Today's lesson will show you how to play Jimmy Buffett's classic tune Last Mango in Paris.
This is a great song, written in 1985 as a tribute to Jimmy's good friend Anthony "Captain Tony" Tarracino, who passed away last November. This song can be a difficult song to sing and play on acoustic guitar, but I'm able to pull it off by capoing the guitar on the 5th fret and playing the following chords: G, C, Em, Am, and D. This is what the song sounds like when played by me on acoustic guitar:
Enjoy!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
How to play "A Pirate Looks at 40" by Jimmy Buffett on acoustic guitar
Today's lesson will show you how to play Jimmy Buffett's classic tune A Pirate Looks at Forty.
This is one of my favorite Jimmy Buffett songs. This song is relatively easy to play. It is played in the key of G, using the G, C, and D chords - your classic "3 chord song." This is what the song sounds like when played by me on acoustic guitar:
As an added benefit, I added a harmonica track for the intro, solo, and finale. The harmonica track was recorded separately and overdubbed into the video. I think this song sounds great with a harmonica, so I couldn't resist. The guitar I used in the video is a Taylor 114ce, and the harmonica is a Hohner Blues Harp in the key of G. Enjoy!
This is one of my favorite Jimmy Buffett songs. This song is relatively easy to play. It is played in the key of G, using the G, C, and D chords - your classic "3 chord song." This is what the song sounds like when played by me on acoustic guitar:
As an added benefit, I added a harmonica track for the intro, solo, and finale. The harmonica track was recorded separately and overdubbed into the video. I think this song sounds great with a harmonica, so I couldn't resist. The guitar I used in the video is a Taylor 114ce, and the harmonica is a Hohner Blues Harp in the key of G. Enjoy!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
"HMO Blues" on CNN
HMO Blues, my latest political satire song, is getting some airplay on CNN this week. Check it out at the URL below:
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-239703
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-239703
Sunday, April 5, 2009
How to play "Tin Cup Chalice" by Jimmy Buffett on acoustic guitar
Today's lesson will show you how to play Jimmy Buffett's classic tune Tin Cup Chalice.
This is one of my favorite Jimmy Buffett songs. It's one of his early tunes from his Key West days. This song is not as well known as some of his more popular songs, but it's a great mellow tune for listening to when you're chilling out on the beach.
This song is relatively easy to play. It is played in the key of G, using the G, C, D, and Em chords, with an A7 chord thrown in for transitioning at a few spots. When I play it, I use the same basic chord progression, but I tune the guitar down a full step to match my vocal range, thereby playing the song in the key of F. This is what the song sounds like when played by me on acoustic guitar:
Enjoy!
This is one of my favorite Jimmy Buffett songs. It's one of his early tunes from his Key West days. This song is not as well known as some of his more popular songs, but it's a great mellow tune for listening to when you're chilling out on the beach.
This song is relatively easy to play. It is played in the key of G, using the G, C, D, and Em chords, with an A7 chord thrown in for transitioning at a few spots. When I play it, I use the same basic chord progression, but I tune the guitar down a full step to match my vocal range, thereby playing the song in the key of F. This is what the song sounds like when played by me on acoustic guitar:
Enjoy!
How to play "Son of a Son of a Sailor" by Jimmy Buffett on acoustic guitar
Today's lesson will show you how to play Jimmy Buffett's classic tune Son of a Son of a Sailor.
This song uses a I-II-IV-V chord progression. Jimmy Buffett plays it in the key of C, using these chords:
I - C
II - D
IV - F
V - G
Of course, you can easily play it in a different key by transposing chords, e.g. the key of G would look like this:
I - G
II - A
IV - C
V - D
When I play it, I'm actually playing it in the key of A, fingering the key of G chords mentioned above with a capo on the second fret to raise the pitch by two half steps. This is what the song sounds like when played by me on acoustic guitar:
Enjoy!
This song uses a I-II-IV-V chord progression. Jimmy Buffett plays it in the key of C, using these chords:
I - C
II - D
IV - F
V - G
Of course, you can easily play it in a different key by transposing chords, e.g. the key of G would look like this:
I - G
II - A
IV - C
V - D
When I play it, I'm actually playing it in the key of A, fingering the key of G chords mentioned above with a capo on the second fret to raise the pitch by two half steps. This is what the song sounds like when played by me on acoustic guitar:
Enjoy!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
"Robber Barons" on CNN
Yesterday, I got a call from a CNN producer. They liked my song "Robber Barons" so much, they wanted to use it on the air! Of course I said yes. So it is currently posted on the CNN iReport.com website:
"Robber Barons:" Musical commentary on AIG bonus scandal
I'm not sure if it has been used on the air yet or, if not, when it might air in the future. In any event, if you see it on CNN, shoot me a note and let me know!
"Robber Barons:" Musical commentary on AIG bonus scandal
I'm not sure if it has been used on the air yet or, if not, when it might air in the future. In any event, if you see it on CNN, shoot me a note and let me know!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
AIG execs win "Robber Baron of the Year" award
I'm going to go off-topic today because I read something in the Washington Post that just infuriated me. The article is entitled Rage at AIG Swells As Bonuses Go Out, and you can access it at the Post's website (Registration required).
In a nutshell, AIG is using taxpayer bailout money to pay $165 million in bonuses to executives of the AIG Financial Products Division, the same division that came up with the "credit default swaps" racket that basically wrecked our economy. How's that for irony? Apparently, we, the taxpayers, are now in the business of incenting Wall Street executives to lose money, not make money.
Since this is, after all, a music site, I'm going to close with a song called Robber Barons. I wrote this song a few weeks ago after getting my 401k statement in the mail and seeing how much of my hard-earned savings have evaporated. It's tongue-in-cheek, but rings true especially on days like today. Enjoy!
In a nutshell, AIG is using taxpayer bailout money to pay $165 million in bonuses to executives of the AIG Financial Products Division, the same division that came up with the "credit default swaps" racket that basically wrecked our economy. How's that for irony? Apparently, we, the taxpayers, are now in the business of incenting Wall Street executives to lose money, not make money.
Since this is, after all, a music site, I'm going to close with a song called Robber Barons. I wrote this song a few weeks ago after getting my 401k statement in the mail and seeing how much of my hard-earned savings have evaporated. It's tongue-in-cheek, but rings true especially on days like today. Enjoy!
Monday, March 2, 2009
How to play "Who'll Stop The Rain" by CCR on acoustic guitar
This article shows you how to play Who'll Stop the Rain, the classic 1970 protest song. This song was written by John Fogerty and originally recorded by Creedence Clearwater Revival for their 1970 album Cosmo's Factory.
This song is relatively easy to play. It is played in the key of G, using the G, C, D, and Em chords. When I play it, I use the same chord progression, but I capo the guitar at the 5th fret to match my vocal range, thereby playing the song in the key of C. This is what the song sounds like when played by me on acoustic guitar:
Enjoy!
This song is relatively easy to play. It is played in the key of G, using the G, C, D, and Em chords. When I play it, I use the same chord progression, but I capo the guitar at the 5th fret to match my vocal range, thereby playing the song in the key of C. This is what the song sounds like when played by me on acoustic guitar:
Enjoy!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
How to play "Margaritaville" by Jimmy Buffett on acoustic guitar
Today's lesson will show you how to play Jimmy Buffett's classic tune Margaritaville.
I really enjoy Jimmy Buffett's music. Jimmy's known for writing fun, catchy, crowd-pleasing songs, and most of them are relatively simple to play. In the case of Margaritaville, it's very simple to play; your classic "three chord hit."
Margaritaville is usually played in the key of D, using the D, G, and A chords. Alternatively, it can be played using the A, D, and E chords with the capo on the 5th fret. In fact, if you are ever playing this song in a band or ensemble with another guitarist, try having one guitarist play D, G, and A with no capo and the other play A, D, and E with the capo on the 5th fret. This will give the song a much fuller, richer sound.
Here's a short video of me playing Margaritaville. In this video, I'm actually playing it in the key of Eb, with the guitar capo on the 1st fret, which is a better fit for my vocal range:
Enjoy!
I really enjoy Jimmy Buffett's music. Jimmy's known for writing fun, catchy, crowd-pleasing songs, and most of them are relatively simple to play. In the case of Margaritaville, it's very simple to play; your classic "three chord hit."
Margaritaville is usually played in the key of D, using the D, G, and A chords. Alternatively, it can be played using the A, D, and E chords with the capo on the 5th fret. In fact, if you are ever playing this song in a band or ensemble with another guitarist, try having one guitarist play D, G, and A with no capo and the other play A, D, and E with the capo on the 5th fret. This will give the song a much fuller, richer sound.
Here's a short video of me playing Margaritaville. In this video, I'm actually playing it in the key of Eb, with the guitar capo on the 1st fret, which is a better fit for my vocal range:
Enjoy!
Guitar key chart
In many of my lessons, I talk about how you can change the key in which you are playing your guitar by putting a capo on a given fret. The capo accomplishes this by essentially shortening the strings, thereby changing the pitch of the guitar.
To help you determine where to place the capo and which chords to finger to play a particular key, I have prepared a guitar key chart. This chart will tell you which key you are playing in depending on where the capo is and what chords you are playing. Most of the chords used in this chart are easy-to-play "open position" chords.
This chart can come in handy if you are playing with other musicians and you need to play a favorite song in a different key (e.g., to accommodate a singer's voice range), or if you want to play a popular song in the correct key but use a different set of chords that are easier for you to play:
To help you determine where to place the capo and which chords to finger to play a particular key, I have prepared a guitar key chart. This chart will tell you which key you are playing in depending on where the capo is and what chords you are playing. Most of the chords used in this chart are easy-to-play "open position" chords.
This chart can come in handy if you are playing with other musicians and you need to play a favorite song in a different key (e.g., to accommodate a singer's voice range), or if you want to play a popular song in the correct key but use a different set of chords that are easier for you to play:
| Relative minor chords | |||
| A | No capo | A-D-E | F#m-Bm-Dbm |
| A | 2 | G-C-D | Em-Am-Bm |
| A | 7 | D-G-A | Bm-Em-F#m |
| Ab | 1 | G-C-D | Em-Am-Bm |
| Ab | 6 | D-G-A | Bm-Em-F#m |
| Ab | 8 | C-F-G | Am-Dm-Em |
| B | 2 | A-D-E | F#m-Bm-Dbm |
| B | 4 | G-C-D | Em-Am-Bm |
| Bb | 1 | A-D-E | F#m-Bm-Dbm |
| Bb | 3 | G-C-D | Em-Am-Bm |
| Bb | 8 | D-G-A | Bm-Em-F#m |
| C | No capo | C-F-G | Am-Dm-Em |
| C | 3 | A-D-E | F#m-Bm-Dbm |
| C | 5 | G-C-D | Em-Am-Bm |
| C# | 1 | C-F-G | Am-Dm-Em |
| C# | 4 | A-D-E | F#m-Bm-Dbm |
| C# | 6 | G-C-D | Em-Am-Bm |
| D | No capo | D-G-A | Bm-Em-F#m |
| D | 2 | C-F-G | Am-Dm-Em |
| D | 5 | A-D-E | F#m-Bm-Dbm |
| D | 7 | G-C-D | Em-Am-Bm |
| E | 2 | D-G-A | Bm-Em-F#m |
| E | 4 | C-F-G | Am-Dm-Em |
| E | 7 | A-D-E | F#m-Bm-Dbm |
| Eb | 1 | D-G-A | Bm-Em-F#m |
| Eb | 3 | C-F-G | Am-Dm-Em |
| Eb | 6 | A-D-E | F#m-Bm-Dbm |
| Eb | 8 | G-C-D | Em-Am-Bm |
| F | 3 | D-G-A | Bm-Em-F#m |
| F | 5 | C-F-G | Am-Dm-Em |
| F | 8 | A-D-E | F#m-Bm-Dbm |
| F# | 4 | D-G-A | Bm-Em-F#m |
| F# | 6 | C-F-G | Am-Dm-Em |
| G | No capo | G-C-D | Em-Am-Bm |
| G | 5 | D-G-A | Bm-Em-F#m |
| G | 7 | C-F-G | Am-Dm-Em |
Saturday, February 28, 2009
How to play "The River" by Bruce Springsteen on acoustic guitar
For today's lession, we're going to learn how to play The River by Bruce Springsteen. This song was the title track of his fifth album, The River, and was released in 1981. This is a great song, one of the Boss's classics. It's also a nice song to play on acoustic guitar, and not as hard to play as you might think, as we'll see in a few minutes. If you are a harmonica player, it has a great harmonica introduction and solo as well, although for this lesson we'll just stick to the acoustic guitar piece.
The River is usually played in the key of G, and uses five main chords: the familiar chord progression of G, C, and D, with Em and Am thrown in for good measure. In the key of G, Em and Am are relative minor chords to G and C, respectively.
In my opinion, singing this song is much more challenging than playing it. The melody has a range of several octaves, and, since I don't have the same pipes as the Boss, I have to capo the guitar at the 6th fret to pull it off, thereby playing and singing it in the key of C#. Here is what it sounds like when I play it:
Enjoy!
The River is usually played in the key of G, and uses five main chords: the familiar chord progression of G, C, and D, with Em and Am thrown in for good measure. In the key of G, Em and Am are relative minor chords to G and C, respectively.
In my opinion, singing this song is much more challenging than playing it. The melody has a range of several octaves, and, since I don't have the same pipes as the Boss, I have to capo the guitar at the 6th fret to pull it off, thereby playing and singing it in the key of C#. Here is what it sounds like when I play it:
Enjoy!
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