Take Me Home Country Roads: Beginner Guitar Lesson
American singer-songwriter John Denver’s signature song, “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” was released in 1971 as part of his album “Poems, Prayers & Promises.” This timeless folk-country anthem quickly gained popularity, solidifying its place in the hearts of listeners around the world. Notably, it reached the number two spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking Denver’s first top-ten single. With its heartfelt lyrics and captivating melody, “Take Me Home, Country Roads” became an enduring classic that resonates to this day.
In this comprehensive article, we will guide you through the process of playing “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver on the guitar. Guitar chords in Take Me Home Country Roads are beginner level.
Whether you’re a beginner seeking to learn this beloved song or an intermediate player looking to enhance your skills, this step-by-step tutorial will provide the guidance you need. So let’s dive into the fascinating journey of mastering this iconic track!
Starting Off: A Little About the Song
John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” is a heart-warming classic that has struck a chord with listeners worldwide. Known for its enchanting melody and relatable lyrics, it’s a song that embodies the spirit of country music. Moreover, its uncomplicated chord progression and rhythmic pattern make it an ideal choice for novice guitarists. This step-by-step tutorial will guide you through the song, ensuring you learn the chords, rhythm, and strumming techniques that will bring this tune to life on your guitar.
1. Understanding the Key Chords
We begin this beginner guitar lesson with the Take Me Home Country Roads guitar chords: A major, E major, F#m, and D major. These chords form the basis of the song, and getting familiar with their finger placements is essential for beginners:
- A Major: Start by placing your index finger on the 2nd fret of the D string (4th string), your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G string (3rd string), and your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the B string (2nd string). The A string (5th string) is played open, while the low E string (6th string) should be avoided.
- E Major: This is one of the easiest chords to play. Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the G string (3rd string), your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A string (5th string), and your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the D string (4th string). Both E strings (1st and 6th strings) are played open.
- F#m: For this chord, bar all strings at the 2nd fret with your index finger. Place your ring finger on the 4th fret of the A string (5th string) and your pinky finger on the 4th fret of the D string (4th string).
- D Major: Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the G string (3rd string). Your ring finger goes on the 3rd fret of the B string (2nd string), and your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the high E string (1st string). So, the D string (4th string) is played open, and you should avoid playing the two lowest strings (5th and 6th strings).
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2. Nailing the Take Me Home, Country Roads Rhythm and Country-Style Fingerpicking
“Take Me Home, Country Roads” adheres to a steady 4/4 time signature, which is very common in country music. This rhythm serves as the song’s backbone and gives it a recognizable beat. Understanding the rhythm and the specific style of country fingerpicking will truly help you bring out the song’s country vibe.
Country-style fingerpicking, also known as ‘Travis Picking,’ was named after country singer Merle Travis. This fingerpicking style is specifically characterized by a steady, alternating bass pattern played by the thumb, while the fingers pick out melody and fill notes on the higher strings. Hence it creates a syncopated, rhythmic effect and gives a unique texture to country songs.
For beginners, the primary focus should be to maintain the rhythm and ensure the right-hand thumb is consistent. Start slow and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable. For “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” the thumb will alternate between the root notes of each chord while the index and middle fingers will pick the higher strings.
As a novice guitarist, mastering the thumb control might take some time. Patience is crucial at this stage. So remember, even the most skilled guitarists started from scratch. Regular practice sessions focusing on finger dexterity and thumb control will soon lead to noticeable improvements.
A basic Travis picking pattern for “Take Me Home, Country Roads”
To play “Take Me Home, Country Roads” with open chords and a basic Travis picking pattern, you might prefer a capo on the 1st fret and take advantage of open strings. This way, you will use the chords G, Em, D, and C.
Meanwhile, the capo on the 1st fret allows you to play in the key of A major while utilizing familiar open chord shapes.
On the G chord, the thumb alternates between the G (6th string) and D (4th string), while the index and middle fingers pick out melody notes on the B and high E strings.
On the Em chord, the thumb alternates between the E (6th string) and D (4th string), and the fingers pick on the same strings as for the G chord.
Similarly, the D chord and C chord follow a similar pattern as the G and Em chords, with the thumb alternating between the root note and the D string.
Always remember to play slowly and cleanly rather than rushing. Therefore you should ensure that you build strong muscle memory and finger independence, making your journey toward mastering the open chord version of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” on the guitar a smooth and enjoyable one.
3. Delving Deeper into the Verse and Chorus
In this section, we’ll dissect the verse and chorus of “Take Me Home, Country Roads”. The song has a straightforward structure, revolving around a recurring chord progression that’s easy to grasp:
Verse: The verses of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” follow a pattern of G, D, Em, C. This progression loops throughout the verse. Here’s a simple breakdown:
- G Major: Play this chord when singing “Almost heaven…”
- D Major: This chord pairs with “West Virginia…”
- Em: This is the chord for “Blue Ridge Mountains…”
- C Major: Lastly, switch to this chord for “Shenandoah River…”
Chorus: The chorus continues with the same chords but in a slightly different order: G, D, C, G. Here’s the breakdown:
- G Major: Begin the chorus with this chord when singing “Country roads…”
- D Major: Switch to this chord at “take me home…”
- C Major: Change to this chord on “to the place…”
- G Major: Finally, revert to this chord for “I belong…”
In order to master the song, you should prevent yourself from rushing through the chords. It’s about understanding the ebb and flow of the chord progression and how it aligns with the lyrics. Hence practicing with patience will ensure a smooth and rhythmically accurate performance.
4. Deciphering the Take Me Home, Country Roads Strumming Pattern
Obviously, the essence of a country song lies in its strumming pattern, and for “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” we recommend the D-DU-DU pattern (D=Down, U=Up). Specifically, this pattern captures the song’s country essence, giving it the iconic country feel that resonates with listeners.
5. Expert Tips for a Perfect Performance
As with any guitar tutorial for beginners, practice is the key to success. Regular practice, starting slow, and gradually increasing speed until you feed comfortable will refine your skills and enhance your performance. We also recommend recording your practice sessions – it’s a fantastic way to monitor your progress and identify areas for improvement.
Concluding Thoughts
“Take Me Home, Country Roads” is an ideal song for those dipping their toes in the vast ocean of country music. This beginner guitar lesson breaks down the song’s chords, rhythm, and strumming patterns, providing a comprehensive guide to mastering this timeless classic. Furthermore, remember that every strum takes you a step closer to your dream of becoming a proficient guitarist.
