Gitarrensongs Unplugged: Guitar Book & CD

Unplugged in spirit but not stripped of character. Whether you're working through Santana's Latin grooves, the Police's rhythmic minimalism, or Hendrix's bluesy phrasing, each arrangement preserves what makes the original distinctive while keeping the guitar part accessible. The combination of singing and playing brings the songs to life in a way that pure instrumental versions cannot.

Guitarists at intermediate level and above who want to explore iconic songs with vocal melody lines. This book works equally well for solo guitarists accompanying themselves, for duets pairing voice and guitar, or for self-directed learners building a working repertoire.

• Use the CD as a learning tool first, then gradually wean yourself from it. Sing or hum the vocal melody while playing to lock in phrasing and dynamics before performing solo.
• Pay close attention to the rhythm figures in the guitar part. Many of these songs rely on specific strumming patterns or fingerpicking textures that define the original recording.
• If you're performing with a vocalist, establish clear cues for tempo changes and dynamic shifts. Run through each song's arc at least twice before a full rehearsal.

Build a guitar recital around a thematic subset of these songs: an acoustic evening, a decade-by-decade journey, or a showcase of different strumming and picking techniques. The mix of well-known hits and deeper cuts from classic rock catalogs makes these pieces equally suitable for casual coffeehouse performances or more formal student recitals.

• Sight-reading vocal melody lines and chord accompaniments simultaneously
• Distinguishing between strumming patterns across different rock and pop subgenres
• Coordinating rhythm guitar with vocal phrasing and lyrical emphasis
• Adapting tempo and dynamics based on a reference recording
• Playing with a vocalist while maintaining independent guitar texture