6/8 time, this means that we are counting 6 over and again: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1, 2, and so on. Listen for the 6 count in clicks and then when the next "downbeat" comes along, notice that the bass plays an A, you are supposed to strum the A minor chord along with this note!
Count 6 more times and the bass plays another note, a C. You are suppose to play the C major chord with this note! Count 6 more times and the bass plays another note, a D. You are suppose to play the D major chord with this note! Count 6 more times and the bass plays another note, an F. You are suppose to play the F major chord with this note!
See how this works yet? :)
Each chord gets a full measure, or count of 6 beats. The chords, in order go like this:
At this point we get kind of a repetition with a slighly shortened ending.
Then the whole thing starts over!
At first you might want to play each chord. Then immediately, mute it with your picking hand to stop the notes from ringing. Then immediately change hand positions to get ready for the next chord. Don't play it yet, but just get your hands in position and ready. When the next downbeat happens, then play the next chord. Again, mute that chord with your picking hand to stop the notes from ringing. Then immediately change hand positions to get ready again for the next chord. Don't play it yet, but just get your hands in position and ready. When the next downbeat happens, then play that next chord. Repeat this process for the whole progression.
Eventually you will want to let each chord ring for as long as possible before muting the notes, switching chords and playing the next chord on the next downbeat.
Notice that even on the E major, the only chord that gets repeated, you should use this muting technique. It is very good practice and even sounds better because it emphasizes the rhythm. Even though the chord doesn't change, it is a new measure and downbeat. Stress this fact by muting the chord and solidly strumming it again on that next downbeat.
Go slowly and go evenly at first. A metronome is a great tool for this purpose. You might want to practice it with a metronome at a slow tempo first. The backing track is 115 BPM (Beats Per Minute). So, if you are having trouble keeping up with it at first, don't rush yourself or get mad.
Turn on a metronome at (for example) 60 BPM and play the picking pattern at that slower tempo. Gradually move the tempo up as you can successfully, confidently play along.
Ready to try it with the backing track?
Click on the audio file at the bottom of this page. And listen for the six hi-hat clicks that count in the song. Strum the A minor chord right after the hi-hat count in. Strum each chord at the beginning of each meausure and you are on your way.
If you have trouble keeping up with the backing track, then turn it off! Don't torture yourself. Take some time to practice the physical motions of changing chords a bit longer. Try again with the metronome at slower speeds. When you've practiced a bit longer, then give it try.
Be patient with yourself and remember this is supposed to be fun!
Artist:
The Animals
Song:
The House of the Rising Sun
Difficulty:
Key:
A Minor
style:
Any Style
1: Introduction to Music Theory
Intervals for Beginners
- Intervals for Beginners: Lesson 1
- Intervals for Beginners: Lesson 2
- Intervals for Beginners: Lesson 3
Scale Exercise
- Picking for Beginners Exercise: Lesson 1
- Picking for Beginners Exercise: Lesson 2
- Picking for Beginners Exercise: Lesson 3
- Picking for Beginners Exercise: Lesson 4
C Major Scale for Beginners
- C Major Scale for Beginners: Lesson 1
- C Major Scale for Beginners: Lesson 2
- C Major Scale for Beginners: Lesson 3
C Major Scale Exercises For Beginner Guitarists
- C Major Scale Exercises: Lesson 1
- C Major Scale Exercises: Lesson 2
- C Major Scale Exercises: Lesson 3
- C Major Scale Exercises: Lesson 4
A Minor Scale for Beginners
- A Minor Scale for Beginners: Lesson 1
- A Minor Scale for Beginners: Lesson 2
- A Minor Scale for Beginners: Lesson 3
A Minor Scale Exercises For Beginner Guitarists
- A Minor Scale Exercises Lesson 1
- A Minor Scale Exercises Lesson 2
- A Minor Scale Exercises Lesson 3
- A Minor Scale Exercises Lesson 4
C Minor Scale for Beginners
- C Minor Scale for Beginners Lesson 1
- C Minor Scale for Beginners Lesson 2
- C Minor Scale for Beginners Lesson 3
- C Minor Scale for Beginners Lesson 4
C Minor Scale Exercises for Beginners
2: Introduction to Minor Chords
A, D, and E Minor
A, D, and E Minor
G, E minor, C, D
- Mixing Major and Minor: G, E min, C, & D
- Practicing G, E min, C, & D Slow: 80BPM
- Practicing G, E min, C & D Faster: 120BPM
C, A minor, F, G
- Mixing Major and Minor: C, A min, F & G
- Practicing C, A min, F & G Slow: 80BPM
- Practicing C, A min, F & G Faster: 120BPM
A min, C, D min, E
- Mixing Major and Minor: A min, C, D min & E
- Practicing A min, C, D min & E Slow: 80BPM
- Practicing A min, C, D min & E Faster: 120BPM
Seamless Chord Changes For Beginners
3: Scales and Chords and Triads
Scales And Chords Relationships
- Scale And Chord Relationships: Lesson 1
- Scale And Chord Relationships: Lesson 2
- Scale And Chord Relationships: Lesson 3
- Scale And Chord Relationships: Lesson 4
- Scale And Chord Relationships: Lesson 5
- Scale And Chord Relationships: Lesson 6
- Scale And Chord Relationships: Lesson 7
- Scale And Chord Relationships: Lesson 8
- Scale And Chord Relationships: Lesson 9
Using Scales to Connect Chords Exercise 1
Using Scales to Connect Chords Exercise 2
Introduction to Triads & Chord Inversions
- Intro to Triads & Inversions: Lesson 1
- Intro to Triads & Inversions: Lesson 2
- Intro to Triads & Inversions: Lesson 3
- Intro to Triads & Inversions: Lesson 4
- Intro to Triads & Inversions: Lesson 5
- Intro to Triads & Inversions: Lesson 6
- Intro to Triads & Inversions: Lesson 7
- Intro to Triads & Inversions: Lesson 8
- Intro to Triads & Inversions: Lesson 9
- Intro to Triads & Inversions: Lesson 10
- Intro to Triads & Inversions: Lesson 11
4: Introduction to Reading Music Notation
Learning To Read Music Tutorial 1
- Learning to Read Music 1: Lesson 1
- Learning to Read Music 1: Lesson 2
- Learning to Read Music 1: Lesson 3
- Learning to Read Music 1: Lesson 4
- Learning to Read Music 1: Lesson 5
- Learning to Read Music 1: Lesson 6
- Learning to Read Music 1: Lesson 7
- Learning to Read Music 1: Lesson 8
- Learning to Read Music 1: Lesson 9
- Learning to Read Music 1: Lesson 10
Learning To Read Music Tutorial 2
- Learning to Read Music 2: Lesson 1
- Learning to Read Music 2: Lesson 2
- Learning to Read Music 2: Lesson 3
- Learning to Read Music 2: Lesson 4
- Learning to Read Music 2: Lesson 5
- Learning to Read Music 2: Lesson 6
A Quick Reference
5: Simple Songs Using Chords and Scale Notes
12 Bar Blues in A
- 12 Bar Blues in A: Lesson 1
- 12 Bar Blues in A: Lesson 2
- 12 Bar Blues in A: Lesson 3
- 12 Bar Blues in A: Lesson 4
- 12 Bar Blues in A: Lesson 5
- 12 Bar Blues in A: Lesson 6
More 12 Bar Blues in A
- More 12 Bar Blues in A: Lesson 1
- More 12 Bar Blues in A: Lesson 2
- More 12 Bar Blues in A: Lesson 3
- More 12 Bar Blues in A: Lesson 4
- More 12 Bar Blues in A: Lesson 5
- More 12 Bar Blues in A: Lesson 6
- More 12 Bar Blues in A: Lesson 7
- More 12 Bar Blues in A: Lesson 8
- More 12 Bar Blues in A: Lesson 9
- More 12 Bar Blues in A: Lesson 10
The House of the Rising Sun
6: Learn and Practice More Chord Groups
B, C, F, and G Minor
- Introducing the B Minor Chord
- Introducing the C Minor Chord
- Introducing the F Minor Chord
- Introducing the G Minor Chord
Practicing A, D, E Major Chords
- Practicing A, D, E Major Chords
- A, D, E Maj: Slow Speed 80 BPM
- A, D, E Maj: Faster Speed 120 BPM
- A, D, E Major Chords Summary
Practicing A, D, E Minor Chords
- Practicing A, D, and E Minor Chords
- A, D, E Min: Slow Speed 80 BPM
- A, D, E Min: Faster Speed 120 BPM
Practicing C, F, G Major Chords
Practicing C, F, G Minor Chords
Practicing E, A, B Major Chords
Practicing E, A, B Minor Chords
7: Practicing Major and Minor Scales
Practicing Scales for Beginners
- Introduction
- The Guitar Tricks Metronome
- Using the Guitar Tricks Metronome
- C Major Straight Up and Down
- C Major In 3's Up and Down
- C Major In 4's Up and Down
- C Major In Pedal Point Up and Down
- C Minor Straight Up and Down
- C Minor In 3's Up and Down
- C Minor In 4's Up and Down
- C Minor In Pedal Point Up and Down
- Practicing Scales Summary
8: Introduction to Barre Chords
Introduction to Barre Chords for Beginners
- Introduction to Barre Chords: Lesson 1
- Introduction to Barre Chords: Lesson 2
- Introduction to Barre Chords: Lesson 3
- Introduction to Barre Chords: Lesson 4
- Introduction to Barre Chords: Lesson 5
- Introduction to Barre Chords: Lesson 6
Practicing Barre Chords
- The Mechanics
- Shifting Positions in Time
- Prepare for E Major Shaped Barre Chords
- Play with E Major Shaped Barre Chords
- Play with E Minor Shaped Barre Chords
- Play with A Major Shaped Barre Chords
- Play with A Minor Shaped Barre Chords
- Switching Between Shapes and Positions
- Switch Between E & A Shaped Barre Chords
- Playing in A, D, and E Major
- Playing in A, D, and E Minor
- Play with All Four Barre Chord Shapes
- Play with All Four Barre Chord Shapes 2
- Advice and Encouragement
Congrats on a WONDERFUL site!
-Sue
More ReviewsI find it quite easy (so far!) to navigate, and found the "where do I start" to be very helpful! I'm getting there!!
I LOVE the forum, too. I've never been one to use forums, but the GT forum is full of great people and helpful information at ALL levels! Congrats on a WONDERFUL site!!
Good job!
