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Posts: 7222
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | This is really a two part question.
1. What was the first real tune you learned to play. Not the "On Top Of Old Smokey" or "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" from the Mel Bay books, but the first tune you learned because you just wanted to play it, and you were so proud of yourself because you did?
2. What is a tune that you would like to learn, but just haven't? Maybe it's just really difficult, or uses some technique you haven't mastered yet. Just a tune when you hear it you think "I should really learn to play that."
First song I learned to play was "House Of The Rising Sun."
Song that I tryed many times, but just can't sell to my fingers and ears. "Sultans of Swing" |
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Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | My first was "Little Black Egg". A....E....D...with that little lead riff.
FLASHBACK!!
***********************
I don't care what they say
I'm gonna keep it anyway
I won't let them stretch their necks
To see my little black egg with the little white specs.
(big F#-minor break!!!)
I found it in a tree
Just the other day
And now it's mine, all mine
They won't take it away
***************************
They just don't write em like that anymore.
I would love to play something as jazzy as Sultans of Swing. I haven't even attempted it.
Brad |
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December 2003
Posts: 420
Location: On the beach in Southwest Florida | I don't believe "Little Black Egg" was mentioned by someone else. First hammer on & I didn't even know that's what it was! Actually LBE came after "Outer Limits" for me.
I'd really like to play "Candle in the Wind" well. |
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May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | House of the Rising Sun was the first "cool" song I learned. When I was like 9 or so, I learned "I Walk The Line" with that distinctive Johnny cash beat, Gene Autrey's "Back in the Saddle Again", and Hank Williams "Cheatin Heart".
I did a Johnny Cash tribute (Johnny's version of "He Turned The Water Into Wine") at a contemporary service (A/G). I thought the older folk would enjoy it, but to my surprise, it was the teenagers that really got into it.
I guess some music transends. Thank you Johnny.
Norse(always room in the CD collection for Johnny Cash)man1 |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I can remember the first full-fledged "book" that I ever bought (other than one instructional) was the book for Harrison's "All Things Must Pass" album.
Still have it.
Back then, a Piano/Vocal/Guitar book for the entire triple album was around $5.95!!
I think probably the first song that I was ever able to play all the way through and see as some type of accomplishment was Neil Young's "Needle and The Damage Done".
As far as a song I always to learn, the first to come to mind (oddly enough) is "Blackbird". I know, I know! it's in just about EVERY "Learn Guitar" book!! But for some reason I just never sat down and made the concerted effort to LEARN it!!
To this day, I STILL get people at gigs who request ". . oh, you MUST know "Blackbird", right? . . ." and I have to sheepishly admit that I don't. :rolleyes: |
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Posts: 863
Location: Central Florida | The first song I ever learned to play was "Gentle On My Mind." I got my first guitar in 1968, and Glen Campbell was the (then) hot new guitarist on TV. I was so captivated by the way he played, that I would sit in front of the TV with my guitar and try to cop what I could by studying his hands. Since he always opened his show with GOMM, I got a weekly lesson on that one song!
As for what I'd like to play, there's not really a particular song I'm out to nail, but after years of playing primarily rock, blues, and country, I would really like--and am trying--to develop some decent jazz chops.
Jeff |
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December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | Tough to pin down but what stands out as "firsts" are Helplessly Hoping - CSN, Sad Lisa - Cat Stephens and Tequila sunrise - Eagles.
I know that Horse with no Name doesn't count.
I would like to play "Holy is is the Lord" by Andrew Peterson off of the City on a Hill; The Gathering. I have been practicing songs from "Love and Thunder".
ATTENTION NANCY WILSON IF YOU READ THIS BOARD!!!
Please teach me the intro to Dreamboat Annie like it was done in "Live at the Aquarious" on the KZOK recording? I would be soooooo greatful. |
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February 2003
Posts: 2177
Location: the BIG Metropolis of TR | When I started playing (mid to late '60's) it was the prerequisite "House of the Rising Sun" plus alot of Ventures ("Walk Don't Run","Pipeline" etc.)
. . . .
What I would like to learn (but like Miles I just can't get the ole digits to comply) would be "Oklahoma Borderline" by Vince Gill (as preformed by Vince on A&E's "Live By Request")
Whole lot of smooth runs up and down the neck (Vintage Telecaster) with just the right amount of "chicken pickin" thrown in!!
. . . .
Mike :cool: |
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June 2002
Posts: 863
Location: Central Florida | Mike,
You really jogged my memory there on a couple of things.
First, you reminded that "Walk Don't Run" was the first instrumental I ever learned to play (I said "Gentle On My Mind" in my post, as that was the first song I learned to play AND sing). Also, I remember that Vince Gill "Live By Request" performance. That was the night I discovered he could really pick! Boy, he smoked on that song!!!
Jeff |
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Posts: 2177
Location: the BIG Metropolis of TR | Jeff,
Glad I jogged some memories!!!
I've still got several Ventures records (stashed somewhere) that I learned to play by! I think I may even have the one where they show you the lead and bass line to some of their songs but mostly I learned by ear (and setting the needle back to hear the run again) since I found out early that I can't carry a tune in a bucket I concentrated alot on Venture instrumentals :D
* * * *
Vince Gill is the second best guitar picker after Glen Campbell (of course) He not only "smoked" that song....HE TORE IT UP!!!
* * * *
btw - If anyone has a copy of Vince's "Live By Request" please email me!!(I have money and I ain't afraid to use it!! :eek: ) The Vince Gill "Live By Request" was A&E's most popular and highest rated of all the LBR but if you go to their website:
http://www.livebyrequestdvd.com/
all you can find on DVD is Tony Bennett,Johnny Mathis,etc........go figure :(
* * * *
Mike :cool: |
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December 2002
Posts: 939
Location: Fort Worth, Texas | First song I learned at guitar lessons: Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town by Kris Kristofferson (as posted in the other thread)
Song I'd like to learn:Police Dog Blues by Blind Blake.
A song I cane to love from Jormna Kaoukonen's Quah album. I found a detailed tab for it, open E tuning, practice, practice practice....
What got me back to this song was seeing The Waybacks at the Kerrville Folk Festival, bought the last CD ]Burger After Church they had for sale that night. If you like acoustic music, check these guys out, they are great musicians and funny to boot! Great entertainment!
The Waybacks |
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November 2002
Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | Probably the very first thing I learned, even before I got my Harmony, was Hey Joe. After I started playing my own guitar, I moved into more complicated things like Blowin'In The Wind and Kum By Ya.
There are lots of songs that have come and gone thru the years (never did learn Stairway to Heaven) but right now I would like to be able to play Prodigal Me by Shane Barnard and Shane Everett but I'm afraid my fingers have been too close to frost bite too many times to get very fancy anymore. |
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October 2002
Posts: 8
| I have to go back to the fifties to find my first. Specifically around 1954 maybe 1955 though I first started guitar in 1953. I think it was one of Elvis' songs probably "Heartbreak Hotel." It was either that or "Cheating Heart."
I'm working on a lot of fingerpicking stuff now and if I can just get through one of Stefan Grossman's books I'll be happy. |
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March 2003
Posts: 555
Location: Wooster, Ohio | The first song I learned that really made me feel I had arrive was "Here Comes the Sun" by George Harrison because I was so close to the record.
The song I love and will never be able to play is All Along the Watchtower by Hendricks not Dylan.
Steve Kitchen |
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July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | MWoody, you need the Nancy Wilson "Starlicks Sessions" instructional video....she shows how to do "Dreamboat Annie" on there.....not that I can DO it..... :)
The first song I can remember learning is the Beatles' "Run For Your Life". Not that I remember it NOW....seem to remember a bunch of G and Em.....
The song that I would like to nail is "House At Pooh Corner" by Kenny Loggins.....been a buncha' frustration to this point....
Roger
1976 Applause AA14-4 6-String
1981 Ovation 1118-1 Glen Campbell 12-string
2001 Adamas 1598-MERB Melissa Etheridge 12-String
2003 Celebrity CC01 Spruce Top 6-String |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | First song was house of the rising sun. Second was some of the Beatles tunes out of the fake books.
What I'd like to get down is that Heart tune and I don't really care about the tune, just the intro, you know the one. If there's a second on the wish list it's The Water is Wide, the way Ed Gerhart does it. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | I'm holding out for lesson's from Nancy Wilson... |
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December 2001
Posts: 10582
Location: NJ | wendy by the association
there are so many I would love to learn I just can't list them all |
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | First song I learned on a friend's guitar was Venus ... Shocking Blue not Frankie Avalon. :) Once I got my own guitar, it was Wild World by Cat Stevens.
The song I'd like to learn when I either have an epiphany or get a left hand transplant ... the lead part to Aqualung. |
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December 2001
Posts: 7222
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | cwk2, we have similar tastes.. it's the intro to "Crazy On Ya" |
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January 2004
Posts: 2
Location: Tampa, Florida | First song had to be "Louie Louie". Still a classic! |
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February 2002
Posts: 613
Location: Zion, Illinois | First song - Donovan's Catch the Wind (had a crush on a girl at the time).
Right now I'm trying to re-learn guitar. I bought a Paul Simon finger picking songbook and am working on Feeling Groovy.
Bradley |
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Let's see, first song of artistic merit ...
that's a long time ago, but it was either the blues tune, Going Down This Road Feeling Bad (I had heard a grateful dead version) and Mama Doin' 'low no guitar pickin' 'round here (Bluegrass of course!)
Song I'd like to learn now, is the Os Mutantes version of a song by Veloso called "Baby" rhythm is easy, chords aren't coming to me. |
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August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | Actually, my first guitar song was some classical tune by Fernando Sor... I then moved through the list: CSN&Y, Fleetwood Mac ("Future Games" original lineup), Cat Stevens, Quicksilver Messenger Service, The Who (Who's Next?), Grateful Dead, James Gang, Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, Gordon Lightfoot, Earl Scruggs banjo tunes, ..... now most of my listening and attempted emulation is of Alison Krauss and Union Station.... also Classic Hymns... as for tune I want to learn.... anything by AKUS (better than I can now)
tim |
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October 2002
Posts: 153
Location: Huntington Beach, CA | Started playing as a result of the Beatles, therefore learned She Loves You and I Wanna Hold Your Hand first. First accomplishment was playing Classical Gas. Funny, I can't do it justice now, 25+ years later.
Currently working on Stairway after all these years. It's painful on the fingers and I think I almost bit through my lip.
I'm capable of outbursts of talent on rare occasions. Too bad they're mixed in with overwhelming mediocrity. That comes from a few 5-year intermissions and lots of recreational chemicals. C&S now but I play guitar kind of like that pianist character played in the movie by Jeffrey Rush. You know, the guy that wanted to be the best but blew his cerebral cortex during practice?
After Stairway, I want to learn the intro to Bungalow Bill. |
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November 2003
Posts: 12
Location: The Netherlands | I'm afraid my memory doesn't go back as far as most of the people here.
The first song I learned was "Come As You Are" by Nirvana. I got my mom's acoustic guitar out of the closet and just practiced it till 4 am in the morning. 'Been playing ever since that day.
One of the songs I'd really like to learn is an acoustic piece by Zakk Wylde, Speedball.
It's just plain fast and uses a few country techniques (chicken pickin'). It's got a real classical feel to it, I guess that's what has me gravitate towards it. |
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May 2003
Posts: 143
Location: High, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado | First song was "House of the Rising Sun"...
Am working on "Wish You Were Here" now...
Always seem to be "working" on something though...
Dale |
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December 2002
Posts: 19
Location: new jersey | Duane Eddy and Rebel Rouser was the song I had to learn it was so cool. My father had a Blind
buddy that could play the guitar really well and
he show me how to play the song it took weeks. Iam
a slow learner but I got it. Never really did much else. Stopped playing until last year,funny I could still play part of the song.It's still cool.
Now I am working on Ghost Riders in the Sky
and it's getting there |
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May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | The song I most enjoyed learning to play was "Tennesee Stud" as done by Doc Watson. Sometime in the 70's Doc came to San Diego State and me and the guys I was playing with went to see him. Now this is where reality fades, we were partying somewhere and had our instruments and the guitar player Steve (son of Bill who owned the music store) and I ended up on a San Diego City bus with our instruments (mandolin and guitar) headed for another party somewhere and we sat on that bus and worked out that song and it just came out perfect in our dazed state of party going. The bus passengers liked it and so did we, the reason I say strange is because I had at least 2 cars and I can't remember why we were on a city bus. I've played it since but my son dropped it from from our repertoire (dirty French word). I've never gotten "Soldier's Joy" to come out right even though at the San Diego Folk Festivals they would have groups of jammers playing that one song for 18 hours straight.
Bailey |
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June 2002
Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | Let's see ... my first time was back in 1974. Pretty cute girl ... OOOPs! I mis-read the question. I thought you were asking "what was my first TIME"? OK, now I've got it - what was my first TUNE? Well, I had a Kay acoustic in the mid 60's but I really don't recall what my first song was. But I do know that in 1967 I got an electric guitar and small amp (some no-name thing). The amp had a tremolo effect and I became pretty damn good at the intro to "Listen People" by Hermans Hermits. Dave |
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May 2003
Posts: 45
Location: Oakton, VA | Dave van Ronk's "Cocaine" and Phil Ochs' "Changes" inspired me to get hold of a guitar. I spent considerable time twisted up with the D chord and the fiendish F and whatever song snippets Mel Bay suggested.
But those are the tunes I fondly remember.
Tom |
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What was the first tune?