If you’re a beginner guitarist, learning how to play an acoustic guitar rock song is a great way to boost your confidence. These are some of the easiest songs to learn and some of the most popular ones in history.
Most rock bands start with a simple acoustic guitar and a great tune. It’s an important first step in becoming a rock star, so let’s take a look at some of the best acoustic guitar rock songs ever.
Queen
Queen is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated rock bands on the planet, and they have a number of fantastic songs that can be played on acoustic guitar. Their best songs are some of the most influential in rock history, and if you’re just starting out, you may want to check out some of their classics!
Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor make up this legendary band, and they are known for their ability to mix multiple genres together and create a wildly popular sound. Their music is incredibly diverse, but they all have a common goal: to deliver some of the most epic and powerful songs of all time.
While their lyrics are often more complex than their melodies, they still manage to convey a lot of emotion and meaning through the lyrics themselves. Whether it’s about a love triangle or a ruthless courtesan, their lyrics are always thought-provoking and entertaining.
Their acoustic guitar songs are just as amazing, and they can be easily learned and played by anyone. We’ve compiled a list of some of their most popular tracks that can be played on acoustic, along with tips to help you master them.
Somebody to Love is a song that’s perfect for learning on acoustic. It features lots of great bluesy licks for you to learn and incorporate into your playing. It’s also a great song to work on your strumming and ear training as it features some strummed chords.
This song was originally written on a standard 6 string, but in the studio they double-tracked it so that they could play it with both a 6 string and 12 string guitar, which adds some cool tonal variations to the song. The 12 string guitar part is pretty simple so it won’t take too long to learn, and if you do it on a regular 6 string you will need to re-tune your guitar to C sharp as the lowest note of each string is lowered by three semitones.
Then there’s I Want to Break Free which is another classic Queen track that makes use of a 12 string guitar in a very unique way. It’s a bit of a departure from the power progressive sound they have become known for, and it’s interesting to hear it with the added twang from the acoustic guitar. It’s also one of the most memorable rock songs they have ever recorded, and it can be a great way to practice some acoustic guitar soloing techniques!
Van Halen
Van Halen is one of the most iconic American rock bands of all time. The band was formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972 by Eddie Van Halen (guitar), Alex Van Halen (drums), and David Lee Roth (vocals).
Their debut album, Van Halen, is often considered to be one of the greatest hard rock albums ever made. It includes songs like ‘Runnin’ with the Devil,’ ‘Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love,’ and ‘Eruption.’ The band later went on to become one of the most successful rock groups in history, with countless hits throughout their career.
Guitarists have a long tradition of using acoustic guitars to create a more laid back, slower sound when playing music. This is especially true for rock artists. Many musicians also choose to play acoustic guitar when playing jazz, blues or folk music.
In some cases, the acoustic guitarist might even add harmonics to their solos or melodies, which is what Van Halen did in several of their acoustic guitar rock songs. For example, in Top Jimmy, EVH elicits the shimmering harmonics of his twin guitars through a custom Ripley Stereo Guitar that was designed to send signals from each of its polepieces.
This technique allows the musician to create alternating panning effects in their harmonics and melody. It’s a great way to add depth and texture to your guitar playing, as well as making it easier to read the melody of the song.
EVH was a big fan of acoustic guitar and used to play it quite frequently in the studio when he was recording his music. In fact, he recorded several acoustic guitar rock songs on the first two Van Halen albums.
He gave acoustic shred fans much to chew on in 1979 with Spanish Fly, but guitarists of all stripes found plenty to enjoy in the bluesy-and-boozy, slightly off-kilter Could This Be Magic? It was the first time that Van Halen used an outside singer and it was done in collaboration with country singer Nicolette Larson.
In the early 1980s, Van Halen had more number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 than any other hard rock or heavy metal band. They are also one of the most successful rock groups in history, and their music has been enjoyed by millions of people around the world.
Green Day
Green Day is one of the earliest and most influential bands to emerge from the punk rock scene in the early 1990s. They are famous for their fast paced music and the lyrical content of their songs. Their music is often cited as being “pioneering” for it’s impact on the rock world, and their songs have become classics and played by many musicians around the globe.
When they released their landmark album Dookie in 1994, the band was immediately hailed by listeners as an instant classic. It was a major breakthrough in the pop punk genre, and it changed the way people perceived rock music forever.
As the ’90s progressed, however, it became clear that the members of Green Day were more than just a punk revivalists. They were also a musical institution, with a sound that blended elements of folk, surf and ska. It was this diversity that helped the band break out of the punk rock scene and into mainstream success.
It was also this diversity that led to the release of a number of songs with a more softer feel. One of these was ‘Good Riddance’ which is a beautiful, acoustic ballad which was written a few years after their acclaimed debut album. It’s a very powerful track that has sold millions of copies.
This song is a great example of how guitar players can blend different genres together to create an interesting sound. It is very simple to play and uses a few strummed chords along with some palm muting which gives it a very catchy sound.
If you’re just starting out, then you might want to check out some of the beginner guitar lessons on Louder before moving on to these acoustic songs from Green Day. This will help you to learn the basic chord shapes and how to play them quickly.
Whether you’re a beginner or a more experienced guitar player, these acoustic songs from Green day will be a great addition to your collection. They are all very easy to learn and will give you a great taste of what the rest of their music is like.
The White Stripes
The White Stripes are an American rock band that formed in 1997. Their most recognizable song, “Seven Nation Army,” features an iconic guitar riff and has been covered by many artists.
This is a classic rock song that can be enjoyed by guitar players of all levels and is easy to learn. The simple riff and power chords make this a great song to practice with if you’re just starting out.
It’s also a great song to play with friends and family. They’ll love to hear your playing and you’ll be proud of yourself for learning how to play this classic rock song.
You’ll need a little practice and you may have to adjust your amplifier a bit if you want to get the best sound possible for this acoustic guitar rock song. However, if you’re serious about learning to play this song, it’s worth the effort.
Another classic rock song that can be played by beginners is “Last Nite.” This is a fun, upbeat song with an old-school country music vibe that can be very enjoyable. It is a great song to learn if you want to play with friends or family and it’s easy to pick up on.
The acoustic guitar version of this classic rock song has a lot more meaning than the electric version, and you can really feel the lyrics in your mouth. The song is about a person who has something lingering in their mind that they want to forget but can’t.
It’s a great song to practice on if you’re a beginner and want to be able to sing along with the lyrics. It’s also a great song to have if you’re looking for a fun, upbeat song that’s not too hard on the ears.
This is an acoustic guitar rock song that is popular among many guitarists, and it’s easy to learn. The song includes a bass riff that is easily accessible to beginners, and it is a good song to practice soloing on if you’re not sure how to do it yet.