I Started a Joke: Interm./Easy Guitar TAB

This collection captures songs that defined two decades of popular music, all arranged at a level that intermediate guitarists can actually execute without frustration. Your students will recognize these titles immediately, which means they'll stay motivated through the learning process and hear themselves playing real music from day one.

Playing these arrangements feels like stepping into a concert hall of your own making. Each song carries the energy and melodic richness of the original recordings, delivering genuine satisfaction when you nail the progression changes and groove.

Intermediate guitarists ready to move beyond simplified arrangements but not yet prepared for advanced transcriptions will find these versions exactly right. This book also works well for students who learn better through recognizable songs than abstract exercises.

• Study the original recordings before rehearsing. The rhythm and phrasing details matter more than the tab alone can convey, especially on songs built around specific groove patterns.
• Pay close attention to chord voicings shown in the tab. These '60s and '70s arrangements often use richer harmonies than beginner versions, so voice changes are part of the musical identity.
• Lock into the tempo by counting carefully before you start. Many of these songs rely on precise rhythmic feel, and rushing or dragging will undermine the song's character.

Use individual songs from this collection as performance pieces for guitar showcases or ensemble recitals throughout the year. These titles also work beautifully as motivation tools: assign a song your student loves as a reward for completing technical work on scales or chord transitions.

• Reading TAB notation with mixed rhythmic values
• Transitioning between chord voicings at performance tempo
• Matching phrasing and dynamics to recorded arrangements
• Building repertoire from recognizable pop and rock sources