Songs Worth Learning - 12
There are certain songs that I think every guitar player should try to learn. Either they have cool guitar parts, or they will expand your playing skills, or they will introduce you to a style of music you may not have played before. I am going to recommend songs in several styles of music and explain why I think they should be added to your “play list.” Obviously, these are my choices, and no doubt, some will disagree with my choices. But each song has something good to offer so I think they are worth learning.
This will eventually be a huge list so I am going to post them one song at a time in no particular order. Take your time and enjoy each one.
(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
Otis Redding started writing this song while living on a rented houseboat in California. He finished the song with the help of STAX producer and guitar player Steve Cropper in Memphis just days before his death in an airplane crash in 1967. Cropper’s unique, soulful style of playing makes this song a masterclass in how to use riffs/fills (hammer-ons, double stops, slides, etc.) instead of chords to create a truly memorable guitar part. The chromatic walk down (C, Bb, B, A) in the chord progression is cool also. Just walk down the neck using barre chords. Otis Redding played the strummed acoustic guitar part that is more prominent in the intro and then fades into the mix afterwards until the outro. Cropper’s electric guitar parts begin on the first chorus. A good song arranging lesson also: You don’t always have to play throughout the entire song. Cropper also used his guitar on overdubs to simulate the sound of seagulls. Cool.
