I don't get to go on the radio as a host so this is the next best thing. I listened to Sirius XM and there were people like Steve Vai and Bret Michaels picking their favorite Van Halen songs as a host. So this is my chance to pick my favorites. 

#1 Ain't Talkin Bout Love

Of course this song makes my list, it's one of Eddie's most iconic riffs. I heard they were making fun of punk when they wrote it, only two chords. But, it turned into a memorable song. 

#2 Ice Cream Man

I haven't heard any tributes including this song it's a cover but  some of the best blues playing I've heard. The guitar solo really rips on this one. The blues shredding is unsurpassed. 

#3 Dance the Night Away

   I always loved this riff and feel good vibe, but the tapping harmonics is one of the coolest things you can do on guitar and great melodies. 

#4 Panama

  It's a very fun song to play, I remember jamming this with my band back in my high school days. I heard that it was inspired by AC/DC, using power chords in the chorus. 

#5 Drop Dead Legs

    I hardly hear anyone mention this song, but it has some sweet guitar riffs in it.

#6 Right Now

   A lot of people are fans of the Dave era, but I actually loved some of the more pop, Hagar period. Right Now really shows some of Eddie's piano playing and writing skills. Very inspirational song, I remember hearing it as a kid. 

#7 Runaround

   This is a fun and energetic song, my band used to play it in my garage, we were having the time of our live's pretending we were rockstars. 

#8 Pound Cake

  I'm all about the guitar riff in this song, there's some really cool harmonics going on, and the drill through the guitar was cool as well. 

#9 Don't Tell Me

   I even love some of the 90's stuff, this is a dark and heavy riff. One of those songs that get me pumped. 

#10 Humans Being

   Very few people talk about this song, but it was a promo song for the movie "Twister" which was an awesome movie, I remember as a kid. The riff is pretty sweet as well. 

#11 Me Wise Magic 

  This song was on the "Very Best of Van Halen" compilation album, but the thing that stood out to me most was the wild guitar solo. It was the first time I heard Ed with a wah wah pedal, but it was pretty sick along with the whammy bar. I found this solo influential as it's a very expressive emotional sound. 

Learn To Play Great Electric Guitar Solos

            I started playing guitar at age 14, I found an interest when my friend wanted to play because his Dad had a guitar, he only knew a few songs, ''Back In Black'' and ''Cat Scratch Fever''. We thought it was cool and that we should try to start a band, I first considered playing bass, but then I decided that it wasn't as exciting as the electric guitar. I would even save my lunch money so I could afford my first guitar. I would watch MTV at the time and see bands like ''Lifehouse'' and I wanted a guitar like their's. It all seemed so exciting to me. The first thing I would consider is before you buy a guitar, already have some music you like or that you would like to learn. I didn't know a lot of music, I had heard some classic rock because of my Mom and cousin. My favorite band at the time was the Offspring, and Metallica. So, I knew I would really want to learn some of their song's to begin with. I thought that the Offspring was an easier place to start. I didn't know Van Halen or Led Zeppelin yet. 

         Then the next thing is to decide which guitar to buy, I recommend a local guitar store. I found a store called Mehas Music in Hamilton, Ohio. I first rented a guitar for a few months, then the first guitar I owned was a pacific blue, Yamaha Pacifica. It was a great guitar to learn on. I worked at my Dad's shop to help pay for it, but I mostly paid for it myself. Then I started to look at guitar tabs, and try to understand how to read them before I even got my first guitar, I was googling how to play. Then I would take some guitar lessons, it's good to connect with a teacher and they can show you how to read music or tabs, basic chords, technique and some riffs or songs. 

              After a few months, I was getting ahead of my guitar teacher and learning to read tabs well, so I decided I had enough guitar lessons. So, then my next strategy was looking up guitar tabs online and learning my favorite songs. My favorite guitar tab website was Guitar Tabs Universe. The very first song I learned and that many guitarist learn was ''Smoke on the Water'' by Deep Purple. I didn't even learn to play it right, but then later I would. I learned some basic chords, but then I wanted to take on the challenge. I started learning a bunch of riffs like Metallica ''For Whom The Bell Tolls'', and AC/DC ''Hells Bells''. Then I started to learn the Offspring, the first song I learned all the way through was ''Original Prankster'', I was sharpening my guitar tab sight reading skills. I started to learn much quicker and had a snowball effect. I then learned many other Offspring songs and saw that many of them used similar chords or patterns in the music. 

         Next I really got into Metallica and our whole band learned ''The Unforgiven'', it was the only song that we knew all the way through together as a band. I also recommend buying anthology books. I bought the Van Halen anthology, after I discovered Van Halen in Guitar World magazine, and bought the Van Halen Best Of CD. I saw that ''Eruption'' was the 2nd greatest solo of all time, so I started to learn it after about 6 months of playing guitar. I also had the Led Zeppelin anthology and learned most of the riffs from the early Led Zeppelin era. I also got into Nirvana because of my friends and I learned all the popular hits. 

         One of the most important things to play great guitar solos is that you learn scales. My guitar teacher taught me some scales, but then I started to learn them every week in Guitar World by Zakk Wylde, I eventually learned all of the Pentatonic scales, and how to improvise. The first guitar solo I learned completely was ''Stairway to Heaven'', then this is when I started to improvise and make things up with what I learned from that song. Then the next best thing is to just keep learning more songs, and solos, then you can improvise with many of the riffs or make them your own. 

         The next step would be to learn more scales and learn the major and minor scales up and down the entire neck, I also learned all the notes on the guitar in this phase. I also started to watch many videos of guitar players online, because I was a visual learner. I used Guitar World magazine a lot, because they had lessons every month and I would learn many of those lessons, they would teach me many guitar licks and riffs. Then the process is to keep building your playing, learn more songs and solos. 

       Playing in a band helps, connecting with musicians, but also jamming and improvising. Playing live shows in front of people helps get you comfortable on stage playing in front of others. Our first show was in front of our own family, even though we were very nervous and palms were sweaty. One of the best things that helped my playing was learning lots of exercises, I learned chromatic exercises up and down the neck, as well as legato exercises. It helped to clean up and smooth out my playing, and I also began to practice with a metronome. Everything takes hours of playing as well as a lot of repetition. I would have a Guitar Grimoire book with all the scales, as well as exercise and chord books. The next thing I did was I just kept pushing my playing over the years, learning riffs, practicing repetition, and lots and lots of improvising. 

         I mastered a lot of the Offspring, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Nirvana and Creed. These were the major bands that I was into and influenced by. Then I decided to take on something more challenging and advance my playing. Next it was Stevie Ray Vaughan, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Paul Gilbert. These are the guitar players I liked and were my taste. So, I learned their riff's and song's and began to improvise with it. I kind of combined all the styles and a lot of my favorite riffs, or licks. Then I started to changed them and make up my own original stuff. Another important thing that I did was I would always break things down into smaller parts. I would work on songs in section and riffs, in sections. 

        So, after years of practicing, learning scales, exercises, riffs, licks, and spending time with a metronome practicing repetitiously and also spending a lot of time improvising with scales, then you can become a virtuoso guitar player. You can really almost apply this method to anything.

https://www.guitartabs.cc/

Van Halen Guitar Anthology

https://www.guitarworld.com/

https://www.alfred.com/led-zeppelin-easy-guitar-anthology/p/00-32727/

Fender Stratocaster Standard Guitar Neck Plate

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• Standard Guitar Neck Plate 
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• Includes 4 mounting screws 
• Fender part: 099-1445-100 Genuine Fender 4-hole chrome neckplate with a tilt adjustment hole

Fender Stratocaster Standard Guitar Neck Plate

• Electric Guitar Neck Plate Neck Plate Fix Tele Telecaster Guitar Neck Joint Board - Including Screws 
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• package Includes: 
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• 4 x mounting screws 
• Note: Light shooting and different displays may cause the color of the item in the picture a little different from the real thing. The measurement allowed error is +/- 1-3cm.

Click here to buy for $7.99

My Warmoth Custom Shop Guitar, USA 

         I started designing my own guitar in high school, it was basically all of my favorite guitars put together 

• Fender Stratocaster Syle Basswood Body
• Birdseye Maple Neck with Scalloped Frets 
• Original Floyd Rose Bridge, with Locking Nut
• Jeff Beck Humbucker Bridge Pickup
• Stainless Steel Frets, with Compound Radius
• Wolfgang Style Neck, with Ebony Dot Inlays
• White Binding Stripe, and Racing Stripes
• SRV middle Pickup
• JB Humbucker Neck Pickup
• D-Tuna
• Schaller Chrome Tuners
• Metallic Blue Finish

Guitar Gallery

Check out Warmoth's virtual guitar builder at their online guitar store: http://www.warmoth.com/

10 Ultimate Guitar Riffs and Guitar Tabs with Lyrics

          Guns N' Roses ''Sweet Child O' Mine''

Sweet Child O' Mine 

Guns N' Roses 

She's got a smile it seems to me 
Reminds me of childhood memories 
Where everything 
Was as fresh as the bright blue sky 
Now and then when I see her face 
She takes me away to that special place 
And if I'd stare too long 
I'd probably break down and cry 

Oh, oh, oh 
Sweet child o' mine 
Oh, oh, oh, oh 
Sweet love of mine 

She's got eyes of the bluest skies 
As if they thought of rain 
I hate to look into those eyes 
And see an ounce of pain 
Her hair reminds me of a warm safe place 
Where as a child I'd hide 
And pray for the thunder 
And the rain 
To quietly pass me by 

Oh, oh, oh 
Sweet child o' mine 
Oh, oh, oh, oh 
Sweet love of mine 

Oh, oh, oh, oh 
Sweet child o' mine 
Oh, oh, oh, oh 
Sweet love of mine 

Oh, oh, oh, oh 
Sweet child o' mine 
Oh yeah yeah 
Oh oh sweet love of mine 

Where do we go? 
Where do we go now? 
Where do we go? 
Oh, oh 
Where do we go? 
(Where do we go now?) 
Oh where do we go now? (Where do we go?) 
Where do we go? (Sweet child) 
Oh where do we go now? 
Ay ay ay ay (where do we go now, where do we go) 
Oh where do we go now? 
Where do we go? 
Oh, where do we go now? 
Oh, where do we go? 
Oh where do we go now? 
Where do we go? 
Oh, where do we go now? 
No, no, no, no, no, no 
Sweet child 
Sweet child of mine 

Songwriters: W. Axl Rose Rose / Saul Hudson Hudson / Duff Rose Mckagan / Izzy Stradlin / Steven Adler

Ozzy Osbourne "Crazy Train''

Crazy Train 

Ozzy Osbourne 

All aboard! 

Hahahahaha 

Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye... 

Crazy, but that's how it goes 
Millions of people living as foes 
Maybe it's not too late 
To learn how to love and forget how to hate 

Mental wounds not healing 
Life's a bitter shame 
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train 
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train 

I've listened to preachers, I've listened to fools 
I've watched all the dropouts who make their own rules 
One person conditioned to rule and control 
The media sells it and you live the role 

Mental wounds still screaming 
Driving me insane 
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train 
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train 

I know that things are going wrong for me 
You gotta listen to my words 
Yeah 

Heirs of a cold war, that's what we've become 
Inheriting troubles, I'm mentally numb 
Crazy, I just cannot bear 
I'm living with something that just isn't fair 

Mental wounds stop healing 
Who and what's to blame 
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train 
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train 

Songwriters: O. Osbourne / R. Daisley / R. Rhodes

Van Halen ''Ain't Talkin' Bout Love''

Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love 

Van Halen 

I heard the news baby 
All about your disease 
Yeah, you may have all you want baby 
But I got somethin' you need, oh yeah 

Ain't talkin' 'bout love 
My love is rotten to the core 
Ain't talkin' 'bout love 
Just like I told you before, yeah before 

You know you're semi-good lookin' 
And on the streets again 
Oh yeah, you think you're really cookin' baby 
You better find yourself a friend, my friend 

Ain't talkin' 'bout love 
My love is rotten to the core 
Ain't gonna talk about love 
Just like I told you before, before 
Before, before, before 

Ain't talkin' 'bout love 
Babe, it's rotten to the core 
Ain't talkin' bout love 
Just like I told you before, before 

I been to the edge 
And there I stood and looked down 
You know I lost a lot of friends there baby 
I got no time to mess around 

So if you want it, got to bleed for it baby 
Yeah, got to, got to bleed, baby 
You got to, got to bleed, baby 
Hey, got to, got to bleed baby 

Ain't talkin' 'bout love 
My love is rotten to the core 
Ain't talkin' 'bout love 
Just like I told you before, before, before 

Ain't talkin' 'bout love 
Don't wanna talk about love 
Don't need to talk about love 
Ain't gonna talk about love 
No more, no more 

Hey, hey, hey 
Hey, hey, hey 
Hey, hey, hey 

Songwriters: Alex Van Halen / Edward Van Halen / David Roth / Michael Anthony

Van Halen ''Unchained"

Unchained 

Van Halen 

You said 
I cannot get there from here, baby 
And I don't care where I'm goin' 
Here's to your thin red line 
I'm stepping over 

Thought you'd never miss me 
'Til I got a Fat City address 
Non-stop talker, what a rocker! 
Blue-eyed murder in a size five dress 

Change, nothing stays the same 
Unchained, yeah you hit the ground running 
Change, and nothing stays the same 
Unchained, yeah you hit the ground running 

No, I don't ask for permission 
This is my chance to fly 
Maybe enough ain't enough for you 
But it's my turn to try 

Thought you'd never miss me 
'Til I got a Fat City address 
Non-stop talker, what a rocker! 
Blue-eyed murder in a side-swiped dress 

Change, nothing stays the same 
Unchained, and ya hit the ground running 
Change, and nothing stays the same 
Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground running 

Change, nothing stays the same 
Unchained, and ya hit the ground running 
Change, and nothing stays the same 
Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground running 

Take a look at this! 
Hey, man, that suit is you! 
You'll get some leg tonight for sure! 
Tell us how you do! 
(Come on, Dave, give me a break.) 
Hey, hey, hey, hey, one break coming up! 

Change, and nothing stays the same 
Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground running 
Change, and nothing stays the same 
Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground running 
Change, and nothing stays the same 
Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground running 
Change, and nothing stays the same 
Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground running 

Songwriters: Alex Van Halen / Edward Van Halen / David Roth / Michael Anthony

Jimi Hendrix ''Purple Haze''

Purple Haze 

Jimi Hendrix 

Purple Haze was in my brain, 
lately things don't seem the same, 
actin' funny but I don't know why 
'Scuse me while I kiss the sky. 

Purple Haze all around, 
don't know if I'm coming up or down. 
Am I happy or in misery? 
Whatever it is, that girl put a spell on me. 

Purple Haze was in my eyes, 
don't know if it's day or night, 
you've got me blowing, blowing my mind 
is it tomorrow or just the end of time?

Led Zeppelin ''Communications Breakdown''

Communication Breakdown 

Led Zeppelin 

Hey girl stop what you're doin'! 
Hey girl you'll drive me to ruin. 
I don't know what it is that I like about you 
But I like it a lot. 
Won't you let me hold you 
Let me feel your lovin' charms. 

Communication breakdown 
It's always the same 
I'm having a nervous breakdown 
Drive me insane! 

Hey girl I got something I think you ought to know. 
Hey babe I want to tell you that I love you so. 
I want to hold you in my arms, yeah! 
I'm never gonna let you go, 
'Cause I like your charms. 

Communication breakdown 
It's always the same 
I'm having a nervous breakdown 
Drive me insane! 

Communication breakdown 
It's always the same 
I'm having a nervous breakdown 
Drive me insane! 

I want you to love me all night 
(Communication breakdown)I want you to love me 
(Communication breakdown)I want you to love...yeah! I want you to love! 

Songwriters: John Bonham / John Paul Jones / Jimmy Page

Metallica ''Seek and Destroy'' 

Seek & Destroy 

Metallica 

Alright 

Scanning the scene in the city tonight 
We're looking for you to start up a fight 
There's an evil feeling in our brains but it's nothing new 
You know it drives us insane 

Running on our way, hiding you will pay 
Dying one thousand deaths 
Running on our way, hiding you will pay 
Dying one thousand deaths 

Searching, seek and destroy 
Searching, seek and destroy 
Searching, seek and destroy 
Searching, seek and destroy 

There is no escape and that's for sure 
This is the end, we won't take anymore 
Say goodbye to the world you live in 
You've always been taking and now you're giving 

Running on our way, hiding you will pay 
Dying one thousand deaths 
Running on our way, hiding you will pay 
Dying one thousand deaths 

Searching, seek and destroy 
Searching, seek and destroy 
Searching, seek and destroy 
Searching, seek and destroy 

Our brains are on fire with a feeling to kill 
And it won't go away until our dreams are fulfilled 
There is only one thing on our minds 
Don't try running away 'cause you're the one we will find 

Running on our way, hiding you will pay 
Dying one thousand deaths 
Running on our way, hiding you will pay 
Dying one thousand deaths 

Searching, seek and destroy 
Searching, seek and destroy 
Searching, seek and destroy 
Searching, seek and destroy 

Songwriters: L. ULRICH / J. HETTFIELD

Metallica ''Enter Sandman'' 

Enter Sandman 

Metallica 

Say your prayers little one 
Don't forget my son 
To include everyone 

I tuck you in, warm within 
Keep you free from sin 
'Til the sandman he comes 

Sleep with one eye open 
Gripping your pillow tight 

Exit light 
Enter night 
Take my hand 
We're off to never-never land 

Something's wrong, shut the light 
Heavy thoughts tonight 
And they aren't of Snow White 

Dreams of war, dreams of liars 
Dreams of dragon's fire 
And of things that will bite, yeah 

Sleep with one eye open 
Gripping your pillow tight 

Exit light 
Enter night 
Take my hand 
We're off to never-never land 

Now I lay me down to sleep 
Now I lay me down to sleep 
Pray the lord my soul to keep 
Pray the lord my soul to keep 

If I die before I wake 
If I die before I wake 
Pray the lord my soul to take 
Pray the lord my soul to take 

Hush little baby don't say a word 
And never mind that noise you heard 
It's just the beasts under your bed 
In your closet in your head 

Exit light 
Enter night 
Grain of sand 

Exit light 
Enter night 
Take my hand 
We're off to never-never land 

Boo! Yeah yeah! 

We're off to never-never land 
Take my hand 
We're off to never-never land 
Take my hand 

We're off to never-never land 
We're off to never-never land 
We're off to never-never land 

Songwriters: KIRK HAMMETT

Nirvana ''Smells Like Teen Spirit''

Lyrics 

Load up on guns, bring your friends 
It's fun to lose and to pretend 
She's over-bored and self-assured 
Oh no, I know a dirty word 

Hello, hello, hello, how low 
Hello, hello, hello, how low 
Hello, hello, hello, how low 
Hello, hello, hello 

With the lights out, it's less dangerous 
Here we are now, entertain us 
I feel stupid and contagious 
Here we are now, entertain us 
A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido 
Yeah, hey 

I'm worse at what I do best 
And for this gift I feel blessed 
Our little group has always been 
And always will until the end 

Hello, hello, hello, how low 
Hello, hello, hello, how low 
Hello, hello, hello, how low 
Hello, hello, hello 

With the lights out, it's less dangerous 
Here we are now, entertain us 
I feel stupid and contagious 
Here we are now, entertain us 
A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido 
Yeah, hey 

And I forget just why I taste 
Oh yeah, I guess it makes me smile 
I found it hard, it's hard to find 
Oh well, whatever, never mind 

Hello, hello, hello, how low 
Hello, hello, hello, how low 
Hello, hello, hello, how low 
Hello, hello, hello 

With the lights out, it's less dangerous 
Here we are now, entertain us 
I feel stupid and contagious 
Here we are now, entertain us 
A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido 
A denial, a denial, a denial, a denial, a denial 
A denial, a denial, a denial, a denial 

Songwriters: Chris Novoselic / David Grohl / Kurt Cobain

Nirvana ''Come As You Are''

Come as You Are 

Nirvana 

Come as you are, as you were 
As I want you to be 
As a friend, as a friend 
As an known enemy 

Take your time, hurry up 
The choice is yours, don't be late 
Take a rest as a friend 
As an old 

Memoria, memoria 
Memoria, memoria 

Come doused in mud, soaked in bleach 
As I want you to be 
As a trend, as a friend 
As an old 

Memoria, memoria 
Memoria, memoria 

And I swear that I don't have a gun 
No I don't have a gun 
No I don't have a gun 

Memoria, memoria 
Memoria, memoria 
(No I don't have a gun) 

And I swear that I don't have a gun 
No I don't have a gun 
No I don't have a gun 
No I don't have a gun 
No I don't have a gun 

Songwriters: Kurt Cobain

https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/

Lynyrd Skynyrd "Tuesday's Gone" 

Tuesday's Gone 

Lynyrd Skynyrd 

Train roll on, on down the line, 
Won't you please take me far away? 
Now I feel the wind blow outside my door, 
Means I'm leaving my woman behind. 
Tuesday's gone with the wind. 
My woman's gone with the wind. 

And I don't know where I'm going. 
I just want to be left alone. 
Well, when this train ends I'll try again, 
But I'm leaving my woman at home. 

Tuesday's gone with the wind. 
Tuesday's gone with the wind. 
Tuesday's gone with the wind. 
My woman's gone with the wind. 

Train roll on many miles from my home, 
See, I'm riding my blues away. 
Tuesday, you see, she had to be free 
But somehow I've got to carry on. 

Tuesday's gone with the wind. 
Tuesday's gone with the wind. 
Tuesday's gone with the wind. 
My woman's gone with the wind. 

Songwriters: Allen Collins / Ronnie Van Zant

Lyrnyrd Skynyrd "Simple Man''

Simple Man 

Lynyrd Skynyrd 

Mama told me when I was young 
"Come sit beside me, my only son 
And listen closely to what I say 
And if you do this it'll help you some sunny day" 

"Oh, take your time, don't live too fast 
Troubles will come and they will pass 
You'll find a woman and you'll find love 
And don't forget, son, there is someone up above" 

"And be a simple kind of man 
Oh, be something you love and understand 
Baby be a simple kind of man 
Oh, won't you do this for me, son, if you can" 

"Forget your lust for the rich man's gold 
All that you need is in your soul 
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try 
All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied" 

"And be a simple kind of man 
Oh, be something you love and understand 
Baby be a simple kind of man 
Oh, won't you do this for me, son, if you can" 

Oh yes, I will 

"Boy, don't you worry, you'll find yourself 
Follow your heart and nothing else 
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try 
All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied" 

"And be a simple kind of man 
Oh, be something you love and understand 
Baby be a simple kind of man 
Oh, won't you do this for me, son, if you can" 

Baby, be a simple, really simple man 
Oh, be something you love and understand 
Baby, be a simple, kind of simple man 

Songwriters: Gary Rossington / Ron Van Zant

https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/lynyrdskynyrd/simpleman.html

Creed "What's This Life For" Acoustic guitar cover

My covers of Creed have done pretty well on Youtube, so I thought I would share them in a blog. 

What's This Life For 

Creed 

Hurray for 
A child that makes it through 
If there's any way 
Because the answer lies in you 
They're laid to rest 
Before they've known just what to do 
Their souls are lost 
Because they could never find 

What's this life for 
What's this life for 
What's this life for 
What's this life for 

I see your soul, it's kind of gray 
You see my heart, you look away 
You see my wrist, I know your pain 
I know your purpose on your plane 
Don't say a last prayer 

Because you could never find 

What's this life for 
What's this life for 
What's this life for 
What's this life for 

But they ain't here anymore 
Don't have to settle the score 
Cause we all live 
Under the reign of one king 

But they ain't here anymore, 
Don't have to settle no Goddamn score 
'Cause we all live under the reign, 
I said, you know, of 

One king 
One king 
One king 

But they ain't here anymore, 
Don't have to settle no Goddamn score 
'Cause we all live under the reign 
I said, you know, of 

One king 
One king 
One king 

But they ain't here anymore, 
Don't have to settle no Goddamn score 
Cause we all live under the reign 
Of one king 

Songwriters: Mark T. Tremonti / Scott Stapp

Creed ''One'' Acoustic Guitar Cover

One 

Creed 

Affirmative may be justified 
Take from one give to another 
The goal is to be unified 
Take my hand be my brother 
The payment silenced the masses 
Sanctified by oppression 
Unity took a backseat 
Sliding further into regression 

One, oh one, 
The only way is one 
One, oh one, 
The only way is one 

I feel angry I feel helpless 
Want to change the world yeah 
I feel violent I feel alone 
Don't try and change my mind no 

Society blind by color 
Why hold down one to raise another 
Discrimination now on both sides 
Seeds of hate blossom further 
The world is heading for mutiny 
When all we want is unity 
We may rise and fall, but in the end 
We'll meet our fate together 

One, oh one, 
The only way is one 
One, oh one, 
The only way is one 

I feel angry I feel helpless 
Want to change the world yeah 
I feel violent I feel alone 
Don't try and change my mind no 

I feel angry I feel helpless 
Want to change the world yeah 
I feel violent I feel alone 
Don't try and change my mind no 

I feel angry I feel helpless 
Want to change the world yeah 
I feel violent I feel alone 
Don't try and change my mind no 

I feel angry I feel helpless 
Want to change the world yeah 
I feel violent I feel alone 
Don't try and change my mind 

Songwriters: Mark Tremonti / Scott Stapp

One 

Creed 

Affirmative may be justified 
Take from one give to another 
The goal is to be unified 
Take my hand be my brother 
The payment silenced the masses 
Sanctified by oppression 
Unity took a backseat 
Sliding further into regression 

One, oh one, 
The only way is one 
One, oh one, 
The only way is one 

I feel angry I feel helpless 
Want to change the world yeah 
I feel violent I feel alone 
Don't try and change my mind no 

Society blind by color 
Why hold down one to raise another 
Discrimination now on both sides 
Seeds of hate blossom further 
The world is heading for mutiny 
When all we want is unity 
We may rise and fall, but in the end 
We'll meet our fate together 

One, oh one, 
The only way is one 
One, oh one, 
The only way is one 

I feel angry I feel helpless 
Want to change the world yeah 
I feel violent I feel alone 
Don't try and change my mind no 

I feel angry I feel helpless 
Want to change the world yeah 
I feel violent I feel alone 
Don't try and change my mind no 

I feel angry I feel helpless 
Want to change the world yeah 
I feel violent I feel alone 
Don't try and change my mind no 

I feel angry I feel helpless 
Want to change the world yeah 
I feel violent I feel alone 
Don't try and change my mind 

Songwriters: Mark Tremonti / Scott Stapp

Creed "Higher" 

Higher 

Creed 

When dreaming I'm guided to another world 
Time and time again 
At sunrise I fight to stay asleep 
'Cause I don't want to leave the comfort of this place 
'Cause there's a hunger, a longing to escape 
From the life I live when I'm awake 
So let's go there 
Let's make our escape 
Come on, let's go there 
Let's ask can we stay? 

Can you take me higher? 
To the place where blind men see 
Can you take me higher? 
To the place with golden streets 

Although I would like our world to change 
It helps me to appreciate 
Those nights and those dreams 
But, my friend, I'd sacrifice all those nights 
If I could make the Earth and my dreams the same 
The only difference is 
To let love replace all our hate 
So let's go there 
Let's make our escape 
Come on, let's go there 
Let's ask can we stay? 

Can you take me higher? 
To the place where blind men see 
Can you take me higher? 
To the place with golden streets 

So let's go there 
So let's go there 
Come on, let's go there 
Let's ask can we stay? 

Up high I feel like I'm alive for the very first time 
Set up high I'm strong enough to take these dreams 
And make them mine 

Set up high I'm strong enough to take these dreams 
And make them mine 

Can you take me higher? 
To the place where blind men see 
Can you take me higher? 
To the place with golden streets 

Can you take me higher? 
To the place where blind men see 
Can you take me higher? 
To the place with golden streets 

Songwriters: Mark Tremonti / Scott Stapp

Creed "My Own Prison"

My Own Prison 

Creed 

A court is in session, a verdict is in 
No appeal on the docket today 
Just my own sin 
The walls are cold and pale 
The cage made of steel 
Screams fill the room 
Alone I drop and kneel 
Silence now the sound 
My breath the only motion around 
Demons cluttering around 
My face showing no emotion 
Shackled by my sentence 
Expecting no return 
Here there is no penance 
My skin begins to burn 

So I held my head up high 
Hiding hate that burns inside 
Which only fuels their selfish pride 
(And I said oh) All held captive 
Out from the sun 
A sun that shines on only some 
We the meek are all in one 

I hear a thunder in the distance 
See a vision of a cross 
I feel the pain that was given 
On that sad day of loss 
A lion roars in the darkness 
Only he holds the key 
A light to free me from my burden 
And grant me life eternally 

Should have been dead 
On a Sunday morning 
Banging my head 
No time for mourning 
Ain't got no time 

Should have been dead 
On a Sunday morning 
Banging my head 
No time for mourning 
Ain't got no time 

So I held my head up high 
Hiding hate that burns inside 
Which only fuels their selfish pride 
(And I said oh) All held captive 
Out from the sun 
A sun that shines on only some 
We the meek are all in one 

I cry out to God 
Seeking only his decision 
Gabriel stands and confirms 
I've created my own prison 
I cry out to God 
Seeking only his decision 
Gabriel stands and confirms 
I've created my own prison 

So I held my head up high 
Hiding hate that burns inside 
Which only fuels their selfish pride 
(And I said oh) All held captive 
Out from the sun 
A sun that shines on only some 
We the meek are all in one 

So I held my head up high 
Hiding hate that burns inside 
Which only fuels their selfish pride 
(And I said oh) We're held captive (I created) 
Out from the sun (I created) 
A sun that shines on only some (I created) 
We the meek are all in one (I created my own prison) 

Should've been dead on a Sunday morning 
Banging my head 
No time for mourning 
Ain't got no time 

Songwriters: Mark Tremonti / Scott Stapp

Creed – One. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://genius.com/Creed-one-lyrics

7 Guitar Playing Tips

1. Get a chord chart: it may seem like common sense, but one of the first things you want is a chord chart, then you can learn all the basic chords, and some that you will probably never use. 

2. Learn Scales: The next important thing is that you know the neck, and the notes, learning scales all up and down the neck is important to understand how songs and solos are made. The pentatonic, major and minor scales are crucial, then you can move to modes and harmonic minor. 

3. Build Repertoire: Learning a lot of songs as well as their solo's, helps you become a great guitarist, and understand how songs are structured, then you can build up your vocabulary for your own playing and writing. 

4. Improvise: Improvising is fun, but it's also how many great songwriters and soloist work, a lot of improvising is the best way to become a great guitarist. 

5. Learn Exercises: Learn exercises and play them everyday, this will help keep your fingers in shape and will make your playing cleaner and smoother. 

6. Play With Others: Playing with a band helps you to connect and also you can improvise together and that's when you might come up with your greatest ideas. 

7. Use a Metronome: It's important to have solid timing without relying on the rhythm section, it will help clean up your playing, and make the whole band sound tighter, it's also a great way to build speed. 

Check out an awesome app at: https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/

Who's the Best Guitar Player?

I wanted to write a blog about my favorite guitarist's and who I think is the best, which are those that influenced me the most. There has been much debate and many lists, but I'd like to comprise my own list of 10 best guitar players

#1. Eddie Van Halen 

One of my biggest influences, and one of the most original innovative guitarists. He came out big with finger tapping, effects, whammy bar antics, pinch harmonics, and was a great riff and song writer as well as an inventor of some of the best guitars. Maybe the best guitarist ever?

#2. Jimmy Page

Jimmy Page was a great songwriter and riff maker, he also played with a lot of feel and expression and had great tones. I love the music of Led Zeppelin and he was a major influence of mine, I learned many of the Zeppelin riffs. 

#3. Yngwie Malmsteen

I love his classical influence on his playing and that he was inspired by a violin player Paganini. It was a difficult style to master, challenging and fun. Fast runs, sweep picking and harmonic minor scales. 

#4. Randy Rhodes

I was actually very influenced by his playing, and I learned many of the songs from Ozzy's live album. He made some iconic riffs for sure, but the legato style stayed with me and really influenced my writing and  playing. 

#5. Stevie Ray Vaughan

One of the most difficult styles to master, with his percussive blues rock playing, he's one of the most popular to emulate, but few come close to his true sound. 

#6. Mark Tremonti

I was a big Creed fan in high school, I like the lyrics, but the riffs were also great, I had to learn most of the songs, one of the best guitar players

#7. James Hetfield

James Hetfield has been a great songwriter and made many iconic riffs, that were like classical pieces of music. He also has written some of the bands greatest leads, that few would probably know about. 

#8. Paul Gilbert

I got into Paul Gilbert at the end of high school, he was one of the last guitarists I got into. But, he had some great melodic legato riffs. He has influenced my shredding skills for sure. 

#9. Kurt Cobain

Some people don't think he's a great guitarist because he's not as technical. But, I thought he was original songwriter, and he also had great feel and expression in his playing and music. MTV Unplugged was one of the greatest moments in music history. 

#10. Zakk Wylde Zakk Wylde was one of my biggest heroes, I would always try to play and act like him on stage or in band practice. I got into the pinch harmonics, but I loved how he spiced up Ozzy's song's and I learned to do that. 

and that's my top 10 guitarists.. 

                      Check out Spin's list at: https://www.spin.com/2012/05/greatest-guitarists-all-time/