Month 4, Lesson 4: Yankee Doodle
Source: Guitar Lessons
Yankee Doodle Lead
Another great song that you should know very well. This one is kind of easy for this stage of our lessons, but I think you have a well deserved break coming and this lesson will let you coast a bit. We will combine this lesson with the next one by playing the rhythm chords to Yankee Doodle. Then, in a later lesson we will “fancy up” this song by addiing a lot of extra notes and make it a real challenge – but that will be after you graduate from beginning student to intermediate student.
About This Lesson:
Nothing new about this song. Just try to memorize it and add it to your “bag of tricks” so you can show people you do know how to play the guitar. This song sounds equally well played slowly or at a faster pace. So it is up to you how you wish to play it.
Learning Points:
Play The Song In The Key of C Major:
Back to the key of C Major. Remember no sharps to worry about in that key. No we are not going backwards here. There are a lot of songs that are played in the key of C Major. We will go back and forth between keys from week to week.
Watch Your Triads (Three Note Chords):
There is only a couple of different chords to watch here and we have covered them before. The C chord and the G7 chords. There is only 3 notes of each chord played for the lead in this song. Remember the note that carries the tune (the note you would sing in the song), is the highest or top note of each Triad.
Follow the Repeat Symbols Closely:
There are (2) sets of repeat signs. Repeat signs are always in pairs, you will never see one repeat sign without its matching mirror image brother. You play from the beginning of the song to the end of the 8th measure, then return to the beginning of the 1st measure and play to the end of the 16th measure, then return to the beginning of the 9th measure and play to the end of the song. That’s all there is to that.
Work on Your Down-Up Pick Strokes:
There are a few tricky down ups in this song, but not like last week. Watch your down ups in the syncopated timing section of the 9th measure, 11th measure, 13th measure and watch that eithth note run in the 15th.
About the Tab Notes:
Again – very straight forward tab here and the tab notes speak for themselves. Watch your timing in the syncopated timing area – I have show the beats below the notes in the really difficult areas. Remember to tap your foot – once for each beat.
Articles You Should Read:
Down Up Strokes of the Pick: This is really important for this song. Using down ups is the only way to play them fast enough.
Chords in the Key of C Major and A Minor
Music Theory You Should Know:
Time Signature
TAB
Treble Clef
C Scale
TAB Staff
Repeats
Dotted Notes
Triads
Goals:
Goal #1:
Memorize this song! Since you probably can already sing it, put it to memory on the guitar. This is kind of a week off type of a lesson and this gives you a little breathing room to memorize this song.
Goal #2:
Master the down-ups of the right hand picking – especially the passage from the 9th through the 16 measures.
Goal #3:
Play the triads very smoothly and do not allow yourself to give them extra time by fumbling around with your fingers. If you can’t play them smoothly and transition between them quickly, work only on the triads and moving between them at least a couple dozen times per day.
Goal #4:
Remember to play your repeats correctly. Repeats are always in mirrored pairs and you play what is in between the pairs one more time and then continue with the song.
If you have trouble following this or understanding it, watch the Guitar Pro player go through the song and you can follow along visually to see and understand repeats.
What You Should Practice This Week:
I would love it if you could play this song at about 160 beats per measure. Let me tell you that 160 bpm (beats per measure) is really moving along for a beginner like you. If you can do it consider yourself a NASCAR pro!
See our How To Practice article:
If you are having trouble with your practice techniques, or can’t seem to get “in the groove”, review the article on How to Practice and this will help you develop a consistent practice method.
Help Us Out:
Lastly and most importantly, give us feedback, either good or bad. We want to improve this site and we want kids to learn how to play the guitar. If you have suggestions for us, leave a comment. If you appreciate these lessons, leave a comment on that too.
Songs in Downloadable Format:
If you have difficulty reading this score information, we have this score information available free of charge for you with an instant electronic download. Just click on the song title below and you will be taken to our secure server site. You will get a PDF file of the above score complete with the Tab Notes. Be sure to download Adobe Acrobat Reader v6.0 or above. This version will allow you to turn the Tab Layer on or off.
Also you will get the Guitar Pro file. You can download Guitar Pro and get a free trial so you can play along with this song in real time on your computer. If you upgrade to the full version of the song you will have a lot more features available to you, such as the RSE modules which give you realistic guitar files – they sound just like an Acoustic Guitar.
Guitar Pro File – Yankee Doodle Lead
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PDF File – Yankee Doodle Lead
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Go to Yankee Doodle Lead – Lesson 4.4 Score
Go to Yankee Doodle Lead, Lesson 4.4 Video Lesson
Tags: flatpick guitar lessons, free guitar lessons, how to play triads, Kids Guitar Lessons, yankee doodle lead
