Danny Boy – Fingerstyle Version: Pickup Music Playthrough

So, the question is: How can you turn your favorite songs into a solo performance piece? 

The best way to learn this skill is by copying other people’s work! Okay, maybe copying isn’t the best word, let’s say; be inspired by their ideas. There are many moving parts in these types of arrangements, so we need to carefully dissect each element and understand how it all fits together. 

Thankfully we’ve got just the guy! Fingerstyle guru Collin Hill is here to share some arrangement tips and teach you how to play ‘Danny Boy’ in the process.

These types of fingerstyle arrangements can seem pretty complex to begin with, but as you play more of them you’ll internalize the concepts.

Here’s the tab for the chorus:

Before we move on, try to play the chorus and verse back-to-back. Go as slowly as you need – always prioritize accuracy over speed.

Harmonization

The bulk of the arrangement is done. We have the bass notes and melody, all that’s left is the space in between them.

We’re essentially adding a few additional notes to build the full chords. 

Usually, you can just play the open chord shape that matches the bass note, but occasionally you’ll need to do something a little different to accommodate the melodic line.

For this part, work through the TAB and find the most efficient movement between chords. If a certain part feels awkward to play, experiment with different fingerings.

If you’re still struggling to find smooth chord transitions, refer to the full playthrough towards the end of the video tutorial.

Want to learn more?

Hopefully, all of those intricate-looking fingerstyle songs aren’t so intimidating anymore.

Finding your own way is one of the most important parts of becoming a better guitarist. There’s a big difference between learning to play a song and learning to play a style. 

The courses from Pickup Music are great because they guide you along a structured pathway. You’ll develop the skills to understand what you’re playing, not just shown how to play it.

Get full access to all of their content with this 14-day free trial and see for yourself!

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