Good busking (guitar) songs?

[Rorschach II]

Hey I figured I would try my hand at busking to get a little bit more coin as Im quite young and have failed to get a part time job anywhere close by. I was originally going to do acoustic guitar and sing but I don't think that my voice is able to hold its own so I figured I could try some easy-to-learn electric guitar songs.

So far there are two which I think would work quite well:

Smooth- Carlos Santana (Its memorable, I already know some of it and seems like a good one to show off)
Crossroads- Covered by John Mayer (I enjoy his music and the main riff is really easy to play and I reckon I could learn the solo. Despite it being quite a short song)
Californication- RHCP (Nice and calm and sounds good)

Im looking for some quite enjoyable songs that everyone will listen to. I would play stuff like Slayer and some 'Tallica but I would probably be asked to move on.

So any thoughts guys on some good songs to look up and play to? I would play the song through my ipod and through a mini amp so don't worry about the guitar solos sounding 'shallow' or anything.

 

[konor77]

under the bridge or road tripping by red hot chilli peppers are probably good

There are none, get a real job.

thats not a very nice thing to say.

 

[DazZ.]

If you're going on instrumental alone you don't want to be playing easy songs.

 

[Thunderhorse31]

Sure, here's one to learn if you have a few years to practice:

 

[Dragon_of_red]

The Beautiful Girls.

Almost all of their songs are awesome, and are mostly played acoustically.

Jack Johnson, Xavier Rudd, John Butler Trio, Leo Kottke (If you are good enough), Powderfinger, Eagle Eye Cherrie, Some Unwritten Law (Music in High Places Album).

They are all probably good to play.

 

[Glamorgan]

John Butler Trio are good, as are The Beatles.

 

[Betancore]

While Slayer might be pushing it (although the day I hear 'Jesus Saves' in the streets of Melbourne, I swear I will tackle hug the guy playing it), there are a few Metallica songs that are both popular and not too 'heavy' so you might get away with it. Stuff like Nothing Else Matters, the Unforgiven, Fade to Black...they'd probably be alright.

Play something recognisable, so people don't have to pay too much attention as they're passing by to appreciate it. Plus a fan of the band might stop and talk to you. There are heaps of classic rock songs which are very well known and some of them might even be easy to learn. I don't play guitar, so I don't know. Try the Doors, or the Beatles. Maybe even some Black Sabbath, depends on the song though.

Good luck with the busking. I remember back when I used to play with my band on the street. Our audience consisted of people staring at my instrument. Admittedly we didn't do it much, since bringing a keyboard and a double bass into the city is not easy.

 

[Rorschach II]

There are none, get a real job.

Dude, Im 16 and live in a village in the middle of Sussex, England. I have tried. Believe me. This is just something I enjoy doing and if I can make money out of it then thats great.

 

[Rorschach II]

While Slayer might be pushing it (although the day I hear 'Jesus Saves' in the streets of Melbourne, I swear I will tackle hug the guy playing it), there are a few Metallica songs that are both popular and not too 'heavy' so you might get away with it. Stuff like Nothing Else Matters, the Unforgiven, Fade to Black...they'd probably be alright.

Play something recognisable, so people don't have to pay too much attention as they're passing by to appreciate it. Plus a fan of the band might stop and talk to you. There are heaps of classic rock songs which are very well known and some of them might even be easy to learn. I don't play guitar, so I don't know. Try the Doors, or the Beatles. Maybe even some Black Sabbath, depends on the song though.

Good luck with the busking. I remember back when I used to play with my band on the street. Our audience consisted of people staring at my instrument. Admittedly we didn't do it much, since bringing a keyboard and a double bass into the city is not easy.

Hey good advice. Cheers. Some Sabbath might be something that works

 

[Rorschach II]

If you're going on instrumental alone you don't want to be playing easy songs.

I figured if I play a few classic songs like Red Hot Chillis or even AC/DC then people (who don't play guitar) will appreciate it more. Whenever I play a few chords people always go 'hey thats really good' yet whenever I start to play anything fancy they go 'do that other thing you just did'. Im not trying to impress other musicians (although I would like to) I just wanna make some money doing what I enjoy.

 

[Rorschach II]

John Butler Trio are good, as are The Beatles.

The who? Never heard of them.

 

[Glamorgan]

John Butler Trio are good, as are The Beatles.

The who? Never heard of them.

Haha..........

I'm going to take that as sarcasm. I really hope that was sarcasm, anyway.

 

[Rorschach II]

John Butler Trio are good, as are The Beatles.

The who? Never heard of them.

Haha..........

I'm going to take that as sarcasm. I really hope that was sarcasm, anyway.

Yeah totally dw.

 

[FinalHeart95]

Electric? Try Crazy Train. Excluding the solo (which you could always improv if necessary), it's actually quite easy. It's also pretty well known.

The problem is that you need songs that people know form guitar parts only since you won't be singing. Crazy Train would work here, as well as Iron Man, Enter Sandman, Beat It, Walk This Way, etc. Oh, and throw in some random tapping sections. People are AMAZED by tapping sections, which aren't nearly as difficult as non-guitarists seem to think.