Master the Iconic Guitar Parts of Simon and Garfunkel's Homeward Bound

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Overview of the Song "Homeward Bound"
3. The Voice Tracer by Philips: A Handy Gadget for Songwriters and Performers
4. Tutorial: Breaking Down the Intros, Verses, Pre-Chorus, and Chorus of "Homeward Bound"
   1. Intros Section
   2. Verse Section
   3. Pre-Chorus Section
   4. Chorus Section
5. Tips and Tricks for Playing the Song
6. Conclusion

Introduction

Welcome back to Trip, Get Our Lessons! In today's lesson, we'll be diving into a full breakdown of Paul Simon's "Homeward Bound." This iconic song is a favorite among guitarists, and we'll be taking you through the licks, picking patterns, and chord progressions in the intros, verses, pre-chorus, and chorus. But before we get started, let me introduce you to a handy gadget that will enhance your songwriting and performing experience: the Voice Tracer by Philips.

Overview of the Song "Homeward Bound"

Before we delve into the details of playing "Homeward Bound," let's take a moment to appreciate the beauty and significance of this song. Released in 1966, "Homeward Bound" is a timeless classic by Paul Simon, known for his profound songwriting and soulful melodies. The song reflects on the longing for home and the bittersweet journey of life on the road. With its heartfelt lyrics and captivating guitar work, "Homeward Bound" has become an anthem for travelers and dreamers alike.

The Voice Tracer by Philips: A Handy Gadget for Songwriters and Performers

As a songwriter or performer, capturing your ideas and live performances on the go is essential. That's where the Voice Tracer by Philips comes in. This nifty gadget is an affordable and user-friendly solution for recording live sound. It features high-quality microphones and an attachment that allows you to connect external microphones or instruments. With the ability to capture up to sixteen gigabytes of content, the Voice Tracer makes it easy to transfer your recordings to your computer for editing. Whether you're a songwriter jotting down melodies or a performer capturing your live shows, the Voice Tracer is a must-have tool in your arsenal.

Tutorial: Breaking Down the Intros, Verses, Pre-Chorus, and Chorus of "Homeward Bound"

Now that you have a handy recording device at your disposal let's dive into the tutorial for "Homeward Bound." We'll break down the different sections of the song and guide you through the techniques and fingerpicking patterns required to play it.

Intros Section

The song starts with an iconic intro that sets the mood for the rest of the song. To play the intro, you'll need to place a capo on the third fret and tune your guitar to standard tuning. The intro consists of a series of fingerpicking patterns and chords, combining elements from the studio version and various live performances. Let's break it down step by step:

1. Begin with the G and B strings open, coupled with the third fret of the low E string to create a G shape.
2. Hammer and pull off the 2nd fret of the G string and 1st fret of the B string.
3. Move to a fragment of the F chord, played on the 3rd fret of the D string and 2nd fret of the G string.
4. Transition to the 2nd fret of the D string and pair it with the open G string.
5. Grab the root of the C chord by placing your fingers on the 3rd fret of the A string and the open G string.
6. Perform a hammer-on on the 2nd fret of the D string and couple it with the open G string.
7. Finally, play the open G and B strings together to complete the intro.

Practice these fingerpicking patterns slowly and gradually increase your speed. With some practice, you'll master the iconic intro of "Homeward Bound."

Verse Section

The verse section of "Homeward Bound" is performed the same way throughout the song, making it one of the easier sections to play. The verse follows a fingerpicking pattern that relies on alternating bass notes and chord arpeggios. Let's learn it step by step:

1. Start with a G major chord, fretting only the third fret of the Low E string.
2. Pluck the Low E string, D string, G string, and B string in an alternating bass pattern.
3. Repeat the same pattern twice over the G major chord.
4. Transition to a G/F# chord by adding your middle finger to the second fret of the Low E string.
5. Repeat the pattern twice over the G/F# chord.
6. Descend to an F major chord, playing the same pattern.
7. Continue to the E minor chord, playing the pattern twice, incorporating an inside-outside picking pattern on the second repetition.
8. Transition to an A minor chord and perform the outside-inside picking pattern, ending with the pinkie or ring finger on the third fret of the Low E string to lead into the F major chord.

Practice playing the verse section slowly and focus on getting the fingerpicking pattern smooth and consistent. As you become more comfortable, gradually increase the tempo to match the original recording.

Pre-Chorus Section

The pre-chorus section of "Homeward Bound" introduces some traditional fingerpicking patterns and a walk-in transition. Let's break it down:

1. Start with a G major chord and play an outside-inside fingerpicking pattern.
2. Transition to an A minor 7 chord and perform the same outside-inside pattern.
3. Move to a C major chord and continue with the outside-inside pattern.
4. Walk down to C/B by playing the second fret of the A string and the third fret of the B string.

Repeat this pattern for the second half of the pre-chorus, transitioning from G major to C major.

Chorus Section

The chorus section of "Homeward Bound" incorporates strumming rather than fingerpicking. Here's how to play it:

1. Start with a G major chord and strum down-up-down, emphasizing the root note.
2. Add the first fret of the B string and the second fret of the G string, plucking those two strings.
3. Transition to the F major chord, playing the second fret of the G string and the third fret of the D string.
4. Pluck the second fret of the D string and the open G string.
5. Strum the G major chord again with the same pattern as before.
6. Repeat this pattern for the duration of the chorus.

Continue playing the verse and chorus sections to complete the song. Remember to practice each section slowly and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable.

Tips and Tricks for Playing the Song

• Practice the fingerpicking patterns and chord progressions slowly at first, gradually increasing your speed.
• Experiment with using a thumb pick for a different sound and the ability to strum through the fingerpicking patterns.
• Focus on maintaining a steady rhythm while fingerpicking to give the song its distinctive groove.
• Explore variations and add your own personal touch to the song. Feel free to incorporate different strumming patterns or embellishments to make it your own.

Mastering "Homeward Bound" requires patience and practice. Take your time to internalize the techniques and make them your own. With dedication and perseverance, you'll be able to play this beautiful song with confidence.

Conclusion

Congratulations on learning how to play Paul Simon's "Homeward Bound"! This timeless classic combines soulful lyrics with captivating guitar work, making it a favorite among guitarists. We've covered the intros, verses, pre-chorus, and chorus sections, breaking down the fingerpicking patterns and chord progressions step by step. Remember to practice slowly and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable. Keep honing your skills, and soon you'll be able to play this song with finesse and emotion. Happy playing!