Learn to play "Mary Had A Little Lamb" by Stevie Ray Vaughan on the guitar

In this lesson, we'll learn how to play Mary Had A Little Lamb by Stevie Ray Vaughan on the guitar. This song is a classic, and we're going to break it down and make it accessible for you to play. So grab your guitar, tune up, and let's get started!

Understanding the Song Structure

Mary Had A Little Lamb is a blues song, and like most blues songs, it has a standard structure. The song is primarily based around the E7, A7, and B7 chords, forming a traditional blues progression. This progression is the song's backbone, and we'll add various riffs and embellishments to this basic structure.

The Intro and Verse

The song's intro sets the tone with a catchy riff that leads into the E7 chord. The verse continues with this E7 chord and then transitions into an A7 chord. There's a cool variation on the E7 chord that adds a unique flavor to the song. This variation is known as an E7 sharp 9, and it gives the song its signature sound.

The Bridge and the Solo

The bridge of the song involves a climb to a B7 chord. This is a great place to practice your picking techniques, as the chord is arpeggiated in a unique pattern. This climb to the B7 chord provides a nice contrast to the E7 and A7 chords used in the verse.

There is a fantastic solo in this song that we will cover in a separate video lesson. This solo is a great opportunity to practice your bends and slides and to really get a feel for Stevie Ray Vaughan's style of playing.

Wrapping Up

Remember, the key to mastering this song is practice. Take it slowly, work on each section individually, and then gradually put it all together. Don't rush - take your time to really understand the song and its structure.

One of the key aspects of Mary Had A Little Lamb is its rhythm. It's important to get the feel of the song right. This involves a mix of strumming, picking, and well-placed mutes to nail that bluesy sound.

Playing along with the original recording is a great way to improve your timing and feel for the song. Try using a piece of software that slows down the song so you can play along at a slower tempo - this can be really helpful for mastering those tricky parts.

And finally, have fun with it! This song is a joy to play, and once you've got it down, you'll have a classic blues tune in your repertoire that you can jam along to at any time.

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