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In this lesson, we'll learn how to play House of the Rising Sun on the guitar. This classic song has been a favorite among beginner guitarists for over 50 years, and it's easy to see why! It features simple open chords and allows you to explore different playing styles.
🎉 I first recorded this lesson in February 2018—so it was time for a remake, eh? :) You can watch my original take teaching this classic here. :)
Originally a traditional folk song, The Animals' version became a massive hit thanks to Hilton Valentine's cool arpeggio guitar part. It works well on both acoustic and electric guitars. House of the Rising Sun is particularly great for beginners because it uses straightforward, open chords and a mini F chord instead of the more challenging full-barre chord version.
The song uses common chords, so you might already know them. You'll need an Am, C, D, E, and a mini F chord. The mini F is a great way for beginners to get used to that barre chord shape. Remember, for the C chord, try using the tip of your third finger to mute the thickest string. With the D chord, avoid picking the thickest two strings. You can also use the tip of the third finger to mute the fifth string when playing the mini F. The change between Am and E is also a great one to practice since it's the same shape–just moved down to the thicker strings.
👉 Did you know there are easier ways to play the F chord? Check out three of them here!
House of the Rising Sun has two chord progressions: one for the verse, where the vocals are, and one for the instrumental section, a shorter version of the verse progression.
The verse progression is: Am, C, D, F, Am, C, E, and then another bar of Am, C, D, F, Am, E, Am.
The instrumental section uses Am, C, D, F, Am, E, Am, E.
Don't worry if these seem like a lot–you'll get it with some practice. It's always a good idea to make sure you can play the chords without any pauses between them before moving on to the strumming. It's a really bad habit to develop a strumming pattern with pauses. Keep your strumming even and consistent, and make those chord changes without stopping.
This song is in 6/8 time, and we'll start with a simple strumming pattern that's perfect for beginners–a simple down strum on beats one and four. Once you're comfortable with that, we'll add more complexity with more action, using a strumming pattern across the six beats.
For those interested in fingerpicking, we'll look at a beautiful, approachable arrangement for beginners. The thumb plays a bass note, and the fingers play the higher strings in a pattern like "thumb, 1, 2, 3, 2, 1."
The original recording has a distinctive sound. It uses a down pick on the bass note of each chord, then a little rake going down to the thinner strings. The rhythm is "1, 2, and 3, 4, 5, 6." Videos show that the original guitarist, Hilton Valentine, used up and down picks, but you can also just use up picks; either approach works.
We'll also see a secret about the original recording that most guitarists miss–a subtle detail involving the open G string that makes it sound authentic! It's important to learn the original version exactly, and then you can let it loosen up once you get the hang of it.
This song is awesome to learn and sounds great with different playing styles. It's an excellent way for beginners to develop several important guitar skills. You'll practice chord transitions, explore different strumming patterns, and even get an introduction to fingerpicking. Plus, it sounds great on acoustic and electric guitars, so you can play it on whatever instrument you have available.
Remember that it's okay if you don't play it perfectly like the recording. You'll get better and more comfortable with it if you keep practicing. And when you've nailed it, you can even make your video and post it on the student performances tab. It's a great way to get inspired by other players and share your progress. I'm always checking the videos out to see how everyone's doing. Don't be afraid to give it a go!
House of the Rising Sun is an excellent choice whether you're a complete beginner or an intermediate player looking to add a classic song to your repertoire. Watch the video for detailed demonstrations of each playing style, and follow along as we break down this timeless classic step by step. Grab your guitar, and let's learn this iconic song together!
Check out the original
This John Lennon classic is perfect for advancing beginners, featuring open chords, fun rhythms, and a descending baseline that's easier than you think.