Top 8: Songs for Guitar Learners

Let's make this quite clear: To avoid a long title, I deliberately left off "That I can or can almost play".

Anyone who's been following me the last year or so knows that I'm learning guitar. I've been fortunate to start off with a really nice guitar. Picked up a better than decent amp at Christmas time, and have since picked up some pedals, cords and variety of picks and strings.

In that time, I've mastered the G-C-D, A-D-E and a few in-between. The barre chords have slowly come around in the last few months. That's probably been key for me in really opening up the songbook. Since I haven't written in a while (and the current story is still kicking around in the ol' noggin), I figured I could examine the songs that I play and really figure out what does it for me.

This list is comprised of songs that I do play or have really really almost figured out. Almost...

Honorable Mention: Thunderstruck by AC/DC: Man, do I love this song. The hardest part beyond the solo is probably the intro. Angus does a great job with it; I've yet to really nail the steady tempo of it. It'd be higher, but I just can't play it. Yet...

HM 2: Any Way You Want It by Journey: You gotta have some Journey in the repertoire, and this is a great one. I don't have the solo, but the little riff isn't too bad, and a decent singer will make you sound like a bad ass. Love it.

8. Then by Brad Paisley: Every singer needs to have a song to make those tender hearted ladies swoon. Paisley got it right with this one. Best line? "Taking 45 minutes to kiss good night..."

7. Undone (The Sweater Song) by Weezer: I really wish I could play the intro to My Name is Jonas, but short of that, I can really get down to most of this song (especially now Iv'e got the pedal). Took a bit of time get down the fret work on the beginning part, considering my fat ass fingers.

6. Wonderful Tonight by Cream/Clapton: Not a hard song, but the first one where I actually learned the little riff at the beginning. Forced me to learn tabs after I learned chords. The way it should be, at least in my opinion...

5.Take It Easy by The Eagles: Perhaps the easiest of all these songs (even with the five or so chords), a great beginner song to make you sound really good. That, and I really like the Eagles.

4. Come on Get Higher by Matt Nathanson: A bit of an Indie-ish artist, but a really great song. The song is a not quite subtle metaphor for intercourse, and well, it's just that good. Not porno dirty by any means; just good adult fun.

3. Wanna Make a Memory by Bon Jovi: Gotta admit, I really like that group from Jersey. They come up with some really nice ballads and this is no different. The song has just enough edge to really spice up what some may consider a boring song. The palm muting really works in the beginning if you lack a bass.

2. Last Kiss by The Cavaliers/Pearl Jam: I guess the second song I learned, I've really come to respect the guitarist/singer combo. It's tough. My first ever public performance was this song in front of about 850 middle school students. Not easy, but I did it and got a nice ovation.

1. Squeeze Box by The Who: First song I really learned to play entirely. I play the rhythm part, so no solo from me, but it's still a great song. My son and I actually jam out together, and he plays the solo on bass. That and double entendres make this song top tune.

So that's my list as of this day. Disagree? Feel free to post a comment. Or not.

Cheers,

Mert

Guitar Pedals, School and Rain

It's a whirling dirvish of a few weeks, but I need to write. Something. Okay, let's go!

So I made the delve into guitars even more so by procuring a few neccesary options, namely some

BOSS effects pedals. I ended up with a great deal on eBay for the BOSS DS-2, a switchable pedal with two modes: Overdrive and Turbo Overdrive. Needless to say, I needed a switch.

After buying all the parts to build (at least in theory) a custom footswitch (a DPDT latching one at that!), I looked at the receipt and realized I spent more than an actual nice one would have cost retail. The lady behind the counter couldn't help but stare as I returned the items not 25 minutes later. Oh well. Gaze upon my newly acquired...um...stuff. Yeah...

School has been in effect now for three wonderful weeks. This time of year is always interesting, as it takes a bit of time to really learn about the kids and begin to truly build the rapport. I'm amazed as it seems that I've learned names a bit faster than usual, but that may just be me. I've dived head first into a great many of my new duties, especially the ESL role I've undertaken. Perhaps one thing that really stands out this year is my missing neighbor. Marilyn, my former mentor and neighbor for the last six years, took a well earned retirement. The entire department misses her positive attitude and willing to go the distance for her students. I simply miss a great neighbor who was too good to me. Cheers to you Marilyn; enjoy that cold one wherever you order it from.

Anyone living in ATX or south knows that a bit o' rain is a good thing, and a whole lot of little bitty rain is a great thing. We've truly been blessed the last few days with some of that nice precipitation, so I'll leave you with some Eddie Rabbit. Yeah, that's his name. Good stuff really...especially sans lightning, but that's another story...