Glen Campbell – Gentle On My Mind
Learn how to play Glen Campbell – Gentle On My Mind note-for-note on guitar.
Difficulty level: Intermediate
Barre chords: No
Thumb over chords: No
Playing Style: Fingerpicked (Travis picked)
Tuning: Drop D
The lesson teaches an arrangement of the song for solo guitar and voice. The original has a strummed guitar deep in the mix but here we teach it as a fingerpicked accompaniment in drop D tuning.
The complete file contains a lesson video, a performance play thru video, full tabs, chords and lyrics. You’ll receive a link to download the lesson which will download as a zip file of 169 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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Ray says
Is there a way to play this without the drop D by changing the thumb pattern? Most of the few fingerstyle tutorials I can find are either full instrumental or not in D. I’m trying to learn it on my 12 string and don’t really want to change the tuning. I really liked the intro bit of your lesson and will probably end up getting it anyway, I can always play around with the thumb pattern myself. I’ve also always wanted to learn Travis picking, not sure if this is technically Travis style, but it’s still close enough for a 45 year beginning guitarist like me ;-) (that’s 45 years as a beginner, not starting at 45. I mainly know the open chords and can play the heck out of an F barre chord lol)
Jerry says
Hi Ray,
You can play it in standard using the same chords, but the lesson and tab won’t be any use to you because it’s taught and written as if in Drop D tuning.
There’s no need to be afraid of Drop D. You just tune down 1 string (well, 2 on a 12-string). It’s not like a full-on altered tuning.
And it opens up a whole world of songs that are in Drop D. It’s a very common tuning.
Ray says
Is this arrangement intended as a solo piece or an accompaniment for singing?
Singing takes a lot of concentration and it can be overwhelming if the guitar part is too complicated.
Would this arrangement be better as an interlude when I’m not singing?
Jerry says
Hi Ray
It’s an accompaniment to singing.
Ray says
Thank you. I just wanted to make sure before purchasing.
Steve says
Hi Jerry,
Could you do The End is not in Sight by the Amazing Rhythm Aces
Gregg says
Jerry, I found you on the NET a few months ago. You are head and shoulders above 99% of the other instructors.
What a Professional when it comes to intricate instruction that’s understandable by folks like me.
Jerry, got a question for you? I want to finger pick but my nails are thin and break off within a week of growth. I’ve tried finger and thumb picks and just can’t get the feel for them.
Can you recommend a brand that you use? I see you only use a thumb pick but it looks different than most.
Thanks in advance for taking the time to read my message.
Gregg
Jerry says
Hi Gregg
Thanks for the kind words.
I use a Fred Kelly Delrin Speedpick as a thumbpick. I like the extra flexibility it gives over a regular thumbpick.
I too can’t get on with fingerpicks. Some people swear by Alaska picks which are certainly a different design but they didn’t do it for me either.
If I break a nail all I do now it glue the tip of a false nail over the tip of mine and file it to shape.
Actually I like the tone it gives, but it’s very harsh ion the natural nail underneath so I don’t do it unless I have to.
Jerry
Gerry OReilly says
I knew if I waited long enough. Thank you Jerry!
“He really does take requests, folks!”
John Ryan says
Always nice Gerry
.
I am a little disappointed you did not do it in C and Dm . Seems a little sweeter , as in the very nice cover you did.
Thanks , as always.
John
Jerry says
I think this falls under the category of can’t please all the people all the time :) Sorry it didn’t hit the sweet spot for you John.
Michael says
It’s John Hartford’s “Gentle on my Mind” though, right?
Jerry says
John Hartford wrote it but I used Glen Campbell’s version as the template for the lesson.
Richard Kumnick says
Gerry thankyou, It’s really nice to have properly printed tabs which are directly under the words of a verse.
Yy says
Best guitar tutor on the internet. Well done Jerry.
Can we have “Enough to be on your way” by James Taylor?
Jerry says
That one is coming later in the JT series I promise