306 - How to Choose a Song You Can Actually Finish

Can you play a few chords and riffs, but struggle to get through a whole song?

This episode kicks off Songs, Start to Finish, our October series helping you work towards a complete song play-through. We’re starting with a decision that can make everything else easier: choosing a song and arrangement that suit your current ability.

Paul explains how to find a song you enjoy, check for unexpected challenges, and decide exactly what you’ll play from beginning to end. Whether you’re strumming chords, playing along with a backing track or learning a simple instrumental arrangement, you can choose a version that gives you a realistic goal.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What counts as playing a complete song.
• Why songs often stay unfinished.
• Four questions to help you choose a suitable song.
• How simpler strumming and a comfortable tempo can help you get started.
• How to plan for difficult sections, including solos and unfamiliar chords.
• How to fit your chosen song alongside your regular practice.

Your challenge this week

Choose one song for October, listen to it all the way through, and write down:

1. The song title and artist.
2. The version or guitar part you’ll play.
3. The chords or skills you already have.
4. The section that will need the most work.
5. Your first small action.

If you’re a Beginner Guitar Academy member, share your choice in the forum so we can follow your progress together.

Coming next: Learn how to map your song’s intro, verses, choruses and ending so you know what comes next.

Find out more about structured guitar lessons at Beginner Guitar Academy.