is it lame to learn Stairway to Heaven?

[corndogggy]

I've been all excited because I can play most of this song now except for the solo, but my instructor and some other pretty good guys give off this vibe as if they're better than even trying to mess with that song. Have guitarists in the past just hammered this song into the ground and worn it out or what? I thought learning this was kind of a rite of passage if you want to call yourself a guitarist.

[GNRAGE_2010]

I've been all excited because I can play most of this song now except for the solo, but my instructor and some other pretty good guys give off this vibe as if they're better than even trying to mess with that song. Have guitarists in the past just hammered this song into the ground and worn it out or what? I thought learning this was kind of a rite of passage if you want to call yourself a guitarist.

I wouldn't call learning it a rite of passage. If those guys think they are better than a song then they must be jerks. If you want to learn a song just learn it and don't listen to other people if they say it's too easy or something.

[Ze_Metal]

When 'Stairway to Heaven' first came out, people were rushing to learn that song. Everyone played it and people working in guitar stores would get sick of hearing it. Eventually, they even had signs saying "No Stairway" Hehe.

I'm sure your guitar teacher knows it. It's one of those songs everyone learns eventually.

[Confusius]

It's not lame. Trust me. Learning anything is pride worthy.

[strummin67]

Watch the first Wayne's World. :D

[roamingbard13]

^ +1.

Still though, its about the first sound anyone learns on guitar. so don't feel lame. its one of those songs that people ask you if you can play it...i probably haven't looked at a tab for it in 5 years, and i can still pull it out of my ass when people ask. i don't see any reason not to learn it.

[slidething31]

yeah man i guarentee that at some point one of your friends or someone will see you playin and ask if you know stairway. It wouldnt be a bad thing to know it

[Tommy[fin]]

I actually learnt it after 4 years of playing guitar.
It's just so cliché, that I didn't want to learn it at first.

[Dog--]

I've never heard someone play it, and have never attempted.. I've never even listened to the full song, I like some slow songs, but damn...

We played it (well, a shorter version) in my music class at school ALL THE TIME, and I just got sick of it.. (we played trumpets and saxophones and such, though).

[enceps]

Well the song does pick up at the end, so I would suggest listening to the whole thing.

[Lethal Dosage]

lol this reminds me of Wayne's World where he plays the first few notes and the guy walks up to him and points to the "No Stairway" sign

[lawinnn]

As long as you like it, go ahead and learn it.

[bradulator]

There's probably an unwritten rule somewhere that says all guitarists need to know the intro to Stairway to Heaven, no matter how annoyingly overplayed of a song it is. I guarantee almost every guitarist that has been playing for a year knows that song.

[weirdsprout]

Your teacher sounds like an ass, lqtm. Oh, and I've never learned it or heard the whole thing, and I own Led Zeppelin IV...

EDIT: On second thought, I'm listening to it now.

[Zelp]

You should learn whatever you want regardless of what others say.

[strummin67]

You should learn whatever you want regardless of what others say.

Agreed, not just in music but for your life in general.

[Seattle_sound35]

Learn it, but don't try to show off with it, b/c most slightly experienced players know it.

[zeppelinpage4]

I've been all excited because I can play most of this song now except for the solo, but my instructor and some other pretty good guys give off this vibe as if they're better than even trying to mess with that song. Have guitarists in the past just hammered this song into the ground and worn it out or what? I thought learning this was kind of a rite of passage if you want to call yourself a guitarist.
Well it's not a right of passage. However no one should look down on you for learning it.

If you enjoy the song and like to play it then that's what matter. Personally I think Stairway is an amazing song and you get to learn a lot form it, specially for newer players. It covers finger picking, strumming and basic soloing as well as an awesome rhythm.

[Zakk_Wylde_91]

Quit learning from Your teacher asap!

[Von.]

If you like it, play it. The solo sounds like it would be fun to totally mess around with.

[LeftyDave]

I was picking around at that song the other day in the guitar store, on my acoustic, and the store owner walked by and said "Your getting too good at that Dave". I stopped and thought about what he said. Too good? Was he hinting that I should try something different? Was it just an honest compliment? I rekon it was the second option, since I've known him for quite a few years now.

[Zugunruhe]

no, not ever lame. every occasion. stairway.