Tell Me Why: The Intricacies of Neil Young's Opening Chord in 'Old Man'

Neil Young is known for his masterful guitar playing and iconic songs that have stood the test of time. One such song is 'Old Man,' a hauntingly beautiful ballad that showcases Young's skillful fingerpicking and chord work. In this article, we'll delve into the intricacies of the opening chord in 'Old Man' and provide you with exercises to help you master it.

The opening chord of 'Old Man' is no easy feat. In fact, even with an exact tablature (tab), this chord can be challenging to play correctly. The chord in question is a Dm9, which requires a specific combination of fingers and string manipulation to produce the desired sound.

To gain insight into how to play this opening chord like Neil Young himself, I highly recommend checking out a live video performance of 'Old Man.' Watching the master at work will give you a better understanding of the chord's construction and the techniques required to execute it smoothly. You can find one such performance on my 'practice log' series of videos, where I share tips and tidbits as I navigate more challenging sections of certain songs.

For those who are new to playing this song or struggling with the opening chord, I'll provide you with a 5-6 exercises that helped me learn it. These exercises can be used as a reference point for your own practice sessions and may prove helpful in overcoming any difficulties you encounter.

To access these exercises and other notes related to this lesson, please upgrade to premium or log in to download the accompanying PDF. The PDF includes all of my notes for this lesson, allowing you to follow along at your own pace and print out the exercises for future reference. You're also free to share the PDF across your devices.

In conclusion, mastering Neil Young's opening chord in 'Old Man' requires patience, practice, and attention to detail. By following the exercises provided and watching a live performance of the song, you'll be well on your way to playing this iconic chord like the master himself. So, sit back, grab your guitar, and let's get started!

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