Learning guitar is easier than ever with youtube lessons and tabs readily available. The important thing is finding the right ones - that makes all the difference in how much you will actually practice and play. It is essential to find versions that are both fun to play and appropriately challenging.
This is a running word document I keep of my guitar efforts and where to find the lessons I've learned from. It is not complete, but I figure you could find some useful stuff here. I have put 5 stars ***** next to lessons that are particularly well broken down and easy enough for a beginner or intermediate player.
Just keep in mind, the first time you attempt something you will have to play it very slow and it won't even sound like the song. Over a few days, you'll improve. If you don't improve after a week or two, try an easier song and come back to it when you've improved.
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Songs I Can Play At Least Part Of On The Guitar
3rd Planet by Modest Mouse
A Day In The Life by The Beatles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptVF7ZZZqyc (georgiarose16) (cover)
Band On The Run by Paul McCartney and the Wings
Barnacles by Ugly Casanova
Better Man by Pearl Jam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAcbfcp1TSQ (Justin Sandercoe)
Blackbird by The Beatles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAR8csOqzKQ (tripfuse04)*****
Broke by Modest Mouse
Broken by Seether Ft. Amy Lee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZrAuc7_JGM (tripfuse04) (cover)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tyHFvHsH2o (tripfuse04)****
Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa by Vampire Weekend
Cast No Shadow by Oasis
Chop Suey by System Of A Down
Come As You Are by Nirvana
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvDLlxh88FM (mahalodotcom)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd-8mWfYgFE (phacacamas guitar instrumental with tab)
Communist Daughter by Neutral Milk Hotel
Crash by Dave Matthews Band
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=094ut39_W6Q (rawtalentguitar)
Cross Bones Style by Cat Power
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU291yKCbBE (cool music video)
http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/c/cat_power/cross_bone_style_tab.htm (tab)
Custom Concern by Modest Mouse
Dark Center Of The Universe by Modest Mouse
Dear Prudence by The Beatles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ErmV1mIF8A (pete thorn)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmnzMsEBdyA (Haylee Legg cool version)
Dec 27 by Talk Demonic
Don’t Speak by No Doubt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0evEk_IOBI (HowToPlayGuitar2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bM7wVtangkg (jaeger28)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ihp1kvv0uw (solo)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_RhTz9taWg (better solo lesson)
Drive by Incubus
Dust In The Wind by Kansas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbckL4UwYdc (tonedr)*****
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwFUJmHSq78 (awesome cover by Santimonse on 12 string)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9yxs307OH4 (solo)
Everlong by The Foo Fighters
Everywhere by Michelle Branch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83qZPIV6hNs (23bos711) (sexy cover)
Fade To Black by Metallica
Fire and Rain by James Taylor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqGagNzr2Kc (Justin sandercoe)*****
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Atyo8UVNXmM&list=PL25E1C2B2FE50183F (garry Bryant) *****
Float On by Modest Mouse
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TzTQ5lL1E8 (cover, simple chords: C-A-Fmaj7) (Dan hardin)
Gallow’s Pole by Led Zeppelin
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day
Gravity Rides Everything by Modest Mouse
Heaven Beside You by Alice In Chains
Heart Of Gold by Neil Young
Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L2u3CiYJZI (garry Bryant)*****
High And Dry by Radiohead
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPbiy-0uSAc (Jenn Morin cover)
Hotcha Girls by Ugly Casanova
Hotel California
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXzdbCHqI3I (tripfuse) *****
Hurt by Nine Inch Nails (Johnny Cash cover version)
I’m Looking Through You by The Beatles
In My Life by The Beatles
In The Aeroplane Over The Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel
Jigsaw Falling Into Place by Radiohead
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBbvRo5KtNM (warrenmusic)
Kicked It In The Sun by Built To Spill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRa1oCd_LsU (babyfennel1000 excellent cover)
King Of Carrot Flowers by Neutral Milk Hotel
Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkdIfRDK-5g (Jenn Morin)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enjOjh5B4UA (marty guitar) *****
Lithium by Nirvana
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWrUVhsXe7o (mahalo)
Lord Only Knows by Beck
*Modern Love by Bloc Party
Name by The Goo Goo Dolls
Nothing Else Matters by Metallica
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrQcTSzGoVM (Justin sandercoe) *****
Nutshell by Alice In Chains
One Hand In My Pocket by Alanis Morisette
Out Of Gas by Modest Mouse
Paranoid Android by Radiohead
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y54LgzQOj0 (Pete Thorn)
Perfect Disguise by Modest Mouse
Random Rules by The Silver Jews
Santa Monica by Everclear
Scar Tissue by The Red Hot Chili Peppers
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band by The Beatles
Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QowMrrAxmGI (pachacamacs)
Something by The Beatles
Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRTAvyBMP-w (Justin Sandercoe)*****
Stay by Lisa Loeb
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LluyRj4LGyY (Jenn Morin)
Steeples by Dispatch
Stockholm Syndrome by Yo La Tengo
Stumbeline by The Smashing Pumpkins
Styrofoam Boots by Modest Mouse
Sweet Child Of Mine by Guns And Roses
Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkbI3J1Lq3g&list=PL39DD86FF7BF2A314&index=27 (tonedr)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW3MBqeN6gE (marty)
There, There by Radiohead
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOe_j4qRWSg (bluski01 favorite cover)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZR_fVNCcgg (warrenmusic cover)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NlVLKKu3RM (warrenmusic lesson)
Trailer Trash by Modest Mouse
Walk With You by Dispatch
What It’s Like by Everlast
Which Will by Nick Drake
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3KKUnU3KJU (Jonn Dalton cover, played perfectly)
Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
Wonderwall by Oasis
Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots by The Flaming Lips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsvAOlXTFGU (my favorite cover)
You Were Meant For Me by Jewel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z6ShjW49OU (mariaguitar)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N3jMvjOyVo (julianaeveryday)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOTNHs_Yu6M (strummed, alyssia lopez)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-Qjxm-GWec (strummed, roxy king)
Zombie by The Cranberries
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTW0Wfr8L7I (Jenn Morin cover)
Songs I Want To Learn:
Black Water by The Doobie Brothers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r9yihPwDs4 (tonedr) *
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gBxjifLwNs (tonedr cover)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot3UMwAmYO8 (yourguitarsage) (more chordy, with some singing) (noodle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7ojX1JxgGE (tgaacousticlessons)(similar to tonedr’s, good channel)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkUSrq04Yv8 (guitarreference) (slight embellishment on tonedr)
Change the World by Eric Clapton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsQpuW86QtU (aarontomberlin)
Creep by Radiohead
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JWcgSHJL4c (erinjanus)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuH6x1ObfAk (jayme dee)
Dock Of The Bay by Otis Redding
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwephzH7tfI (Jenn Morin)
Every Breath You Take by The Police
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAWy3qjLnQU (cifraclub) (wow)
The General
God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You by NSYNC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLgRTnWr3d4 (boyceavenue beautiful cover)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMl-eW2RO5M (0summerbreeze0) (cover)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVe_jDvCx64 (weksa) (intro lesson)
Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STmMjdseObc (Jenn Morin)
Hunger Strike by Temple of the Dog
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8HqbAVQl24 (guitarteachjc)
Ironic by Alanis Morisette
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n5atDxoCGE (cifraclub)
Jumper by Third Eye Blind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P3MegpkaMI (boyceavenue cover)
Layla by Eric Clapton
Lose Yourself by Eminem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_Jd0281H8U (mahalo)
One by Metallica
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgXuuwY5vVk (tripfuse04)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUSVPYhEvuI (tripfuse04 part 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIH3pbKH9fg (cifraclub – face melting guitar solo at 7:40)
Over the Hills and Far Away
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I13VEEkqeLI (Marty, good lesson)
Pumped Up Kicks by Foster The People
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTM6ZQcrQpg (mahalo)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlLU9_IGymg (jayme dee) (impressive cover)
Purple Haze
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzunEQPIs4o (yourguitarsage)
Redemption Song by Bob Marley
http://www.youtube.com/user/jennimo26?feature=watch (Jenn Morin)
Some Might Say by Oasis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du-zdBV21Rc&list=PL4A4B872F34F03DA6&index=6 (georgiarose16)
Snow by The Red Hot Chili Peppers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdnSXna57PQ (mahalodotcom)
Street Spirit (Fade Out) by Radiohead
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89wgvOVm5Zo (warrenmusic)
Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton
Teenage Dream by Katy Perry
Tell Me Why by Neil Young
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IblXZhvMZyg (Neil Young Lesson Channel)
Until The Day I Die by Story Of The Year
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuWJco9eb0s (full band cover)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2EDXKdkWl8 (guitar duet)
 
Useful Youtube Channels
Garry Bryant
http://www.youtube.com/user/garrysguitar?feature=watch
Peter Last – Tons of nice Oasis and Beatles covers and tutorials, all strummed and sung.
http://www.youtube.com/user/georgiarose16
Jenn Morin – Covers of some good songs
http://www.youtube.com/user/jennimo26
Justin Sandercoe – Hundreds of quality guitar lessons, broken down sufficiently to learn note by note
http://www.youtube.com/user/JustinSandercoeSongs
 
Songs With 2 Parts
Dec27 by Talk Demonic (see above)
Every Breath You Take by The Police (see above)
Until the Day I Die by Story Of The Year (see above)