How to play "Don't Think Twice" (Dylan) - Part 2/6

[steveinrus]

Jim: Just to clarify, when is the pattern 1&2&3&4 as opposed to 12&3&4? Do you play particular chords always with the same patterns, e.g., C - 12&3&4?

Also, in the intro, what is string pattern when you hammer on 1st and 2nd strings and then transition back to C? I keep hearing Am before the C.

[devilrobbie25]

good stuff man

[Lowdenjim]

@devilrobbie25 Thanks Robbie!

[nazywamsiepawel]

great!

[Lowdenjim]

@nazywamsiepawel Thanks!

[jcondo86]

Thanks so much for breaking this song down AND remaining faithful to the recording. I'm just getting started, and I can't wait to master this song.

[Lowdenjim]

@jcondo86 You're welcome - very good luck!

[steveinrus]

Jim, I'm struggling with the timing on this. Can you pls confirm where you are playing the treble notes. Is it only on the "&" in 1,2,&,3,4 count, ie, that is when you play the C/Gbass, are you playing 5,4, treble, 6,4, treble, etc.? Great tutorial. thanks steve

[Lowdenjim]

@steveinrus 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.

[Lowdenjim]

@steveinrus The bass strings (6th, 5th & 4th) are plucked on every main beat in the count of 1, 2, 3 ,4 whereas the treble strings are picked as half-beats in between main counts 2 & 3, 3 & 4, and also between 4 & 1. The treble strings are not picked between the 1st and 2nd counts. This pattern then is summarised as 1  2 & 3 & 4 & 1 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 2 etc.....

[snook377]

what make and model guitar is that ?

[Lowdenjim]

@snook377 it's a Washburn R314KK parlour (125 year celebration model)

[originbluebull]

Jim that was a revelationary lesson in fingerstyle i think i may crack thank you so much

[Lowdenjim]

@originbluebull You're very welcome, and very good luck with it!

[boomer3505]

Great Job!!! Nice guitar too.

[MrBoydEllis]

Jim, you are a talented teacher. Thanks for the help.

[Lowdenjim]

@MrBoydEllis You are very welcome - good luck with the song

[surfstomp]

Great lesson and cool sounding guitar. Has a uke sound--kinda hawiian but almost metal top. Very unique.

[Sean120173]

Jim - really enjoying your lessons - its taking me some time to get this - but it will be worth it - I especially like how you have given alternate songs at the end which fit the patterns and tricks already taught ! Lots of lessons for the price of one ! Or so to speak ...

[soulere]

posicion as do you F?

[jhgf280]

Thank you so much for these lessons. I've tried learning this song with tabs (useless) but the way you break it down is huge help. I'm only on this video so far, but I hope to get through all of them and master this.

[Lowdenjim]

Thanks for your comment - very good luck with your efforts

[lhamo08]

hello and first of all great thank for your video. What I don´t get is the order of the accords you are playing; tabs are not helpful because many people play it in different keys. What I understood from the comments is: C G Am back to C f C G, correct. Is there a chance to get the tabs for the whole song as you play it here. best wishes and big thank you.

[finchy633]

My god...ive only been learning a year and this is giving me a headache. But I will persevere!

[Antimatter245]

I'm having a little bit of trouble. When you start adding the B&G strings together in between bass notes, I can't tell if you do it after each bass pluck, because it seems like you skip the treble notes in between hitting the E and D strings for the C/G chord.

Am I missing something? I have no real knowledge of music/timing, but so far this guide has been extremely helpful.

[Lowdenjim]

The bass strings (6th, 5th & 4th) are plucked on every main beat in the count of 1, 2, 3 ,4 whereas the treble strings are picked as half-beats in between main counts 2 & 3, 3 & 4, and also between 4 & 1. The treble strings are not picked between the 1st and 2nd counts. This pattern then is summarised as 1 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 2 etc.....

[Antimatter245]

@Lowdenjim

Oh my gosh thank you that was the part that was missing, the 4&1 treble note! Now it's all finally coming together. Thank you so much, your tutorial has been probably the most singularly helpful video I've seen on youtube for anything.

[Lowdenjim]

Glad to be of help - good luck!

[JRobson1955]

Love it. Can you break down Sunny Afternoon like this.

[eskimotwin]

I can find no fault with this... i presume the person who clicked the dislike icon hit the wrong one by accident.... I take my hat off to you sir... Thank you....

[smartti1970]

wow your lessons are great.... just how lucky are we to learn with people like you who give there time ...

[marcoruscelli]

Probably the most user friendly and helpful guitar lesson ive ever seen! Thank you so much mate. Keep up the good work and spread the word of playing fine music.

[sand2000]

loved this tutorial, clear and concise. I was wondering what type of guitar that you're playing- it's a beaut!

[Lowdenjim]

Thanks - it's a Washburn R314KK parlour (125 year celebration model)

[MelBestelable]

Your video tutorials are excellent. I've been trying to learn guitar via youtube tutorials for ages and you are by far the most articulate and clear person making videos. Thank you very much for taking the time to share your knowledge with the rest of us.

[Lowdenjim]

Thank you very much Mel - you are very welcome and I wish you speedy development with the guitar!

[Uchihamadara181]

hm..i was wondering..will it sound bad if i doesnt mute the string..

cause its really hard to mute it for me without making noises..

[Lowdenjim]

Not at all - whatever sounds good to you; good luck...

[reisshennigan]

great video!! probably the best don't think twice its alright video lesson on the web!! mr reiss yorkshire

[Lowdenjim]

Thanks Mr Reiss!! (Thar all reight)

[taymaster01]

I must say you are an excellent teacher. I'm a bit confused by the very first part of the chord progression as I am a beginner. to start out it goes C G AM and then back to C for a moment then F, C, G.

[Lowdenjim]

Thanks Taymaster - the brief "C" is simply a way of hitting the G Bass note on the Am as it progresses to the "F" chord. In notation you'll usually see it as Am/G (shorthand for Am with a G note on the bass string). Sometimes I just fret the 6th string at the 3rd fret as I play the Am, but at other times I just hold a full C chord as I pick the bass note. If you watch the practice video (Part 5) youll see exactly what's being played. I hope that helps - good luck!

[josephp1251]

i seem to be able to play things decently with my thumb and forefinger which is the way that i taught myself while writing my music, yet when i try to add my middle or third finger to the mix is when i seem to have trouble i suppose i need to practice for a long time to get it in there. can you give me any more tips into this.

[Lowdenjim]

I'm sorry I missed your comment and am replying to it this late!

One way is to keep your 1st, 2nd and 3rd fingers together as you pick 3rd, 2nd and 1st strings simultaneously. This concentrates thumb and 3 string picking in tandem. Then separate 1st finger as you keep 2nd and 3rd together until comfortable. Finally, separate 2nd and 3rd and practice all 3 fingers working independently. Good luck!

[hovlandbound]

Thanks Lodenjim for the FREE lessons on this Bob Dylan song. I thought I would never figure this song out but thanks to you I have a chance! You are a great teacher and everyone should be very grateful for the lessons you have posted. It's not that hard after you break it down like you have. Thanks again!! Pete

[Lowdenjim]

You're most welcome Pete - thank you...

[gerlinooo]

you look like Johnny Cash!!!

Johnny Cash is alive!! :D

[Lowdenjim]

Thanks!! You look a bit like Bruce Springsteen on your feature video - but obviously much much younger!

[AlexanderChar]

Thank you for this lesson, have always wanted to learn how to play this song the way it was originally recorded.

The lost art of teaching lives on through you!

[Lowdenjim]

Thanks for that Alexander. Good luck with the song - and any others you wish to learn!

[Cobaltize]

Thanks so much for posting this Jim. I've been fudging my way through this song for years. You're a wonderful teacher.

[Lowdenjim]

Thanks for your very kind comment - I'm pleased these videos are helpful to folks learning Dylan songs..

[krazyjoe00]

thanks a bunch, never thought i could do the fingerpicking for this song, but i am almost there.

[Lowdenjim]

You're very welcome Joe - I'm looking forward to your version here on the Tube!

[everygrain3008]

Great song, great playing, GREAT TEACHING! Thanks for uploading.

[Lowdenjim]

Thank you!! (You're welcome)

[Lowdenjim]

You are very welcome Milla - your written English is excellent too! Very good luck with learning to play this song, and I will be making some more "How to play" Bob Dylan songs soon. If you need any more help on technique then let me know.

[patchyone123]

I really like the way each section is broken down... i think this helps iron out bad habits, or stop them being created in the first place. great lesson! Great song also... Bob Dylan is a legend!

[Lowdenjim]

Thank you - I'm glad the videos help.

[ECnorthernlights]

where did you find tabs for this song?

[Lowdenjim]

Sorry, but I don't use tab.

[austinrjm]

Thanks Jim. your timing is spot on, great lesson.

I was wondering is "Travis" picking style used on this song? I only learned that picking last week by learning "Dust In The Wind".

[Lowdenjim]

It's not what I'd call Travis picking as he used only thumb and 1st finger - though some credit him with inventing the alternating bass pattern.