In this lesson I’ll teach you to play the Steve Earle song “Copperhead Road” - complete with the intro tab, chords needed for the verse & chorus, the strumming patterns you’ll use, and a whole lotta additional tips & tricks to get you on your way.

But simple up- and down-strokes can be marked with additional symbols. Here are the symbols you can see in these patterns: ↑ and ↓ - the most basic component of a strumming pattern are the arrows showing the direction of your hand's movement.

Contributions of any amount help make this project possible (including the many, many hours I put into it). The cost is $3/month (one month minimum, cancel anytime). How do I restore it? You’ll only strum the chord once with your right hand, but by hammering this note on after the strum, it almost sounds as if you’re playing a second strum. We have made changes to increase our security and have reset your password. Why do I need to change my email address?

> above the arrow means the accent, i.e.

For such a simple song with just two chords and great little riff bit, this sure is a fun one to play. That’s where you really start to get into the swing of the song, if you will. And then it repeats from the beginning without a pause at the end of it. For only $3/month you'll get access to a print-friendly PDF of my notes for each new lesson (view free sample). Since you already have data stored on this site, please select one of the following: Please note that if you do not select an option, we will be required to delete your feedback profile and personal information .
If you want to fancy it up a bit, you can begin accenting beats 2 and 4.

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Finally, we have this “power chord” rock-out section of the interlude, which involves heavy use of the D power chord. I'd take the seed from Columbia and Mexico. But simple up- and down-strokes can be marked with additional symbols. Contains tab of Bagpipe solo, Instrumental breaks and Guitar solo.

I just plant up a holler down Copperhead Road. Here are the symbols you can see in these patterns: The strumming pattern has a beat rate of 160, and it goes like this: downstroke, rest, downstroke, accented upstroke, rest, upstroke, muted downstroke, upstroke. This is characterized by a loud, rapid “down-up-down-up-down” strumming pattern, which is followed by a moment of silence before repeating again.

“Copperhead Road” is the most popular tune from Steve Earle, which can be attested to the fact that he’s still out there playing it! I explain a few different ways to practice this technique: A great way to start off learning this song, especially if the main riff is giving you trouble, is to practice with this approach. If this and my other lessons have proven helpful to you, please consider making a one-time donation to my tip jar. It might be tricky at first, as you’ll have to work on playing just the middle two strings with both down and up strums, but once you get it, you’ll be able to add it in throughout the tune as you’re playing.

Enjoy! This is something you’ll want to use quite liberally when playing this song, since you’ll be on D so much – adding this little touch can break up the monotony.

D I volunteered for the army on my birthday.

Listen and play along with this next song by Fleet Foxes for example.

For example, you could replace the C with a “Cadd9” shape which makes the transition between the two chords a bit easier. Have fun.