Bringing a current chart hit to the classical guitar is a great way to keep the instrument fresh, and Houdini by Dua Lipa is a perfect candidate — a tight, groovy pop song with a hook that translates surprisingly well to nylon strings. Our full video tutorial, with the TAB, is below.
About the song
Released in 2023 as the lead single from Dua Lipa's album Radical Optimism, Houdini is a modern dance-pop hit built on a driving groove and a catchy, repeating hook — exactly the kind of rhythmic, riff-based song that is fun to adapt for solo guitar.
What makes it work on guitar
The appeal here is rhythm and hook. Reducing a fully produced pop track to one guitar forces you to capture its essence — the bass groove, the riff and the vocal melody — in a single fingerstyle arrangement. It is a great exercise in groove, syncopation and choosing what matters, and it shows that the classical guitar is not stuck in the past.
How to approach it
Lock the groove first; a modern pop song lives on its rhythmic feel, so keep it tight and steady. Then bring in the hook and melody on top. Aim for a confident, rhythmic attack rather than a delicate one, and have fun making a brand-new song sound great on a classical instrument. Follow our video tutorial above for the full arrangement.
Difficulty
Intermediate. The individual moves are manageable; the challenge is keeping the groove tight and clear while combining riff, bass and melody. Excellent rhythm training in a fun package.
A note on copyright
This song is under copyright. We do not reproduce its TAB, notation or lyrics here; our video tutorial provides our arrangement, and any sheet music should be obtained through authorised sources.
FAQ
Can you play modern pop on a classical guitar?
Absolutely — songs like Houdini adapt well, and they are a fun way to train groove and rhythm on nylon strings.
How hard is it?
Intermediate — the challenge is keeping the groove tight while combining riff, bass and melody.
Where can I get the TAB?
Follow our video tutorial above; the song is under copyright, so sheet music should come from authorised sources.
