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GMC Forum _ CHILL OUT _ Tips For Entertaining Songs On Acoustic Guitar

Posted by: mhskeide Nov 11 2009, 08:20 PM

Hi guys

I`m often asked to play in family parties and various smaller arrangements.
My problem, I almost don`t know any fancy songs to play which can be entertaining and nice without vocals. I know some classic song arrangements of songs like Love Hurts and Yesterday that I could play, even Cavatina (though I`m not sure I`m ready to play that live yet in case of nervous breakdown ).

So the question: Do you have some ideas for songs I could play at such places?
I`m absolutely no Andy McKee with the acoustic guitar, but on the other hand, I`m not totally worthless either though I mostly play electric.

thanks for recommandations

Posted by: rokchik Nov 11 2009, 11:36 PM

I think "Never Going Back Again" by Fleetwood Mac would be a good song for such an occasion.

Posted by: playaxeman Nov 11 2009, 11:45 PM

Do you play with a band or only acoustic guitar

I also depend on the crowed.

Try something like:
- supertramp: give a little bid
- the beatles: Hey Jude
- Stones: you can't always get what you want,
Angie
- Police: Roxanne
- Sting: Fragile
- Eagles: hotel California or takes it easy
- America:horse with no name
- Guns n Roses: patience
- Rod Steward: I am sailing
- Chistoffer Cross: sailing
- Kansas: dust in the wind

Any good cover book will have some stuff like this.

Good luck mate

Posted by: mhskeide Nov 12 2009, 12:25 AM

I`m playing alone, and until I learn to sing properly, its guitar exclusively!
Thanks for the tips

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Nov 12 2009, 12:44 AM

Check out arrangements from Sungha Jung to get some ideas which songs to cover.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgVqX0a49HM

Having a repertoire of songs that are arranged to play rhythm+melody at the same time on acoustic is always a great skill to have. Such arrangements are always entertaining , at least to me!

Posted by: Santiago Diaz Garces Nov 12 2009, 07:47 AM

I would definitly go for Hotel California. Is such a great song and everybody knows it.

Posted by: zen Nov 15 2009, 11:18 AM

QUOTE (Santiago Diaz Garces @ Nov 12 2009, 08:47 AM)

I would definitly go for Hotel California. Is such a great song and everybody knows it.

Yep , Santiago knows the routine well.

I subconsciously wait for that dreadful moment in social gatherings where someone suddenly jumps up n says "do you know hotel California?"

And no , i dont know how to play it but can confirm too that its a crowd favorite for sure.

Posted by: Staffy Nov 15 2009, 11:56 AM

Hotel California, Stairway to heaven, Claptons "Tears in Heaven", All Beatles.... , Still got the blues....
Oooh, now I remember, there's a site on the internet who have easy arrangemants for famous songs....
They have PLENTY, almost every one You can imagine.....

Its http://www.lickbyneck.com/ , look under "Solo guitar" and You will find plenty
of arrangements... you have to use their software though, but it works perfectly and its free!!!!

//Staffay

EDIT: And You dont have to learn to sing, at every party I've been playing at, there are at least 4-5 women who loves their own voice (even that I mostley disagree... ) It will do if You just know the chords for the songs, since when You begin to play a lot of people are eager to join!

Posted by: mhskeide Nov 15 2009, 10:47 PM

QUOTE (Staffy @ Nov 15 2009, 11:56 AM)

//Staffay

EDIT: And You dont have to learn to sing, at every party I've been playing at, there are at least 4-5 women who loves their own voice (even that I mostley disagree...

) It will do if You just know the chords for the songs, since when You begin to play a lot of people are eager to join!

That last point was the one that was going to save me, I hoped

But, I got a friend to join me, who both sings and plays very good, so I think this will go pretty good

Posted by: Staffy Nov 15 2009, 10:52 PM

QUOTE (mhskeide @ Nov 15 2009, 10:47 PM)

That last point was the one that was going to save me, I hoped

But, I got a friend to join me, who both sings and plays very good, so I think this will go pretty good

Well, good luck!!!

//Staffay

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Nov 16 2009, 01:13 AM

OMG, so many good songs out there to play and sing, and you cannot think of any! YT and google for you mister!