How to play 'Pink Houses' by John Cougar Mellencamp

[@danahawthorne4840]

Learned this for the 4th of July! Thanks for the lesson. You explain things well and make learning easy

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Dana - glad to hear it. Sorry for a slow reply. Cheers, Shane

[@waynetozer3881]

👍 can’t get enough of these John Cougar Mellencamp songs! Please keep them coming 🙏❤️

[@sinjon]

You’re a fantastic teacher. This was so well taught. Thanks

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks for that - very glad you enjoyed and I’m happy to have you here with us! Shane

[@dottmcse]

GREAT lesson, I really appreciate your teaching method.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you d ott - very glad to have you with us! Shane

[@beemanrunning977]

Best teacher I have found. "For Sure!"

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Beeman - my best to you and happy to have you here with us. Cheers, Shane

[@DeanMatthewMusic]

Awesome. Thanks. Working on the tricky bit.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Glad you enjoyed Dean - have fun with it! Shane

[@azsparky86]

Thx Sir, well done!!!!!, Iike how you explain things, keep up the good work!!!

[@DirtyJobsGuy1]

Absolutely awesome! Sounds perfect! Easy to understand! Thanks for taking the time to show us this

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Michael - glad to have you here with us. Cheers! Shane

[@madcowusa4277]

Can't thank you enough for this! Determined to get this perfect and almost there (14 month in from complete beginner not knowing a single chord).

[@bgvlogzzz2696]

Same I’m about 6 months in from not knowing a single chord lol

[@carleenmejzastrumunderthes4130]

Awesome lesson…getting back to refreshing my practice of Pink Houses!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Carleen - glad to have you here with us and I hope you're having fun with it. Cheers! Shane

[@boomerdell]

Thanks so much, Shane! You are a fantastic teacher with a very approachable and understandable style, plus a wonderful very Canadian (which is a HIGH compliment!) way about you. Really appreciate all your lessons, PDFs, and videos.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Anthony - I really appreciate that - happy to have you with us! Shane

[@spacesuitor]

Thanks for helping me with that 1 / 2 fret slide on the A string. 😎

[@GuitarAtWork]

Glad it's working for you - have fun with it! Shane

[@junkyddog11]

Thank you so much! You give me hope and joy.

[@McGyverRhythms]

This is a great easy to follow lesson. I like Shane's teaching style. I wish I had his guitar fingers! He does a great job laying out the steps to learning to play this song, including, simplifying the finger slide play of the G-chord riff. The one part of his lesson though that he mentions and glances over, are how important the vocals are in playing this song. John Cougar's vocals here have a very explicit tempo and timing & spacing throughout the song. And the guitar slaps and strumming then accent the vocal phrases, acting a lot like vocal licks.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Stephen, great stuff. My best to you and glad to have you here with us. Cheers! Shane

[@elsamorales3350]

You’re soo patient, n great as a teacher..!!!

[@alberta1939]

Shane! Great lesson man! So glad I came across your channel. Instant subscibe after watching this!! Your teaching style is awesome! Can't wait to see what else you've got. Thanks again so much for this lesson!!! Keep up the good work!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Alberta - really great to hear that - very happy to have you with us! Shane

[@patl9404]

Excellent job

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Pat. Glad you enjoyed. Be sure to check out 200 other videos on this channel. Cheers! Shane

[@GWPerry]

Have you ever had a job as a radio announcer You have the voice for it.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Ha! I've done voice over work in the past but never radio host. Cheers, Shane

[@brookwilliams3740]

Thank u again for ur time u are great at teaching very clear and helpful. Teaching my self guitar 20 years after school band and piano lessons has been hard- need to learn more scales and basics but it’s GREAT to be able to play a few songs that my husband and kids can actually enjoy! Thank u thank u thank u again

[@GuitarAtWork]

My pleasure Brook - thank you for taking the time to comment - I appreciate your encouraging words and wish you the very best with your guitar playing! Shane

[@matsjohansson9344]

Great teatching👏🎸

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Mats! Shane

[@mellamodiego8458]

Ty I enjoyed your lesson

[@GuitarAtWork]

Very glad. Thanks! Shane

[@homaken1]

Great lesson. Thank you.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Ken! Shane

[@70selvisfan]

Trying to learn this song for our 30th high school reunion next month. This is a GREAT help! Thank you!!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you 70 - I hope you nail it for your reunion and have a ton of fun doing it! Shane

[@joefisher4630]

Shane, love your style. Major thanks.

[@jqscooby2684]

Thank you so much. This really help. Great explanation.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Very glad to hear that JQ - hope you're having fun with it! Glad to have you here with us. Shane

[@eotheleo83]

I really enjoy your teaching style!

[@davidmohr1920]

I already knew the song but never did the slide so when you zipped by at the start I had to laugh but I did find it eventually it is a tricky little lick but you time it right by coming right back in to your G and man does it make the song Thanks Brother :-)

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you David - much appreciated. Hope you are having fun with it! Shane

[@onetakeadventureswithjoeld4679]

Great tutorial ! I like your approach!!!

[@austinknowlton1783]

What a great easy to follow lesson. Subscribed.

[@messycellar]

It is 2:30 Canadian time here in Maine. Been studying your videos the last two nights after getting home at midnight after work and making progress🤗. Thank you so much! Dartanian

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Dartanian - a great message to receive - I hope you are having fun with it and I am very glad to have you with us! Shane

[@amadeolopez1638]

I just discovered your channel. Very inspiring, great stuff and enjoying your way of teaching. Greetings from Holland...

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Amadeo - very glad you enjoyed! Shane

[@alanchamberlain6787]

Shane have you ever playedLove of my life by Queen?

[@churchmouses4532]

super lesson!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Church - best to you! Shane

[@brookwilliams3740]

And LOVE the play along videos! So helpful!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Brook - very glad to hear that - hope you have fun with them! Shane

[@Templar1129]

Great lesson! Subscribed less than a minute into your lesson!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Templar - very glad to have you here with us - my best to you and Happy New Year! Shane

[@joem6859]

Nice video, beautiful guitar.

[@darke812]

Shane--great video! Very easy to understand and follow along. Thanks for making this easy on people!

[@GuitarAtWork]

A giant thank you! Very glad you enjoyed - positive feedback really helps here! Shane

[@golfandguitars6569]

That was an awesome lesson. Thank you man.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you golfandguitars! I really appreciate the encouragement - happy to have you with us! Shane

[@chops9779]

I just found your channel today...nice playing, great lessons. Thanks

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Chops - very glad to have you with us! Shane

[@Cyclops1973]

Killer Shane!!

[@JoeGrahamMusic]

You’re a good communicator

[@gertvanrooy428]

Great! That little intro lick is hard though the way you play it. I think I saw the guitarist in Mellencamp's band slide his ring finger over to the 7th fret of the E string instead. It is a slightly less challenging variation;)

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Gert - it can be played that way for sure. Whichever way works for you. Cheers, Shane

[@therealsparkman]

Great lesson! I was watching his Farmaid 2005 video and noticed he was playing D-G-A? I know when I've been playing it and how I learned from the recording is the way you play it in the Key of G. Confusing? Also, the intro riff, I go from the the third fret of the G string (on the guitar!) to an open D, then hammer on the second fret of that string, but your way sounds more authentic. Your Taylor sounds awesome, by the way!! Thanks for sharing. Cheers!

[@bohdannesteruk1777]

That case when you click Like before you watch the video. Cool job!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Bohdan - much appreciated! Shane

[@rickigoodstein3798]

Hi Shane. Still saving up for the 814 as we discussed. Request: I know there a bunch of video lesson for Hard Days Night. None hold a candle to how you would present and teach this fantastic song. What do you think?

[@GuitarAtWork]

Great suggestion Ricki - thank you! Shane

[@louielouie5120]

Great stuff! Love this song!

[@mrhellcat]

thanks - great lesson!

[@davidgiera3853]

Nice job Shane. Love watching your videos. Keep it up!!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you David - I really appreciate the feedback - my best to you! Shane

[@joetroutt7425]

Learning that SMACK part is a little tricky coming back to G but I'll get it. I'm a little slow on that intro lick too but I like that you showed it.

[@bangurhead4027]

Hey John, how'd you do on the smack part? The reason I ask is because when I first started playing 35 years ago, I've always loved the sound of the strum and SMACK technique. This lesson is absolutely needed to play this song properly all the way thru. Thank You and I'll be jamming this song this weekend, at my first acoustic gig in a while. Hope you're still jamming it up!!!...👍💯

[@aldenunion]

Yes.Great tutorial.I have been popping A string 2nd like playing Like a Rock,lol,to make the riff sound,his sounds closer.I also pick same manner so can control tone better.Your covering cherry on top as well.NO CHEESE HERE.lol..TOP SHELF!!

[@user-pw9gz9cg5t]

Awesome- been playing this song for a long time and could never figure out exactly how to play the intro- I'll be working on it! Sounds great!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Glad to hear it Tim - hope you have fun with it! Shane

[@blacktara123]

double drop d tuning, capoed on the fifth, D chord shape - try it

[@utubepaul666]

El Cougar needs to do a Spanish version of that tune "Hay un ciego ... con gato negro ... " "Casas bonitas .. para ti y mi ... "

[@p.s8950]

LoL. "that scary stuff" you refer to always breaks me up. right...

[@GuitarAtWork]

Ha! Thanks PS - all the best to you! Shane

[@bluedingleberries9648]

Hello Shane, have you ever thought about playing/teaching Led Zeppelin's 'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You' or Zeppelin's 'Tangerine'. Thanks Shane!

[@kimberlyschranghamer3965]

I LOVE this Taylor! Looks good, sounds good! Can I ask exactly what model is it?

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Kimberly - I really love this guitar. It's an 814CE about three years old now. Best to you - Cheers! Shane

[@madcowusa4277]

It's the $3500 model and does indeed sound amazing.

[@SeanGettingsActorComedian]

Looking at the video, John plays this song with a capo on the 3rd fret.......but that was back in 1983....

[@philf4086]

Maybe he played his part in open E.

[@onetakeadventureswithjoeld4679]

GOOD stuff

[@Mikaflyd]

Could you please do “herecomes the sun”

[@TheThirstycoyote]

Thank you , ya just wouldn't be the same without the intro riff 👍

[@chrismnj]

06:05 opening riff reference point

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Chris - I am sure many will find that helpful - I should add those reference points as I upload - Cheers! Shane

[@tomstrickland6002]

This is the second song I have learned from you the first being Blue on Black. This is what I need, playing songs. BTW, noticing your shirt, do you fly?

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Tom - glad to have you with us! I do fly RC helis and planes - not the real ones though. Cheers! Shane

[@SteveODellFilmstheWorld]

I can play and SING the shit outta this song.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Glad to hear it Steve - Happy New Year! Shane

[@endingcreation5568]

LITTLE PINK HOUSES BUILT FOR YOU AND ME

[@denepritchard1780]

Can you add “Oreo Cookie Blues” by Stevie Ray Vaughan, please?

[@cmikoy]

I don't know how to send a private message so I'll just comment here. I am pretty new to playing. I'm trying to learn a song called Service and Repair by Calexico. I can't figure out the strumming patterns. I'd love it if you would try that one.

[@suncoaster8578]

New sub. Thanks. 👍🏻😎

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you SunCoaster - glad to have you with us! Shane

[@gregb7595]

good teacher

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Greg - much appreciated! Shane

[@richardwhiteside3234]

Would you kindly count out the beat on the lead riff with the strumming? For some reason, I can do everything, but get completely off when doing the riff and the chord sequence.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Sure thing Richard - the lead part in the main riff starts on the 'and of 4' 1& 2& 3& 4& - just before Beat 1 of the next bar. Hope that helps you. Cheers, Shane

[@joetroutt7425]

@@GuitarAtWork wouldn't the G on the low E start on 4 then the rest of the lick on the and of 4 back to G on 1?

[@philrigsby7750]

I see him in the video with a capo.. and there are no videos with the capo... Confused

[@GuitarAtWork]

He may have done it with capo - but not on the recording Shane

[@spqr701]

Have you tried to play it Open G Tuning? I think its the only way to do the signature riff and get it to sound like the recording....

[@philf4086]

Great observation, I agree!

[@mckenziebotts2356]

Great lessons u said your Canadian where you from

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you McKenzie - much appreciated. Am in Ottawa here Shane

[@jojonorris8047]

Smack !

[@GuitarAtWork]

Smack and whack James - keep having fun with it! Shane

[@jojonorris8047]

@@GuitarAtWork love it !

[@rubbabubba6489]

👍

[@louielouie5120]

Is this standard tuning?

[@NikkenMagboy]

You remind me a lot of Mike Pachelli

[@garymurphy4188]

Since you have taught Pink Houses, you have to teach Jack and Diane.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Gary - a great suggestion - I'll add it to the list! Shane

[@The51Jasmine]

I cannot get song sheets when I go to your web page? Also when you do that slap at the beginning, my hand seems to want to to upstroke after the C chord slap. If I do downstroke I feel out of sync, what am I doing wrong? Sorry I'm still fairly new at this. All the rest is fine, just that one area.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Hi Jasmine, Sorry for any trouble you are having locating the song sheets - look for a red button about halfway down the page that says 'Download Guitar At Work Songsheets' - there you will find some folders to look around in for the songs you want. If you have trouble, you can email directly from the website and I will send them to you.

[@The51Jasmine]

I tried to email you at this email address and it won't send, it says the address is wrong. I don't know what the problem is, I subscribed to your site, so I'm at a loss. The page for the download comes up with songs named on it but it says the video's have been deleted. I tried everything you said so I guess I'm SOL. @@GuitarAtWork

[@cameodoneron]

Look at that thumb nail! Good lord.

[@Martin_HD28]

Scooby Doo!

[@guitarDad100]

Another great comprehensive cover of a classic. Are you a pilot. I like the airplane on the shirt. I am a pilot who aspires to play better guitar. Check out a few of my videos. Thanks for posting this lesson.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Hey! Am an RC pilot only. Helicopters and planes. Love them! Shane

[@danieltester4406]

I too am a pilot who aspires to be a guitarist.

[@ronmiller7248]

Ah, the lack of midtones on a taylor.

[@blacktara123]

Sorry but no. Played in open position with standard tuning you will NEVER quite get the sound of that signature riff. Watch the video. He plays this capoed on the fifth fret , and I think he is in double drop D tuning. The chords shapes are D, G, C and A (which are G, C F and D when capoed on the fifth). The signature sound of the riff is made by playing an open note on the sixth string, then hitting the 2nd fret and sliding up to 4 then an open note on the fourth string. Listen to the chords in the bridge, specifically what you would be playing as an F in open position. Now try it in double drop on the fifth - the C chord with the top string tuned down to d gives you that sound you hear on the strums in the bridge. Still dont believe me? Watch his thumb in the video when he goes to the A-shape (what you play as a D in the uncapoed position)- he uses the thumb to get the second fret on the low sixth string.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Robert but most do not want to venture into open G tuning for this song and it sounds quite convincing in standard tuning without the hassle of moving to open G. I love open G - believe me, but this song doesn't warrant the effort to retune. Cheers, Shane

[@crushedit1497]

Sometimes even the artists will use standard tunings for time sake

[@2muchgear750]

There is no "Cougar" to the man's name. That was some idiot publicist idea.

[@darke812]

The album that this song comes from "Uh-huh", is by John COUGAR Mellancamp. Technically, Shane is correct in attributing the Authors name as published, regardless that he dropped the Cougar years later.

[@2muchgear750]

Songwriters: John Mellencamp Pink Houses lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

[@aldenunion]

I grew up listening to John Cougar,and big 80 folk refer to him the manner his song's were introed on radio,"We got a rock block from John Cougar (coming up after short break)..No joke,he was JOHN COUGAR on the radio.

[@JamesSmith-kg1vt]

You talk way too much

[@laarydickman6147]

Excellent Lesson! I saw the opening riff played on the low E and that always thew me off THANKS MUCH!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Laary - glad it helped you and happy to have you with us! Shane

[@harley.jess.greatshitsyoun6607]

Lol e this song 👍will on it thx

[@tommyhuff981]

Good job !! Really enjoyed your teaching style

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Tommy - really happy to hear from you! Shane

[@jeffgodin2840]

Great lesson. Thank you

[@GuitarAtWork]

My pleasure Jeff - a big thank you for that. Cheers! Shane