Townes Van Zandt Guitar Lessons
Learn how to play the songs by Townes Van Zandt note-for-note on guitar with The Townes Van Zandt Guitar Lessons. Each lesson includes the playthru, video lesson, songsheet with chords and tab.
One of the most poetic and melancholic of songwriters, Townes Van Zandt’s songs seemed to reflect his own troubles more than almost any other writer.
In this collection of Townes Van Zandt guitar lessons you’ll learn exactly how he played the guitar accompaniments to these songs. Many of them are taken from the versions on the Live at Old Quarter album, which showed us how he accompanied these songs when backed by just his own acoustic guitar.
Much more than just the chords, you’ll get the capo positions, exact picking patterns, variations, licks and riffs that he incorporates on each song.
Click on any of the song titles to see a clip from the start of the lesson. (The free one you can download in its entirety.)
You’ll receive at least two videos per song, one lesson and one performance-standard play-through. You’ll also receive the chords/lyrics and guitar tabs as PDF files.
The videos are mp4 format and should play on PC’s, Macs and most mobile devices.
They will download as Zip files. If you don’t have a Zip program on your PC you’ll need to install one to open the file. .
If you want to download to an iPad or iPhone, please read here.
Glen says
Jerry, thank you for adding so many Townes songs. I haven’t been here in a while and noticed a bunch that I’ve wanted to learn so imagine my surprise! Keep up the much appreciated work.
CHRISTOPHER CAPOBIANCO says
My wife and I absolutely love your lessons – and we’re big fans of Townes’ music.
Would you please do a lesson for “Nothin'” – That would be fantastic !
Thank you !
Jerry says
I’ll be doing that one.
I have lots more Townes to do but that’s one of the highest on the list.
Clifford says
I love Nothin’ so hopefully you send out an email on release!
Sloan says
Love you tabs, would really like to see “snake mountain blues” been figuring it out from his live performances but it still doesn’t sound right to me.
,Much love from Texas
Adam says
I am also eagerly awaiting this! It was 365 on the list back in April 2019, but I am not sure how the list works (I think other stuff gets put in ahead from time to time, and fair enough!). I love that song so much and cannot figure out how to play it
Deven says
Hi Jerry, any plans to do ‘I’ll be here in the morning”
Jerry says
Yep, it’s on the list
Matt says
Thanks for the lessons, Jerry. Any chance we can get a lesson for High, Low And In Between? It’s the one I can’t quite figure out…
Thanks again.
Chris O'Hanlon says
Any plans to do No Lonesome tune or For the Sake of the Song?
Jerry says
For the Sake of the Song is on the to-do list.
I’ll add No Lonesome Tune
David Cassell says
Hi Jerry,
Can I please request “Waitin’ Round To Die”? And as long as we’re on the subject of Heartworn Highways, maybe Guy Clark’s “LA Freeway”?
Thanks,
David
Jerry says
Hi David
Waitin’ Around To Die will be next month, but it’s not the Heartworn Highways version in the end.
LA Freeway is on the to-do list
David Cassell says
Thanks, Jerry. Looking forward to it!
Tyler Rice says
Cocaine blues would be lit 🔥
Dylan says
Hey man I’d pay you $50 to do a lesson on colorado girl/Tom thumbs blues.
I know you’ve got Colorado girl, put this version is different plus he transitions both together, it’s sick.
Jerry says
I’ll add it to the to-do list Dylan. I don’t have a system that can jump it straight to the top I’m afraid.
Patrick Tembo says
Could you do something by Guy Clark too? Maybe “My favourite picture of you”.
Mat says
I have to say that I would also love a breakdown of Guy Clark’s “My Favorite Picture of You”!!!
Dylan says
Can we please get an accurate version of Columbine? Can NOT figure this out even with the close* attempts at tutorials.
Jerry says
It’s coming up. Should appear this year.
Kay says
Would lungs or waiting around to die be on the list? Unfortunately both seem morbidly timely right now
Jerry says
They both are.
Tony Davies says
maybe you could do the whole album :-)
Joe P says
+1 Love to see those tunes too
Dan Connolly says
What about I will be here in the morning from Townes
Jerry says
That one’s on the to-do list.
Donny Argostino says
Do you remember a song called Dance With Me by Orleans. Maybe you could do this one down the road.
I must say your one of the best guitar instructors out there hands down.
You pay attention to details when you do a song.
Your the best!!!
Donny Argostino
Jerry says
Thanks Donny.
I’ll add Dance With Me to the to-do list.
Anne says
Would love to see Buckskin Stallion Blues and No Place to Fall if those are on the list!
Anne says
Also (not sure where else to suggest this) but I was wondering if you’ve considered doing some Karen Dalton songs. keep up the great work!
Jerry says
Let me know which song(s) Anne and I’ll add her to the list.
Brooke Stokes says
please do Are You Leaving For The Country!!! I came here to ask the same thing.
Jerry says
Both on the list. No Place to Fall is quite near the top.
Ted says
Any chance on doing either Townes version of cocaine blues or white freightliner blues? Two of my favorites
Jerry says
They’re both on the to-do list. You’ll be able to vote on them later in the year.
Gene Weitzel says
Lungs would be great.
Jerry says
Hi Gene. Lungs is on the to-do list.
Jerry says
Hi Hans
Nothin’ is on my list of songs to do in the future.
Patrick Tembo says
Could You also do one on “brother flower”?
Jerry says
I’ll add it to the list Patrick
Hans Dieteren says
I would like to learn nothin grom townes van zandt. Already knie the chiefs but the fingerpicking part is a little difficult.
Thank you. and i hope you gif me an answer.