Learn Simon and Garfunkel's Fingerstyle Classic: The 17th Street Bridge Song

Learn Simon and Garfunkel's Fingerstyle Classic: The 17th Street Bridge Song

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The 17th Street Bridge Song: A Simon and Garfunkel Classic
3. Getting Started with Fingerstyle Technique
4. The Intro Section Breakdown
5. Applying Fingerstyle Techniques to the Verses
6. Learning the Chords and Patterns
7. Practicing Counting and Timing
8. Completing Line Number One
9. Line Number Two: Repeat and Variation
10. The Walk-Up and Transition to the First Verse
11. Performing the Entire Intro
12. Singing and Playing: A Challenge for Guitarists
13. Conclusion

🎸 The 17th Street Bridge Song: A Simon and Garfunkel Classic 🎵

When it comes to learning fingerstyle technique on the guitar, there's no better place to start than with the timeless tunes of Simon and Garfunkel. In this lesson, we'll be breaking down one of their classic songs from 1960, the 17th Street Bridge Song, also known as "Feeling Groovy." This song is particularly beginner-friendly, as it utilizes just one basic pattern over four chords throughout. So, grab your guitar and let's dive in!

Introduction

Welcome back to Surf Lessons! In today's session, we'll be diving into another Simon and Garfunkel classic, the 17th Street Bridge Song. This song, also known as "Feeling Groovy," is the perfect choice for those who are just starting out with fingerstyle technique. With its simple chord progression and repetitive pattern, it provides an excellent foundation for beginners to develop their fingerstyle skills. So, let's get started by learning how to play the intro section.

Getting Started with Fingerstyle Technique

Before we jump into the specifics of the 17th Street Bridge Song, let's take a moment to familiarize ourselves with fingerstyle technique. Fingerstyle playing involves using the fingers of your picking hand to pluck the strings of the guitar, as opposed to using a pick. This technique allows for a greater range of expression and adds a beautiful, melodic quality to your playing. It may take some time to get used to, but with practice, you'll be able to create rich, intricate sounds on the guitar.

The Intro Section Breakdown

The intro section of the 17th Street Bridge Song is a great starting point for learning the song's fingerstyle techniques. To begin, place a capo on the third fret and tune your guitar to standard tuning. The song is played in the key of B flat major, but we'll be using G position chords for simplicity. The intro section follows a simple pattern that will be repeated throughout the song. Let's break it down step by step.

1. C Major Chord: Start by playing a C major chord using your index finger on the first fret of the B string and your middle finger on the second fret of the D string. Pluck the A string, the D string, and the high E string in a steady, even rhythm.
2. G/B Chord: Next, transition to a G/B chord by placing your index finger on the second fret of the A string and your ring finger on the third fret of the B string. Pluck the A string and the B string together, followed by the G string and the D string.
3. A Minor Chord: Move to an A minor chord by placing your index finger on the first fret of the B string. Pluck the A string and the B string together, followed by the G string and the D string.
4. G Major Chord: Finally, play a G major chord by placing your ring finger on the third fret of the low E string. Pluck the low E string and the B string together, followed by the G string.

By repeating this pattern, you'll be able to play the intro section of the 17th Street Bridge Song. Take your time to familiarize yourself with the chord shapes and fingerpicking pattern, and practice until you can play it smoothly and evenly.

Applying Fingerstyle Techniques to the Verses

Now that you've mastered the fingerpicking pattern in the intro section, it's time to apply it to the verses of the song. The beauty of the 17th Street Bridge Song is that the same pattern is used throughout the entire song, making it easy to play once you've learned it. The verses follow a simple chord progression of C major, G/B, A minor, and G major. To play each verse, simply repeat the pattern you learned in the intro section using these chords.

1. C Major: Start by playing the C major chord with the fingerpicking pattern.
2. G/B: Transition to the G/B chord and play the pattern.
3. A Minor: Move to the A minor chord and play the pattern.
4. G Major: Finally, play the G major chord with the pattern.

By applying the fingerpicking pattern to these chords, you'll be able to play the verses of the 17th Street Bridge Song. Take your time to practice the transitions between the chords and focus on maintaining a steady, even rhythm.

Learning the Chords and Patterns

To fully understand the 17th Street Bridge Song, it's important to familiarize yourself with the chords and patterns used throughout the song. Here's a breakdown of the chords and the corresponding fingerpicking pattern:

1. C Major: Play the pattern (A string, D string, high E string).
2. G/B: Play the pattern (A string, B string, G string, D string).
3. A Minor: Play the pattern (A string, B string, G string, D string).
4. G Major: Play the pattern (low E string, B string).

Focus on learning each chord shape and practicing the corresponding fingerpicking pattern. Take your time to ensure that each note is clear and distinct. As you become more comfortable, try speeding up the tempo and adding your own variations to make the song your own.

Practicing Counting and Timing

Timing is crucial when playing the 17th Street Bridge Song. To help you stay on track, it's important to practice counting as you play. The song is in 4/4 time, meaning there are four beats in each measure. Here's how you can count along with the song:

1. C Major: Count "1 2 3 4" as you play the pattern.
2. G/B: Count "1 2 3 and 4 and" as you play the pattern.
3. A Minor: Count "1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and" as you play the pattern.
4. G Major: Count "1 2 3 and 4" as you play the pattern.

By counting along with the song, you'll develop a better sense of timing and be able to stay in sync with the music. This will also help you when playing the song with other musicians.

Completing Line Number One

To build your confidence and solidify your understanding of the song, let's focus on completing line number one of the 17th Street Bridge Song. This line consists of measures one and two of the intro section. Here's a breakdown of the chords and patterns:

1. C Major: Play the fingerpicking pattern (A string, D string, high E string).
2. G/B: Play the fingerpicking pattern (A string, B string, G string, D string).

Practice playing these measures slowly and focus on transitioning smoothly between the chords. As you become more comfortable, gradually increase the tempo until you can play the line confidently and seamlessly.

Line Number Two: Repeat and Variation

Building upon what you've learned in line number one, it's time to move on to line number two of the 17th Street Bridge Song. Line number two repeats measures one and two of the intro section, just like line number one. However, there is a small variation in the final two measures. Here's a breakdown:

1. C Major: Play the fingerpicking pattern as in line number one.
2. G/B: Play the fingerpicking pattern as in line number one.

Once you've repeated measures one and two, it's time for the variation. Here's what you need to do:

1. Seventh Fret on the High E String: Place your finger on the seventh fret of the high E string and pluck that string.
2. Eighth Fret on the B String: Use your pinky finger to bar the eighth fret of the B string and pluck that string.

This variation adds a unique and melodic touch to the song. Take your time to practice the transition between the seventh and eighth frets smoothly and accurately.

The Walk-Up and Transition to the First Verse

Before we delve into the first verse, there's one more element of the song that we need to cover - the walk-up. This walk-up provides a smooth transition from the intro section to the first verse. Here's how it goes:

Starting from the A string, play the following notes: open E string, second fret E string, third fret A string, fifth fret A string, second fret E string. This will create a descending melody that leads into the first verse.

Once you've mastered the walk-up, transition smoothly into a C chord to begin the first verse. From here, you'll apply the fingerpicking pattern you learned in the intro section to each of the chords in the verse: C major, G/B, A minor, and G major.

Performing the Entire Intro

Now that you've learned all the individual elements, it's time to put them together and perform the entire intro section of the 17th Street Bridge Song. Take your time and start off at a slow tempo, gradually building up speed as you become more comfortable with the fingerpicking pattern and chord changes. Play along with the video demonstration provided to get a feel for the rhythm and flow of the song.

Remember, it's important to practice counting as you play to maintain proper timing and rhythm. As you become more confident, feel free to add your own variations and flourishes to make the song your own.

Singing and Playing: A Challenge for Guitarists

For many guitarists, combining singing and playing can be a challenging task. However, with practice and patience, it's a skill that can be mastered. Once you've become comfortable with the fingerpicking pattern and chord changes of the 17th Street Bridge Song, you can start incorporating your vocals.

Start off by playing the song without singing, focusing on maintaining a steady rhythm and accurate fingerpicking. Once you feel confident, gradually introduce your vocals, starting with just a few lines at a time. Take it slow and be patient with yourself. With time and practice, you'll be able to seamlessly combine your guitar playing and singing.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've learned how to play the 17th Street Bridge Song, a classic Simon and Garfunkel tune that's perfect for beginners looking to develop their fingerstyle technique. Throughout this lesson, we covered the intro section, the fingerpicking pattern, the chord progression, and the walk-up. Remember to practice diligently, focusing on accuracy, timing, and smooth transitions. With patience and dedication, you'll soon be able to play this beautiful song with confidence. Keep up the great work and happy picking!

Highlights

• Learn to play the 17th Street Bridge Song, a Simon and Garfunkel classic
• Develop fingerstyle technique with a simple pattern over four chords
• Breakdown of the intro section and fingerpicking techniques
• Applying fingerstyle techniques to the verses
• Learn the chords and patterns used in the song
• Practice counting and timing to stay in sync with the music
• Complete line number one and line number two of the song
• Transition smoothly with the walk-up from the intro to the first verse
• Perform the entire intro section with confidence
• Overcome the challenge of singing and playing guitar

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is the 17th Street Bridge Song suitable for beginners? A: Yes, the song is beginner-friendly, making it a great choice for those starting with fingerstyle technique.

Q: Do I need a capo to play the song? A: Yes, the song requires a capo on the third fret to match the original recording.

Q: How can I practice counting and timing while playing? A: Counting along with the song will help you develop a sense of timing and stay in sync with the music. Practice counting out loud as you play each chord.

Q: Can I add my own variations to the fingerpicking pattern? A: Absolutely! Once you've mastered the pattern, feel free to add your own embellishments and variations to make the song unique to your playing style.

Q: How can I improve my singing and playing skills? A: Practice playing the song without singing first and gradually introduce your vocals. Start with a few lines at a time and focus on maintaining a steady rhythm and accurate fingerpicking.

Resources

• Patreon: Full tab and extra resources