lesson 1 - sitting to play the guitar lesson 2 - have fun learning e minor and d minor chords lesson 3 - a basic overview of a 3rd chord in g lesson 4 - different fun rhythms and basic picking lesson 5 - playing in a major lesson 6 - scales - introduction to the scale of a major lesson 7 - which ones are a must and what they are lesson 8 - Answers to common guitar learning problems lesson 9 - a song with 3 chords - margaritaville lesson 10 - folk/60's tune - love the one you're with lesson 11 - Fingering Patterns - All Major Chords lesson 12 - Fingering Patterns - Minor Chords lesson 13 - Fingering Patterns - Major Scales lesson 14 - Fingering Patterns - Minor Scales lesson 15 - Song Structure - Verses,Choruses,and Bridges lesson 16 - Fingering Patterns - Major Bar Chords lesson 17 - Fingering Patterns - Minor Bar Chords lesson 18 - Exotic Sounding Chords - Augmented and Diminished lesson 19 - Classic Guitar Songs - Stairway to Heaven lesson 20 - Basic Melodic Playing - Basic Lead Guitar

FOLK/60’S TUNE– LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH

 

 

This is a fun and easy song that only uses 4 chords. The song is played in D Major and the four chords are D, G, C, and A. The major hook of this song is the four-measure progression that makes up the intro and verses, D-G-D-C-D. It is very easy to master and you should be playing this at full tempo in no time at all. Here is a key to some of the chords you will be playing. 

Verse 1:

               D        G/D       D
If you’re down

               D        C/D       D
And confused

			 D         G/D      D
And you don’t remember

			 D         C/D      D
Who you’re talking to

	    D         G/D      D
Concentration

            D          C/D      D
Slips away

                      D         G/D      D
Because your baby

                D        C/D       D
Is so far away

It does not appear easy at first but once you try it you will have no problems at all. This song is fast so remember to start off very slow till you are comfortable, and then speed up. Make sure to follow the beat and get into the rhythm of the song.

 

Once you are satisfied that you have this down you are ready to try a bit more complicated rhythm. Try a full down stroke on the 1st beat directly followed by a palm-muted down stroke on the 2nd beat. You will then do a full up stroke on the 3rd beat as well as the 4th beat. Make sure to take things slowly and understand each riff to get it right. It is not about speed at first but precision and technique.

 

The chords and choruses in this song are very simple, basically using D-G-D-C-D progression and only 2 chord shapes. This song is very well planned out as if someone did it on purpose. The way the rhythm is structured you build in time your moves up and down the guitar neck, very convenient.

 

The 1st beat is on a regular D chord in 1st position. You will them slide the entire chord shaping up to the 7th and 8th frets from the 2nd and 3rd frets. This makes the chord a G chord with a D in the bass. Then right back to the D chord on the next measure with an A shape. Your index finger will be on the high E string (1st), ring finger on the B string, and middle finger on the G string.

 

Because this is a D Major chord you can strum the open D and A strings. These serve as a drone and give you bass, which sounds incredible in the key of D.

 

In the 3rd measure you will still be playing your D chord in the A shape. You will then shift down 2 frets in the same shape to the C/D chord. This chord is in C Major with a D bass. Then it is back to the original 1st position D at the beginning of measure 4.

 

These changes are probably the hardest thing about this song. Taking a close look they really are not that difficult to master. Take your time and make sure you get the right fingering before you speed up tempo. The chord transitions are very smooth. If you use your up stroke then you will find you can get a fabulous controlled ring to the D and A strings. Coming up from the bottom really helps make this sound great.

 

The chorus is just simple D, A, and G chords in the 1st position. You can make this a bit more interesting by adding some easy fills on the 2nd measure G chord. With your hand holding the G chord, strike your G note on the 3rd fret on the 6th string. Remove your finger to be able to strike the open A string. Then use your index finger on the 2nd fret to get the B note. Repeat using your index finger like a hammer on the 2nd fret of the D then G strings. You can finish off by a final hammer on the G string with a pick off back in an open G.

 

These are not hard to master. It is about where to place your fingers to add flavor without having to do extra work. Just keep your hands in the open G shape when you’re playing. This will enable you to do more with less work and stress on your hands. This will help you play something instead of just sitting on the chord. This will help you to develop your style and technique as well. As with everything you have been learning try it slow before trying to speed up. It sounds tedious and monotonous but it really works and makes the piece sound better once you have mastered all the chord changes.