Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash - Beginner Acoustic Guitar Lesson

[burnyourhonda]

Spectacular lesson. I'm a total beginner and you are one of the few people who actually shows a simple, easy version of the song at hand. You are also the only person to clearly define and teach the strum pattern. THANKS!

[wreckim]

This is easily one of the very best Guitar lessons on Youtube--by anyone. Thanks.

[yourguitarsage]

@wreckim Thanks friend!

:)

e

[oaklandfla2]

I can't explain it but I seem to get more from your instruction than others. ( no b.s. ) I have been teaching myself ( with the help of youtube) to play the guitar for 2 1/2 years. Your strumming etc makes sense and I am adapting to it . Thanks, Oak.

[yourguitarsage]

@oaklandfla2 Thanks friend. Well, this is what I do for a living and for some time now, so figure out different ways to get your ideas across.

[masonwriteon2525]

Finally a video that's slow enough and comprehensive enough to give me confidence to try.

[ducati321]

Thanks for uploading this and being awesome...

[aquariex24]

It appears that your first strum for each new note you only play half of the strings. Otherwise strumming all 6 string each time doesn't produce the same rhythm as you. Example, your first note is the E note but you only hit the first 3 strings instead of going down through all 6. Would this be correct?

[yourguitarsage]

@aquariex24 yup!

[oaklandfla2]

Don't pay mind to the neg comments boss, this is good intruction.

Oak.

[dearlpitts1]

well after seeing this decided i might as well do some teaching videos

[slugedinahead]

Thank's Boss.

[tuguybear]

Needs a chord chart for this?.

[TheShannonMontana]

how is this beginner?

[oaklandfla2]

Thanks much. Was easy to follow. Oak

[thekillers913]

can u taech some good beatles or good 70s music really apreciate it thanks

[goatface88]

press 4 fast and thats what you mom is

[720rodney]

just started playing guitar, what is the better nylon strings down the bottom or metel?

[smooretogo]

@720rodney Depends on the guitar your using. If it's a classical guitar use nylon. Nothing wrong with a classical style guitar, they sound great, you just use your fingers mostly in classical. Usually not good to use a std pick for nylon strings, thumb picks ok. What kind/style/type guitar do you have?

[DaveAlswager]

All the tabs I google are in E like yours. This is wrong. All the youtube ones are in F.

How can this always happen with chords on the internet?

[XxD3ADxTR33xX]

rong key :/ i think your a step down

[hazuinf]

Great song for beginners (and intermediate-s) to learn, and very well taught! I had wanted to know the strumming pattern for a while (Johnny moves way too much in live videos I've seen to pick it up from him).

Cheers!

[kager1969]

When I first came here, it was just to hear a song I wanted to hear covered...but before I knew it I had my guitar in my lap and was strumming away and was surprised to learn things here and there that I had never learned before, or just things I had overlooked myself (because I'm self-taught) very cool place for beginners AND intermediate players too like myself.

[daveandmairi]

Haha. When I first saw the link to your website, I thought, "How odd! Why would I want to learn my guitar's age?" :c) Nice lesson. Thx

[Belgianidiot]

For strumming, i'd go down down up up down up.. but whatever :) cool lesson though.

[ChristysKitchen]

Thanks for explaining the stum pattern!!!!

[emmaleeann76]

Thank you thank you thank you!!!!

[oreocoffie234]

lkjh



[6iceman5]

Thank you so much man! I was trying to do this off of a tab and this was so much more helpful.

[bmwagain]

Help me ALOT man

rly thanks

[dddorthy23]

thanks dude!!



[acousticfoxx]

Very helpful man thank you.

[wallykav1516]

Shit its hard to hit that b7

[xuprmemofo]

Its off because Cash plays it with a Capo on the first fret.

[score38]

@xuprmemofo I like it the way Cash plays it, Once you learn the song its hard not to stop playing it xD

[Zephyrus34]

:D Thanxz!

[coolmandaz]

kwl voice sounds awesome man

[bump40]

I love you.

[finlarg]

I find it matches the live at folsom prison recording (the most famous one) with a capo on the first fret. See my channel for a multitrack cover of this : )

[Preirin]

However, although I play in the same key as shown here (E), the intro I have is different than yours. I have third fret A x3, second fret D x3, third fret A, third fret E (bend), first fret E. Maybe not an issue but perhaps this is why the intro sounds "off"?

Cheers!

[jimmyvincent72]

@Preirin you got too many notes there brah

[Preirin]

Nice lesson! Thanks - one of my dad's favorite songs. All of the tabs I can find for this song don't include the E7, but I wrote it in. Thanks for this!

[cwthevegascalboy]

Awesome job, thank you...

[Axion3812]

happy new yearssssssss!

[korni54]

what kind of guitar is that?

[ariexmae]

Hey there teach lol. You might want to let all of your many students know that this song isn't In E. It's in Fmajor. You play the E shape cause it's Capo'd.

[HateBigGummedRetards]

can you do a lesson for Big Iron by Morty Robbins?

[ShaKenNumber10]

pause it on 0:00 , rofl

[brianbunt1]

@ShaKenNumber10

haha thanks for the laugh!

[freddyzcount90]

@ShaKenNumber10 jizz in ma pantsss

[yourguitarsage]

@freddyzcount90 HAHAHAH, you all are wrong!

[FrederickVirus]

@ShaKenNumber10 If you repeatedly click 0:00 its even better.

[gaaar4]

great video thanks very much..!!

[judgesfootball54]

what is the strum pattern

[Sheepshaggingtaff]

@judgesfootball54 D/D/D/U/D/U D/D/D/U/D/U continously throughout song

[ariexmae]

@Sheepshaggingtaff Haha that isn't right at all.  Don't give people dumb ideas if you dont know what you are talking about.

[Sheepshaggingtaff]

@ariexmae *Sigh* Another cyber cock!! It is on THIS video you fucking plank.

[ariexmae]

@Sheepshaggingtaff Anybody who is amateur enough to need a lesson video on a Johnny Cash song, probably needs that information to play along with the song. Tool.

[Sheepshaggingtaff]

@ariexmae Sorry we can't all live up to your standard, Mr fucking Hendrix ! If you are as good as you really think you are, which I very much doubt, remember one thing.......You were a beginner at one stage........COCK!

[BN3Sketman]

@Sheepshaggingtaff Yes mate!! you has deffently got a point .. It doesnt matter how good at playing the guitar ariexmae is or THINKS he is does not it most certainly does not avoid the fact he's a pretentious twat and nothing will ever change that. I rate you bro

[Sheepshaggingtaff]

Pracising this tune and changing from E to B7 smoothly looks simple on the vid, but for a beginner, its not that easy!

[MrEpiphoneplayer]

@Sheepshaggingtaff i started to get the change smoother by leaving out the little finger and just changing to a "d7" shape on the fifth string 2nd fret 4th string first fret and 3rd string 2nd fret and making sure you don't strum the first string,once this becomes natural and smooth you can start to place the little finger on the first string 2nd fret to complete the full "B7" chord.it all soons become natural enough with practise so keep on rocking my friend.hope this helps?

Dan.

[Sheepshaggingtaff]

@MrEpiphoneplayer Thanks, I got it together now. I can play it well after a couple of weeks practice. Im hitting the bass notes no trouble too. I can also sing along to the song whilst playing, but i'm tone deaf and can't sing to save my life, so don't expect to see a vid on here of me playing lol! I've moved on to paradise city and the beatles now, its relaxing and a great challenge learning guitar. Keep strumming dude!

[MrEpiphoneplayer]

@Sheepshaggingtaff BTW,i think that ariexmae was only making the point it should be capoed at the first fret if a beginner wanted to play along with the original tune as it was recorded in F major,the guy on the vid says it won't sound right if you play like his description here in the video as (in his words)"i don't know if the original recording has been speeded up or something" so i don't think he was being pretentious,just trying to help beginners,but maybe worded it the wrong way?peace.

Dan

[1234WeeDee]

thank you for this, you are an great instructor!

[mopbrothers]

Thank you. The rhythm takes some time to get the hang of.

[Sconi71]

Dude, we understand that you are trying to promote your website and your "charts" but stop the "acting". You keep looking at your charts like you have never played this song in your life. You're a good instructor though.

[jfomby25]

me too lol

[effects69]

Thanks :)

[firebird16may1979]

You are wonderful man..! Thank you

[OldFoggieJr]

in all your videos you refer to us as kids, your a great instructor and were not all kids :>)

[thomgrub]

thanks dood, it even sounds good on my guitar!

[BoomhaurReplica7]

thanx for showing the Key of E version.dont understand why people play it in G...it doesnt have the same feel..,.

[x19fabi94x]

NIIIICE !!

[PoorHorseBand]

Wow, I learned a new chord... open B7 is awesome! I always made it as a barre chord.

[hkdxforsaken]

there is no E7 but other than that its spot on

[MattBewolf14]

I can't understand. When you show the shord slow, the rythm is diferent than the fast E. The result it's very different, I mean the sound.

In the part of the movements, do you play 2 times down and DUDU fast, right? When it goes faster, the sound is like "Down, DUDU".

[24bandido57]

thanks ! precious help!!

[24bandido57]

thank for your precious help

[RobWard77]

Original key is C, nothing to do with the recording being speeded up..

[csslsd]

i love you

[yogachandra13]

thanks for your invite to subscribe, this is helping me now!

[Assassin14Deadlink]

I'm Gonna Try To Learn This, Thanks Alot!... Your Awesome at Guitar!

[Crash171]

you should play the song before you try to teach it

[slownezy]

Thanks, I needed to learn this for a gig this wkend.

Excellent lesson, very easy to follow and understand.

Now I gotta work on the solo. :P

[DominaMaria]

awh this is great, you're doing all the songs i want to know :) *clicks subscribe*

[djdominatord]

Thank you. I am a huge Johnny Cash fan and I just bought a guitar. This will be the first song I am going to learn. Thanks for the help. I'm sure I will be watching this a thousand more times.

[dominickerley]

you are a really good teacher you break things down really well.

[van1976]

Thanks to Bernie King (R.I.P.), my next door neighbor, who taught me this tune as a kid--- my very first tune!---that was many "moons ago. Thanks "sage" for the refresher.

--Van

[punk98]

well.. i shit u not.. my guitar head snaped playing this song.. lo

[jamesdk09]

awesome...do u play electric ? could u do a tutorial for the solo?

[tacosancheese14]

dude i love that acoustic of yours

[wlchambers]

ummmm can anyone say thumbs up?

[MrBmxman11]

cool thanks um my teacher showed me the same thing but thanks

[Axion3812]

Awesome man, straight to the point. Clear, no accent, nice sounds. Subscribed =)

[voxrecordings]

Thanks for making this tutorial easy!

[justinwelgraven]

Thank you, awesome!

[modawg8k]

great lesson, thanks so much

[changeling12234]

While his version does sound good, it is not the way it was played originally. To be fair, however, Johnny Cash wasn't a very good guitar player. That's good for us because his songs are easier to play. If you are looking to learn Luther's (Johnny Cash's back up guitar) part, I recommend Lerb21.

To learn JC's part, all you have to do (for any song really) is get the strumming down, and use these 3 chords: E, A, B7

Pre 70's, these were the favored chords used (and the occasional C and G)

[KevinFenderStrat]

Was I hearing this right.

The whole song is like this

6 Measures of E

2 measures of E7

4 of A

4 of E

4 of B7

2 of E

Is that right?

[PegSueee]

What About The Lead Part??

[DamianSix66]

Had so much fun learning this one , really puts a smile on your face ! I couldn't help doing a big yee-haw!

[DudeIamMrMetallica]

Metallica!!!!!!!

[h400ex412]

I got a smile a mile long when i first hit those notes.. awesome...

[Huber1116]

It seems hes flicking the low E chord as opposed to doing an entire down strum (just before doing an entire down strum)......anyone else notice this?

[Huber1116]

is it all down strumming?

[fredsucksmyballs1]

Nice man, ur good

[ringbolt9]

excellent!!

[physfluXXibn]

Anybody ever tell you you look like James Hetfield? You talk like him too haha

[diamondcolosus]

@physfluXXibn

yea man...he kinda looks like Hetfield...

[iRECKONER]

The B7, does somebody mind throwing that on a tab for me ? What exactly is the fingering. THX

[habsrus]

@iRECKONER 1st finger on 1st fret of the D-string + 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the A-string + 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the G-string + 4th finger on the 2nd fret of the high e-string.

[iRECKONER]

@habsrus

Thank you !!!!

[FETZIahallebad]

i think you made a little mistake on the lyrics...

[desimartin1]

you're awesome. thanks for the help...it's entertaining learning different music! you're an awesome teacher-I hope you give lessons

[xxxxxPattyxxxxx]

THANKSSS Very much!!

[guitarmancombs]

great video bud really a great video to follow along to keep the videos comin

[markolin100]

thank you! love it...2nd day with a guitar ;)

[SwanseaTosh]

best thing i ever did - start learning - keep it up ! plus, the sage is a great teacher!!

[olskoolkid]

it seems to me if you play the intro lick closer up on the fret board to your fingering it sound more like the original!!

[MisterFrusnak]

my dad and i play it with the f chord..the key of f. f, Bb, c.

[BrotherPaul57]

i alwys thought it was in the key of F as well , that's how i learn't it !

[earlystennesseepits]

Thanks man you put a smile on my face!!First time i made a good sound with my guitar!!!

[gianithekid]

Thanks, man, this was very helpful... Only one suggestion: it would be great if you can show with more detail the position of your fingers for every note.

Regards from Peru!

[oldstylelife]

how do you do that clicking sound that johnny does on his guitar usually i strum on the high neck of the guitar but the clicking still isn't loud enough can anybody help me please?

[TheTonz76]

great vid what about doin i walk the line

[foofighter1337]

Great tutorial, but the text was in the way half the time.

[twainism]

I would like to see TN. Flatop Box, too. I've been butchering that on my own for too long.

[manning337]

great lesson. and yes it was origanlly tuned to F.

[TelecasterFreak93]

Well, to stop the arguing between people about what tuning it is or not. The first recording of Folsom Prison Blues, Johnny, Luther and Marshall were tuned up to F.

So, Either tune up to F or put a capo on the first fret, Same thing.

[blobmudcowdung]

can you play the whole song in normal time at the start of the video so we can hear how it is supposed to sound from the start.

[MrEverythingkid]

you should tell people how to play the chords

[browsy23]

thanks man great vid :D

[ChocolateThunderRick]

Does anyone know the tuning? Would be a great help if someone told me. Thanks

[WestcoastJB]

If you want to play with the cd or anything, put a capo on the first fret.

[Sevensixseven78]

This song is just just standard tuning if that is what you are ASKING

[EverTommy]

I vwant to learn tennesse flat top box an all .............or cant you play it?

[claycomb556]

yea , could you do a video on tennesse flat box top

[claycomb556]

Yea , id like to see how to play tennesse flat top box too. on you video . what are the chords to it ?

[Zupwhack]

Thank you, this was awesome! :D

[lonewolf31669]

could you show how to play tennesse flat top box by johnny cash tks by the love the way you teach tkx again

[mreev]

Good stuff, man.. You got right to the point

[dansgta]

cants see the ritings in the way

[IFreakingEatPeople]

nice dude. wat songs that gold record to

[irishroverandthecrew]

thanks

[deadking13]

just perfect

[jdun1]

In listening to the recorded version off "The Man in Black", the chords played there are different. He goes F# -> B -> C#.

It's much more difficult for a novice to play but it sounds a lot better.

[retrovogue]

perfect lesson! thank you so much!

[Chmelar91CZ]

Could you give here lesson of Sweet Home Alabama?

[MileyJay92]

yeah to learn that would be awsum!!

[Chmelar91CZ]

really really good lesson, i learned it with you in 4 hours

[ringbolt9]

cash! those  luther perkins solos rock

[youngmoney7590]

its good but i was messin iwht it i think it sounds better if you just do an E--- A---B#---E. TRY IT OU AND GE TBAACK AT ME PEACEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[GTwingy]

thank you

[rastasmoomix]

wow! what a great lesson! you make this sooo simple and fun!

[welovegordon]

Too bad you didn't bring the solo up in the vid.

[imy0042]

great video!

but to match the studio recording you can put a capo on the second fret

[cwebb809]

wow this is great ! ! thanks alot man !

[SpaNoeProductions]

k im learnin this song right now but i was told to use a capo and the 3 chords im usin is e a7 and b7

[ACDClover1995]

Your awesome ! :) Thanks alot you really helpeed me ! :D

[budwiser1877]

Legend!!! Thanks a lot.

[limegreentj]

TITS MAN! thanks dane! lol. good stuff

[lean1999]

you are great man thankyou for the lesson

[hvacrdude1]

this reminds me of my dad playing guitar. LOL

[DarrenzJuniorz]

hey mate ive be watching ur vidoes and its helpd out heaps ive been playin for a couple of weeks and ive gt everythin dwn packed but its just listening to the beat of the song that gets me is ther nythin that i can do to improve on that nd cn u do a brad praisley song whiskey lullaby the picking ive learnt heaps like cash and all utha songs like matchbox 20 culd you do a couple of dem as well thx ur an awsum guitar player ive bought a guitar wrth 800 do you thnk i spnt to much i dnt thnk so thx

[Roundhead70024]

dont know who you are but I am interested in learning how t play and i signed up for the first free 6 lessons jamorama offers. Wish me luck :)

[StupidEarthlings]

you're still the man.

[Malalvma]

nice

[riffrandlernr]

Great job man! Really helped me out. Thanks!

[Timnaldo]

Hey Sage. This is a great lesson man. Simple and straight forward. For the first time ever my girlfriend said " That sounds ok" :)

[sthelens07]

nice tutorial u helped me thanks :)

[xxxxxxbrittxxxxxx]

people who are leaveing negative comments.. your bell ends!! im sure this bloke has better things to do with his time, but insted he is passing on his knowlidge!! so do one if you dont like the way his doing it!! keep it up mate good job!!

[lopapa21]

give me the chords!! and how many time play it by strumming.. thank bro

nice Video ..

good teacher

[crzyruskie86]

thank you for the invite to your vids. i hope to learn some stuff. I LOVE THIS SONG! lol

[germanbeers]

Very nice video!

[Johi2410]

The recording you're talking about isn't off pitch actually, it's not in E but in F (both studio recording from 1956 and the Folsom Prison Recording from 1968). Which by no means is a changing of the chords, but Luther & Johnny tuned up their guitars one step usually (a capo would do as well for sure).

I'm also pretty positive they didn't play the "E7" and John strummed it a little "less modernly".

Just some annotations to make your instruction perfect, coming from a detailed Johnny Cash fan ;-)

[yourguitarsage]

Thank you Johi2410. Great information. I thought when I played this(tuned up) it was still off about a quarter step. I knew it was in F and have heard it in F# too. Thanks again.

[Johi2410]

Yep, the recordings with guitarist Bob Wootton were in F# most of the time.

These annotations come from playing the tune millions of times and listening to it still more ;-)

Good channel, good lesson!!

[crbdudeman]

@Johi2410 Yeah they used capos.