Neil Young is a legendary singer-songwriter and guitarist who has provided the world with a vast catalog of influential and timeless music. Known for his unique blend of folk, rock, and country, Neil Young’s guitar playing style is captivating and often admired by guitarists of all levels. In this blog post, we will explore the various techniques required to play his music, arranged from easy to difficult.

1. Basic Strumming Patterns

Neil Young’s music is built on strong rhythm and simple chord progressions. The first step in mastering his guitar techniques is getting comfortable with his signature strumming patterns. These patterns often feature downstrokes with occasional upstrokes to highlight specific beats. A good starting point would be songs like “Heart of Gold” and “Old Man” where the strumming is relatively straightforward. If you have already done that and have the basics of strumming here is an idea of how the song should sound in a more simplified version if you don’t know the tune.

2. Open Chord Progressions

Once you’ve tackled the basic strumming patterns, it’s time to dive into Neil Young’s extensive use of open chord progressions. Songs like “Harvest Moon” and “The Needle and the Damage Done” showcase his mastery of incorporating open chords to create beautiful melodies. Understanding chord voicings and transitions will be key to capturing the essence of Neil Young’s music.

3. Fingerpicking

Moving up the ladder of difficulty, Neil Young’s repertoire features several songs that incorporate fingerpicking. Developing finger independence and control is crucial for songs like “Sugar Mountain” or “Don’t Let It Bring You Down”. Start with simple fingerpicking patterns, gradually adding complexity to your arrangements.

4. Alternate Tunings

Neil Young is notable for his exploration of unique alternate tunings on the guitar. Songs like “Cinnamon Girl” and “Thrasher” are great examples of his experimentation with tunings such as Double Drop D or Open D. Understanding the different tunings and how they change the fingerings and chord shapes is essential to capture Neil Young’s distinct sound.

5. Soloing and Incorporating Harmonica

As you progress, you can challenge yourself by attempting to learn some of Neil Young’s guitar solos. Songs like “Cowgirl in the Sand” or “Down by the River” showcase his ability to create emotional and expressive solos. Neil Young is also known for his harmonica playing, so learning to incorporate harmonica into your guitar playing will add another dimension to your musical style.

Conclusion

Mastering Neil Young’s guitar techniques requires patience, practice, and a deep appreciation for his unique musical style. From basic strumming patterns to complex fingerpicking and alternate tunings, learning his music has the potential to take your guitar skills to new heights. Remember to start with the easier songs and techniques and gradually work your way up to the more challenging ones.

More Sources:

• Guitar World: Neil Young Lesson – Harvest, Ragged Glory and Beyond
• Ultimate-Guitar: 10 Essential Neil Young Songs for Guitarists
• Premier Guitar: Deciphering the Styles of Neil Young