10 Awesome Guitar Hero 3 Songs to Learn on Guitar (2023 Edition)

Table of Contents

If you’re looking for awesome Guitar Hero 3 songs that you may want to learn on the guitar or just rock out to when playing this game, you’ve come to the right post!

1. La Grange by ZZ Top

how to play "La Grange" by ZZ Top - guitar lesson rhythm

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La Grange is one of the most deceiving songs for guitar players. Most players think that it’s simple. But I can’t remember when I last heard a proper cover of this ZZ Top classic. Sure, it’s not a complex song at all.

But if you want to play it the way it was intended, you need to figure out its groove. The tricky part with the La Grange main riff is that you don’t hit most of the notes on the first beat. There’s a lot of syncopation involved. And don’t get me started on all of its nuanced details that everyone keeps ignoring.

The song will teach you two things. Firstly, you’ll have to pay attention to details. And secondly, you’ll learn how to figure out the groove and your picking hand form.

2. Bulls on Parade by Rage Against the Machine

How to play " Bulls on Parade" by Rage against the Machine on Guitar including Tabs!

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With Rage Against the Machine’s Bulls on Parade, we get into some heavier territories. Nonetheless, there’s still that funky and even bluesy feel at its essence.

The song’s main riff isn’t that difficult. Or at least it doesn’t seem like it is. There are two notes in it but you’ll need to be super precise to make it sound the way it should. If you miss a beat, you’ll completely ruin it.

Then there’s also the use of a wah pedal while strumming ghost notes. At the same time, there needs to be that flow-like feel to the strumming, all while you’re controlling the wah pedal.

The song may be easy to memorize and there aren’t any super-difficult parts in it. So it’s a great choice for a beginner. But at the same time, you need a lot of skill to play it well. We’re talking about very rhythm-oriented riffs. So this is yet another example of a song that can help you sort out your picking hand techniques.

3. Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll by Blue Öyster Cult

How to Play Cities on Flame With Rock and Roll - Blue Oyster Cult.

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Many of us may remember Blue Öyster Cult for their classic (Don’t Fear) the Reaper. But Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll takes us back to their beginnings.

Here we’re looking at the riff written in the blues scale. You might think that a blues scale immediately implies a simple piece. However, this riff gets pretty tricky. Especially when some of the additional licks kick in.

4. Black Magic Woman by Santana

Black Magic Woman Guitar Lesson Part 1 - Santana - Marty Schwartz Guitar Lesson

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No matter what genre you’re into, Black Magic Woman is a must. You simply need to have this song in your repertoire. Most importantly, this song will teach you the basics of soloing in rock music.

We’re looking at a simple piece written in the key of E minor. The song’s simple structure also allows for some improvisation. And you can use a natural minor scale or a minor pentatonic in this one.

5. Cliffs of Dover by Eric Johnson

Eric Johnson - Cliffs Of Dover (Guitar Tutorial)

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But if you want a real challenge, then take your chances with Eric Johnson’s Cliffs of Dover. Of course, I’d absolutely not recommend this piece to beginners. It takes skill and some experience to get yourself to be able to play it.

If you think you’re ready, give this one a chance. Just be patient and take things one step at a time. Don’t rush it.

6. Mississippi Queen by Mountain

Mississippi Queen Guitar Lesson - How To Play with tab available

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Mississippi Queen is one of metal’s earliest songs. But in its essence, this Mountain classic is a blues piece. By learning this song, you’ll be understanding the roots of the genre. The song is an important evolutionary link between blues and early metal.

It also shouldn’t be that hard to learn. We have basic bluesy riffs and lead parts. It all goes along with a steady drumbeat that’s easy to follow.

Mississippi Queen also serves as a great song to learn how to improvise. With a steady beat and simple backing riffs, you’ll be able to play around in a minor pentatonic or minor blues scale.

7. Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones

Paint It Black | * Accurate * Guitar Lesson

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We’re already aware of the impact that The Rolling Stones had on modern music. Paint It Black is just one of their songs that is worth learning. And this goes for guitar players of all genres.

In particular, this song is popular among beginners. But it’s more than just a useful tool for beginners to sort out their skills. Even if you’re an experienced player, Paint It Black is always incredibly fun to perform.

Another great thing about Paint it Black is that you can play it on acoustic guitar as well. It’s not too hard to figure out.

8. Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N’ Roses

Guns N' Roses - Welcome to the Jungle - Guitar Tab | Lesson | Cover | Tutorial

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Guns N’ Roses’ debut album Appetite for Distortion really changed the game of the rock scene when it came out. Welcome to the Jungle could be defined as a metal song. At the same time, it retains its groovy and somewhat punky feel.

So to perform the song’s main riff, you need to get into its groove. Bear in mind that the riff isn’t all power chords, although some may play it like that.

In addition, you’ll also have to know how to properly play all the ghost notes. They’re the secret ingredient that will make the song sound the way it should. Welcome to the Jungle will help you sort out your picking hand technique.

9. Pride and Joy by Stevie Ray Vaughan

Stevie Ray Vaughan - Pride and Joy - Guitar Tab | Lesson | Cover | Tutorial

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But if you really want to sort out your picking techniques and make your hand feel loose and fluid, then get into Stevie Ray Vaughan. For Pride and Joy, as well as his other songs, you’ll have to move it in a circular motion. There are also some ghost notes and very nuanced parts throughout its length.

At this point, Pride and Joy has a status of a blues standard. It opens up а lot of options for improvisation. You can use minor pentatonic, minor blues, or Dorian scale for it. But try and learn all the parts the way Stevie played it first. It’s a bit trickier than it seems.

10. Raining Blood by Slayer

Slayer - Raining Blood - Metal Guitar Lesson (with TABS)

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Raining Blood may not be according to everyone’s tastes. But in my opinion, every bassist, guitarist, and drummer should go through a Slayer phase. While it all might seem like mindless noise, there’s more to the band’s music. Playing their songs properly requires a great sense of timing, sense of note duration, speed, and precision.

Raining Blood will also help you sort out left- and right-hand coordination. The intro riff won’t be that much of an issue. The galloping part can be a bit tricky, although it’s not super hard. However, the verses and all the other parts can get pretty hard.

Of course, the song is not impossible to perform. However, it will take a lot of practice to make it sound right. Additionally, let’s not forget to properly implement the palm muting in all of its parts.

Guitar Hero 3 Songs: Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you think through Guitar Hero 3 songs and which you may want to learn or play in the game!

And if you want to read more about great songs to learn on this blog, then check out:

Lastly, feel free to leave a message in the comments below if you have questions about this or another guitar-related topic!

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