Playing the guitar can be so much fun, but if your friend is a guitarist too, it will make everything significantly better. For those wondering what type of songs they can play on two guitars, they can pick anything they like.
As you probably know already, you can arrange any song for two. However, beginners might have problems with this type of change, and they would rather play a song that’s already for two guitars.
Here, I will go through some of the best options if you are looking to learn a song for a duet. As always, tabs are included, so you can easily learn how to play each song on the list.
Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd
The first song on the list is Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd. It is one of those songs that sound quite good, but they aren’t too difficult to learn. While you can play the version alone, it adds more depth if you play it with two guitars.
It’s fun, simple, and will give you a glimpse into what you can achieve with just two guitars. The song was released in 1975, on an album with the same name. It quickly became one of the most popular songs by Pink Floyd.
Wish You Were Here Guitar Tabs (Guitar 1 and Guitar 2)
Hotel California – The Eagles
It’s quite hard to write any guitar list without mentioning Hotel California. This cult song was released in 1976, and it has one of the best solos ever recorded. The chemistry between Don Felder and Joe Walsh is unbelievable.
It sounds quite similar, and there is still a beautiful solo in the end. What makes it special is that it is almost equally good on acoustic guitar as well, and you can practice it with your friends on two guitars.
Hotel California Guitar Tabs (Chords and Solo)
Layla – Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton is one of the best guitar players and it’s obvious that there will be at least one of his songs. So, why not choose the most popular one? Layla was released in 1970 by Derek and the Dominoes, and it became a hit as soon as people realized that Eric was a part of the band.
What is interesting is that he managed to get on top of the charts with two versions of the same song. The acoustic one was a part of MTV’s unplugged show, and there are many people who love it equally (or even more). Besides sounding amazing, it is a great starting point for those looking for songs for two acoustic guitars.
Layla Guitar Tabs (Guitar 1 Chords)
Layla Guitar Tabs (Guitar 2 Solo)
Patience – Guns N’ Roses
Guns ‘n’ Roses were rather popular at one point, and they had a rich career for such a short time. On their second album, G N’ R Lies, the band released only one single, and that song is Patience. It is one of their biggest hits, and it sounds quite good. Especially with the whistling part at the beginning.
Unlike the majority of their discography, the song is played on acoustic guitar, and there are no effects on it at all. What is interesting is that the song sounds even better when you play it with two guitars. The only thing you need to do is decide who will play which part.
Patience Guitar Tabs (Guitar 1 Chords + Solo)
Nothing Else Matters – Metallica
Metallica has tons of great songs. It is challenging to pick just a few, but the majority of fans across the world will agree that Nothing Else Matters is the most recognizable song by the band. It is a power ballad from the Black Album, and thanks to it, many discovered and fell in love with Metallica.
While you can try others, the majority of songs require distortion and electric guitars. But with Nothing Else Matters, you can play the entire song even on an acoustic guitar. And yes, that includes the solo.
Nothing Else Matters Guitar Tabs (Guitar 1 + Intro, Interlude, and Solo)
State Of Love And Trust – Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam was an important part of music in the nineties, and they quickly became popular with the first album. However, State of Love and Trust wasn’t a part of their debut album Ten. It was recorded in 1992 and was released on a soundtrack for the movie Singles.
The song became quite popular due to their MTV Unplugged performance, and they included it in the greatest hits collection from 2004. Besides the fact you can play on two guitars, it sounds amazing and it isn’t challenging to learn.
State of Love and Trust Guitar Tabs (Guitar 1 and Guitar 2)
The Man Who Sold The World – Nirvana
The Man Who Sold the World was recorded and written by David Bowie, but here, we will take a look at the version by Nirvana. It is a faithful cover, and it is another example of why MTV Unplugged was so popular during the nineties.
This is one of many possible options you can try out, and you probably already know that Nirvana’s Unplugged is one of the most popular acoustic shows to this date. So, if this song is not perfect for you, you can easily find some other from this same event.
The Man Who Sold the World Guitar Tabs (Chords + Tabs)
Losing My Religion – R.E.M.
Losing My Religion is probably the most popular song by R.E.M. The song was the first single from a 1991 album called Out of Time. It received numerous awards, there is an incredible music video, and it’s easy to play.
While the original version of the song features a mandolin, you can replace it with the second guitar to make things a bit more interesting.
And I Love Her – The Beatles
Not including The Beatles on the list would be a crime. Their impact on popular music is astonishing, and there are so many songs you can try out. And I Love Her is a song from the album A Hard Day’s Night. It is an interesting piece to learn, and it won’t give you a headache while trying to learn it.
Needless to say, The Beatles have countless songs you can learn that work really well with acoustic guitars, so you can check out the rest of their repertoire if you want more.
And I Love Her Guitar Tabs (Intro, Solo, and Outro)
Slow Dancing In A Burning Room – John Mayer
John Mayer is an excellent guitar player and he can be challenging even for those with years of experience. One of the popular songs is Slow Dancing in a Burning Room. It was released as a part of the album called Continuum in 2006.
While the original version is on electric guitar, he still recorded an acoustic one you can check out. Beginner guitar players might struggle a bit with this piece, but it is still not as complex as some other songs he wrote.
Slow Dancing in a Burning Room Guitar Tabs
Slow Dancing In A Burning Room Guitar Chords
Angie – The Rolling Stones
The next one on the list is Angie by The Rolling Stones. The song was released in 1973, and it is almost completely written by Keith Richards. Even though it is one of the most popular songs by the band, they rarely performed it live.
It is also a great tune to practice with your friend on two acoustic guitars. The song is completely recorded on acoustic guitars, sounds incredible, and there are a lot of things you can do when it comes to improvisation.
Over the years, people have tried to guess who is the mysterious lady behind the song, but the truth is that Keith just used the name because it sounds good and it doesn’t refer to anyone.
Down In A Hole – Alice In Chains
There aren’t many duets as famous as Jerry Cantrell and Layne Staley. Their vocals sound so good together, and it is one of many reasons why Alice in Chains was so popular. As with some other examples on the list, there is an unplugged version you can listen to as well.
The primary advantage is that the studio version is not as different since it is a power ballad. Again, we have two acoustic guitars, and it won’t be as challenging to learn how to play the song. Alice in Chains has a couple of other songs you can try out, and the best starting point is MTV Unplugged.
Down in a Hole Guitar Tabs (Guitar 1 and Guitar 2)
Sultans Of Swing – Dire Straits
The first thing I need to mention here is that this song isn’t played on acoustic guitars. However, due to Mark Knopfler’s style and technique, you can easily play the same thing on a different guitar. There are nearly no effects involved, and you won’t need to worry about drive and gain.
Sultans of Swing is probably the most popular song by Dire Straits, and it is a real treat regardless of the type of guitar you use. I should also mention that it is not easy to learn, and there are a few parts that can be rather challenging.
The main goal should be hitting the vibe of the song, and mastering all of the parts Knopfler so effortlessly plays.
Sultans of Swing Guitar Tabs (Guitar 1 and Guitar 2)
Message In A Bottle – The Police
Message in a Bottle by The Police can be easily played on both acoustic and electric guitar. Sting and Andy Summers did an incredible job when it comes to this song, and it quickly became one of the most popular tunes by the band.
Of course, it sounds a bit more challenging than it is. If you are an inexperienced player, you might need to practice a bit to get that arpeggiated part correctly, but it will be worth the effort.
Message In A Bottle Guitar Chords
Message in a Bottle Guitar Tabs
Dosed – Red Hot Chili Peppers
Usually, Red Hot Chili Peppers use a single electric guitar, and for years they had only one guitarist in the band. But from time to time, John Frusciante would dub guitars on the recordings. Dosed is one of these songs. There are a couple of guitars playing in the song, some of them can be either electric on clean or acoustic.
It is an interesting piece and a rather underrated song by Red Hot Chili Peppers. If you are a fan of the band, you will love the opportunity to play this one.
Dosed Guitar Tabs (Guitar 1, Guitar 2, and Guitar 3 + Solo)
Sign Language – Eric Clapton
Another less known song you can try out is Sign Language. It was written by Bob Dylan, and he sang (and played guitar) on the song for the album No Reason to Cry. Besides Dylan and Clapton, the guitarist was Robbie Robertson from The Band.
Here, you have a live performance by Clapton and Robertson, but you can also check out the studio recording as well. It is an interesting song with a beautiful chord progression. Needless to say, it sounds amazing with only two guitars.
Nothing Compares 2 U – Chris Cornell
There is a high chance that you already know this song in some version. Among the most popular ones are by Sinéad O’Connor, but it was originally written by Prince. Here, we have a cover by Chris Cornell, and his take on the song is both unique and beautiful.
There are two guitars as primary instruments, and they accompany his incredible vocals. This is one of the easiest songs to play since the primary focus is on singing.
Nothing Compares 2 U Guitar Tabs (Guitar 1 Chords)
Nothing Compares 2 U Guitar Tabs (Solo)
La Grange – ZZ Top
ZZ Top is one of the greatest blues bands of all time. And it is more than obvious why the band is on the list.
While there are numerous songs for you to learn if you are into blues, one of the most recognizable ones is La Grange. It has a standard boogie blues rhythm, incredible solos, and powerful riffs.
La Grange Guitar Tabs (Guitar 1 and Guitar 2)
Soul Stripper – AC/DC
AC/DC is a band with a very rich career, and there are so many songs you can try out. One of the songs you can try is Soul Stripper from the EP ‘74 Jailbreak.
Since this is the album with Bon Scott, there is a unique sound to it that many fans will adore. One of the interesting parts of Soul Stripper is the guitar solo played by Malcolm and Angus Young.
Soul Stripper Guitar Tabs (Guitar 1 and Guitar 2)
Black Magic Woman – Santana
Black Magic Woman is another classic guitar song that players love performing. It has everything they’d want from a song. The beautiful chord progression, long solo, and works great on acoustic guitars as well.
The song was originally written by Peter Green, and it was released in 1968. However, the most recognizable version is the one from 1970 by Santana. Whichever version you like the most, you will have a lot of fun playing it.
Black Magic Woman Guitar Tabs (Guitar 1 + Chords)
Gimme Shelter – The Rolling Stones
Another timeless classic by The Rolling Stones is Gimme Shelter. It was released in 1969 on the album Let It Bleed. To this day, Gimme Shelter remains one of the most popular and praised songs by the band.
Gimme Shelter is an excellent song to learn, and it can be so much fun to play. There are two guitars, and it sounds equally good played on acoustic ones as well. The best thing about this song is that it is easy to learn, and you won’t need to spend days on practice.
Gimme Shelter Guitar Tabs (Guitar 1 and Guitar 2)
Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
Brown Eyed Girl was released in 1967 by Van Morrison, a Northern Irish songwriter. It is a classic rock song and one of the signature ones by Van Morrison. As you can probably expect, there are numerous covers of this tune, and it made a significant impact on the music we have today.
When it comes to difficulty, the song is great for beginners, and there aren’t many parts that will be a challenge to you. Moreover, it gives enough space for improvisation, and you can always add your own mark to it.
Brown Eyed Girl Guitar Tabs (Guitar 1 and Guitar 2)
Tears In Heaven – Eric Clapton
It’s hard to pick just a few songs by Clapton since he has such a rich career. Besides his Unplugged concert, there are many albums with acoustic guitars only, and each offers a few incredible songs. But one of the most popular is Tears in Heaven.
The song is emotional, powerful, and it sounds incredible. While you can play it on a single guitar, adding another one will significantly improve the tone and quality. However, I should mention that this might be challenging for beginner players.
Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine – Brandon Flowers
Jenny Was a Friend of Mine is a song by The Killers. It was released in 2004 on the album Hot Fuss. The song was written by the singer Brandon Flowers and bassist Mark Stoermer. The original studio version is a bit heavier, with an incredible bass line.
Here, we have an acoustic performance by Brandon Flowers, that gives us a different take on the same song. The magic is still here, and the song is still beautiful. What is more important is that it isn’t as challenging as some other entries on the list, and it is still gorgeous even if you play it with only two guitars.
Jenny Was a Friend of Mine Guitar Chords (Guitar 1)
Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine Guitar Tabs (Guitar 2)
Wicked Game – Chris Isaak
Wicked Game is the next song on the list. It was written by Chris Isaak, and he released it on his Heart Shaped World album from 1989. The song did not have any success when it came out until David Lynch featured it in his movie Wild at Heart.
Just like that, it became one of the most popular songs in 1990, not just in the U.S. but in the rest of the world as well. Soon, covers started appearing, and many musicians did their own take of the song. Probably the most notable cover is by HIM.
Wicked Game Guitar Tabs (Chords + Tabs)
Drive – Incubus
One of the newest songs on the list is by Incubus, and it is the biggest hit by this American rock band. It came out in 2000, and quickly gained legions of fans. This modern rock song focuses on the acoustic guitar and a beautiful riff that repeats throughout the song.
It is a great choice for the acoustic duo, especially if you are not familiar with the song. The chord progression can be so much fun and gives enough space for improvisation.
Dust In The Wind – Kansas
Whenever someone mentions Dust in the Wind, it’s nearly impossible not to remember the incredible story behind it. Kerry Livgren, the guitarist of Kansas, practiced fingerpicking techniques. His wife told him that the melody is quite nice, and he decided to play it to the rest of the band.
Everyone fell in love with the tune almost immediately, and it became the biggest song by this progressive rock band. There are two guitars in the song, and it is entirely played on acoustic guitars. However, you might need to practice it a bit since the pattern can be challenging for beginner players.
Dust in the Wind Guitar Tabs (Arpeggio Chords + Solo)
Tears Of The Dragon – Bruce Dickinson
After leaving Iron Maiden, the lead singer Bruce Dickinson released a couple of solo albums. One of those albums was Balls to Picasso, released in 1994. The first single of the album is Tears of the Dragon, and it talks about how he felt when he left the band.
It is a powerful ballad that quickly became a hit among the fans. Interestingly enough, it’s played on acoustic guitar, without any effects. Only the solo in the end includes electric guitar. Of course, you can create your own version of the song with two acoustic ones.
Tears of the Dragon Guitar Tabs (Guitar 1 and Guitar 2)
Simple Man – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band with many popular songs like Sweet Home Alabama and Free Bird. Their debut album titled (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd) offered a couple of incredible songs including Simple Man.
The song has a beautiful chord progression and it is quite easy to play. There is an arpeggiated part at the beginning, and it sounds great on acoustic guitars.
Breakfast At Tiffany’s – Deep Blue Something
To end the list, let’s take a look at Deep Blue Something. If you are unfamiliar with the band, don’t feel bad about it. They are often considered to be a One-Hit Wonder since Breakfast at Tiffany’s is their only hit.
The tune is nice, it’s fun to play, and it gives you a dose of nostalgia if you are old enough to remember it. So, if you want to experiment a bit, and see how many people in the crowd remember this hit from the nineties, it will sound quite good.
Breakfast At Tiffany’s Guitar Chords
Breakfast at Tiffany’s Guitar Tabs
Summary
Combining two guitars means double the fun, but it also allows you to play numerous songs that would otherwise be nearly impossible (or plain-sounding). Besides these on the list, you can adapt any song you like and create your own versions.
The best thing about it is that it will give you an idea of how playing with someone feels like, and you’ll be able to improve the technical side of your playing. Furthermore, duos are quite popular, and you’ll be able to perform live in no time.
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