Guitar Logic

63 Bonus - October 2025 - Ray Charles - What'd I Say

Hi everyone, here’s a soulful blues fingerstyle arrangement of Ray Charles’ great composition What’d I Say. This song is one of Ray’s most iconic works, blending gospel, blues, and early rock ‘n’ roll energy into a powerful groove. I set out to capture some of his piano riffs and rework them into something that feels both easy to play and rhythmically rich on guitar. For this arrang...

Mannish Boy

Muddy Waters’ “Mannish Boy” is a masterclass in blues simplicity and power. Built on a one-chord structure, the song’s hypnotic guitar riff and steady, stomping rhythm create a hypnotic groove that perfectly complements Waters’ commanding vocals. The back-and-forth between his voice and the band’s shouted responses gives the track a live, dynamic feel. Though musically minimal, the ...

62 Bonus - September 2025 - Bésame Mucho

Bésame Mucho is one of the most famous Latin songs of the 20th century, written by the Mexican composer Consuelo Velázquez in 1940. It has been performed by countless artists in many different styles, from classical to jazz.

This is my fingerstyle arrangement in E minor, created by playing around with chords mostly on the first three strings, and sometimes on the first four. The chords ...

A Night in Tunisia

Since its creation in 1942 by Dizzy Gillespie, A Night in Tunisia has stood as one of the most recognizable and frequently performed jazz standards. The tune was revolutionary in its time, weaving together bebop’s daring harmonic lines with Latin rhythmic patterns that gave it a strikingly modern character. Its infectious bass line and driving rhythm created a soundscape that musicians like C...

61 Bonus - August 2025 - Honky Tonk Blues

Here’s a transcription of the riff, theme, and solo from the classic blues tune Honky Tonk by Bill Doggett. The original recording is in the key of F, but I’ve written this one out in E to take advantage of the open-string blues positions on guitar. It’s such a fun tune to play, full of groove and character, and definitely one of my personal favorites.

For those who like playing alo...

Dead Man

Neil Young’s Dead Man is an improvised solo guitar soundtrack composed for Jim Jarmusch’s 1995 film of the same name. Unlike traditional film scores, it was recorded live while Young watched scenes from the movie, resulting in raw, atmospheric soundscapes that mirror the film’s stark black-and-white imagery and surreal Western setting. The music is sparse, built on distorted guitar tones,...

60 Bonus - July 2025 - I-ii-V Picado Runs

Here’s a set of exercises I’ve been practicing a lot lately. They’re designed to help improve your apoyando (or picado), tirando, or general picking technique.

What I created is a two-bar I–ii–V progression in G major. The first bar features a G major chord, and the second bar moves through Am7 to D7. On the last two beats of the D7 chord, there’s a line of eight sixteenth not...

Sweat (A La La La La Long)

"Sweat (A La La La La Long)" is a reggae fusion song by the Jamaican band Inner Circle, released in 1992. Featured on their album Bad to the Bone, the track became a massive international hit, known for its catchy chorus and upbeat energy.

I thought this would be a fun tune to play in the summer heat. It’s light, playful, and a nice chance to work on your arpeggios at the same time.

59 Bonus - June 2025 - I’ve Found a New Baby

"I've Found a New Baby" is a lively jazz standard from 1926, famously performed by artists like Benny Goodman and Charlie Christian. This arrangement is in the key of D minor, like most versions, and features a simple fingerstyle approach using Travis picking. I really enjoy this melody and plan to record a jazz guitar flatpicking version of the tune in the future as well.

Ain't Nobody's Business

I originally made an arrangement of "Ain't Nobody's Business" as part of the October 2024 bonus material tabs, and ever since, many of you have been asking for a YouTube version. So here it is! Now featuring a full backing track and a number of improvements and tweaks to the original arrangement.

"Ain't Nobody's Business" is a true blues staple that’s been covered and reinvented by coun...

Tequila

“Tequila” is a 1958 instrumental hit by The Champs, famous for its upbeat groove and the playful shout of the word “Tequila” at key moments in the track. Blending rock and roll with a Latin-inspired saxophone line, the song was originally intended as a B-side but quickly stole the spotlight, climbing to No. 1 on the Billboard chart. Its simple structure and lively rhythm made it a favor...

58 Bonus - May 2025 - Fingerstyle Booster 13

Here's a beautiful fingerstyle run inspired by a falseta from Flamenco Tangos. The exercise is in 4/4 time, but the phrasing follows a 3+3+2 subdivision of eighth notes, giving it a subtle rhythmic twist. It features some lovely open chords and a few finger stretches that make it both expressive and a bit of a challenge. I really enjoy playing this one and I hope you’ll have fun with it too!<...

57 Bonus - April 2025 - Arpeggio Study - Love Is Blue

Here's my new arrangement, a fingerstyle arpeggio study based on the classic Love Is Blue by Paul Mauriat.

The arrangement follows a simple structure: Intro, A Part, B Part, and then it loops back so you can repeat the whole thing again. Both the Intro and A Part are in A minor, while the B Part shifts to A major for a brighter contrast.

In the original version of Love Is Blue, the ...

El Farol - Santana

"El Farol" is a smooth, Latin-inspired instrumental track by legendary guitarist Carlos Santana, featured on his 1999 Grammy-winning album Supernatural. The song blends elements of Latin jazz, blues, and rock, featuring Santana's signature melodic phrasing and expressive guitar tone. "El Farol," which means "the lantern" in Spanish, evokes a romantic, nighttime atmosphere through its gentle rhy...

56 Bonus - March 2025 - Midnight Lightning Riff

For this bonus tab, we’re staying in the Hendrix mood with the intro and verse riff from Midnight Lightning—a powerful bluesy groove.

It’s in the key of E, based on the E blues pentatonic scale. This arrangement is adapted for fingerstyle, but you can just as easily play it with a pick. Play around with the feel and make it your own!

Hey Joe

"Hey Joe" is one of Jimi Hendrix’s most legendary songs, even though he didn’t actually write it. It was originally penned by Billy Roberts in the early ’60s and had already been recorded by several artists before Hendrix put his own spin on it. His 1966 version with The Jimi Hendrix Experience slowed things down, giving it a bluesier feel and letting his signature guitar tone, expressive...

55 Bonus - February 2025 - Virtual Insanity

For February's monthly bonus tabs, we have a fingerstyle arrangement of the great tune "Virtual Insanity" by Jamiroquai! For this arrangement, I used a capo on the 1st fret to stay true to the original key. The structure is simple, with only verse and chorus sections. The intro and outro are made of the same chords as the verse. This arrangement is great for practicing keeping a good tempo and ...

Bye Bye Blues

A popular American song published in 1925, "Bye Bye Blues" is a well-known standard in both popular and jazz music. It has been recorded by numerous artists over the years, but the most well-known recording is the one made in 1952 by Les Paul and Mary Ford. Their version was released on the album "Bye Bye Blues" and reached number five on the Billboard magazine Best Selling Popular Albums char...

54 Bonus - January 2025 - In a Mellow Tone

"In a Mellow Tone" is a jazz standard composed by Duke Ellington in 1939, with lyrics by Milt Gabler. The song's melody is based on the chord changes of the 1917 standard "Rose Room" by Art Hickman and Harry Williams. Known for its smooth and swinging feel, the tune exemplifies Ellington's genius in blending sophisticated harmony with accessible melodies. It has been recorded by countless jazz ...

Waltz No. 2 by Dmitri Shostakovich

Waltz No. 2 by Dmitri Shostakovich is part of his Suite for Variety Orchestra, composed in 1938. It features a memorable melody played by saxophones and clarinets, supported by strings and a steady rhythm. The piece has appeared in films like Eyes Wide Shut and has gained significant popularity on social media platforms nowadays, attracting a new generation of listeners. Its elegant yet poignan...

53 Bonus - December 2024 - A Foggy Day

Here is a nice, cozy jazz song for these festive days: "A Foggy Day."

Written by George and Ira Gershwin, this timeless classic was first introduced in the 1937 movie A Damsel in Distress and has since been covered by countless jazz legends. Its smooth melody and relaxed vibe make it a perfect match for the holiday season.

This is an easy fingerstyle arrangement in the key of F majo...

Red Baron

Red Baron by legendary drummer Billy Cobham is a highlight of his iconic 1973 album Spectrum. The track is a prime example of jazz fusion, blending jazz, rock, and funk with exceptional artistry. Cobham’s intricate drumming, paired with a grooving bassline, lays the groundwork for Tommy Bolin’s standout guitar work, marked by expressive phrasing and rich tone. The song’s relaxed yet drivi...

52 Bonus - November 2024 - Seven Come Eleven

For this month’s bonus material, here’s a catchy jazz tune called Seven Come Eleven, a classic standard composed by Benny Goodman and Charlie Christian, first recorded in 1939. This is a transcription of their original recording, adapted for flat-picking jazz guitar style. The song consists of an A section in straightforward Ab major and a B section with G7, C7, F7, Bb7, and Eb7 chords, res...

Goodbye Pork Pie Hat

"Goodbye Pork Pie Hat," one of Charles Mingus' most celebrated compositions, pays tribute to saxophonist Lester Young, who passed away shortly before Mingus recorded this jazz classic in 1959. Known for its poignant, blues-infused melody, the piece embodies Mingus' mastery of blending expressive depth with complex harmonic layering. Recorded on Mingus Ah Um, Mingus’ first album for Columbia R...

51 Bonus - October 2024 - Ain't Nobody's Business

"Ain't Nobody's Business" is a blues classic that has been performed and reinterpreted by many artists since its composition in the early 1920s. Originally credited to Porter Grainger and Everett Robbins, the song expresses a resilient, defiant attitude about personal choices in life and love, declaring that one’s actions are nobody else’s business. The piece became a standard, especially w...

Ave Maria (Lo Fi version)

Here’s a fresh take on the famous Ave Maria by Franz Schubert. I’ve previously covered this piece on my channel, but this version introduces a few subtle changes. To make the arrangement easier to play, I’ve modified the position of a couple of arpeggios. This time, I also experimented by placing a sponge under the strings near the bridge, which gives the entire sound a pizzicato effect. ...

50 Bonus - September 2024 - Little Things

Have you heard that charming little melody trending on Instagram Reels? It’s called Little Things by Adrián Berenguer from his album Immaterial. I thought it would be a great piece to include as a cover for this month’s bonus material!

I’ve created two versions for you to explore. The first version closely follows the original, with the opening section (A) played in the upper octav...

Caravan

"Caravan," composed by Duke Ellington and Juan Tizol in 1936, is a jazz standard known for its exotic, Latin-inspired rhythms. The piece blends jazz with Middle Eastern and Afro-Cuban influences, featuring a hypnotic groove and distinctive minor tonality. Over the years, "Caravan" has been recorded by numerous artists and has appeared in various films, including Whiplash (2014). Its unique fusi...

49 Bonus - August 2024 - Chord Booster 2

In this month's bonus material, I’m excited to introduce you to a very useful set of chords called drop 2 triads. Many of you may already be familiar with drop 2 chords, but here’s a simple explanation to clarify.

Drop 2 chords are a type of voicing where the second highest note in a four-note chord is dropped down an octave. This technique results in a more spread-out, fuller sound, ...

Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered

"Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered" is a classic American standard from the musical Pal Joey (1940), with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart. The song is performed by the character Vera Simpson, a wealthy but lonely woman who falls for the show's protagonist, Joey Evans. Known for its sophisticated lyrics and complex emotional depth, the song captures the turmoil of unrequited...