Old Man by Neil Young - Guitar Lesson 🎸

Introduction

• Reviewing Old Man by Neil Young, from his album "Harvest".
• Song reflects intricate rhythms and strumming patterns.
• Lesson broken into three sections:
  1. Intro: Hammer-on, muted strings technique
  2. Verses: Variations and intricate E bits
  3. Chorus: Strumming patterns

General Tips

• Rhythm: Pulse is sixteenth note-based, count in eighth notes for simplicity.
• Strumming Hand: Consistency is key - down strum on beat, up strum on the "and".
• Listening: Important to listen to the original recording to capture the subtle nuances.

Intro Section

• Chord Formation: Start with regular D chord and slide it up to the 5th fret, lift off the 2nd finger (D minor 7)
• Muting Technique: Use the side of the hand to mute strings near the bridge.
• Hammer-ons and Pull-offs: Key to add variation and feel.
• Strumming Pattern: Be consistent and count methodically (1, 2, 3, 4).

Verse Section

• Chord Progression: D, F, C, G, D, F, C, F, D, F, C, G, D, C, F, G
• Variations:
  • D: Lift the first finger, hammer-on, Dsus4 with little finger
  • F: Hammer-on with 2nd finger
  • C: Hammer-on with 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string
  • G: Standard G with 3rd and 4th fingers
• Consistency in Strumming: Keep a steady rhythm, ensure variations fit naturally.
• Run-Up: G, F, C, G, D, F, C, F, D, F, C, G, D, C, F, G (smooth transitions)

Chorus Section

• Chord Progression: D, Am7 (variation with little finger), Em7, G
• Variations:
  • D: First finger lift, sus4 with little finger
  • Am7: Hammer-on with little finger
  • Em7: Smooth transition with first finger on the second fret of the fifth string
  • G: Standard G, optionally with ring finger
• Strumming Pattern: Count in eighth notes to ensure accuracy:
  • Down, down, down, hammer-on, down-up (and repeat)

Practice Tips

• Rhythmic Counting: Important to count beats methodically to capture the correct rhythm.
• Strumming Hand: Ensure continuous motion, practice slow before speeding up.
• Listening and Experimenting:
  • Listen to the original recording multiple times to understand the feel.
  • Start with a basic chord outline, then add variations and build comfort.
  • Experiment with different strumming patterns to match the song's feel.

Final Thoughts

• Keep it fun and experiment with different techniques.
• Upload your covers and respond to the video for feedback.
• If detailed explanation is confusing, revert to learning by ear and experimenting.

Additional Resources

• Upcoming Neil Young lessons for more practice and learning.

Take care and happy strumming!