Playing “Long Train Runnin’” on the guitar requires a few basic chords: A, D, E, and G. The song is played in an 8-bar repeating loop starting with an A major chord. Then strum each chord four times – A, D, E and G – before returning to the beginning with the A major chord. To add some variety to the sound of your playing you can use hammer-ons and pull-offs throughout each chord change as well as adding slides in between chords. Don’t forget to end each verse with a little flourish by strumming all 4 chords at once.
Contents:
Understanding the Chords and Progression of “Long Train Runnin”
The key to understanding how to play “Long Train Runnin’” on the guitar is grasping the chord progression and structure of the song. The song follows a I-VI-IV-V progression in D major with some passing chords thrown in for flavor. It’s important to be comfortable playing barre chords, as many of them are required throughout the tune.
To properly execute the song, it’s essential to have an understanding of where each chord falls within the progression. The I or root chord (D) is used mainly at transition points between verses and choruses, while most of verse and chorus contains VI (Bm), IV (G), V (A7). It’s also useful to get familiar with a couple of other chords such as Em, F#m7b5/D and Cadd9 that appear during transitions between verses.
Learning these progressions may take some time but once you’ve become comfortable with their sequence, you should be able to easily keep up with the tempo changes throughout “Long Train Runnin’. With its catchy rhythm section, bluesy licks, and classic electric guitar solos, this 1970’s hit will surely fill any room with good vibes when played correctly on your axe.
Mastering the Intro Riff and Main Verse of the Song
Nailing the iconic intro riff and main verse of the classic song “Long Train Runnin’” can give any guitarist a confidence boost. It is not difficult to learn, but it does require attention to detail and practice.
Start by learning the opening lick in its entirety – including bends and vibrato for maximum authenticity. The whole lick should take about four seconds when played at normal speed, with each note played crisply but without being rushed. Take your time until you are confident that every phrase sounds correct – even then, there may be some small details to adjust later on after mastering the whole piece.
Once you have perfected the opening lick, it’s time to work on playing both parts of the main verse together: firstly strumming open chords while singing (or humming) along; then adding single notes during lead breaks or fills between vocal lines. Pay close attention to where exactly you need to hit each note in order for everything to sound perfect. All of these elements must work together harmoniously, so getting them right requires focus and dedication. With patience, however, you will soon be able to perform this classic tune as if it were second nature.
Playing the Bridge Section and Solo
When learning how to play the classic Doobie Brothers song “Long Train Runnin’”, it is important to practice the bridge and solo sections. This section of the song has some tricky chord progressions, but with a bit of patience and dedication, you can master it in no time.
Start by practicing just the chords for the bridge section. Begin by playing a G major chord followed by an A minor chord, then move into D Major and back to G major. Once you have this basic pattern down, focus on adding strums and rhythm variations that give your playing more life and depth.
Now take on the solo section of the song which is full of rapid scales that you will need to be able to execute cleanly and quickly. Break up each scale into smaller pieces or phrases so that you can learn them at an easier pace before putting them all together as one continuous piece. Spend time drilling these scales every day until they are second nature – this will ensure that when it comes time for performance you won’t miss a beat.
Adding Fills and Embellishments to Your Performance
Playing the guitar is an art form that can take many years to master. That doesn’t mean you can’t learn how to play a classic like “Long Train Runnin’” right away though, as it only requires basic knowledge of chord progression and timing. Once you’ve nailed down the basics, adding fills and embellishments to your performance will bring it to life.
The most important thing when spicing up your rendition of this song is timing. Each fill should be placed so that it complements the rhythm of the track. For instance, sliding from one chord to another with a tight vibrato will give depth to both chords and keep listeners engaged in what you’re doing. Trills between chords are great for establishing transitions between sections as well as adding excitement within a section or verse. The key here is practice – make sure each time you place one of these fills that it’s timed correctly.
Don’t forget about hammer-ons and pull-offs. These techniques are vital for keeping things sounding fresh throughout the entire song by adding texture and variations on notes already being played. Working some hammer-ons into different sections will make them sound more intricate without having to switch chords entirely – this adds variety while maintaining momentum in whatever section or part you may be playing at any given moment during “Long Train Runnin’”.
Tips for Practicing and Perfecting Your Version of “Long Train Runnin”
For those who want to master their version of “Long Train Runnin’,” the key is practice. With enough patience and dedication, you can take your rendition from a jumble of notes to something recognizable.
First, get comfortable with the basic chords. Practicing each chord separately is a great way to ensure that you have full control over your fingers before playing them together in sequence. Moving slowly will help keep your tempo steady and accurate as well as reduce any mistakes that occur when jumping between chords too quickly. Listening to various covers of the song online can be beneficial for understanding how others interpret it differently musically.
Once you are able to play through all the chords successfully without making many errors, start adding small embellishments like hammer-ons or slides depending on what genre you are playing in. Doing so will give your performance more nuance and make it sound more expressive instead of robotic and flat. Recording yourself practicing each day is an excellent way to track progress made as well as provide feedback about potential areas needing improvement.
Leave a Reply