James Taylor – Mexico

Learn how to play James Taylor – Mexico note-for-note on guitar.
Difficulty Level: Advanced. JT at his most sophisticated picking-wise.
Barre Chords: Yes. Several barre chords.
Thumb over chords: Yes
Playing Style: Fingerpicked
Tuning: Standard
This preview video contains the introduction taken from the complete lesson for the song Mexico.
The complete song lesson contains two lesson videos, a performance play thru video, full tabs and chords and lyrics sheet. You’ll receive a link to download the lesson which will download as a zip file of 256 Mb containing all the lesson content.
Return to Individual Songs page
Lesson Preview
Tab Preview
Chords & Songsheet Preview
Return to Individual Songs page
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.
Browse Our Lessons by
Fingerstyle Instrumental pieces
Swallow says
It is very difficult to play studio versions, the musicians themselves do not play them at concerts, and most of the site’s visitors are morons who just bought a guitar yesterday.
Jerry says
JT though is one who does play very similarly in concert to the studio. He certainly plays the intro to Mexico.
Charlie says
Hi Jerry
Are the acoustic chorus parts actually played note for note on the studio recording because there’s not much acoustic guitar herd during the choruses of the song?
Jerry says
Hi Charlie. For the parts where the acoustic guitar is inaudible on the original, I borrowed a lot of information from a solo acoustic performance that’s on YouTube. That told me everything about how he plays that chorus without a band.
Kevin M says
P.S.
Adding to Cart from within the Mexico page adds “Shower the People” instead of Mexico :(
I was able to add Mexico to the cart only by going out to the complete list of songs, and from there it worked.
Just thought you should know, and thanks again!
Kevin
Jerry says
Thanks for the heads up on that Kevin. I’ve corrected it now.
Classical Gas is on my list. Maybe I can bump it up the queue.
Kevin M says
Outstanding, I’d be eternally grateful and will await on bated breath to be the first customer!
Thanks again Jerry, all the best!
Kevin
Kevin M says
Jerry,
First off, thank you for putting THIS particular piece out there for free on YouTube (how I wound up here). I’ve been on a JT kick lately and never took the time to learn Mexico, stumbled on this video on YouTube and said “It’s time.”
You have a wonderful style about your teaching and using just your vid I knocked this out smooth and can play it in lock step with the studio recording…all with about an hour of focused dedication to your video.
I’ve been a performing musician for 30+ years and really enjoyed learning this piece from you, so thanks again Jerry. I’m about to buy the rest of Mexico not only to learn the rest of it done correctly, but to repay you for your kindness and show some support.
As an advanced player I’d love to see more advanced selections on the future.
I would buy you a steak dinner at the finest steakhouse in town for a full breakdown of Classical Gas by Mason Williams done up in lesson style!! One of those songs I’ve tackled on and off for 25 years and never sorted it out 100%. If anyone can teach it, it’s you!
Anyhow, great idea and glad I found you Jerry. You’ve got a great thing going based on real talent and teaching ability, and I wish you all the best….and I’m serious about Classical Gas!!!! How about it? ;)
Kevin