For What It's Worth Guitar Lesson - Buffalo Springfield

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Written by Stephen Stills and released by Buffalo Springfield in 1967, "For What It's Worth" has become known as one of the greatest protest songs from the 60's.

From a guitar perspective it is very easy to play and provides a great opportunity to study how to layer guitar parts to produce interesting musical textures.

The verse section is based around simple E major and A major chords. Those two chords form the foundation for two other guitar layers that are being played at the same time. The first layer is a simple little repetitive guitar lick that helps to give the music a little rhythmic momentum.

The second guitar layer is that little natural harmonic riff that pretty much gives "For What It's Worth" it's signature sound.

In this For What It's Worth guitar lesson video, I will show you how to play all 3 guitar parts of the verse!

After that we have the chorus in which case I will demonstrate how to play the basic underlying chords. Once again everything is kept pretty simple here.

At the end of the lesson, I will show you how to play the short guitar solo. This solo is also a good starting point if you want to try and figure out all the guitar fills that occur throughout the song.

Have fun everyone! Carl..

[lspyderp]

I like the fact that u mention the other guitar parts ! The recording aspect, there’s definitely a difference. That’s the true difference between guitar teachers. Yes it does matter ! Thks.

[TheUnmitigatedDawn]

0:59 - Stephen Stills part(riff)
2:09 - Ritchie Furay part(chords)
2:25 - Neil Young part(lead)

[eddyhoughton]

Dude, nearly 200 thousand views and barely 1300 likes? That's so mean! And I love your explanation, it's so clear. Thanks from Europe, keep up the great work.

[ronzuchora]

Nice straight-forward lesson on "For What It's Worth". Thank you!

[curtzblues]

Thanks for so many parts to fill the spaces... I've seen where many play a G passing in the later verse to go with the vocals doing ahhh ahhh ahhh but you included the lead bits, very nice !

[jimtucker]

Hey Man, I always appreciate your instructiomal vids...clear and accurate, easy to follow. Much Thanks!!!

[michaelg.]

As of this moment (Sunday August 6, 2023, 12:48 MST) this video is the most accurate YouTube instructional video for this song. Congratulations!

[montydaniels]

I was just checking this song out since Stephen Stills wrote it, recorded it on December 5th, 1966, with a December 23rd release as a single for Buffalo Springfield. It was a pretty fast recorded & released song as far I can I'm concerned & may be one of the fastest ones to be written, scratch that, I meant recorded & released within a month, 19 days to be correct. I figured that the record company could see it would probably be well received & ready for Christmas, as one of my generations rock & roll anthems, which is was & has been for many many years. So thanks for this lesson. Although I never tried playing it, Stills as from CS&N, are one of my favorite bands, just as they're 3 of my favorites in my solo artists list. Actually CSN&Y qualify as a band & the 4 of them in my solo artists list. I'm late to this posted video but thanks again Dan

[mybluemars]

I have never heard anyone play this close to the recording!

[charleshill]

Great lesson, straight and to the point. I would only add - mention the chords behind he solo. We know it's E and A like the verse but beginners might not recognize that

[micgreene]

Sorry to bother you with a request, but I just saw The Kenny Wayne Sheperd Band and would really like to learn Blue on Black. I love your videos and think you could make a good lesson on it. Thanks!

[mpazmo]

Carl, once again you go the extra yard. As far as I can tell, nobody else does the whole song w all the guitars, beautiful. Any tab?

[rykerrichard]

WOW dude, right on...I had a total mental block on this song, Very good, Thanks, I got it now. good lesson man...

[LeosGuitar]

Could you teach songs by Sixto Rodriguez, please

[WysteriaGuitar]

Excellent. How about "Treetop Flyer" by Stephen Stills? Thank you

[kobi]

The strumming of this song is great. I have been told the the magic is the push strum. I thought this guy would include it in his teaching He doesn't.

[DasSlenderMan]

Can you do a lesson on 'Oh Well' by Fleetwood Mac? I think that'd be a really good lesson.

[guitarforya]

Can u please do Sad Day by the Rolling Stones. You are awesome😀🎸☮

[trraofficial]

Could you do A pillow of winds by Pink Floyd tutorial

[adamjones]

for what its worth by the cardigans please do it