Learn to Play "Buffalo Springfield Again" by Neil Young on the Guitar

In this lesson, we'll learn how to play Buffalo Springfield Again on the guitar. This song is a favorite of mine, with loads of cool elements to learn. It's an excellent piece for getting a feel for Neil Young's unique style, especially his distinctive strumming pattern.

Chords and Progression

We'll begin by looking at the chords used in this song. The first chord we'll tackle is the G chord. This is a key chord in the song and forms the foundation of the melodic progression. Following this, we'll learn the C chord with a G bass. These two chords form the basis of the intro and verses of the song. We'll also briefly touch on the D chord, but I assume you're already familiar with this one.

One of the defining features of this song is the chord progression. Neil Young uses a unique pattern of thumb, down, up strumming to create a rhythm that's both engaging and fun to play. This pattern is the backbone of the song and is repeated throughout.

Strumming and Rhythm

Strumming is a big deal in this song. Neil Young has some really interesting ways of strumming, and this song is a great introduction to that. He uses his thumb to play the bass notes on beats one and three and the first finger to strum in between.

In addition, you'll notice a percussive hit happening on beats two and four. This distinctive feature of the song adds an extra layer of rhythm to the music. These small details make Buffalo Springfield Again such a unique and enjoyable song to play.

Song Structure

The song structure of Buffalo Springfield Again is fairly straightforward. The intro and verses revolve around the G and C chords, with a transition to the D chord later in the song. The chorus introduces a few more chords, including D minor and E7sus4 over B, before returning to the C chord.

Once you've got the groove and rhythm down, the rest of the song follows a predictable pattern. We'll go through each section of the song, focusing on the chord changes and strumming patterns.

Final Thoughts

Learning to play Buffalo Springfield Again is a rewarding experience. From the unique strumming patterns to the chord progressions, this song offers many learning opportunities for guitarists of all levels.

Remember, the key to mastering this song is practice. Spend time with each chord and strumming pattern; don't be afraid to make the song your own. With patience and persistence, you'll be playing Buffalo Springfield Again like a pro in no time!

Don't forget to watch the video for a detailed breakdown of the song and a live demonstration of each chord and strumming pattern. I can't wait to see your progress!

💡 Learn faster with JustinGuitarTabs! :) Get chords + lyrics, and verified tabs to follow along with my song lessons. Start your free trial now!