Tell Me Why: A Guitar Lesson Inspired by Neil Young

For many guitarists, Neil Young's music is a constant source of inspiration and guidance. His unique playing style, which combines raw energy with melodic sensibility, has influenced generations of musicians. In this lesson, we'll delve into one of his most iconic songs, 'When You Dance I Can Really Love,' from the album 'After the Gold Rush.' This song features Neil Young's signature guitar work alongside Danny Whitten on guitar.

To start, let's talk about the tuning used in this track. The guitars are tuned to double dropped D, which means both E strings are lowered a whole tone. This unique tuning gives the song its distinctive sound and allows for some interesting chord shapes and arpeggios.

For the audio, I'm using my Gretsch G5125 and 'Old Wine' Les Paul copy, which is equipped with a Firebird pickup in the bridge, P90 in the neck, and Bigsby tremolo system. These guitars are perfect for capturing the warm, twangy sound that Neil Young is known for.

To get started, you can download the tablature I've transcribed from both Neil Young's and Danny Whitten's parts. This will give you a good idea of the chord shapes and melodies used in the song. From there, you can experiment with different playing styles to capture the loose, improvisational feel that defines this track.

One thing to keep in mind is that the studio version of 'When You Dance I Can Really Love' is quite different from the live performances of the song. In fact, Neil Young and Crazy Horse never played the same arrangement twice, so be sure to experiment with different approaches to find your own unique interpretation.

In conclusion, this guitar lesson aims to capture the essence of Neil Young's playing style on 'When You Dance I Can Really Love.' With double dropped D tuning and a focus on melodic playing, you'll be well on your way to recreating the song's iconic sound. So grab your guitar and let's get started!

Tell me why neil young guitar lesson