14 Two String Guitar Songs

1. The Strokes - Barely Legal

The Strokes - Barely Legal [Lyrics]

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A simple riff that employs a smart trick. The riff stays exactly the same, but it sounds different because the underlying chord changes! A simple technique you might want to try yourself. Oh, and bonus points for the solo that starts at 0:37 (and is also played on just two strings).

Which string should I start this song on? The A string! On which fret do I start? The fifth fret! What is the other string I need? The low E string! Where can I check the tab? Right here!

2. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Otherside

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Otherside [Official Music Video]

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A simple, clean melody that interlocks nicely with the bass.

Which string should I start this song on? The A string! On which fret do I start? The seventh fret! What is the other string I need? The D string! Where can I check the tab? Right here! Just one thing I disagree with in this tab. There's a note on the G string in the fourth line of tab. Watching live footage, you can see John Frusciante actually plays that note higher up on the neck on the D string, 14th fret!

3. Led Zeppelin - Misty Mountain Hop

Led Zeppelin - Misty Mountain Hop (Live in New York 1973)

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After a few seconds of electric piano, Jimmy Page's guitar comes in. The title is a reference to Lord of the Rings by the way, Robert Plant is a huge Tolkien fan!

Which string should I start this song on? The low E string! On which fret do I start? The fifth fret! What is the other string I need? The D string! Where can I check the tab? Right here!

4. Smashing Pumpkins - Today

The Smashing Pumpkins - Today

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The sweet, simple melody at the start of the song... Don't turn your volume up too high though, because after a few seconds the band comes in.

Which string should I start this song on? The high E string! On which fret do I start? The eleventh fret! What is the other string I need? The b string! Where can I check the tab? Right here!

5. Iron Butterfly - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida

IRON BUTTERFLY - IN A GADDA DA VIDA - 1968 (ORIGINAL FULL VERSION) CD SOUND & 3D VIDEO

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Remember the time when you could make a 17 minute hit song? No, I don't, but somehow, I miss it. Fun fact: the title was supposed to be 'In the Garden of Eden', but the singer slurred his words when he told the rest of the band about it. So, In-a-gadda-da-vida it is!

Which string should I start this song on? The D string! On which fret do I start? The open string! What is the other string I need? The A string! Where can I check the tab? Right here!

6. The Cure - A Forest

The Cure - A Forest

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Starting from this song, you'll come across songs that use two strings at the same time!

Which string should I start this song on? The A string! On which fret do I start? The open A string! What is the other string I need? The G string! Where can I check the tab? Check this tab! Be sure to start reading where it says 'drums enter'. There's actually an extended intro to this song, which is tabbed out in this file, but we'll skip that.

7. Ten Years After - 50.000 Miles Beneath My Brain

Ten Years After - 50,000 Miles Beneath my Brain

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Another song that smartly uses two strings!

Which string should I start this song on? You play two notes at the same time, so you'll need two strings. The low E string and the A string! On which fret do I start? The open E string and the eleventh fret! Where can I check the tab? Right here!

8. Deep Purple - Smoke on the Water

Deep Purple - Smoke on the Water

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Classic riff. Chances are you already know it. But I couldn't leave it out.

Which string should I start this song on? The D and G strings! On which fret do I start? Open strings! What is the other string I need? You play the D and G string together the whole riff! Where can I check the tab? Right here!

9. The Cure - Boys Don't Cry

The Cure - Boys Don't Cry

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Back to the eighties for this classic song.

Which string should I start this song on? The B string! On which fret do I start? The second fret! What is the other string I need? The high E string! Where can I check the tab? Right here!

10. Judas Priest - Breaking the Law

Judas Priest - Breaking The Law

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Let's throw some British heavy metal into the mix...

Which string should I start this song on? The A string! On which fret do I start? The open string! What is the other string I need? The low E string! Where can I check the tab? Right here!

11. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Stop

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Stop

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A great, fuzzy bass line!

Which string should I start this song on? The A string! On which fret do I start? The open string! What is the other string I need? The D string! Where can I check the tab? Right here!

12. The Cribs - Men's Needs

The Cribs - Men's Needs [Non-PA] (Video)

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A slightly faster riff, which I know stresses some people out. Just keep calm and listen to the first note, then the second etc...

Which string should I start this song on? The high E string! On which fret do I start? The second fret! What is the other string I need? The B string! Where can I check the tab? Right here!

13. Muse - Time is Running Out (Bass Line)

Muse - Time Is Running Out (video)

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You might almost not recognise it, but that sound of the opening riff is a bass guitar. The sound makes it difficult to hear how often a certain note is picked, so don't worry about that. Just get the notes right and you can play it how you think it sounds best!

Which string should I start this song on? The low E string! On which fret do I start? The fifth fret! What is the other string I need? The A string! Where can I check the tab? Right here!

14. Wolfmother - Joker and the Thief

Wolfmother - Joker and the Thief

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This might sound a bit fast or complex at first, but once you get this riff, you'll see how simple it really is...

Which string should I start this song on? The D string! On which fret do I start? The open string! What is the other string I need? The G string! Where can I check the tab? Right here!

Learning by ear

That's it! Hope this helps you out in getting started with transcribing music by ear or just having a good time playing cool riffs. If you want to learn them by ear, be sure to check out the step-by-step guide over here.

Also, feel free to check out the ear training course for the course I've just finished:

You can enroll in the sample course by clicking here.

If you need any help with these songs, feel free to leave a comment or email me at Just [at] Stringkick.com!