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Top 30 Best Songs of the 80’s for Acoustic Guitar

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The 80s gave birth to a lot of legendary bands and artists. It was also the time MTV was launched (a real Music Television channel at that time ) and from that emerged MTV unplugged which gave artists a platform to turn their songs into acoustic diamonds.

MTV is not what it used to be anymore, but fortunately Youtube has become the new MTV and we can once again enjoy our favorite music in all it’s creative diversity, plugged or unplugged.

Today we got a list with 30 pop songs of the 80’s that are perfectly suited for the acoustic guitar. There are songs you might not have thought of before or didn’t dare to try, that will turn into really great tunes when you play them on your steel string.

I searched high and low for beautiful acoustic versions of these songs from the artists themselves. I hope the arrangements and videos inspire you to pick up your guitar from the stand and light a new spark.

You can click on the title of each song to hear the song on Youtube. Click on “Chords” for the chords&lyrics and “More Chords” for the official chords&lyrics&tabs.

Pick out one or two songs every day. Enjoy the pleasure of jamming along and working out these songs, adding your own personal touch.

Have a great one!

1 – Angel of harlem – U2 (1988) – Chords – More Chords

2 – Free Falling – Tom Petty (1989) – Chords – More Chords

3 – Waiting on a friend – The Rolling Stones (1982) – Chords – More Chords

4 – Every breath you take – The Police (1983) – Chords – More Chords

5 – Wicked game – Chris Isaak (1989) – Chords – More Chords

6 – Heaven – Bryan Adams (1983) – Chords – More Chords

7 – Never Tear Us Apart – INXS (1988) – Chords 

8 – End of the Line – Traveling Wilburys (1988) – Chords – More Chords

9 – Sweet dreams – Eurythmics (1983) – Chords – More Chords

10 – Careless Whisper – George Michael (1984) – Chords – More Chords

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How to Apply Kaizen to Guitar

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The word “Kaizen” is a combination of the words “kai” (change) en “zen” (for better), which makes “change for better”. The philosophy behind it is all about the act of continuous improvement.

The term originally comes from the book Kaizen by Masaaki Imai, through which Kaizen was first introduced to the western world.

Kaizen is widely known as a systematic approach for business improvement, but it actually refers to any improvement, one-time or continuous, large or small in all areas of life.

So yes, it can also be applied to guitar practice, to hone, improve, and perfect our skill continuously every day.

The improvement isn’t necessarily focused on large scale changes, and huge wins, but more on smaller, incremental and immediate changes.

So, instead of thinking how to make a big, giant step towards becoming a brilliant guitar player, and start buying expensive guitars, equipment, and executing an extensive practice regimen, you focus on the smallest improvements you can make in your guitar playing right now.

A continuous process that is less intimidating, doable, long lasting and definitely adding up.

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Best Guitar Jam Tracks and Song Backing Tracks

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Photo by Gavin Whitner

Whether you are practicing rhythm along with a backing track, perfecting your guitar solo, or expanding your improvisation skills over a jam track, you will find it a true joy and it’s SO good for your guitar playing.

Practicing with jam and backing tracks develops and enhances your rhythm, feel and timing for music and your ability to lock into the groove of the drum and bass, which is an imperative skill for any musician.

When you study a lead guitar solo it’s good to play along with the track without actually hearing the original notes of the solo and learn to fill in your solo between the spaces while keeping up with the right tempo, timing and feel of the song.

It’s the perfect way to practice what it’s like to play with a real band and what that requires from your playing. You have to learn and memorize songs, practicing them over and over until you get it right from beginning to end, until you feel comfortable enough to play it in front of an audience.

If you want to get good at soloing & improvisation, jam tracks are the best tools to exercise, drill, explore and train yourself for the challenge of playing over chord progressions. It’s a must-do.

So today, we got some great hiqh quality sounding jam & backing tracks for every kind of musical style and purpose. 

Now you know what to do. Set aside a part of your daily workout to practice with jam & backing tracks and watch your playing improve and unfold.

Enjoy!

BLUES, FUNK, MINOR & MAJOR KEY JAMTRACKS

1 – Tom Bailey Backingtracks

2 – MyDarnJamTracks

3 – JamTracksChannel

4 – GuitarBackingTrackVideos (Artmant Studios)

5 – MegaBackingTracks

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2019 Guitar Resolutions and Goals

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I’m always curious to look back and see if I accomplished a few of my new years resolutions, and it’s nice to see that I did. It’s good any way it goes, but here are some that I managed to do:

I woke up at 5 am, stretched, ran and practiced the Wim Hof Method on a regular basis (life changing), I read a lot of books (more than ever), I learned a complete repertoire of my favorite acoustic songs and performed them on stage. I wrote song lyrics, I switched to Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro and learned enough to do the job, made (and ate) more healthy lunches and dinners, and a few other things I didn’t plan for.

Of course, to be fair, there are things that didn’t make the cut. I meditated, but not nearly enough. I didn’t record any songs, and my jazz practice fell short.

Still, I am happy of the things I did do and I’m hungry for the things that are yet to come.

The beauty is that there is a whole new year ahead of us abundant in time and space to create, practice, explore, grow, improve, become wiser and braver, more disciplined and persistent, and relaxed and flexible at the same time so we can enjoy this upcoming adventure with renewed energy.

As always I want to share my goals (or resolutions as you will):

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