David Crosby – Song With No Words (Tree With No Leaves)

Learn how to play David Crosby – Song With No Words (Tree With No Leaves) note-for-note on guitar.
Difficulty level: Intermediate. An unusual tuning and some unconventional (and occasionally awkward) chord shapes.
Bar Chords: No
Thumb-over Chords: No
Playing Style: Fingerpicked
Tuning: EBDGAD
The version used for this lesson is the one from the BBC Live concert (available on Youtube) that features Crosby playing solo acoustic guitar with vocal harmonies by Graham Nash.
The song is broken down into multiple sections to help with learning it a bit at a time, but in fact there isn’t a great deal to learn.
The complete file contains several lesson videos, a performance play thru video and full tabs. You’ll receive a link to download the lesson which will download as a zip file of 206 Mb containing all the lesson content.
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You’ll receive at least two videos per song, one lesson and one performance-standard play-through. You’ll 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 you’ll need an app to do so, please read here to know more about it.
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Gilles SERRIGNY says
Hi Jerry,
Do you think of being added in the future David Crosby’s collection, this small jewel of the French folklore, “Orléans”? Thank you.
Gilles
Jerry says
Hi Gilles. I hadn’t planned it but I think I can include this one as the last of the David Crosby collection.
Bruce says
Thx Jerry. Just purchased Song with no Words. Would you ever do Find the Cost of Freedom? Thx again.
Jerry says
Hi Bruce
For sure. When I re-visit CSN (beyond a few Crosby songs) I’ll do that one.
Bruce says
When you revisit CSN would you also consider doing Lee Shore? Thx. I’ve visited a number of different sites and I consider yours the best. Thx again.
Jerry says
Hi Bruce. I’ll definitely do Lee Shore as part of what’s looking like it will be a Crosby set of 6 or 7.
Jon says
Almost cut my hair?
Jerry says
Sometime Jon. Next up is Music is Love, then Laughing.
Jimmy Tatum says
jerry this is good news! we could always use some more cros. Page 43 is another favorite of mine. or triad ;). what are your thoughts of Crosby?
Jerry says
Love him. I’m putting together a small Croz collection – Lee Shore, Triad, others.
Jon says
Jerry,
Thanks so much for uploading this lesson.
What is your opinion on the guitar notes? I think it has the mystic sound of Scarborough Fair or Guinevere.
Jerry says
I completely agree Jon. I think it’s a beautiful guitar part. It has the Guinevere sound because it’s in the same tuning and for me it even works as an instrumental. Mystic’s a good word. I was thinking ethereal. I’ll be doing more Croz.
Jon says
Haha it makes it good for those of us who cannot sing :). We can hum the song.