How to play "Don't Think Twice" (Dylan) - Part 3/6

[cbones77]

Just GREAT!!! Now I'm HOOKED! Oh well, on to lesson 4.

[4tknaruto]

Hi Jim,

I am a die-hard fan of how you play the song! I am a beginner; taking guitar lessons since last year. After hearing you, I would like to try playing it in G chord.

Would you play the song and post it on YouTube, PLEASE???

Itsuko Ella

[Lowdenjim]

@4tknaruto An interesting request - yes I will work on it, and hopefully upload soon.

[finchy633]

Finally! I can play this bloody song! Taken me about three weeks.

[Lowdenjim]

Hey - my videos MUST be good; it took me a lot longer than 3 weeks!!

[finchy633]

@Lowdenjim I've been playing guitar for a year or so. I've done some basic finger picking before. Its amazing, because I couldn't write down what im playing, its as if my hand has a little mind of its own. If I look at myself when I'm playing I cant do it. Weird...

[jimmytightlips13]

Nice guitar, is it a miniature? It looks smaller than usual.

[MrLamendez]

Thanks for the lessons on this awesome song, I heard it in work and loved it!! It makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck. I have been enjoying your teaching method. I thought that I had accomplished the hard part with playing the F chord with the thumb, but it gets harder because now my Index and middle finger are departing to play notes alone lol tough song to play but your teaching is spot on mate, thanks.

[RoosterLozz]

Thanks much appreciated

[RoosterLozz]

Enjoyed watching your videos. Lovely guitar..which model is it?

[Lowdenjim]

Thank you - the guitar is a Washburn parlour Model R314KK; I ought to get paid a retainer from Washburn based on the number of enquiries I get about this guitar!

[thallassocracy]

A really good lesson can teach you how to listen to a piece, as well as how to play it. I have loved this song since I first heard it (on the famous 'speckle' CBS EP 6051), and I have been playing a simpler version for nearly forty years. I thought I knew the piece.

You have shown me that there is even more to the piece than I already knew, so my enjoyment (hearing and playing) has increased proportionately.

It would be difficult to say just how grateful I am.

[Lowdenjim]

Not too difficult! - I am touched by your gratitude; thank you very much for your generous compliments. It's very rewarding to get comments like yours and from all the others here who have learnt this great song. I hope you enjoy it for another 40 years at least!!

[doktorkosmos213]

Love your videos, but do you have a tab? Because I'm unsure in which order you hit the strings(not the bass strings that is but the 2nd and 3rd strings)

[Lowdenjim]

I don't use tab, but the picking pattern is;

Thumb, 2nd finger (2nd string), Thumb, 1st finger (3rd string) repeating on a count pattern of 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & etc with the bass strings being hit on the main beat counts of 1, 2, 3, 4 and the 2nd and 3rd treble strings being hit on the half beat "&" counts.

My video lesson Part 5 is a slow-motion video practice session which should help you to see exactly how it's played. Good luck, but get back to me if you need more help.

[doktorkosmos213]

@Lowdenjim Sorry for being daft maybe. But it's seems to me like you're playing

thumb, thumb, 2nd finger, thumb, 1stfinger, thumb * repeat

or?

cheers for taking the time to explain anyway :)

Love the hat on Tom..

[Lowdenjim]

Not daft at all - I play it both ways; on a count of 1 2&3&4& 1 2&3&4& etc (as here and as you correctly note) which is as played on the freewheelin' album. I also play it with an extra treble-string picked in a 1&2&3&4&1&2 etc which some people might find easier to play. It's down to personal preference really; I try to have a number of different fingerstyle patterns that I can draw on according to song style, and my approach to the song at the time.

[Humetube]

First of all thanks for the videos and for the time you take to teach us those beautiful songs, it's appreciated. I just have one question about this part 3 of Don't think twice. I feel that the fingerpicking is different when your telling it (it's 1-2 and 3 and 4) then when your playing the whole verse (wich sounds like 1-2 and 3 and 4 and ), am I crazy? and which version is the good one?

Thank you!!!!

[Lowdenjim]

Not crazy my friend - just very perceptive! The truth is I play it both ways during live performance, in order to give it a little variety. It's whatever works for you really.

[icantgetnosleeep]

great teacher thanks. from yorkshire an all.

[Lowdenjim]

Thanks mate - hope you're gettin' satisfaction while you "can't get no sleep"!!

[skwaller]

Thank you so much for this excellent tutorial. I can't tell you how long I've been trying to learn this picking pattern. I know plenty others and have performed professionally for years, but this one always alluded me and I could never find anyone to just sit down and teach it to me. I feel as if we were sitting together with you showing me. Invaluable! Thanks!

[Lowdenjim]

You're most welcome - very good luck with singing it to all your fans!

[Kingtommytom]

Excellent video! I can't quite get the syncapation right, but I'm getting there with your slowed down version at the end. great stuff!

[Lowdenjim]

Good luck with it King Tom....

[FabioRiccioli]

thanks so much for the lesson. beautiful video and great sound.

[Lowdenjim]

Thank you Fabio - you're most welcome & good luck with the song.

[seinip]

hello thanks!!! i love the song..but i keep hearing a half beat after 4, when you play the song... is the count 1 2 and 3 and 4 AND?

[Lowdenjim]

I'm sorry for delay in responding (I think I missed your question). Generally I aim to play on a count of 1, 2 & 3 & 4, but do sometimes put in that extra 1/2 note to play the count of 1, 2 & 3 & 4 & 1, 2 & 3 & 4 etc..

[callen1992]

does anyone know do you play the same treble strings so the 2nd and 3rd strings no matter what chord your playing in the progression ?

[Lowdenjim]

Yes - same for each chord; Video No 5 (Practice) shows exactly what's happening in slow motion. Good luck!

[blooddiamond313]

Thanks a lot for your help. I love this song so much and now I can play it!

Thanks!

[Lowdenjim]

You're very welcome Mathieu.

[halhewitt]

Thanks for the lesson. What guitar are you playing? It sounds great - I like the samall body and wide neck

[Lowdenjim]

You're welcome Hal - the guitar is a Washburn parlour Model R314KK

[MrToop1]

cheers loads but wheres part 4 for all the fancy bits thanks

[Lowdenjim]

It's posted as How to play "Don't Think Twice" - Guitar Lesson - Part 4 but if you can't find it just click on my channel and you should find it OK

[Laranjada]

thank you for this great video, really got me to play it finally

[Lowdenjim]

That's great! Enjoy playing/singing the song.

[tony59able]

No not seen that but many thanks for the tip. Would be amazing if you could post the technique tutorials. In your own good time of course and in the meantime i will keep practising. Managed to crack the F barre chord this week. Elated.

[Lowdenjim]

Well done Tony - a toughie that; now you can go for a Bb!

[tony59able]

Have you thought about lessons on both your left and right hand techniques Jim. As a learner for example i notice your chord shapes are different and your strumming and fingerpicking technique is very effective to the point that you make that guitar sound amazing. i don't feel that i have got to the point where my playing sounds interesting. It is far better than when i started and can be adequate to sing along to but where does one start to make the difference? Thanks as always.

[Lowdenjim]

I haven't thought about it Tony to be honest, but I will now. I'll try to get to the basics of what I'm doing with the right hand and put together some videos tips on technique. I'm a great admirer of "Deltabluestips" who has some great videos on right hand technique - have you seen his tutorials?

[donfillet]

This has been such a great help! I've been finger picking the banjo since seven years old (just over 10 years now) but fingerpicking the guitar has always stumped me. These videos have explained to me excellently not just this song but some of the basic patterns that are different on the guitar so thank you very much. Bri575 commented on lifting the pinky up, would you mind explaining to me why this is necessary? It will be a tough habit to break. Cheers again

[Lowdenjim]

Thanks Don - my reply to the "pinky debate" is sent to your inbox. Good luck..

[jeepcjay5]

Thanks for that nice videos and for your endurance in this.

All the best from germany

Chris.

P.S. its a nice small guitar. Is it a martin?

[Lowdenjim]

You're most welcome Chris. The guitar is a Washburn parlour Model R314KK

[nickmilliner]

you're the man. that saved a few years of trail and error.

[Lowdenjim]

Glad it's helped!

[amandamcfadyen]

Hi Jim - I spent the afternoon with you on you tube working on Don't Think Twice - you do it beautifully and explain it well - I'll be working more on this and with the virtual you over the next few weeks or so I'm sure - thank you for this offering - that is one of my all time favorite songs and you make it seems within reach! I love the sound of the Lowden too - I play with a friend who has 2 - great for finger style. Thanks for your kind comments!

Amanda

[Lowdenjim]

You're very welcome - I'm looking forward to your video of this song!

[bri575]

Greetings professor Jim. I'm making progress and I have two questions: 1. Is this the sequence for the intro: C G7 C F C G7 C (and then play through a full verse) before singing? 2. I developed a habit of using my (right hand) pinky finger to stabilize my hand while picking. Would you recommend breaking this habit? Thanks!

[Lowdenjim]

Hi Bri - yes, intro is correct, and would be followed by singing the 1st verse. I play it through for illustration only. I would not recommend placing pinky on soundboard/pickguard. I'll send you a full explanation why.

[bri575]

jim. you're the man.

[Lowdenjim]

Cheers "Bri"!! - very good luck with learning & playing this classic song...

[1RoaringMonk]

what make model is that guitar?

[Lowdenjim]

It's a Washburn Parlour R314K - from their 125 year Celebration issues. Cost 385 Euros (bought in Amsterdam)

[clausbonne]

do more videos, this is perfect!

can this pattern be used for more dylan songs?

[Lowdenjim]

That's a very good question! I'll get back to you with an answer after giving it lots of thought..

[Lowdenjim]

(The answer is "yes" by the way - it can be used for lots of songs) I'll put together some examples of Dylan songs in a video coming up shortly.

[stayonmytoes]

I see that many people have already told you this, but this is by far the greatest visual lesson on how to play "Dont Think Twice It's Alright" on youtube!

[Lowdenjim]

It's always good to hear though! - Many thanks to you...

[Hauff1988]

i would like to thank you so much. this is the best "virtual" lesson i`ve ever seen.

can`t believe that i`m able to play this great dylan tune now.

many thanks from germany

[Lowdenjim]

That's great to hear - I look forward to a video of you playing it here on Youtube!

[bluesdog51]

Great lesson... Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge....BD

[Lowdenjim]

My pleasure - good luck...

[Edgar3254]

thanks man, this is a really good song.

[Lowdenjim]

Thanks to you too - I hope it helps.

[Edgar3254]

indeed, now i can play it to my girl =]

[Lowdenjim]

Watch out for "How to play Girl from the North Country" - you can dedicate it to her and she'll be putty in your hands for all time....

[Edgar3254]

agreed, thank you very much mate!

[FunBoy15]

I can play this song perfectly now. thanks..

[Lowdenjim]

That's great - let me know if you post a video of it.

[Lowdenjim]

Good luck with it - let me know how you get on.

[austinrjm]

Thanks thats fantastic, looks like I will have a busy weekend and sore fingers lol...

Cheers and all the best.