Whether you’re a beginner looking to build your skills or an experienced guitarist wanting to expand your repertoire, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as playing along to well-known songs. In 2024, many classic and contemporary hits remain favorites among guitarists for their simplicity and catchy melodies. Here’s a list of five famous songs that are perfect for strumming along, complete with tips for mastering them.
1. “Wonderwall” by Oasis
Chords: Em7, G, Dsus4, A7sus4
This iconic anthem from the ’90s is a staple for guitar players everywhere. With its simple chord progression and repetitive strumming pattern, “Wonderwall” is perfect for beginners. The song’s recognizable melody and heartfelt lyrics make it a favorite at gatherings and open mic nights.
2. “Riptide” by Vance Joy
Chords: Am, G, C, F
“Riptide” has captured hearts with its upbeat vibe and catchy chorus. The simple four-chord progression makes it easy to learn, and its playful nature makes it a joy to play. This song is especially popular among younger musicians and is perfect for sing-alongs.
3. “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison
Chords: G, C, D, Em
This classic hit from the ’60s is timeless and instantly recognizable. With just four chords, “Brown Eyed Girl” is easy to pick up and a lot of fun to play. Its joyful spirit and nostalgic lyrics make it a great choice for any occasion.
4. “Counting Stars” by OneRepublic
Chords: Am, C, G, Em
“Counting Stars” is a modern anthem that combines folk and pop elements, making it appealing to a wide audience. Its simple chord progression and energetic rhythm make it perfect for both solo practice and performances.
5. “Hey There Delilah” by Plain White T’s
Chords: D, A, Bm, G
This heartfelt ballad is easy to learn and has a beautiful melody. The simple chord structure makes it accessible for beginners, while its poignant lyrics resonate with listeners of all ages.
Playing guitar is all about enjoying the music and expressing yourself. These five famous songs are not only easy to learn but also incredibly rewarding to play. Whether you’re performing for friends, jamming with fellow musicians, or just playing for yourself, these tracks will bring a smile to your face and get your fingers moving.
So grab your guitar, strum along, and let the music flow! In 2024, take the opportunity to share these songs with others and inspire fellow musicians to join in on the fun.
The guitar is one of the most beloved and versatile musical instruments in the world, transcending genres and cultures. But have you ever wondered about its origins? The journey of the guitar is rich and complex, tracing back thousands of years to ancient civilizations. This blog post delves into the history of the first guitar, exploring how it evolved from simple stringed instruments into the modern marvel we know today.
The history of the guitar can be traced back to ancient stringed instruments like the lute and the oud, which emerged around 3000 BCE in regions such as Mesopotamia and Egypt. These early instruments had varying numbers of strings and were played by plucking, strumming, or bowing.
The word “guitar” itself is believed to have originated from the Spanish word “guitarra,” which has its roots in the Latin term “cithara.” The cithara was a type of lyre used in ancient Greece and Rome, and it greatly influenced the development of stringed instruments throughout history.
By the Middle Ages, stringed instruments began to take on more recognizable forms. The guitarra moresca, a Moorish instrument, featured a rounded back and a fretted neck, setting the stage for the modern guitar. As trade and cultural exchange flourished across Europe, the design of the guitar continued to evolve.
During the Renaissance period, the guitar gained popularity in Spain. The introduction of six strings and a wider body helped create a more resonant sound. This era saw the emergence of the baroque guitar, which had a richer tone and was widely used by composers and musicians.
The 19th century marked a pivotal moment in the history of the guitar with the development of the classical guitar. Spanish luthier Antonio Torres is often credited with revolutionizing the guitar’s design, creating a larger body and introducing fan bracing, which enhanced the instrument’s volume and projection.
Today, the guitar continues to evolve, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. From acoustic to electric, from classical to flamenco, the guitar remains a versatile instrument that can adapt to any style or genre.
The legacy of the first guitar lives on, inspiring musicians around the world. Its journey from ancient strings to modern melodies showcases the enduring power of music to connect us across time and cultures.
The story of the guitar is one of innovation, adaptation, and artistic expression. From its ancient roots to its contemporary forms, the guitar has played a pivotal role in shaping the musical landscape. As we strum our favorite chords or listen to our beloved songs, let us appreciate the rich history behind this remarkable instrument and the countless musicians who have contributed to its evolution. The guitar is not just an instrument; it is a vessel of creativity and a testament to the universal language of music.
Strap buttons are an important part of a guitar’s design, providing support and stability when playing while standing. Typically, a guitar has two strap buttons: one located at the bottom of the guitar and the other near the neck joint. These buttons allow the player to attach a guitar strap securely, making it easier to manage the instrument, especially during live performances or long practice sessions.
Guitar strap buttons are often made of metal or durable plastic and are designed to hold the weight of the guitar safely. Some guitars come with only one strap button, usually at the base, requiring the player to install a second button at the neck to balance the strap properly. This is especially common in acoustic guitars.
Strap buttons not only add functionality but also ensure the player can perform comfortably for extended periods. Without these buttons, holding a guitar for too long could lead to discomfort or limited mobility. For players who perform often, this simple feature becomes crucial in maintaining a smooth playing experience.
In addition to comfort, strap buttons are essential for guitarists who enjoy moving around the stage, giving them the freedom to express themselves without the fear of dropping the instrument. Whether playing a casual gig or headlining a major event, strap buttons offer a sense of security.
Overall, the strap buttons are a small yet critical part of a guitar that every player should understand. Proper care and installation of these buttons ensure the guitar remains balanced and easy to play, allowing the musician to focus solely on their performance.
The bond between guitarists and their instruments is a mystical connection, akin to a musician’s soul intertwined with their chosen companion. This relationship transcends the tangible and becomes an extension of the artist’s self. A guitar becomes more than just wood and strings; it’s a vessel for emotions, a conduit for creativity, and a partner in musical exploration. From the way strings are caressed to the nuances of fretwork, guitarists forge an intimate dialogue with their instrument, channeling their innermost feelings and thoughts. This profound connection not only shapes their sound but also defines their artistic identity, giving birth to melodies that resonate deeply with audiences and endure through time.
Jimi Hendrix and the Fender Stratocaster
Jimi Hendrix’s revolutionary playing style and stage presence were like a sonic earthquake. His virtuosic guitar techniques, including feedback manipulation and unconventional chord voicings, pushed boundaries. Onstage, he mesmerized with wild theatrics, setting his guitar ablaze at times. Hendrix’s live performances became legendary, forever altering the perception of what a guitarist could achieve. The Fender Stratocaster played a pivotal role in Jimi Hendrix’s sonic experimentation. Its versatile design allowed him to explore a wide range of tones and effects. Hendrix’s innovative use of the Strat’s tremolo arm, pickups, and whammy bar contributed to his iconic sound, making the guitar an essential part of his creative palette.
Eric Clapton and the “Blackie” Stratocaster
Eric Clapton’s journey from the Bluesbreakers to Cream marked a pivotal transition in his career. His time with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers established him as a formidable blues guitarist. However, it was with Cream that Clapton’s virtuosity soared, as the supergroup embraced a more experimental and rock-oriented approach, solidifying his status as a guitar legend. Eric Clapton’s “Blackie” Stratocaster holds both historical and personal significance. Clapton painstakingly assembled “Blackie” from parts of three vintage Stratocasters, resulting in a unique instrument that became an extension of his musical identity. Its warm, bluesy tones were essential to Clapton’s iconic sound, making it an enduring symbol of his artistry.
Jimmy Page and the Gibson Les Paul
Jimmy Page’s influential work with Led Zeppelin is a monumental chapter in rock history. As the band’s guitarist, songwriter, and producer, Page pushed boundaries with his virtuosity and sonic experimentation. His iconic riffs and spellbinding solos, coupled with Robert Plant’s vocals, defined Led Zeppelin’s distinctive sound. Albums like “Led Zeppelin IV” and songs like “Stairway to Heaven” remain classics. Page’s musical genius and innovative guitar work continue to inspire generations of rock enthusiasts and cement his status as a legendary figure in the genre. The Gibson Les Paul’s mystique lies in its powerful, sustaining tones and elegant design. It revolutionized rock music by providing a versatile instrument with a solid body, which allowed for high-volume distortion and sustain. Legends like Jimmy Page, Slash, and Duane Allman embraced the Les Paul, shaping rock’s evolution and making it an enduring symbol of timeless rock ‘n’ roll coolness.
Stevie Ray Vaughan and “Number One”
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Texas blues guitar virtuosity was a sonic whirlwind. He resurrected the blues, infusing it with scorching riffs, blistering solos, and soulful phrasing. Vaughan’s mastery of the guitar, often referred to as “Number One,” made him a legend. His fiery performances, soaked in Texan grit, rekindled the blues genre and introduced it to a new generation, leaving an indelible mark on the blues and rock landscape. Stevie Ray Vaughan’s beloved Stratocaster, “Number One,” had a fascinating origin. Originally a 1962 Fender Stratocaster, it underwent several modifications. Vaughan added a left-handed neck and customized it for his unique playing style. Its sunburst finish was stripped to reveal the wood’s natural beauty. “Number One” became an extension of Vaughan’s soul, and its distinctive sound became synonymous with his Texas blues legacy.
Eddie Van Halen and the “Frankenstrat”
Eddie Van Halen’s iconic “Frankenstrat” guitar was a true DIY masterpiece. He assembled it from various parts, blending a Stratocaster body, a Charvel neck, and a unique combination of pickups. He also painted it with red and white stripes, giving it a distinctive look. This homemade instrument became the canvas for his groundbreaking guitar innovations and contributed to the iconic Van Halen sound that defined a generation of rock music. Eddie Van Halen’s groundbreaking guitar innovations were revolutionary. He introduced tapping, a technique where both hands tap the fretboard, creating rapid, melodic runs. His “Frankenstrat” guitar combined different parts, and he modified its pickups to achieve his signature “brown sound.” These innovations changed the landscape of guitar playing and paved the way for countless guitarists. Van Halen’s virtuosity and creativity left an indelible mark on rock and guitar history.
Carlos Santana and the PRS Santana Signature
Carlos Santana’s collaboration with PRS Guitars resulted in the creation of his signature model. This partnership blended Santana’s musical expertise with PRS’s craftsmanship. The resulting instrument, the PRS Santana Signature, embodies the essence of Santana’s Latin-infused rock, with features tailored to his playing style. It reflects his dedication to innovation and precision, making it a sought-after guitar among musicians and fans alike. Carlos Santana’s fusion of Latin, rock, and blues is a mesmerizing blend of cultural influences. With his distinctive guitar style, Santana pioneered a sound that transcends genres. His music incorporates the rhythmic richness of Latin percussion, the raw energy of rock, and the emotional depth of blues. This unique fusion, often referred to as “Santana sound,” has made him an iconic figure in the music world, captivating audiences worldwide.
Signature Guitars in Contemporary Rock
Modern guitarists continue to leave their mark on the music world through signature guitar models. Players like John Mayer, Slash, and Mark Tremonti have collaborated with manufacturers like Fender, Gibson, and PRS to create instruments that reflect their unique styles. These signature models offer fans and musicians a chance to access the tones and features favored by their favorite artists, further shaping the evolution of guitar playing in contemporary music. Iconic guitarists wield a profound influence on the next generation. Their music, techniques, and signature models inspire budding guitarists to explore and innovate. Young players often study their idols’ styles, learning both traditional and avant-garde approaches. This influence perpetuates the legacy of guitar legends, fostering creativity and ensuring that the instrument continues to evolve, producing new virtuosos who push the boundaries of what’s possible on six strings.
Conclusion
Legendary guitarists and their signature instruments form an immortal partnership. From Hendrix’s Stratocaster to Clapton’s “Blackie,” these guitars became vessels for groundbreaking sounds. Page’s Les Paul and Vaughan’s “Number One” echoed with bluesy brilliance, while Van Halen’s “Frankenstrat” rewrote the rules. Santana’s PRS is a Latin rock icon. Modern players like Mayer, Slash, and Tremonti continue the tradition. Through these axes, the essence of these virtuosos lives on, inspiring the next generation. This legacy reminds us that music, like a timeless melody, transcends time, connecting past and future through the magic of strings and wood.
If you are looking to get some ideas for easy guitar songs, then look no further.
In this list you will find songs that are perfect to get under your fingers since these are popular and quite catchy on the guitar.
Let’s get started!
Easy Guitar Songs to Play
1. Wonderwall – Oasis
Supposedly written for Meg Matthews, Noel Gallagher’s then-girlfriend, “Wonderwall” was the fourth single off the album What’s The Story?.
However in 2001, (after the couple’s divorce) Matthews retracted his earlier statements and said the lyrics were not about Meg after all: “[the song was] about an imaginary friend who’s gonna come and save you from yourself.”
Written for the 1973 film Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, Bob Dylan’s song “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” ranked top 10 in several countries.
Not so surprising, two months after the film’s debut, the single became an international hit.
“Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” is one of Dylan’s most revisited compositions, breeding covers from artists like Randy Crawford, Eric Clapton, Guns N’ Roses, and many more.
3. Smoke On The Water – Deep Purple
“Smoke on the Water” dubbed as one of the most identifiable guitar riffs in the history of rock’ n ‘roll. The song was Deep Purple’s first top ten since 1968 and as a result, they received a gold record.
Sadly, “Smoke on the Water” is about an actual tragedy that happened during a Frank Zappa concert in Montreux, Switzerland (1971). The band was in town to record their next collaboration, Machine Head.
The melody, recorded by Texas Alexander in the 1920s, is an ordinary English ballad.
However, the song gained popularity as an African-American folk song.
Since it became a hit for The Animals, artists including Josh White, Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, and later Nina Simone recorded the song. It was Simone’s copy The Animals heard first.
The song is sold royalty-free.
5. Dust In The Wind – Kansas
Producer Jeff Glixman asked Kansas for more songs just as they were almost finished with writing and rehearsing the Point of Know Return album.
Livgren, shocked the band members insisted on recording it, loathed playing this song, especially on acoustic guitar. Livgren is not impressed with his song and actually, refuses to endorse it.
Fortunately, the others outvote him and “Dust In The Wind” becomes their biggest hit.
6. Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana
When the band recorded “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” Nirvana started to receive a mega star’s treatment.
It was one of the last songs written specifically for the Nevermind album, made public on September 10 1991.
Vocalist Kathleen Hanna, a friend of Cobain’s, was inspiration for the title. Story has it that Hanna wrote ‘Kurt smells like teen spirit’ with a sprayer on his wall. What she was referring to was Teen Spirit, the deodorant.
Nevertheless, Cobain didn’t have a clue about this brand of antiperspirant and thought it was a great slogan for something entirely different, an “anti-establishment rally cry.”
Lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong wrote “Good Riddance” when his then-girlfriend relocated to Ecuador. He wanted to be cool about it, but he would eventually show his ill-feelings and title the acoustic song “Good Riddance.” The song was composed differently from the popular rock music during the ’90s. Armstrong, in a 2010 interview, told Spin Magazine: “That was really the first time we attempted a ballad. The first time we ever played that song was during an encore in New Jersey – I had to pound a beer backstage to get up the courage. I knew we were gonna take a tomato to the face.”
8. Iron Man – Black Sabbath
“Iron Man,” sung by Black Sabbath, a British heavy metal band, is a story about a man who travels through time into the future and gets to see the apocalypse. While he’s preparing to return to the present, he’s caught up in a magnetic storm and has turned to steel. The bad news is he can’t utter a word and this prevents him from telling people about the apocalypse. In fact, people laughed at him and shrugged him off. He’s furious because of it and vows to take revenge. It then becomes clear he causes the mass destruction he envisioned. Find this story on their studio release, Paranoid.
9. Free Falling – Tom Petty
When it comes to rock stars transitioning from the 1970s into the ’80’s, Tom Petty made it look easy. It may not have been intentional, but Petty showed the world how flexible he could be with the imparting of “Free Fallin”. It was a gift to the world in a time when rockers were making banging moves. The songwriter had a hit, one of his biggest-sellers of his career.
10. Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
The Jamaican song, “Brown Eyed Girl” was produced by Bert Bern and broadcast in the summer of 1967. Some speculate an ex-lover was the inspiration for the single originally titled “Brown Skinned Girl.” When asked about the title, Van said, “That was just a mistake. It was a kind of Jamaican song… Calypso. After we’d recorded it, I looked at the tape box and didn’t even notice that I’d changed the title.”
11. Sunshine Of Your Love – Cream
Reportedly, Cream didn’t like the initial version of the song, “Sunshine of Your Love”. He explained in Tom Dowd And The Language Of Music, “There just wasn’t this common ground that they had on so many of the other songs.” Ahmet Ertegun, head of the music label, didn’t like it either. In fact, he said it was “psychedelic hogwash.” However, after Booker T said he liked it, the producer changed his tune and gave Cream his blessing for the song. Jimi Hendrix even sampled the song during a few of his concerts. Funny how Jimi didn’t realize he was the muse for the bass line.
12. Wild Thing – The Troggs
Songwriter Chip Taylor is responsible for composing “Wild Thing.” It was revealed in an interview with Rolling Stone that Taylor thought the song was hilarious, so much so he was rolling on the floor, laughing. It only took Chip a few minutes to write it, but it would have great success. Who knew it would become such a hit that it industry professionals would play it in TV shows and movies? To top that, “Wild Thing” was the only song that was released on two labels simultaneously and reach the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
13. Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
The “Seven Nation Army” mocks how Jack White mispronounces Salvation Army as a young boy. White created the story about a dude who comes into town only to find out all his buddies are talking bad about him. Surprisingly, the song topped the UK Singles Chart at number seven. It wasn’t so successful in the US Billboard Hot 100 but raised the bar to the number one spot in the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. It ranked in Germany, taking number 4 for the best performance.
14. Paranoid – Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid” is the ’70s smash off their second record album, but it’s the first single from the album entitled Paranoid. On the flip side is a cut called “The Wizard”. “Paranoid” climbed to no. 4 on the UK Singles Chart but slumbered at no. 61 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s cover is one in the lineup of heavy metal’s “most transformative moments in the early history of Black Sabbath.”
15. Come As You Are – Nirvana
Initially, “Come As You Are” was intended to be the main single on Nevermind, Nirvana’s second album. Management thought the selection would have excellent crossover ability. In spite of the song taking a back seat to “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” the song still had success. In fact, “Teen Spirit” became the group’s signature song. It was this break that drove the group to success on the UK singles chart and sneaking up on the Billboard at no. 32. Similar to the lyrics of the song, Kurt Cobain committed suicide. Unfortunately, he died of self-inflicted wounds from a single gunshot.
16. About A Girl – Nirvana
Kurt Cobain and Tracy Marande were lovers at some point during his career. They shared a place and Cobain even put her photograph on an album cover. Sometime after the book, Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana, was published, Marande found out the song, “About a Girl” was about her. It was in a conversation between Kurt and Chad Channing, the drummer for Nirvana, that Chad asked what was the song about. Kurt replied he didn’t really know, but “it’s about a girl.” Channing finally said, ‘Well, why don’t you just call it “About A Girl”?’ and so, they did and that’s how the song got its title.
17. Perfect – Ed Sheeran
Male artists write songs for their girlfriends all the time and songwriter Ed Sheeran is no different. He wrote “Perfect” for Cherry Seaborn, an old friend. The English singer composed his third album and released it in 2017. It took the UK charts with the no. 4 position on the Singles Chart. That same year, Billboard recognized “Perfect” saying it “would be the fourth single from the album.” Beyonce released her interpretation of the song with “Perfect Duet,” also in 2017.
18. Hurt – Johnny Cash
“Hurt” is off Nine Inch Nails second album, The Downward Spiral. The legendary Johnny Cash did the cover and received critical acclaim for it. His rendition resonated with both new and die-hard fans mainly due to the lyrics, but partly due to the visuals. It takes you to a place fit for storytelling and talks about a man’s failing memories and many regrets, but it wouldn’t be the song it is without his loving wife. You’ll be touched by the short film, featuring the once spirited entertainers and the thought of knowing it was one of Cash’s last hit releases before his demise.
19. Day Tripper – The Beatles
The single “Day Tripper” was recorded a few days prior to “Drive My Car” in (October) 1965 It was written and sung by the duo, John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The title, it was said, was a “play on words.” It was Lennon’s attempt to point out the influence of drugs. He told his listeners that “people like him could not afford the luxury of being high all the time, so he opted to be a “weekend hippie.” Soon, the song was ready to add to the Rubber Soul album. However, as fate would have it, “We Can Work It Out” was released on the same day as Rubber Soul. This foul-up would turn out beautifully as the first “double A-side” vinyl record.
20. Three Little Birds – Bob Marley
Bob Marley and the Wailers released the single, “Three Little Birds” in 1980 although it was the fourth selection on side two of their Exodus album from 1977. The song made it to number 17 on the Top 20 (UK). It still is one of Marley’s hottest songs. Artists continue to cover the piece to date. Fans often confuse the song’s title mainly due to the recurrent use of the musical phrase, “Don’t Worry About a Thing” and “Every Little Thing is Gonna Be Alright” in the chorus. This song is amazing on the acoustic guitar, take a look at this list of acoustic guitar songs next.
21. Californication – Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Red Hot Chili Peppers went through some troubling times during the mid-’90s, but finally, the group released two of their best selling albums. By 1991 the group came out with the album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Then, in 1999, they gave the world Californication, which turned out to be their largest international selling album and single at that time with over 15 million copies in distribution.
22. Glycerine – Bush
“Glycerine is yet another song about an artist’s girlfriend. Gavin Rossdale wrote the lyrics about his then model girlfriend, Jasmine Lewis. She was also a backup vocalist on the Sixteen Stone album. Rossdale while sitting in his flat in London, wrote the song in no time. He played it for the band members and felt as though there was something “ancient and mystical” about it. “I was like a conduit,” he told Entertainment Weekly in 2017. “Something about it was bigger than anything we were doing.”
23. Hotel California – The Eagles
On December 8, 1976, the Eagles released classic hit “Hotel California.” It was a couple of weeks after “Sex Pistols,” Anarchy in the UK. The song was said to revive radio in the US and to do what Bohemian Rhapsody did for the UK. On the face of it, the song broke restrictions on the time format of recordings. It lifted the three-minute rule on airplay and the limitations on the artist’s creativity.
24. Polly – Nirvana
One of the reasons “Polly” was a hit is because it’s a true story. “Polly” was kidnapped when she was only 14 years old. She was happy to attend a concert in 1987, but she never imagined what would happen on the way back to her home in Tacoma, Washington. Gerald Friend abducted “Polly”. The real-life monster maliciously kidnapped, and raped the little girl. Not only that, but he tortured her with a blowtorch, whip, and razor. Something amazing happened though when he stopped for gas. The determined and strong girl escaped. Serial rapist, Gerald Friend was arrested a couple of days later when he was stopped for a traffic violation.
25. Creep – Radiohead
Jonny Greenwood said “Creep” was a happy song about “recognizing what you are.” The lead singer, Thom Yorke, says he “stalked” this girl and she was the inspiration for the song. It’s about being in love, but not really feeling that you’re good enough. Yorke said it kind of makes you feel like “There’s the beautiful people and then there’s the rest of us.” Almost everyone can relate to this feeling, but Yorke wrote it while he was in England attending Exeter University in 1987. However, it did not become a hit until it was released the second time in 1993.
When it comes to guitars, the proof is in the pudding: if it looks great, feels great, and sounds great, then you have a fantastic guitar in your hands.
And a matching price tag to boot.
But, hold on—there’s another thing going that explains why guitars charge how much they charge. In a nutshell, these are the full force of material quality, brand, and origin, plus the added factor of supply and demand driving the price much higher than the average guitars in the global market these days.
Before we start, here’s an interesting exchange between two guitarists discussing the price increase this year:
So why are guitars expensive? It’s the intermingling elements of material quality, brand, origin, and supply-and-demand variable driving the guitar price up.
Let’s look at each element in detail.
The Material Influence
If you walk into a shoe store and spot two pairs of nice boots, one made from genuine leather and the other from faux leather, which one do you think will cost more?
Between a custom-made solid wood work table and a laminated wood work table, which one do you think will cost more?
And which items do you think will last longer?
Needless to say, the ones made with premium materials win.
When it comes to just about any item, the quality of materials is typically the biggest price determinant (other than the brand, but we will get to that later).
The difference between a $200 guitar and a $2000 guitar usually lies with the materials with which they were made. That and other variables, such as (again) who manufactured the instrument and to some extent, the method used to make them.
● The Wood
Some acoustic guitars, for instance, can be very expensive because they are hand-made with the highest quality woods and materials.
Woods that are harder to source due to proximity from the manufacturing location naturally costs more. The same thing is true for woods that belong to protected species or are scarce. The exotic rosewood and rare ebony woods are expensive and can be difficult to import due to stricter restrictions.
Some woods are prized for the gorgeous appearance they impart on the finished instrument. A quilted maple top guitar, for example, is a solid 10/10 in the looks department compared with, let’s say, a mahogany top guitar.
These exquisite woods usually go to constructing premium guitars, whereas the more common, lower-grade woods are used to make lower-end models. And that’s how the wood used for building the guitar influences the price.
● The Hardware
Choice hardware can bump up the price of guitars considerably. To keep the guitar price down, some manufacturers make their own tuners, controls, and other hardware rather than buy these parts from other companies.
You would know when tuners and bridge are made from cheap materials—they are wonky and hard to control. High-quality tuners turn smoothly and hold string tension steadily. Select bridge materials, likewise, securely grips the strings to the guitar body while allowing for their natural movement. Superior quality bridge saddle adjusts easily, transmits sound to the soundboard efficiently, and is smooth and durable.
● The Electronics
You can easily gauge the quality of the guitar with the way it sounds. Excellent electronics produce excellent sound—and it all boils down to the pickup, the guitar’s sound center.
A pickup is composed of magnetic pole pieces wound with super-thin copper wire. They are often coated with lacquer or wax to protect against corrosion and moisture.
The way the wire is coiled around the magnetic bars, as well as the number of times it is wound, decides the way the guitar will sound. Too little and the sound is weak, too much and the sound becomes muffled. With just the right amount of winding and gaps within it, the sound is clear and crisp.
Good quality pickups with proper wiring and protective coating, combined with excellent volume and tone controls, produce a seamless tone with no buzz, popping, or crackling.
Many expensive guitars have these high-end hardware and electronics parts sourced from fabricators that specialize in the design and production of these parts.
The Brand and Origin
We know about the brand and origin factor all too well.
We have ideas why iPhones generally cost more than Android phones, why a bottle of good French wine will set you back a few more dollars than an equally good bottle of wine from Spain, or why the luxurious Egyptian cotton is more expensive than Pima.
When it comes to guitars, you know you would be paying extra for branding and origin.
Brands that have been around for a very long time know the business, market, and industry to the core. These established brands are the major league players and have set the standard for best and icon-status guitars: Gibson (let’s include its entry-level brand brother Epiphone since guitars under this brand are created with the same aspects of Gibson guitars), Fender, Gretsch, Martin, Squier, and many others. Yes, that means a lot of these pieces of art come with a sizeable cost!
Let’s not forget how location can significantly influence the guitar cost. Mass-produced Fender guitars in Mexico and the Far East are generally cheaper than those manufactured in the United States. Guitars made in these big factories are made with less skill and time (because, machines!), and materials like wood and hardware are readily available in those parts of the world.
We’re not saying that guitars from those factories are inferior quality-wise; we’re merely pointing out why they’re more inexpensive than their North American counterparts! So, don’t get discouraged—many great guitars are born in those factories!
The Rule of Supply and Demand
This is another thing we are all very familiar with—remember the hoarding or panic buying issue during the height of the pandemic in the US?
But even before COVID-19 became a thing, people were already known to stockpile salt to use on their driveways before the winter season comes, or gasoline, water, and other essentials before the hurricane season swing by. And this behavior often results in a seasonal price hike of said items. Remember how people fight for the few remaining supplies of whatever item is in high demand in a specific circumstance, even willing to pay extra to stake a claim?
Truth be told, the rule of supply and demand is among the biggest contributing factor as to why guitar prices increased. The recent rise in guitar demand in the US market following the upsurge of Americans learning guitar in times of pandemic resulted in the guitar price increase.
With guitars selling like hotcakes, business is booming; companies will sell the guitars at a higher price. As long as there are customers willing to pay the price, companies will continue to sell their guitars at that price.
You’re a guitar newbie and you are eyeing a pro-level Fender or a Gibson Les Paul, and we understand why. But the thing is that these brands may set you back a few hundred to thousands of dollars and might not even be good guitars to start with.
What we’re saying here is, consider picking up cheaper guitar brands—there are plenty that sells for only $100 or even lower—to learn the basics. You can even buy a really good second-hand guitar as your starter instrument before you move on to higher-end brands or models as your skill level goes up!
While expensive guitars might be better (because of high-quality parts and all the other things we just discussed earlier), remember that there are always great, inexpensive guitars tapping into the specific market—the newbies—and are ready to offer you low-cost alternatives and a wonderful playing experience.
Why are guitars shaped the way they are? Guitars are shaped the way they are in order to maximize structural integrity, acoustic quality, ergonomics, and balance while playing. Guitars also used to be primarily marketed towards men, so they were built to feel similar to a lady’s figure when cradled on one’s lap!
Structural Integrity and Tension Resistance
“Form follows function,” as the saying goes–and this holds as true for musical instruments as it does for architecture! So, one of the most important aspects of the reasoning behind the average range of guitar shapes is structural resilience.
Anyone who’s stretched a guitar string just a bit too far and seen it snap knows that the guitar strings are under a surprising amount of stress: And that stress is constant, unless you’re removing the guitar’s strings for a cleaning or replacement. For this reason, the guitar’s neck must be crafted from solid wood, with its rounded back serving to increase tension resistance and avoid an instrument’s tragic end. This is especially crucial for guitars that sport more than the usual 6 strings, since each extra string adds a new layer of tension.
The graceful curves of the guitar’s body also help to distribute tension and increase structural integrity. This holds true in terms of string tension and the natural effects that varying humidity and temperature levels will have on the wooden body of the guitar.
Acoustics and Sound Quality
So, the strong neck and arches in a guitar’s shape help to ensure that the instrument won’t break under pressure when subjected to string tension or changing environments–but what about the way it sounds?
The curves of a hollow acoustic guitar body (especially if the guitar features an arched back) absolutely do play a crucial part in shaping the instrument’s unique sound and tone. Each difference in form, curve, body depth, and size will affect how a guitar sounds. Some differences may be highly noticeable, while others are subtle enough that only more experienced musicians recognize them: But rest assured that each unique nuance in the guitar’s shape is there for a reason!
Many people instinctively assume that the tone, projection, and resonance of a guitar are more a result of the instrument’s tonewoods than of its shape. But the shape of a guitar still plays against the effects of different tonewoods, meaning that, for example, you could still get all kinds of varying sounds from differently-shaped mahogany guitars.
Any well-made guitar is bound to balance itself well when you hold it properly. This reduces the work that you have to do to keep the instrument in place, freeing your body and mind to get expressive and form complex handshapes with ease. Some people claim that the idea of balance playing an important part in the evolution of the guitar’s shape is just speculation, but most experts agree that balance has always been a huge determining factor in guitar craftsmanship.
For acoustic guitars, it’s important for the instrument to balance well on your lap while you hold it–ideally just as well with or without a strap. Balance might seem less critical for solid-body electric guitars, since these are usually played while standing with a shoulder strap–but this isn’t so. Balance is still crucial to a quality electric guitar since you don’t want to constantly readjust your shoulder strap because the headstock’s weight has shifted everything out of place. Ever wonder why your Stratocaster is such a go-to for guitarists? That’s right: Its balance is considered to be among the best! Other delightfully well-crafted guitars include Ibanez guitars, which are known for delighting metalheads and hard-rock guitarists with their slim “fast necks” without throwing off the overall balance of the instrument.
Ergonomics and Accessibility While Playing
Just as balance is important in your ability to hold and play a guitar with ease, so is–you guessed it–the shape itself! The guitar’s graceful shape is designed with comfort in mind, crafted to naturally conform to the musician’s lap, body, and ability to reach the controls of the instrument.
As you might expect, it’s crucial for the average guitar player to be able to reach key components like the tuning pegs so that they can sweeten the sound, and to reach the strings above the sound hole with little trouble so that they can strum and pick effectively.
The width and depth of the guitar’s body affect how easy it is to pick and strum, making it highly important for any guitarist to try out an instrument before purchasing whenever possible to make sure that it’s a good match for their stature. And the length of the guitar’s neck is carefully calculated to strike the ideal blend of balance against the weight of the body, and the ideal proportions for a musician to reach the highest frets and adjust the tuning pegs with ease.
Aesthetics and Visual Appeal
As previously mentioned, guitars used to be almost exclusively geared towards men, and the assumption of the time was that no man would turn down an opportunity to cradle a lady’s figure in their arms! So, the guitar was built partially to mimic the curves of a woman’s waist and hips in order to boost marketability and visual appeal.
Things have diversified since then, so the aesthetic focus of a guitar’s shape usually revolves more around the target audience that would most appreciate its sound style. Most acoustic and classical guitars are built with traditional shapes for a timeless, warm feeling. On the other hand, electric guitars are often built with more angular shapes that may be accentuated to increase visual appeal for many rock and metal fans.
A Skillful Design:
No matter what aspect of a guitar’s design you consider to be the most important, they all come together to make a truly beautiful instrument! The predominant features in why a guitar is shaped the way it is are structural strength, acoustics and sound quality, balance, ergonomics, and aesthetics.
Of course, there’s a complex level of interconnectedness between these traits that makes every guitar unique and allows for all kinds of delicately-nuanced musical styles. Each individual guitarist must try out a variety of models before finding the right fit, but understanding why guitars are shaped the way they are can give a great starting point for which qualities to consider in each one!
Classical and acoustic guitars may be strikingly similar; but to the trained eye, these two differ in physical as well as key features aspects.
Close your eyes and try painting an image of an acoustic guitar.
Now, do it again, but this time try picturing a classical guitar. Do you see two drastically different instruments?
If you’ve got little to no experience with guitars, chances are you’ll find it challenging to distinguish a classical guitar from an acoustic one. If you thought they look pretty much the same, you’re not alone!
Just like the way many of us believe that jam and jelly, highways and freeways, and emoji and emoticon are all the same thing, classical and acoustic guitars sometimes confuse some people as well. And it’s easy to see why—the two do share a handful of similarities at first glance.
In this article, we’ll be giving you a quick (but definitely informative) walkthrough of what sets the two guitar types apart—and of course, ultimately help you see which better suits the guitarist in you!
Classical and Acoustic Guitar Profile
Before anything else, we need to get our basics right.
Let’s first talk about classical guitars. Guitarists that are used to this type would tend to disregard picks. They’d prefer to use their fingers as classical guitar strings are based on soft and highly flexible nylon known for producing warm and raw tones.
Acoustic guitars, on the other hand, may be the most familiar to novice guitarists. It is, in fact, one of the best-selling guitar types globally. They are known to produce a crisp and clear sound as produced by their (sometimes coated) steel strings.
So what makes the two seemingly similar?
Of course, just like any guitar that you’ll encounter, the two would have six strings, a fretboard, and a set of tuning pegs. What makes them appear as “cousins” is their round, wooden bodies that are hollow. This hollow body (for the resonance of string vibrations) has a soundhole that is also present in both guitar types.
Moreover, the two are usually set to the same standard tuning of EADGBE (which you can learn more about in this article).
Physical Differences
On the surface level (that is the construction of a guitar), you can readily spot some differences – and these have bigger implications on your possible experience with the instrument.
So what are the physical differences between a classical and an acoustic guitar?
● Guitar Neck Size
Compared to classical guitars, acoustic guitars have narrower necks. Hence, you would also observe that acoustic guitar strings have smaller spaces in between. Needless to say, an acoustic guitar’s fretboard would also be slimmer compared to that of a classical one.
This would entail some impact on your guitar-playing experience (which we’d detail later in the article). But to provide a glimpse, you might find it more difficult to switch from chord to chord on a classical guitar’s wider fretboard – especially when you have small hands!
An upside for classical guitars, though, is that bigger spaces in-between strings make it less likely that you’ll mute your strings by accident.
● Truss Rod
Truss rods are generally absent in classical guitars and would be present in all acoustic ones.
But wait, what are truss rods? Well, they are rods (of course, can’t it be more obvious than that) that run along the bridge of the guitar. As you can imagine, steel strings can apply a significant amount of force to your guitar’s neck when strummed. A truss rod counters this stress, making sure that you’ll have your bridge intact.
How do you spot one? If you have an acoustic guitar, try viewing the soundhole longitudinally with the bridge facing away from you. You’ll spot a bolt!
As we know, classical guitars do not use steel strings and thus would not need such reinforcement.
● Body Size and Shape
On average, an acoustic guitar would be relatively larger compared to a classical one. Moreover, acoustic guitars tend to have a more curved back and thicker sides. This renders acoustic guitars to be slightly heavier.
● Fretboard Markers
If you’re on your first couple of weeks learning the guitar, you may be well-versed in this. Acoustic guitars generally have fretboard markers (typically at the center of the fretboard) to guide you. Classical guitars usually lack these markers, but a few have them.
● Guitar Bridge
A typical classical guitar’s bridge has a traditional wrap around it. Basically, threads are tied in a knot around the bridge to hold them in place. Conversely, strings are kept in place by pegs on the bridge of an acoustic guitar.
● Headstock and Tuning Pegs
A classical guitar’s tuning peg is made of metal and plastic, whereas a standard acoustic guitar’s entire tuning peg is made up of steel.
Differences in Key Features
Of course, the differences do not end solely on the guitar structure. The aforementioned differences have bigger implications on the individual guitar type’s key features.
Let’s see how these seemingly simple structural differences would mold your playing experience:
● The Strings
The strings on the classical guitar appear to be somewhat more transparent when seen, which is due to the use of nylon as the primary material. Acoustic guitar strings, on the other hand, are composed of steel. These acoustic strings are occasionally coated with stronger material to improve sound or durability (depending on the manufacturer).
Nylon, as compared to steel, implores lower tensile stress and is easier on the fingers. Finger soreness is more common among beginners who start with acoustic guitars.
● The Sound
Classical guitars have a more evocative, pleasant, and soothing tone than many modern guitars (and often times sound more resonant). When compared to the other type, acoustic guitars sound more robust, strong, and piercing as steel strings sound twangy and rich when strummed.
● The Volume
When comparing their loudness, classical guitars tend to sound softer. Acoustic guitars are louder as attributed to their string type and construction. With the sound and volume, classical guitars seem more romantic, while acoustic guitars seem more captivating.
● Playing Techniques
As said, classical and acoustic guitars can be different structurally – which can affect the manner by which you’d use your strumming hand.
Rather than using a pick, a classical guitar is frequently played with the fingers. Several classical guitarists grow their fingernails for strumming to generate a stronger and more accurate tone. Due to higher tensile tension, a pick is preferred by acoustic guitarists.
Here is a short, sweet, and straightforward comparison between the two guitars:
Picking the Right Guitar for You: Final Words
In this article, we glimpsed over individual profiles of acoustic and classical guitars – giving the limelight on what makes them similar and different. Ultimately, we’ve put these edges and dents head-to-head and see how they’ll make your playing experience unique.
“So what’s the right guitar for me?”
After going through everything, you should now know that there is no “right” answer. A more accurate term would be “better-suited.”
Weighing pros and cons, we’ve come into a full balance. And that little weight needed depends on your situation – who you are as an artist, your experience level, your budget, and the genre you play.
Just like for a painter, there is no correct brush – all there is to do is choose the best-suited one for the picture you’d want on your canvas.
With pop-rock hooks and bluesy licks all over his catalog, John Mayer is one of the most consistent singer-songwriters in recent history. He has also earned his place as one of the best acoustic guitar players alive. One of the great things about John Mayer is that he’s not afraid to write easy songs with catchy riffs that everyone can enjoy. While we’re used to listening to him shredding away on his guitar, he’s also written some beautiful acoustic ballads that are surprisingly easy to play.
Let’s take a look at 9 of John Mayer’s best songs that are easy enough for just about anyone to play on guitar.
1. Love on the Weekend
Love on the Weekend is a breezy, laid-back song from John Mayer’s seventh studio album, The Search for Everything. It’s a great song to learn and add to your repertoire of fun songs to play yet still sound impressive when you get them right.
The song only has 3 basic chords, G, C, and D, relatively straightforward. Still, there are enough changes in there to keep things interesting. John Mayer uses a unique fingerpicking style on the main riff, but the rest of the song has a simple strumming pattern. If you’re looking for a more challenging version of this song, try the acoustic version on YouTube. It’s more complex than the album version, with some nice chord substitutions and melodic embellishments.
2. XO
This is one of John Mayer’s most popular songs, and it’s very simple to play on the guitar. John Mayer’s version of XO includes various incredible guitar parts, all of which are distinct from one another. The song begins with mellow arpeggios and strumming before shifting into a funky rhythm section that becomes the song’s main groove.
It’s hard to believe this is a cover of a Beyoncé song, yet John transforms it into something completely new. The song only has four chords: C, F, Am, and G, which you play on with the capo on the 2nd fret. This is a great piece that’s perfect for strumming on an acoustic guitar, but its intricacy shines through in the way John Mayer performs it
The F chord, which is pretty basic, simply requires the thumb over technique in this song. There is some fun strumming throughout the tune that will help you practice keeping a complete and accurate rhythm while keeping your pick light in your fingers.
Hammer-ons and accented notes can also give your playing more vitality, which helps to bring the song to life. All of these combined make a chord progression into a whole song.
3. Last Train Home
John Mayer’s Last Train Home is an excellent song for practicing triads. John Mayer plays around with the bass notes in this song. If you’re planning to play guitar and sing simultaneously, like John Mayer always does, changing the bass note can be a little tricky.
The introduction to Last Train Home simply requires five open chords. John Mayer plays single notes and triads in the original recording. When he plays and sings it simultaneously, there’s a riff going on, which, like many other John Mayer songs, can be rather challenging.
For beginners, strumming patterns can be used to play Last Train Home, which would make a terrific cover version. It has a 16th Note Strumming vibe, but you can experiment with the up and down strums.
4. Your Body Is a Wonderland
The song Your Body Is a Wonderland is an acoustic ballad. The lyrics depict a story about a first-person narrator who acts as a tour guide around his lover’s body. Mayer’s ex-girlfriend Jennifer Love Hewitt inspired the song. At the 2004 Grammy Awards, the song won Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
Mayer played electric guitar on two songs on Heavier Things, this being one of them (the other was “Come Back To Bed”). Mayer used a Gibson Les Paul Junior guitar and an old Fender Bassman amp to produce a specific tone.
You’ll need to tune down your low E string to D for this song. The main part that played during the verses and chorus is easy, while the pre-chorus and the bridge are a little more difficult for a beginner. Here, it’s best to practice the fundamentals of the pluck-and-chuck technique, which is used in many of John Mayer’s songs.
5. Daughters
Daughters is the third single from John Mayer’s critically acclaimed album Heavier Things, released in 2003. The song was nominated for several accolades, including the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 2005.
Beginners can use this song to learn how to imitate Mayer’s delivery and precision on the guitar. It’s also a great area for a novice to experiment with various rhythms and chord progressions. This tune may become a little too difficult at first if you’re just starting out and have never ventured beyond 4/4 time. However, if you put in the effort, you will improve.
Daughters might be tough to learn because there are so many chords, some of which are unfamiliar to beginners. The chords themselves are distinctive, but the progression will seem straightforward after you’ve memorized them.
6. Gravity
Gravity is one of Mayer’s most popular songs, and it has long been a part of his live shows. This song is from his well-known Continuum album, which many believe is the pinnacle of John Mayer’s career. Gravity has Jimi Hendrix-inspired rhythm passages and some nice melodic solos.
Like Daughters, it has multiple repetitions of the same chords throughout the song. Some chords will need you to use fingerings that you may not be familiar with or comfortable with. However, you can always find a fingering that works better for you and your skill level.
7. Who Says
Who Says is a little more complicated than Daughters and Gravity, with a few additional chords and some chord switching in between. This song was a worldwide hit and was featured on his 2009 album Battle Studies.
The key to playing John Mayer’s Who Says and sounding well is getting the percussive-hit strumming under your fingers and making it sound good. You’ll need to know how to play barre chords on the acoustic guitar to play Who Says. Although the grips aren’t overly difficult, there is some movement involved.
You must develop a sense of the song’s rhythm to sound great when playing Who Says. It’s all about getting into the rhythm, feeling the groove well, and making your percussive hit feel good.
8. Free Fallin’
At the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles in 2008, Mayer performed an acoustic version of Tom Petty’s classic “Free Fallin.” Mayer’s version was softer and gentler, thanks to two additional guitarists on stage.
Mayer’s version of the song is in the key of E major and features three chords. This song is simple to play and sounds best on an acoustic guitar if you have a capo. It’s worth noting, though, that playing it exactly as Mayer does might be difficult, especially for new players. Nonetheless, numerous guitar lessons are available online that demonstrate how to fingerpick in this tune.
9. Vultures
John Mayer’s tunes might be intimidating for some guitarists, but this one isn’t too challenging. The tough part is getting into the song’s groove without making it feel or sound clunky and unnatural. You’ll need to learn the main riff, the second overdubbed guitar section, and the two guitar solos if you want to play it like John Mayer.
There are a few hammer-ons and flick-offs throughout the first solo, but putting the appropriate notes down isn’t an issue. The difficulty here is to get the proper inflections and tones throughout the solo, especially for less experienced players. On the other hand, the second solo has a little more depth than the first. It’s a fantastic solo, with many bends, vibrato, and dynamic rhythms.
Conclusion
Sure, the John Mayer songs above can be easy to play, but they still take a lot of practice to master. Some of the songs are tricky, so make sure you figure out how to play them before trying to sing along. Take your time in learning Mayer’s techniques and playing style. Though time, playing like him will become a lot easier.