The music world lost another legend in Tom Petty. He was known for his decades-long career as the lead singer for his group Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers which began in the 1970’s, and many hit songs such as “American Girl,” “Breakdown,” “Free Fallin’,” “Won’t Back Down,” “Learning to Fly,” and many others. Thanks to his ear-catching Americana tone and sing-along lyricism, Tom Petty is one the best–selling musicians of all-time.

In the following 20 free Tom Petty style guitar lessons, 4 TrueFire educators cover the sounds of Tom Petty with original tunes that will remind you of the late great. Check them out and click the links to grab the tab, notation, jam tracks, and more.

Rest in peace, Tom Petty.

Tom Petty Style Guitar Lesson – A Major Change – Performance 1

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This song is inspired by some of my favorite bands like Wilco, The Beatles, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. You can hear that in the melody and the major to minor changes.

As a slide player, George Harrison is definitely an inspiration, playing in a regular tuning. You may hear some Lowell George in here too, a major influence on my playing. I guess he was my first slide guitar hero and he played in an open tuning.

Tom Petty Style Guitar Lesson – A Major Change – Breakdown 1

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Tom Petty Style Guitar Lesson – A Major Change – Performance 2

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Tom Petty Style Guitar Lesson – A Major Change – Breakdown 2

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Tom Petty Style Guitar Lesson – Dani Mae – Performance

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Dani Mae’s First Dance This song is a shameless rip from a groove used by The Red Hot Chili Peppers, who stole it from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, who borrowed it from the Jayhawks. The song uses the slap technique in the key of Am and we’ll use a capo on the fourth fret. We’ll also start using palm slaps on every beat, intensifying the groove. Be careful not to slap the strings too hard or you’ll hurt your hand (no kidding!).

Tom Petty Style Guitar Lesson – Dani Mae – Breakdown 1

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Tom Petty Style Guitar Lesson – Dani Mae – Breakdown 2

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Tom Petty Style Guitar Lesson – Dani Mae – Breakdown 3

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Tom Petty Style Guitar Lesson – Tom Tom Club – Blueprint

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Using a nice jangly clean sound with some chorus and delay, this gave me a sound that reminded me of Tom Petty’s music. The direction of the musical genre has taken a turn towards pop rock now by adding this simple guitar part. Let’s see what feels right to add to our structure next!

Tom Petty Style Guitar Lesson – Tom Tom Club – Rhythm Part 1

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Tom Petty Style Guitar Lesson – Tom Tom Club – Rhythm Part 2

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Tom Petty Style Guitar Lesson – Tom Tom Club – Rhythm Part 3

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Tom Petty Style Guitar Lesson – Straight Up Rhythm – Performance

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Some of the best songs are really simple. This holds true for most styles of music. If you look at a lot of the straight “rock” bands out there like the Tom Petty or old John Mellencamp type of stuff, it is just simple progressions with great melodies. This song is no exception there. This is a very simple groove that we are going to change up a little bit and play a nice melodic solo over.

Tom Petty Style Guitar Lesson – Straight Up Rhythm – Breakdown

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Tom Petty Style Guitar Lesson – Straight Up Rhythm – Variations

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Tom Petty Style Guitar Lesson – Straight Up Rhythm – Extended

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Tom Petty Style Guitar Lesson – Straight Up Solo – Performance

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Tom Petty Style Guitar Lesson – Straight Up Solo – Breakdown

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Tom Petty Style Guitar Lesson – Straight Up Solo – Variations

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Tom Petty Style Guitar Lesson – Straight Up Solo – Extended

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