The Fingerstyle Acoustic Songs You Must Learn | Play These At Your Solo Gigs

If you are a gigging solo acoustic musician or learning to do so I think it is a great idea to add some fingerstyle songs to your set list. Fingerstyle is just one way to really let the acoustic guitar shine as well as you shine as a solo acoustic performer. Finger style guitar is not that hard and with a little practice you will be playing these songs right along side you usual repertoire of acoustic songs.
Some of the favorite songs for me and the ones I have selected for this video are: The Boxer by Simon and Garfunkel, Landslide by Fleetwood Mac, Fast Car by Tracy Chapman, Shallow by Lady Gaga and Thinking out Loud by Ed Sheeran. I believe these are must know songs to learn to play for your solo acoustic gig.
00:00 Intro
02:32: Song 1. (The Boxer)
04:28: Song 2. (Landslide)
05:48: Song 3. (Fast Car)
07:00: Song 4. (Shallow)
08:18: Song 5. (Thinking Out Loud)
Be sure to check out this video where I discuss the best 5 songs to play at a gig when you are in a pinch: • Songs you MUST LEARN T...
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[@ConwayBob]

Five more great crowd-pleasers. Thanks, Frank!!!

[@FrankPersico]

My pleasure

[@ukestudio3002]

Am enjoying your videos. I’m old , so i do "Blackbird", Play me"..Here Comes the Sun"..Don’t let me be lonely Tonight..Shower the People..Early Morning Rain..some Jim Croce stuff..etc

[@sibusisogumede]

Nice pick there!❤😊

[@FrankPersico]

Thanks for the comment. We all appreciate the input

[@johngdrakeguitar]

Changing up picking and strumming is critical to keeping a set flowing. Thanks for the reminder

[@FrankPersico]

Thanks for the comment. I appreciate it

[@Windowswatcher]

I started with finger-picking guitar when I was 17 (I'm 75 now and have played on and off over the years) but I've never mastered the licks that you put with the songs. I didn't learn to strum half-decently until I was 60-ish either. Oh dear... I've a lot to catch up with in my remaining years. Fast Car I can play but find it difficult to sing with... probably the timing. I used about 4 picking styles to cover everything. However, I'm not a professional, so I don't have audiences to satisfy... a few open mic nights is my lot, really, with about 3 or four numbers each time.

[@FrankPersico]

As long as you are enjoying what you are doing that’s all that matters. How “good” we are is nothing more than a function of how much time we want to dedicate. Then of course there are the Tommy Emmanuel’s of the world that defy logic lol

[@ducktape2425]

I don’t gig but enjoy playing fingerstyle and infecting my family with earworms. Several of these songs are in my repertoire, but here’s a couple more for your list: Fire and Rain, Going to Carolina - James Taylor; Tears in Heaven, Layla, Change the World - Eric Clapton; Leader of the Band - Dan Fogelberg; In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel; Mad World - Tears for Fears; More Than Words - Extreme; Love Song - Tesla; When the Children Cry - White Lion; A Team, Lego House, Photograph - Ed Sheeran Some of these songs can be pitch-challenging but agree with using the capo. I find that going up a couple of positions allows you drop the vocals down an octave.

[@FrankPersico]

Hahaah and I bet your family appreciates it! Great suggestions. Some of those I play but some I need to learn! Thanks for the comment

[@chuckcaruso2813]

Thanks, man! These videos are really helpful and inspiring.

[@FrankPersico]

That’s one of the best things I could hear. Thanks

[@RonBaker456]

No doubt on the change up with adding some classic fingerstyle. I love me some James Taylor, Dan Fogelberg, Jim Croce and the King. I've also been working in some super easy hybrid tunes to try to work that style in to the show as well. The most recent was, "Little Red Riding Hood" by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs. SO many great songs to choose from.

[@FrankPersico]

You have some good taste my musical brotha! :)

[@mkrj2576]

Yes! Great advice!

[@kenfrank3782]

I enjoyed this immensely… picked up the guitar again after 50 yrs !!! Birthday present from the wife 😍 Just started finger picking so glad to see your video!!!!

[@FrankPersico]

Oh wow that’s exciting. Good for you glad you back playin!

[@NallDave]

I've got the first two in my sets. I also like Dust in The Wind by Kansas. Its a good follow on from Landslide as it just adds a pinch to the picking pattern.

[@FrankPersico]

I’m ashamed to say I never played dust in the wind!!! I gotta learn it ..

[@gordontyrrall5299]

That opening on Fast Car is so evocative and instantly recognisable - good choice! I'm having a look at REM's Nightswimming (in cgdgad so original key and no capo) - works well fingerstyle but fitting the words to the accompaniment is my main challenge.

[@FrankPersico]

Yeah that song is one that would wish you wrote yourself lol. I gotta check out that REM song you are referring to !

[@TheFeelButton]

Fingerstyle always makes them smile. Nice list Frank!

[@FrankPersico]

Hey that rhymes! Lol thanks so much

[@Troy1g]

Thanks for sharing your real world playing experience.

[@FrankPersico]

My pleasure. I plan to share much more

[@ekdguitar123]

I am really enjoying your ideas. I’m always looking for new songs to learn. Thanks and keep up the great work. I would definitely add some instructional videos on some of those trickier intros. Love your work. Love your positive attitude.

[@FrankPersico]

Thanks for the feedback! I definitely plan on working in some more instruction/lesson materials as well. Stay tuned

[@FASFatherandSon]

Nice video, love finger style. I wasn't a big fan of Shallow but my girlfriend always forces me to sing it with her, so I guess it grew on me.

[@FrankPersico]

Cmon man: you gotta make her happy lol! Thanks for the comment. I know you and Ken are cooking up some fire on your page as well!

[@TheCitizenmax]

Excellent video, the Boxer was probably the first song I ever played to an audience but I still haven't learnt the hard intro! My all time fave is Streets Of London,Ralph Mctell which can still make me well up, never mind the audience and is a text book study in finger-picking as well as brilliant songwriting. Bit of a stretch to call 'thinking out loud', a fingerpicking song, modern classic notwithstanding. Other classics:- Vincent, Don Mclean; American Tune,Paul Simon; Needle & the damage done, Neil Young.

[@deannemiller891]

I like streets of London too. Refreshing to hear someone else who likes it because everyone I know says it's too depressing. I think it's beautiful!

[@FrankPersico]

Yeah well it’s kinda played with the hands but I know what you mean. Great song picks btw:)

[@adamrafferty]

Frank glad to see you rockin it on YT!!!! I'm subed :-) Adam from NYC!

[@FrankPersico]

Hey man thanks for subscribing. Hope all is well with you brotha.

[@masonnorthrop733]

Awesome content as always! Keep it up!

[@FrankPersico]

Appreciate it!

[@songsgardensbyjenniferlynn3242]

That was so good!

[@FrankPersico]

Thanks so much

[@zzcanasta]

Good advice and decent song choices. I've gigged as a solo guitarist/accompanist off and on for the past half-century or so (when I haven't been in bands) and I absolutely agree that it's important to mix it up within a set in terms of both material and playing style to create different moods. I'd add that being able to play/sing in a range of keys is important to avoid monotony (it's what capos are for!). A couple of things I'd also add: 1) use a range of different strumming patterns, and 2) add variety and colour to a 'strummed' song by incorporating bridging runs when shifting from one chord to another and simple riffs/licks where appropriate. Finally, I'd really urge all budding solo guitarists to learn the basics of Travis picking if they don't know them already. This transformed my fingerstyle playing, and it's one of the first things I teach all my guitar students. Good luck with the channel!

[@deannemiller891]

Any suggestions for learning Travis picking? Any videos to recommend?

[@LumLumification]

Learn the song 'Little Black Submarines' by the black keys. Once you learn that song, the muscle memory will set in. I think marty schwartz has a lesson on youtube ​@deannemiller891

[@FrankPersico]

Thanks so much for the input. Very helpful indeed

[@freesk8]

Nice! Thanks!

[@FrankPersico]

You bet!

[@rguidryrd]

Frank, another great video, thanks for sharing your insights for playing live as a solo act. Can you post a video of what you do to warm up your voice before your gigs?

[@FrankPersico]

I am going to try to make a video about that. It may take a bit (since I do everything myself) but there is definitely a lot of value in this. Thanks for the great idea!

[@keylimewinesingersongwrite862]

Pretty sure you nailed it on these songs!

[@FrankPersico]

Thanks so much. I think I am gonna need to do a part 2 lol

[@alexdieudonne1924]

asolutely agree with your choices

[@FrankPersico]

Thanks for commenting

[@MrLostson]

Thanks Frank God bless

[@FrankPersico]

You are very welcome

[@mikeholper5992]

Thanks as always Frank! Great songs! My sets also include: Fire and Rain Something in the Way She Moves Cats in the Cradle Going Going Gone Operator I’ll Have to Say I Love in a Song Blackbird If You Could Read My Mind

[@FrankPersico]

Excellent choices. I may have to do a part 2!

[@ttaurus393]

Great content. My favorite finger style artist is James Taylor don't know if you do it but try a little fire and rain. Definitely a crowd pleaser.

[@FrankPersico]

Thanks for the kind words. Oh yeah totally agree on JT.

[@Shovlbum]

Yeah another guy who fingerpicks a dreadnaught. People always say I need a OM or GA. Especially those Taylor-toting drones. I say tell it to Doc .😊

[@FrankPersico]

Nah. Dread can do it all

[@guitarnuccio]

Great choices! Question: when you switch to a finger style song, do you make any changes to you amp/pa volume, or your eq, or maybe add compression? Just curious to know how much you change your signal path, if at all, when doing a fingerstyle song.

[@FrankPersico]

I will definitely turn up the volume on my preamp. I use a fishman pickup with one of those barn door style eq and volume. I don’t really like compression in my guitar .. just will bump the volume a bit when I go fingerstyle then bring it back down when I switch back to strumming

[@joecamel3151]

New subscriber, here. Thanks for the video. Could you give a rundown on your setup and equipment? I see the top of a Fender amp in the background. Is that what you use for you acoustic?

[@FrankPersico]

Hey there welcome! I will definitely make a rundown Vid of my gear. As for the gear in the video here it’s just my Princeton reverb. It’s not what I giggle with but for the YT vids it does the job

[@joecamel3151]

@@FrankPersico much appreciated. Your acoustic in the vid sounded very warm and natural, a tone I’m trying to achieve with my Martin, but not quite there yet. Which amp do you gig with?

[@artcarnrick6905]

Regarding fingerstyle playing / accompaniments... Like you I've had good luck with The Boxer but better luck with Rhiannon (instrumental) by Fleetwood Mac; also Every Breath You Take (Sting), better luck with Perfect by Ed Sheeran, Ripple by Grateful Dead, and Sloop John B by the Beach Boys (capo V, "D" position, sung in G). Interesting to see what works in your area... I'm down South, more of an older crowd here.

[@FrankPersico]

Great suggestions: I do a version of Rhiannon with loop pedal that always does well. Thanks for sharing with us all

[@perijon00]

I don’t believe ripple is played finger style. Jerry bob and Grisman are all picking

[@artcarnrick6905]

@@perijon00 Mark Hanson (Relaxing Songs) has a great Fingerstyle approach to this tune as well as several other...

[@michaelgarrow3239]

Licks get tips!!! 😎

[@FrankPersico]

You got that right!

[@jayogden773]

I would mix a couple of John Mayer songs in as well. "Why Georgia" and "Stop this Train" are great to add a little rhythm into a solo act.

[@FrankPersico]

Great suggestions thanks so much

[@timo2829]

Love your playing style and ability I am lost though on how to play each song. If you want more viewers I would suggest to show in detail each song on how it’s played. But thanks for the ideas

[@FrankPersico]

Thank you so much. I definitely plan to implement more instruction in future videos. Sometimes if you try to cover too much in one video you dilute the purpose of the vid. It’s a challenge I am dealing with as I am fairly new to creating this more recent style of content. It has been very rewarding especially when people like yourself leave supportive and constructive feedback.

[@deannemiller891]

@@FrankPersico i'd love to see some instructional videos too. The way you play those songs is beautiful!

[@jrpipik]

Camera work: less wall above your head, more guitar.

[@FrankPersico]

Yes. Great input

[@user-xd3ql7cj4l]

Are there some good alternative tuning songs you'd recommend?

[@FrankPersico]

Hey thanks for commenting. Don’t have any off hand but I will try to find some to cover in the future.

[@TheBlueDogMan]

I absolutely avoid a slap while playing the guitar. Your song choices were great though I just never use the slap. You really are a fine guitarist.

[@FrankPersico]

Thanks brotha. I appreciate the kind words and your comment

[@deannemiller891]

Refreshing to hear that someone else doesn't like doing the slap either.

[@sooparticular]

what guitar is that...sounds great

[@FrankPersico]

That’s my Gibson songwriter. Ovangkol back and sides. Bought it used a couple years ago. Thanks for the comment

[@user-xd3ql7cj4l]

Can you ever add a classical guitar piece once in a while?

[@FrankPersico]

I could try. I used to do a version of Asturias at my gigs. Been so long I wonder if I can still play it?!? Lol

[@deannemiller891]

I was thinking the same thing. I think it would be fine if it wasn't too long and you can play it well.

[@dp8904]

Video starts at 2:32

[@FrankPersico]

😬

[@mad_cat_1st]

Croce and Chapin.

[@FrankPersico]

Yes and yesss!

[@stuhennessey9013]

Please show your left and right hands during your videos. Thx

[@FrankPersico]

I was just saying to my wife when reviewing the videos “I need a higher chair!” Thanks for the feedback I will address it.

[@PaulAshley]

My shows are the opposite; strumming songs are breaks from fingerstyle songs.

[@FrankPersico]

Cool! Some of my gigs are like that. Depends where I’m playing . Thanks for commenting

[@deannemiller891]

I was wondering if that would work because I love finger style. Where do you play? I mean, what kind of venues?

[@PaulAshley]

@@deannemiller891 What I do goes over best at wineries and coffee shops, places where for the most part you're background music.

[@brucewilson1958]

Mr. Long Winded. Try...Without any further a don't.

[@FrankPersico]

👍

[@bobnolin9155]

Play some Neil Young, man! Just kidding.

[@FrankPersico]

I love Neil young!

[@yogimarkmac]

Gag me with a spoon while feeding me in an old folks home before I ever play any of these songs. You want some cool fingerpicking? Look no farther than the blues. Want to mix up that strumming? Work on your flat picking. Check out Billy Strings if you need some inspiration.

[@FrankPersico]

Quick someone find me a spoon … jk. I will check it out

[@anthonycurran362]

Ed sheeran doesn't look like a guitar hero to me🤔 lord of the rings hobbit yes, but guitar hero no 🤔

[@FrankPersico]

Awwww that’s mean lol

[@wildmustang33]

Great ideas for fingerstyle songs to use, shame you don't actually show us how to play them. half the time you can even see your left hand. I didn't subscribe :-(

[@FrankPersico]

It’s all good . I’m new at these kinds of vids and will improve based on constructive comments like yours. Maybe you will subscribe in the future