Rock Song Suggestions please - for Teen Talent Show

[3boymthr]

DS played in the High School Talent show last night he was the only freshman and did really well (got a standing ovation ) and wants to do it again next year. The song he chose was good (Sweet Child o' Mine) but didn't stand out as much as I thought it could have because it got repetitive and sounded too "easy" in the middle, even though it really wasn't. I suggested he find a song where the guitar stays strong and complicated and spend the next year learning it inside and out so that next year he stands a chance of winning or placing. We're looking for something that all the kids will know and get into as audience participation plays into their score. So does anyone have any suggestions for some Rock songs to be played solo on the Electric Guitar by a teenager? Complicated is not a problem. His taste runs to Heavy Metal or Classical Rock.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

 

[ChickieToo]

Have him select something from Guitar Hero, this way most kids will be familiar with it. I think most people would agree that it is more enjoyable to hear music you are familiar with. Most kids play Guitar Hero or Rock Band. Also, does he sing? If not, maybe he should pair up with someone who sings. I think a guitar with vocal is much better.

My DD plays guitar and sings. The hardest part is singing something different than what you are playing.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

If with a band then:
Cupid's Dead- Extreme
Poundcake- Van Halen
Hot for Teacher- Van Halen

If alone:
Wanted Dead or Alive- BonJovi
Blaze of Glory- Bon Jovi
Free Falling- Tom Petty
Drift Away- Dobie Grey
She Talks to Angels- The Black Crowes
Signs- Tesla

 

[JaneBanks]

While My Guitar Gently Weeps - The Beatles

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Friday by Rebecca Black. I think it would make a cute joke and get some laughs!

Oh, and make it a rock song, that would be so cool!

 

[JCJRSmith]

While My Guitar Gently Weeps - The Beatles

Check out the version of that song on Carlos Santana's newest CD called "Guitar Heaven" . Some amazing covers on that album.

 

[IdesOmarch]

Greenday "Basketcase"

Very good solo guitar/singer type song.

Or "Time of our Life" also GD.

 

[Freyja]

Live - Dolphins cry

 

[nmmom95]

Van Halen - Panama

 

[Disney Doll]

Take a listen to Bonjovi songs. there are a number of good ones.

 

[Bearvet]

Wow - sounds a lot like my DS16! He plays guitar and piano/keyboard. His suggestion is to stick with the Beatles or Pink Floyd. Well, his REAL suggestion is to find 2 more people to play with (bass and drums)!! Does he sing also? That makes a difference too.

DS16 did The Sounds of Silence on electric guitar and gave it almost a Beach Boys type sound. It was really cool (he did not sing).

Last year for the school's talent show he put together a group and they did the Glee version of Don't Stop Believing - it was awesome. This year he and 2 friends are doing Radar Love and each will have a solo part. Music is his life!

 

[Guy Incognito]

Have him select something from Guitar Hero, this way most kids will be familiar with it. I think most people would agree that it is more enjoyable to hear music you are familiar with. Most kids play Guitar Hero or Rock Band. Also, does he sing? If not, maybe he should pair up with someone who sings. I think a guitar with vocal is much better.

My DD plays guitar and sings. The hardest part is singing something different than what you are playing.

singing & guitar makes a difference in the song.... if he's just playing the guitar part, but no one is singing, it might be better to look for an instrumental song (since the guitar parts of songs with vocals all tend to be a bit repetitive).


stuff from guitarists like Joe Satriani or Eric Johnson have plenty of instrumentals.

Voodoo chile - Jimi Hendrix
Little wing - Stevie Ray Vaughan version (instrumental)
Testify - Stevie Ray Vaughan (instrumental)
La grange - ZZ Top
One - Metallica

 

[3boymthr]

Have him select something from Guitar Hero, this way most kids will be familiar with it. I think most people would agree that it is more enjoyable to hear music you are familiar with. Most kids play Guitar Hero or Rock Band. Also, does he sing? If not, maybe he should pair up with someone who sings. I think a guitar with vocal is much better.

My DD plays guitar and sings. The hardest part is singing something different than what you are playing.

singing & guitar makes a difference in the song.... if he's just playing the guitar part, but no one is singing, it might be better to look for an instrumental song (since the guitar parts of songs with vocals all tend to be a bit repetitive).


stuff from guitarists like Joe Satriani or Eric Johnson have plenty of instrumentals.

Voodoo chile - Jimi Hendrix
Little wing - Stevie Ray Vaughan version (instrumental)
Testify - Stevie Ray Vaughan (instrumental)
La grange - ZZ Top
One - Metallica

He was originally going to play and someone else was going to sing but the other kid backed out. Since the time frame is so far in advance we felt it best to look for something that would go solo so that he doesn't have to worry about the other kids backing out and then he's left hanging.

So we're doing as suggested and looking for songs on Guitar Hero and will be looking at (well, listening to) the list above and checking out more by Santriani and Johnson. So far our favorite from Guitar Hero is the Cliffs of Dover by Eric Johnson. He's got to pick several and then run them by his guitar teacher as we have to make sure we can get the sheet music. But please, keep 'em coming.

 

[MainStreetMomma]

I totally agree with having him choose something from Guitar Hero. I think that's an excellent suggestion. Kids would be in awe to see him play something "for real" after knowing how hard the simple video game version is.

As for me, I'm partial to Free Bird.

 

[akhenaten]

since you are in Mass. how about something from Aerosmith?