13. How To Play California Stars by Wilco and Billy Bragg.

In this lesson we look at another easy song, the beautiful California Stars.

This is the 13th in a series of 28 lessons carefully designed for complete beginner guitar players. I'll be guiding you through the early stages of learning to play, from choosing a guitar and getting it in tune, to learning your first chords and playing some cool songs.

I cover all the essential stuff I think every beginner needs to know, irrespective of whether they want to end up playing doom metal or fingerpicking delicate folk songs. Music theory, reading and exercises are kept to a minimum, and the focus is on establishing a solid basic technique, developing a sense of rhythm and playing real music and songs as quickly as possible. The lessons are best worked through in sequence. No prior musical knowledge or playing experience is assumed.

Have fun.

[DocSonic]

The reason I follow this channel is you give lessons on songs I actually want to play, and then you make it easy. So glad I found it!

[adamtorres]

This is the best guitar account on YouTube. The best!

[kevinh]

I was listening to the song a couples days ago thinking and how much I like it. I didn't even think about learning the song on guitar at, but thank you

[justinmackey]

He’s amazing all the way from the Bahamas enjoying the lessons ❤️

[stringpicker]

You will probably never see this comment but man your voice is amazing i listen to this over and over wishing you would do the whole song so if you ever get a chance man im sure everyone would love just a cover

[nateandypierce]

Great job explaining things to a complete neophyte like me. Thank you!

[prestonnichols]

Love this song! Easy explanation! Extremely helpful! Thanks for the video!

[baswallow]

Very helpful and encouraging lesson. Great song too, I love it! Thank you very much. 😊

[eckhardkoehler]

Thank you. You are very easy to follow and very thorough.

[jessicawaters]

You explain things very well. Thank you!

[GirlPower]

❤ Just discovered this and am so excited to learn how to play one of my favorite new songs (new to me) on my new guitars (electric & acoustic). Thanks SO much for sharing this great lesson. Hope lots of good guitar karma is coming back to you! 😊

[stevet]

Thanks Adrian love your videos ! Most of the bands you cover are some of my favourites too ! Velvets, Wilco, Orange Juice, Gram Parsons, Eels, Television, Big Star -fantastic! Any chance of some Go-Betweens, Pernice Brothers or The Feelies please? Keep doing what you do, cheers👍

[NightSky]

Great song, and youve got a Good voice too, anyone would like to listen to

[dlm]

Could you maybe do some Uncle Tupelo songs, thxs

[baron]

After I have mastered playing the chord progression, how many times do I play the chord progression? In, other words, how many verses are there? Sorry if this question sounds a bit silly.

[PF]

was hoping i wouldnt need a capo for this one, damnit

[thetextpistols]

I’ve been doing average at best up to this point so now I have one question and one Capt. Obvious observation. Anybody else struggling with this sequence of chord progressions because this seems tough, the observation. If someone tried, I don’t know, 25+ times to play this song, f’ing sucked at it and then threw their guitar, would you think “not everyone can play the guitar” and encourage them to maybe find something else to do? The question. Asking for a friend

[gerryoneill]

Great, but I have to say it might be a bit easier on us beginners if the song's were well known so we could sing along with them.