What is a fun song to learn on guitar?

If you’ve been playing the guitar for a while, you’re probably ready to take on more intermediate material.

The topic of intermediate electric and acoustic guitar songs and solos is a tricky one, because it means different things to different people. Some players learn certain techniques faster than others, and what is advanced to some is intermediate to others. In general terms, an intermediate guitar player will be comfortable playing open chords, barre chords, and basic scales.

Guitar players who are just starting out may not be ready to take on their favorite tunes like “Blackbird” by Paul McCartney, “Can’t Stop” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and “Voodoo Child” by Jimi Hendrix. However, if you’ve got the fundamentals down, you’re ready to take on these classic songs to learn on guitar.

Top 50 Intermediate Electric andAcoustic Guitar Songs

This article will cover learning songs on guitar forintermediate electric and acoustic guitar, as well as intermediate guitar solos. Each of these pieces incorporates different styles and techniques, so don’t be afraid to try something new. The main thing to remember as you attempt learning songs on the guitar they are meant to challenge you and take your playing to the next level.

You may listen to some of these songs and think that they’re impossible to play, but you can’t expect to become the next Stevie Ray Vaughan overnight. You know the amount of practice it took to evolve from a beginner to an intermediate guitarist, so just remember to stick with it and keep practicing every day. Pretty much everyone feels this way when learning the guitar, so don’t be discouraged!

Without further ado, let’s move on to the tunes. We’ve split our list into electric and acoustic guitar songs, so you can find your favorite style!

TheBest Acoustic Guitar Songsfor Intermediate Players

1. Space Oddity – David Bowie (Tabs)

Bowie used several special techniques in this acoustic hit. Pay attention to the left-hand chord voicings used throughout the song.

2. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran (Tabs)

This song is a popular choice for weddings, and a little trickier for most beginners. While practicing, focus on capturing a soulful feeling at a slow tempo.

3. Blackbird – Paul McCartney (Tabs)

This is probably the most popular fingerpicking song. There are a few ways to play this one, but the classically influenced guitar lines will challenge you to think outside of your box a bit.

4. Neon – John Mayer (Tabs)

Some would put this in the advanced category, but it’s actually fairly repetitive and very accessible if you know how to slow down.

5. Babe I’m Gonna Leave You – Led Zeppelin (Tabs)

This might feel like a beginner song once you get the first phrase out, but to play the whole song soulfully takes some precision and passion!

6. Heart of Life – John Mayer (Tabs)

A more advanced pluck-and-chuck song, this is a really good way to get into flicking melodies out.

7. Stop This Train – John Mayer (Tabs)

This song challenges you to combine a melody, bass line, and inner voice into a pluck and chuck pattern.

8. Details in the Fabric – Jason Mraz (Tabs)

This intermediate guitar song uses a fairly intricate strumming pattern that will challenge your ability to hold syncopation!

9. Country Roads – John Denver (Tabs)

“Country Roads” is great song to learn basic four stroke thumbpicking. Focus on the guitar part in the first verse of the original version.

10. I Will Follow You Into the Dark – Deathcab for Cutie (Tabs)

This song mixes alternating bass and thumb slaps with flicks into a fairly easy pattern.

11. Crash Into Me – Dave Matthews (Tabs)

“Crash Into Me” builds an interesting two part guitar texture where you bang out a nice bass line while strumming chords on the treble strings – excellent for developing rest strokes!

12. Leaves That Are Green – Paul Simon (Tabs)

This is a classic thumb-picking song that’s sure to present a challenge to any new, intermediate student.

13. Alice’s Restaurant – Arlo Guthrie (Tabs)

This legendary folk song is just a 16 bar pattern that repeats. See if you can carry on a conversation while pedaling this pattern!

14. The Boxer – Paul Simon (Tabs)

Another legendary thumb-picking song that mixes four stroke patterns with moving chords and walking bass lines.

15. Operator – Jim Croce (Tabs)

“Operator” is a beautiful fingerpicking song that uses some different rhythmic patterns worth learning!

16. The Rain Song – Led Zeppelin (Tabs)

The alternate tuning in this song will get you thinking about the guitar in a new way. It opens up a lot of possibilities while challenging you to break your typical patterns.

Intermediate Electric Guitar Songs

1. Can’t Stop – Red Hot Chili Peppers (Tabs)

Especially suited for mastering the “rock muting” techniques (where you almost strum while muting all but one note), this song is a must for electric guitarists!

2. Under the Bridge – The Red Hot Chili Peppers (Tabs)

“Under the Bridge” mixes several techniques and has a number of different sections that take some thought for intermediate guitarists to master.

3. Layla – Eric Clapton (Tabs)

Some of the rhythm and lead parts in “Layla” aren’t complex, but capturing the anguished sound is at the essence of this song’s challenges.

4. Slow Dancing In a Burning Room – John Mayer (Tabs)

This is another song that integrates several different techniques into one line and needs to be executed soulfully to be convincing.

5. Wild Side – Motley Crue (Tabs)

“Wild Side” is not as difficult as it sounds. The riff is a great introduction to playing fast without being too challenging.

6. Black Dog – Led Zeppelin (Tabs)

The notes in this song are challenging enough, but the timing really throws a lot of players off the horse. Challenge yourself to play this along with the record or even better – a band!

7. Pride and Joy – Stevie Ray Vaughan (Tabs)

On paper it’s not complicated, but the nuances of muting the strings properly to play this song are quite challenging. You may consider getting help from a guitar teacher to master this one!

8. Never There – Cake (Tabs)

This is one of those intermediate guitar songs that is a surprise challenge. The song has some fast notes with string skips that are quite difficult to perfect. 

9. Wish You Were Here – Incubus (Tabs)

The secret to Incubus’ magic is not so much in the notes but in Michael Einziger’s shoegaze guitar sounds. See if you can get the tone and effects down.

10. Enter Sandman – Metallica (Tabs)

If you want to learn what metal guitar is supposed to sound like, this is an excellent place to start!

11. Thunderstruck – AC/DC (Tabs)

Some would call this song advanced, but the shortness and repetitiveness of this riff make it a really good study piece for hammer-ons and pull-offs.

12. Back in Black – AC/DC (Tabs)

If the last AC/DC song you tried kicked your butt, give this one a try for a more moderate challenge that satisfies the same itch.

13. Uptown Funk – Bruno Mars (Tabs)

Lots of Bruno Mars songs have worthy funk guitar parts, and “Treasure” is just one great choice. Getting used to the syncopation and articulation are the keys to success here.

14. Brick House – The Commodores (Tabs)

This song often gets called for covers, so if you’re in a band it’s best to start learning it now!

15. You Got Another Thing Coming – Judas Priest (Tabs)

Just playing the notes isn’t too difficult, but synchronizing with a rhythm section in a rock band is very telling of your ability to make this song work.

Intermediate Guitar Solos

1. Something – Beatles (Tabs)
2. Hotel California – Eagles (Tabs)
3. Johnny B Goode – Chuck Berry (Tabs)
4. All Along the Watchtower – Jimi Hendrix (Tabs)
5. Tamacun – Rodrigo y Gabriela (Tabs)
6. Voodoo Child – Jimi Hendrix (Tabs)
7. Sympathy for the Devil – The Rolling Stones (Tabs)
8. Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin (Tabs)
9. Purple Haze – Jimi Hendrix (Tabs)
10. Comfortably Numb – Pink Floyd (Tabs)
11. One of These Nights – Eagles (Tabs)
12. Belief – John Mayer (Tabs)
13. Crazy Train – Ozzy Osbourne (Tabs)
14. One (Intro) – Metallica (Tabs)
15. Heat Wave – Linda Ronstadt (Tabs)
16. La Grange – ZZ Top (Tabs)
17. Mud on the Tires – Brad Paisley (Tabs)
18. My Sharona – The Knack (Tabs)
19. Spooky – Atlanta Rhythm Section (Tabs)
20. Black Magic Woman – Carlos Santana (Tabs)

Take Your Playing to the Next Level

There you have it, the top 50 acoustic guitar songs (and electric ones!) to start working your way through. Each of these intermediate electric and acoustic guitar songs made the list because of their popularity and influence. Remember that these songs are likely to present some unexpected challenges, so reach out to a guitar teacher if you need help along the way. Working one-on-one with a professional guitar teacher is the best way to develop good playing and practicing habits. A teacher will also answer all your guitar questions. Before you know it, you’ll be ready to play a gig!

If a local guitar teacher doesn’t work for you, consider taking an online guitar class. Online classes are a great way to stay motivated, learn new techniques, and master these good acoustic guitar songs. Happy jamming!

Do you have another favorite guitar tune to add to the list? Let us know in the comments below!

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