Rock Classics for Solo Acoustic Guitar

By John Connearn

Rock Classics for Solo Acoustic Guitar by John Connearn is a masterfully crafted course from LickLibrary that reimagines some of the greatest rock songs of all time as fully self-contained solo acoustic guitar arrangements. Designed for players who want to move beyond strumming and into expressive, note-for-note performance, this course shows you how to capture melody, harmony, rhythm, and feel all on one guitar. Each lesson breaks down iconic rock tracks and reveals the techniques that allow an acoustic guitarist to sound complete, confident, and musically authoritative.

These lessons are not simplified sketches—they are carefully arranged pieces that respect the original recordings while translating them beautifully to acoustic guitar. You will learn how to make your instrument sing, groove, and drive without the need for a band, while developing core skills that apply to songwriting, arrangement, and live performance.

Rolling Stones – Paint It Black

This lesson focuses on turning a famously hypnotic riff into a flowing acoustic arrangement. The use of arpeggios and melodic movement allows the guitarist to suggest both rhythm and lead simultaneously. John demonstrates how subtle slides and controlled vibrato bring a vocal-like quality to the melody, helping it cut through even on a single instrument.

Learning these techniques benefits the viewer by improving left-hand control and right-hand balance, ensuring that melody notes stand out clearly from accompanying harmony. The result is a haunting, dynamic acoustic performance that feels complete and emotionally engaging.

Fleetwood Mac – Go Your Own Way

In Go Your Own Way, rhythmic drive is everything. This lesson explores strong syncopated rhythms combined with confident chord progressions to recreate the song’s relentless energy on acoustic guitar. John also introduces clean barre chords, showing how to maintain clarity and stamina through fast, repeating patterns.

By mastering these techniques, players gain tighter rhythm control and a stronger sense of timing—essential skills for any solo guitarist. You’ll learn how to lock into a groove and keep momentum without relying on percussion or backing instruments.

Guns N’ Roses – Sweet Child O’ Mine

This iconic intro is transformed into a lyrical acoustic showcase built around melodic phrasing and expressive articulation. Techniques such as hammer-ons, pull-offs, and tasteful string bending are used to recreate the soaring lead lines while maintaining smooth transitions between notes.

The benefit to the viewer is a deeper understanding of legato phrasing on acoustic guitar, allowing lines to flow effortlessly. These techniques help reduce picking effort while increasing speed, smoothness, and expressive potential.

Neil Young – Rockin’ In The Free World

This arrangement emphasises raw power and simplicity. John shows how power chords and driving rhythm can be adapted for acoustic guitar while still retaining the song’s anthemic feel. Strategic use of palm muting adds dynamic contrast between verses and choruses.

Learning this approach helps players control dynamics more effectively, giving performances greater emotional impact. You’ll discover how to make an acoustic guitar sound bold and assertive without sacrificing clarity.

Red Hot Chili Peppers – Californication

In Californication, melody and atmosphere take centre stage. This lesson focuses on octave melodies, fluid legato, and expressive vibrato to capture the song’s distinctive, reflective mood. The arrangement teaches you how to layer harmony beneath melody while keeping everything clean and spacious.

For viewers, these techniques improve melodic awareness and fretboard visualisation. You’ll learn how to create depth and texture on a single guitar, an essential skill for solo arrangements and instrumental performances.

About the Guitarists and Their Influence

The artists featured in this course—Keith Richards, Lindsey Buckingham, Slash, Neil Young, and John Frusciante—are among the most influential guitarists in rock history. Each brought a unique voice to the instrument, from Richards’ riff-based swagger and Buckingham’s rhythmic precision to Slash’s lyrical lead style, Young’s raw honesty, and Frusciante’s melodic minimalism. John Connearn’s arrangements respectfully draw from these influences, teaching not just notes, but musical philosophy: how to serve the song, express emotion, and develop a personal voice on the guitar.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Course

• Arpeggios
• Chord Progressions
• Barre Chords
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Legato
• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Slides
• Palm Muting
• Power Chords
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Octave Melodies
• Finger Picking
• Capo

Rock Classics for Solo Acoustic Guitar is an essential course for guitarists who want to sound bigger, more expressive, and more musical on their own—while paying tribute to some of the greatest songs ever written.