WILDWOOD FLOWER

EXPLANATION OF SONG ​-- WILDWOOD FLOWER

​It looks harder than it actually is..  you will have more trouble playing it FAST (or real time) than you will actually LEARNING the song or notes.

• ​You may have some trouble with the Hammer
  -On​s & Pull-Offs, but that's primarily because it's Something NEW to you, not because it's difficult.​

• ​On the TAB sheet, the "H" refers to Hammer-On;  the "P" refers to "Pull-Off"...  refer to this article to learn more about these techniques..  Introduction to Hammer-Ons & Pull-Offs

• ​Keep in mind: on article, it shows a Riff in "G". This is the same Riff we are using in "Wildwood Flower", only it is in "C".  To translate, just move all notes -up- one string;  and the last note will be "2nd string-1st fret" (C) instead of open 3rd (G) string.​   (SEE TAB BELOW)
  ​

TO SAVE SONG :

(1) Click on Song-- It opens in seperate page.

(2) Right Click on Song.

(3) Look for & Click on "Save Image As"...

(4) Give it a Name & Pick a Location on Your Computer.

 Here's a video of Wildwood Flower... thanks to DJ Snider & Terri Jones.

Hope to add another version with both hands soon.   Hope this helps you.

On the VERSE (1ST Section) 

_____________________________​_______________​_______________

PLAYING (right) HAND​

• I am primarily using my THUMB for ALL notes on the right hand &strings 6--5--4--3.  (I use Thumb also on 3rd string here).

​FRETTING (left) HAND

• On the fret (left) hand, try to utilize the C Chord formation instead of playing individual notes outside of the chord shape. You should be able to HOLD the C Chord shape and pick-up and put-down fingers on notes. 

• Play the 4th string 3rd fret (F) note with your pinky finger
  ​​
   while still holding the C Chord.

On the CHORUS (2ND Section)

_____________________________​_______________​_______________

​PLAYING (right) HAND​​

• ​I'm primarily using my Middle finger ​(right hand) ​on ALL or MOST of the notes.  It may be easier for you to try using two fingers (2-middle & 3-ring).​

​FRETTING (left) HAND​

• Once again, I'm HOLDING the C Chord shape, rather than playing outside of the shape.

• ​Use your pinky finger (left hand) to fret the notes on the 2nd string.​

​ENDING (Tag or Riff)​

_____________________________​_______________​_______________

• ​If you want, you can ADD a Tag onto the END of the song.

• If the Hammer-Ons are not working for you, you -CAN- play each note seperately;  however, you will SEE that it does NOT sound the same.

• ​Refer to the Notes and Link above about Hammer-Ons.​
  ​

​

Any Questions?

THANKS

FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES

    One of my guitar students requested this Garth Brooks song.  I never learned it before now, but I always thought it was a catchy tune.  Hope you enjoy learning and playing it.  I'm including some notes on the song and playing techniques.

    The first thing I'd like to share is about the notes in parentheses.  It's noticable after listening to the song a few times that each verse has some slight differences in the lyrics and notes.   I've attempted to show these by indicating that some notes are used in one verse and not another.


     I tried something different this time-- which I've done on some other songs before.   I added a "rhythm (or beat) line" which gives you the precise rhythm pattern.   You can use this in playing notes to keep time and be sure that you play the notes in the right way.

NEW CHORD

     Here is a brand new chord that you've probably not seen before. The "diminished 7th" chords are built on the seventh note of the major scale and are similar (but different) from a seventh chord.  It has a unique sound. This particular pattern is a four-note chord (like the "D" or "D7"chords). 

       Use the pattern on the LEFT.   It is the easiest one.  Use your 2nd & 3rd fingers-- if possible.   When you move to the other chord patterns, you will have to use all four fingers (of course)... unless you play with your toes.

    You can move this up and down the guitar fretboard.   Every three frets, you encounter a new diminished 7th chord.  Try playing the four-finger diminished pattern (below) and play it fast, moving it up three frets at a time. This progression has been used in movies and cartoons to denote suspense-- as when a character is tied up on the railroad tracks with a train approaching.

     On the chorus, when there is a slur symbol-- it indicates that the note is HELD over from one measure (or bar) to the next.  SEE the rhythm (or beat) notations for more clarification.

     If you want to have some more fun with this song, put on your Garth Brooks CD or go to YouTube, and play along with the recording.   Don't forget to put on your capo to the 2nd fret (this song was originally recorded in "A", not "G").   For even more fun, go to YouTube's SETTINGS and change the speed to 1/2 (half).   This song, which mentions drinking whiskey, beer, and champagne, will sound even more lifelike when the singer's voice is slowed down considerably.

STAND BY ME

Pretty E-Z Song..  ENJOY !

In My Life-- The Beatles

   Here is a brand new song-- "In My Life".  It is typically attributed to John Lennon, although the song is legally assigned to "Lennon/McCartney" and recorded by The Beatles.

   I've transposed the song into the KEY OF C for ease of playing.  There is still a barre chord here-- Fm-- but it is considered a half barre (only three notes).   Play it either with your first finger.   You can also slide your thumb across the Top of the fretboard to play the bass note.

   If you are comfortable with barre and other more difficult chords, feel free to transpose it back to the Key of G or A (it is recorded in the Key of A). 

   I'll TRY to add an audio or video recording for you of this song at some time.   You can watch the videos on YouTube, but all of them will be in either the Key of G or A. 

ENJOY!

   
     Page Two is the Instrumental Bridge or Break part.  Honestly-- I can't play it yet at regular speed.   So don't necessarily expect to master this right away.   But you can learn it and play it at a slower pace, and then perhaps speed up later.

     At the conclusion of the Instrumental Break, the song goes back to the D.S. sign ("Though I'll never lose affection...") and continues until the End. 

The ending is THE FIRST TWO MEASURES OF THE INTRO  

followed by these four notes :   

• Open 2nd string (B)-- 
• G @ 2nd fret (A)-- 
• Open 2nd string (B)--  
• B @ 1st fret (C) 

Two Folk Songs

Here are simple versions of two popular folk songs from the 60's, 

popularized by Creedence Clearwater Revival and Arlo Guthrie, 

and later recorded by the great country star Willie Nelson.

Both songs are presented in the Key of C, and 

therefore can be easily adapted into a two--song medley.

Page One

Page Two

Sorry--- the lyrics are so small--- hope they are readable, 

and if not---  they are easily available on the Internet.

Something

SONG NOTES

 There are several chords that may seem difficult (or at least new & different) to learn.   However, with some explanation, you will see that they are quite easy to play.   Look for some upcoming notes on how to play this song.

Page One 

Notes---Page One

(1)  Page One's "Intro" (and also the beginning of page two--- the "Intro" to the Bridge), there are three chords--- a progression from C to C# to D---  You already know your C and D chords.   We just have to connect the C and D--- with the C# chord.

   The easiest way to navigate this progression--- without utilizing Barre Chords--- is to play your "D" chord one fret back (in the first fret)--- playing only three or four strings.   This is the C# chord.   Then just slide the C# up one fret into your "D" chord.

(2)  Playing the Gmaj7 chord---  here is a chord chart for Gmaj7.   

• The two fretted notes of this chord are played with the Ring (3rd) and Index (1st) fingers.   This represents two of the three (two--thirds) of the "G" chord.   

• The note played by the Middle (2nd) finger is instead  MUTED by the TOP -- or Ring (3rd) finger.   This is done by simply leaning the Ring finger in slightly toward the fifth (5th--A) string until it no longer sounds.   

• It will take a bit of practice to master this technique, but it really isn't a major obstacle.   You should get the hang of it after a few tries.  Keep at it-- and don't give up-- until you've got it mastered.   Then it will eventually become second nature to you.

(3)  E minor Walkdown--- I included three of the four chord names--- these are extremely simple one--finger chords.   Not difficult--- you should be able to learn them easily.

• They incorporate a walkdown ---from the Em into the Bridge.   The first three (Em-- Em [w maj7]-- and Em7) are on the same (4th) string.  The final chord-- (A9)-- is on the fifth (5th) string.   After these four one-finger chords, the song proceeds into the Bridge with the SAME Intro as at the song's beginning.

•  The walkdown starts with the 4th string-- 2nd fret and walks down to 4th string---1st fret, then to 4th string-- Open, and then to the 5th string--- 4th fret.   

• On the first three chords---starting on the fourth (4th) string, you also strum the three open strings (3rd, 2nd, 1st)--- and then---

• On the last chord--- starting on the fifth (5th) string, you will MUTE  the fourth (4th) string--- [see the Notes on the Gmaj7 chord above]---  and then strum the same three open strings (3rd, 2nd, 1st) as on the other three chords.

Here is a simple TAB diagram of these four chords. 

Page Two

Notes---Page Two

• Playing the Emaj7 Chord.   Chord Progression from E-- to Emaj7-- to E7.

    Here is the Chord Progression from E-- to Emaj7--- to E7.   The fingerings here are important-- there are basically two ways to play the chords.   

• I prefer the first way--- playing "E" with 1--2--3 --- playing "Emaj7" with 1--2--3--- and playing E7 with 1--2   This involves some "switching" fingers on all of the chords.   It just seems more natural to me to play the "E" and "E7" in the normal way.

• Some start by playing the "E" chord with 2--3--4 --- then playing "Emaj7" with 1--2--3 by lifting the "4" finger and putting down the "1" finger on the fourth (4th--D) string---  and the "E7" is played with 2--3

    There is a short ENDING part not included on the TAB--- actually, it is composed of two short bits of the song.   You play the short three-bar "INTRO" at the top of Page 2, and then the short "INTRO" at the top of Page 1--- combined, they form the song ending.  You end by playing the "G" chord.

D O W N T O W N

Downtown-- a #1 pop hit in 1964 by Petula Clark--- was requested by a guitar student of mine.   I've heard this song for many years, and like many other songs, it takes on a new dimension for me whenever I go about the process of learning it on the guitar.

---Performing Notes--- 
KEY

• The original song was recorded in the key of "E"--- however, because of the effort to arrange the song in an easy--to--play form, the Guitar TAB has been written in the key of "C".   It's very easy, though, to play it in the original key. 

• Just slap your capo on the fourth (4th) fret--- and you can play along with the original recording.   There are quite a few YouTube postings of this song-- here is one that features various pictures of the artist and her song covers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_m4Qb0iW-o

ENDINGS

• At the end of the chorus, there is a four--bar interlude between verses.  There are two sets of four chords; each chord gets two beats.  8x2=16 divided by 4= 4 bars.

• At the end of the second (2nd) verse, the recording changes key, going up a half (1/2) step to the key of "F" and launches into an instrumental solo.   The song picks up at the Bridge--- or end of the second line--- where the rest of the "third" verse picks up.   To keep things simple, just stay in the key of "C" (or E, if you're capoed up)-- and keep on playing.

• At the END of the song, the recording fades out--- but you can simply return to the "C" chord.

PLAYING NOTES

• There are a LOT of repetitive notes in this song.  This might lead you as the player to take these notes for granted.   Do NOT--- treat each note as an important part of the song.    Just because there are seven open notes in a row--- (like at the beginning of the song)--- it does NOT mean that  ALL of them should be played and sound alike.   There should be nuances and changes in rhythm.   Listen to the recording, and attempt to play these notes in the proper way--- with feeling.

Morning Has Broken

NOTES:   This song, made popular in the 1970's by pop / folk artist Cat Stevens, is a beautiful anthem of nature and creation.    The original recording modulates from the Key of C into the Key of D for verse 3--- however, we may choose to remain in the same key.   The chordal interlude at the end of the verse takes us back to the original C chord.

Dueling Banjos & Guitar Boogie--- by Arthur Smith

    I was quite surprised to find that the author of these fine songs was none other than Arthur Smith.  Some people look at Smith as just a country TV star, but he was far more than that.  He was an extraordinary guitar player, and an incredible songwriter.   Not only did he write this famous movie theme song, Dueling Banjos, but he also penned the classic Guitar Boogie (see below).   

ALTERNATE PICKING
(down & up)

   
   One thing that may help you is learning Alternate Picking.  This is somewhat of an advanced technique, so don't expect to "get it" without a LOT of practice.   But it is not altogether difficult to master-- over time-- if you stick with it.   This technique increases your dexterity, ease of playing, and speed.   This is especially used for Lead Guitarists in performing their licks and solos.  

   Let me explain.  You're probably used to always picking straight down with your pick.   Sometimes, it is helpful and more efficient to use a "double stroke"--- down and up, especially when there is ONE note repeated over and over.   For example, in Section Two of Dueling Banjos, where you have 0--0--0,   1--1--1, or 3--3--3, try picking it like this--- "down--up--down" ---instead of "down--down--down". 

   If you'd like extra practice--- just go up and down your guitar strings--- (with no fretting-- just open strings) picking each string THREE times--- "down--up--down".    That will be a total of 18 notes.   When you reach the last string, then reverse it, and go back through each string again.

   You can & should also try using this in Guitar Boogie, and also in your Spider Exercise. Even though these do NOT have repeating notes, it is helpful to also use this technique here.  

   You will find this is much more efficient, and helps increase your playing speed.    Granted, at first, you will make errors, hitting the wrong string, or playing one of the notes louder or softer than the others.  As with anything beneficial, there is a Learning Curve.   But with time, you will understand and master Alternate Picking.

DUELING BANJOS

    ---NOTES---

               (1)--- Notes in parenthese are Optional Notes for Beginners--- they ARE part of the song, but could be omitted--- the optional note is part of a "run" & it can just be omitted, if it is too difficult for you to play at first.

               (2)--- On the original recording, both a guitar AND a banjo are used.   On some versions, two banjos are used-- hence, the name "Dueling Banjos".   We are only using guitar, so I decided to offer some alternative notes.  On the "echo" or Repeat sections, two octaves are presented.  You have the option of playing one octave, then the other--- or repeating the same notes or octave.   Going from high to low presents a different kind of sound or effect.   

               (3)--- The movie soundtrack version was recorded in the Key of A.   This TAB version is written in the Key of G.   Many of the online versions are also in G.    However-- if you would like to play along with YouTube or a CD-- or you just prefer to play in that key--- all you need do is place a Capo on the 2nd Fret.   This will raise the key one whole step to the Key of A.  

   

GUITAR BOOGIE

 ---NOTES---

    My beginner students normally learn two or three basic songs in their first class or session.  They are usually (in no particular order) Amazing Grace,  You Are My Sunshine, and this song (by Arthur Smith),  Guitar Boogie.  I called it "Bass Boogie" for a long time, until I really learned its roots--- as with Dueling Banjos, I was surprised that Smith was the songwriter.  I'll no longer be as surprised, as I've developed quite a respect for his skills as a guitarist, performer, and now songwriter.

                       (1)--- This is a simple tune that can be learned and relearned--- and embellished as you progress in your guitar playing.   Normally, this kind of a tune is used as a "jam"-- in which multiple guitar players trade licks or riffs.     So it is with Guitar Boogie.   If you listen to all of the recorded or "live" versions on YouTube, you will notice that no two of them sound the same. They are usually adapted and expanded by the artist performing the song.   Hopefully, this will not confuse you, but perhaps give you new ideas along the way.

                       (2)--- One embellishment you can make is whenever you are ready, you can experiment with or try doubling notes.  This simply means for every note represented on TAB, you play it twice.   Other ways you can enhance this tune is by using bends and slides.   And eventually barre chords.

                       (3)--- The very last bar is the ending, and can be played "as shown", only the middle two  notes are played in a syncopated and upbeat way.    It can also be played in a simple fashion, but playing the first note only--- omitting the last three notes--- and just letting the note ring out and sustain for four beats.   Listen to recordings and get a feel for how it is done.