1 TENERIFE SEA ED SHEERAN
X (2014)
This simple tune gets less love than some of Sheeran’s more obvious hits, but it stands out thanks to its lilting 6/8 rhythm and delicate fingerpicking. Ed plays it with a capo on the 4th fret and the guitar tuned EADEBE, but early live performances show that it started out more simply, in standard tuning with a capo on the 1st fret. Using that approach, you can play it using the Wonderwall trick of holding your third and fourth fingers down on the third fret (from the capo) on the first two strings throughout. The chords are G, A7sus4, Cadd9, Em7, and Dsus4. If Sheeran’s live performances are anything to go by, this should reduce your audience to uncontrollable sobbing and declarations of eternal love.
2 BLOWIN’ IN THE WINDBOB DYLAN
The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan (1963)
Maybe the most covered folk song of the 20th century, Blowin’ In The Wind pairs plaintive lyrics with a perfectly minimal guitar accompaniment. The album version is played in D major with a capo on the 7th fret, though Dylan often performed it live in G, ditching the capo and moving to open position to make it easier to play. The chords on the original are D, G and A (with a Gsus2/F# added in as a passing chord), but try to think in terms of the open chord shapes you’ll be using (G, C, and D) – the shapes stay the same regardless of whether you’re using a capo. Dylan nicely supplements the gentle strumming by picking out bass notes from the D major scale, which you can try once you’re confident with the chords. Our slowed down video starts halfway through the verse and leads you into the chorus, but there’s enough info to take you through most of the song.
This story is from the Summer 2020 edition of Total Guitar.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Summer 2020 edition of Total Guitar.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Ihsahn – "Extreme music lends itself well to experimental arrangements"
In an extraordinary double album, former Emperor guitarist Ihsahn delivers new material in two contrasting versions: metal and orchestral. "It was a perfect match," he says, “because my guitar had the same tuning as the cellos!"
Rosie Frater Taylor – "I Love Guitarists That Started in Jazz but Moved Into Pop"
It's a bold claim, but one that we're prepared to make: there is no other guitarist in the UK right now who sounds quite like Rosie Frater-Taylor.
DIRTY SOUND MAGNET
Swiss psychedelic trio Dirty Sound Magnet have created a unique racket that's both thrillingly expansive and potently evocative.
ELECTRO-HARMONIX PICO POG
You should be familiar with the Electro-Harmonix POG- it's the Polyphonic Octave Generator that set the standard for multistring, multi-octave layering and has graced the pedalboards of legends ranging from Jack White to Joe Satriani.
BOSS KATANA AIR EX
More Air, vicar? Boss pump up their popular wireless desktop amp
FGN BOUNDARY ILIAD BIL2MHS
With Japanese quality and top tones, could this be your next T-style?
THE 2024 GUITAR WORKOUT
Smash your new year guitar goals with our 30-day technical workout
"TAPPING IS THE MOST-USED WEAPON IN MY ARSENAL!"
Jon Gomm's tips for getting more out of your acoustic guitar
"THE BEST GUITAR SOLO IS A SONG WITHIN A SONG"
Ace Frehley: the guitar hero of KISS, and an influence for Tom Morello, Dimebag and many more
"THE SIMPLE PARTS ARE THE HARDEST TO GET RIGHT”
Lzzy Hale's recipe for meaty arena rock and killer tone