How to Practice House of the Rising Sun

The Animals' 'House of the Rising Sun' is the song that taught a generation of guitarists how arpeggiation works. The 6/8 feel, the haunting minor chord progression, and the slow build through verse repetitions make it the ideal study piece for moving beyond strumming into picked accompaniment.

What to Focus On

Arpeggiated picking pattern in 6/8 time. Smooth transitions between Am, C, D, F, and E. Steady tempo through dynamic builds. If singing, controlling vibrato on the long held notes.

Practice Tips

1. 1

   The picking pattern is the song. Spend a week getting just the picking pattern clean before adding the chord changes — most amateur attempts are rhythmically inconsistent because the picking technique isn't solid.

2. 2

   The 6/8 time signature feels like 'two big beats per bar, each subdivided into three.' Count slowly: 1-2-3-2-2-3 to internalize the feel.

3. 3

   Each verse should build slightly in dynamic intensity. The first verse is contemplative; the last verse is anguished. The picking pattern stays the same; the dynamics change.

Why This Song

It's the 'right of passage' song for guitarists transitioning from strumming to fingerstyle.