Intermediate Acoustic Guitar Course — 112 Tunes with Step-by-step Guitar Lessons + TAB

112 tunes | 224 Guitar Lessons

🎯 Unlock the Fretboard with Barre Chords, CAGED Shapes, and Melodic Guitar Parts

Welcome to the Intermediate Acoustic Guitar Course, where your journey on the fretboard deepens through barre chords, the CAGED system, and immersive song-based learning.

Across 16 tunes over 128 step-by-step guided lessons, you’ll not only revisit theory—we layer it into each musical piece, helping you build inventive guitar parts using melody, rhythm, and arrangement.

Why This Course Works for Intermediate Players

Use CAGED shaped barre chords with extended voicings across the neck
Learn to play complete arrangements, not just chords
Play alongside me using curated second-guitar parts
Learn solos and vocal melodies using pentatonic scales
Extend your skills with 96 bonus tunes packed with TAB

The first 16 Intermediate Acoustic Tunes

These songs are your structured learning path. Each tutorial features 8 step-by-step lessons that cover chord shapes, rhythm, fingerstyle, riffs, and a second-guitar part you can learn to play along with me.

#1 – Hey There Delilah

Hey There Delilah 8 step by step lessons

In this first series of lessons, we learn how to play Hey There Delilah by Plain White T’s, fingerstyle. We do this alongside learning about the CAGED system.

After 8 steps taking you through all parts of the song, we build a 2nd guitar part so you can play with me. This method unlocks the fretboard and teaches you to play with musicality.

#2 – Mad World

To learn Mad World, we break the song down into smaller sections and practise along with loops. Then we move it all over the neck using CAGED shapes for better fretboard knowledge.

Finally, we design a 2nd guitar part so we can play the song together. This step-by-step approach builds your confidence playing in different positions.

#3 – Whistle For The Choir

Whistle For The Choir 8 step by step lessons

Before learning Whistle For The Choir, there’s a series of CAGED fretting exercises to complete. Though the song only has four chords, we play it in four keys, all over the neck.

Once the parts are learned, we work on a 2nd guitar part. This helps you play along and understand how to approach songs in multiple positions.

#4 – Blowin’ In The Wind

Blowin' In The Wind 8 step by step lessons

Bob Dylan’s Blowin’ In The Wind was originally played with a capo on fret 7, in the key of G. We start learning it like Dylan played it, keeping the original feel.

Then we play it with a capo on fret 2 (key of C) and without a capo (key of D). This expands your knowledge of different keys and fretboard positions.

#5 – Kiss Me

Learn the sugar-sweet Kiss Me by Sixpence None The Richer, focusing on maj7 and dom7 chords, both open position and CAGED shapes.

Once you master the first guitar part, we create a 2nd guitar part so we can play together. This enriches your skills in arranging parts for multiple guitars.

#6 – Babylon

Babylon by David Grey features a tricky verse lick with hammer–ons and pull–offs. To nail it, we first practice specific exercises to build finger strength and accuracy.

After mastering the lick, the song is learned step-by-step. Then we design a unique 2nd guitar part, enabling you to perform the tune as part of a duo.

#7 – Fast Car

Fast Car is a fingerstyle masterpiece by Tracy Chapman. The seemingly endless verse revolves around just two bars of music, which we break down carefully.

Once the verse is secure, we look at the chorus and create a complementary 2nd guitar part. Playing both parts together improves your fingerstyle and arrangement skills.

#8 – Angie

Angie’s intro, verse, instrumental, tag, and outro all use the same chords but vary in rhythm and note choice. We explore these variations to capture the song’s feel.

The chorus and m8 sections use the whole band as inspiration. After mastering one guitar part, we work on playing the vocal melody, expanding your musical expression.

#9 – American Pie

American Pie is a lyrical epic that must be played to be fully appreciated. We break down each section carefully for you to master.

Practice with loops and then create a 2nd guitar part so you can play the whole tune together, gaining both technical and musical understanding.

#10 – A Change Is Gonna Come

A Change Is Gonna Come 8 step by step lessons

Learn A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke step by step, starting with the tricky intro that sets the mood for the song.

Once the sections are mastered, explore scales, play the vocal melody, and then build a 2nd guitar part to perform the song in full.

#11 – Sunny Afternoon

Sunny Afternoon by The Kinks is best played using a capo on fret 5 to include the bass line cleanly. This helps with the overall sound.

We also add a 2nd guitar part without a capo. Playing both parts together brings the song to life with rich texture and harmony.

#12 – Dreadlock Holiday

Dreadlock Holiday 8 step by step lessons

Dreadlock Holiday by 10cc is a fun pop-reggae tune that’s really tough to play solo on acoustic guitar.

By step 8, you’ll have learned clever techniques to perform it alone, making it sound full without needing extra players.

# 13 – I’m Yours

Before we work on I’m Yours by Jason Mraz, we study six songs with great melody writing over the same chord progression.

Follow the step-by-step guide and learn a 2nd guitar part, so you can perform this feel-good tune with others.

#14 – Red

Red by Daniel Merriweather and Mark Ronson reveals vocal melody secrets through exploring major modes.

Learn the song and its modes to deepen your understanding, then play the vocal melody with confidence.

#15 – Starman

Starman’s unique opening chord and unusual open position Gm chord make it a special guitar study.

After learning the song in three steps, explore the CAGED system to master chords and vocal melodies all over the neck.

#16 – I Can’t Stand The Rain

I Can't Stand The Rain 8 step by step lessons

I Can’t Stand The Rain is learned in only five steps using loops for each section to build familiarity.

Finish by creating a 2nd guitar part and playing both verse and chorus vocal melodies for a full arrangement.

96 Bonus Intermediate Acoustic Tunes (with TAB)

Once you complete the core songs above, you can apply your skills to these classics. Each one builds on techniques you’ve already learned, so progress feels natural.

There is now no need to follow a certain order, you can start with whichever you like!

A-B

C-E

F-H

I-K

L-M

N-R

S-T

U-Y

Continue Your Guitar Journey

Once you’ve completed the intermediate acoustic guitar course, you’ll be ready to explore the:

As a member, you have access to all courses and bonus tunes, the SEPR and the comprehensive eBook Spytunes Method.

Your 1st week is FREE – you have nothing to lose and everything to gain!