Learn to Play "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel on the Guitar

In this lesson, we'll learn how to play Bridge Over Troubled Water on the guitar. This beautiful tune, originally composed for the piano by Paul Simon and sung by Simon & Garfunkel, has been a favorite among music lovers for decades. We'll learn step by step to master a guitar arrangement of the piano part.

Don't worry if you're new to this. This is a flexible arrangement, and there's plenty of room for you to add your own flair. Remember, it's not about mimicking the exact version I show you. In fact, I keep varying my style as I play. The charm of this song lies in its capacity for personal interpretation and experimentation.

You'll need a capo on the first fret to play along with the original recording. However, when I play with a female vocalist, I prefer to place the capo at the third fret to better accommodate the female vocal range. But for the simplicity of this lesson, I have left the capo off. This will make it easier for you to pick up the complex chords used in this song.

The Intro

The intro is a beautiful arrangement of chords. The first one to learn is a D with an A base. Then, we transition to an A chord. You'll notice a subtle melody shift here on the original record, so we'll mimic this change with an A6 before moving to a regular A chord.

The intro continues with a G chord, an A/G bass, and a G# diminished 7 chord. We'll then return to a D with an A base chord before moving to a B7sus4, a B7, and finally a G to G minor. As you can see, the intro is packed with diverse chords, giving the song its rich and distinctive sound.

The Verse

We encounter even more variety in the chord progression when we transition into the verse. We start with a bar of D, then a G with a D base, before returning to a D chord. We then move to a G to C, G, D sequence.

The verse continues with a transition from a D chord to a D major 7 and then to an Em7. We then circle back to D, G, D, and finish with G, D.

Towards the end of the verse, we see D, then A with a C# bass, followed by Bm to A7. You'll notice that the verse is quite complex, but this complexity gives the song depth and appeal.

Wrapping up

Remember, the key to mastering Bridge Over Troubled Water is to be patient and persistent. It's a challenging song, but it's also rewarding. With each practice session, you'll get closer to playing this timeless tune beautifully on your guitar.

Keep practicing, and don't forget to enjoy the process. After all, playing music is about expressing yourself and having fun. So, pick up your guitar, and let's bring this classic song to life. Don't forget to watch the video for a more detailed walkthrough of the song!

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