Sweet Home Alabama Beginner Lesson

Today we are learning to play a simplified version of the classic song “Sweet home Alabama,” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, using the chords D, C, and G.  I have gone to great lengths to find songs like this that can be simplified because it allows the beginner student to participate in playing a famous song that they know and love.  In this beginner lesson we are focused strumming the chords along with the song.

1)First practice switching between D, C and G over and over until you are comfortable moving quickly between the 3 chords.

2)After you’re comfortable switching, start implementing this rhythm: strum D two times, strum C two times and strum G four times.

3)After you get your strumming consistent, start playing to the 70 BPM drum machine in this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3M4Og6QPQA

You can hear me playing in the video to a beat at 70 BPM’s but the actual song is 100 BPM’s.

4)When you are comfortable at a slower speed then try to play along with the song or with a faster beat.  You can either find a faster beat on youtube or simply play by your self at a faster pace.

5)Eventually try to play along with “Sweet Home Alabama” as I do in the video toward the end.

Dyce Kimura is THE premier Fort Lauderdale guitar teacher and is also available all over the world giving Skype guitar lessons as well.  Call Dyce at 7864573687 for more information.

At the end of the video you can see me get a little more creative with the strumming.  Hopefully this will inspire you to continue to learn and also give you a sneak peak at what techniques are right around the corner for you.

I hope you enjoyed this lesson and see you at the next one.