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Top 10 Best Tom Petty Guitar Songs

Hi Folks, as a guitar student and musician you need to learn your Tom Petty songs and for a good reason!

Tom was a great American singer-songwriter who left an indelible mark on the world of rock music.

With his distinctive raspy voice and catchy songwriting, he became known for his ability to blend elements of rock, folk, and Americana, creating a unique and timeless sound.

In 1976, he gained widespread recognition with his band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and later as a solo artist creating the iconic album “Full moon fever” produced by Jeff Lynne, and went on to release a string of great albums and hits.

Tragically, Tom passed away on October 2, 2017, leaving behind a profound influence on generations of musicians.

Luckily his songs are left for us to play, to study, to practice and enjoy. Tom Petty’s songs are a really good source to develop all the different skills you need as a guitar player from common chords and progressions, embellishments, catchy riffs, licks, and great song writing.

In this carefully curated list, you can find the cream of the crop from Petty’s extensive catalog, from the infectious hooks of “Free Fallin'” to the anthemic power of “American girl,” each song offers a unique opportunity to dive deep into Petty’s signature guitar style.

So grab your favorite six-string, make yourself some good coffee and let’s explore the magic of Tom Petty’s guitar-driven classics. Each title contains a link to Youtube and a link to the chords / Tabs and lyrics for the song.

Enjoy your practice and have a great one!

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1 – “Free Fallin’

“Free Fallin’ was written by Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne for the album “Full moon fever” and was released in 1989. The song was recorded in just two days and used a multitude of acoustic guitar to create that incredible dreamy sound.

It’s a nostalgic song about personal freedom and embracing life’s journey. It encourages you to let go and enjoy the ride, capturing the essence of self-discovery and adventure.

The song is in the key of F major and can be played as a beginner-friendly version by playing it with the capo on the 3rd fret following the chords D – G – D – A (sus4) throughout the entire song.

Free falling chords

2 – “I Won’t Back Down”

This song is an empowering anthem, released in 1989, and embodies resilience and determination. It’s a reminder to stay true to yourself and stand strong in the face of adversity.

With basic open chords like Em , D, G and C “I Won’t Back Down” is approachable for beginner guitarists. The song follows a verse-chorus structure, making it easy to learn and perform.

I won’t back down chords

3 – “American Girl”

“American Girl” is a classic rock song that captures the spirit of youthful rebellion and American dreams. The songs was released for their self-titled debut album in 1976 and tells the story of a young woman’s experiences and embodies the essence of rock ‘n’ roll energy.

The progression incorporates basic open chords like D, E7, G, and A. The song follows a verse-chorus-bridge-chorus structure, giving you the chance to practice chord progressions and transitions. The melody and rhythm allows for energetic strumming.

American girl chords + TABS

Have You Ever Seen The Rain – Guitar Tutorial Easy

By Klaus Crow 1 Comment

What a beautiful day to learn “Have you ever seen the rain by” by CCR! 🎸🌞

Creedence Clearwater Revival, or CCR for short, is a legendary band that helped define the sound of classic rock in the late 1960s and early 1970s. One of their most popular and enduring hits is “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” a song that’s still played on the radio and covered by musicians today.

If you’re a beginner or intermediate guitar player, learning how to play “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” is a great way to dive into the world of rock music, and you know what? There are always people who are gonna ask you if you can play a song by CCR, Always! So this song has to be in your repertoire ;)

The song features relatively simple chord progressions and strumming patterns, but it also has a catchy melody and easy to sing along lyrics that make it a crowd-pleaser.

Chords & Strumming Pattern

In the video lesson I’ll break down the chords Am – F – C – G, explain the strumming pattern ↓↑↓↑↓↑↓↑ and walk you through the song step by step, so you can start learning it on your guitar. I’ll also provide some tips and tricks to make the song sound even better. Whether you’re a fan of CCR or just looking to expand your musical horizons, this guide will help you master one of the most iconic rock songs of all time.

With a little practice, you’ll be able to play this song with confidence and really make it your own.

Enjoy!

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Bluesy Blues Lick in the key of E

By Klaus Crow 2 Comments

Breaking Down the Blues Lick: Understanding the Key Elements

To fully appreciate the power of this blues lick, let’s take a deeper dive into some of its key elements. First, we’re working with the blues scale, which is a modified version of the minor pentatonic scale. It adds that all-important “blue note” (the b5) that gives blues its signature flavor. If you’re familiar with the minor pentatonic scale (1, b3, 4, 5, b7), the blues scale simply adds the b5, creating a more expressive, emotionally charged sound.

The hammer-ons and double stops we use in this lick are essential for capturing the gritty, soulful vibe of the blues. Hammer-ons allow you to create smooth, fluid transitions between notes, while double stops give the lick a richer, fuller sound, as you’re playing two notes simultaneously. Together, these techniques will add depth and character to your playing.

Tablature

Practice Tips: Start Slow, Stay Consistent

When learning this lick, don’t rush! Start slow and focus on getting the feel of the notes before trying to speed things up. One of the beauties of blues music is its expressive, laid-back nature, so playing at a slower tempo can often make your playing sound more soulful. As you become more comfortable with the lick, gradually increase your speed, but always make sure you’re hitting the right notes with precision.

If you’re struggling with the timing of the hammer-ons or double stops, don’t worry—these techniques can take a little time to master. Be patient, and keep practicing! One way to really get a feel for the phrasing is to listen to some of your favorite blues guitarists and try to mimic their phrasing and timing.

Adding Your Own Twist

Once you’ve got the lick down, don’t be afraid to make it your own! Try experimenting with slight variations in timing or phrasing, or even add in your own ornamentations like bends or slides. Blues is all about personal expression, so feel free to make this lick your own.

You can also try incorporating this lick into different sections of your own solos. It can work beautifully in both major and minor blues progressions, and you can adapt it to fit any key by simply moving it up or down the neck.

Final Thoughts

Remember, the more you practice and experiment with blues licks like this one, the more your musicality will grow. Blues guitar is about feel and expression, so don’t be afraid to play with emotion and put your personal touch on each note you play.

I hope you have as much fun learning and playing this lick as I did teaching it to you. Keep practicing, stay inspired, and most importantly—enjoy the journey!

Want more licks like this check out “Mastering a Gorgeous Blues Guitar Licks“

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How to Create Good Guitar Habits That Work

By Klaus Crow 5 Comments

You want to read this post.

So, what new guitar challenge(s) are you going to commit to in the year ahead? What fresh guitar routine are you going to follow and what are you going to do to make it really work and last?

Creating good solid guitar habits is a challenge in itself. First of all, you have to ask yourself the important questions and providing them with hard and truthful answers in writing:

Do you really want to become a better guitar player or is it just a nice idea?
WHY do you want to become a better guitar player? Two good reasons please!
Do you want to put in the work to become a better guitar player? or just really not?

Once you’ve answered these questions you want to ask the follow up questions:

What is it that you want to get good or better at?
What gives you the most satisfaction and reward?
What could you really do to become a better guitar player?
How could you create a habit that works and sticks?

With the last question I can help you with. Read on!

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