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In this lesson, we'll learn how to play Fields of Gold on the guitar. This popular song from Sting's album "Ten Summoner's Tales" has a beautiful melody that's sure to impress your friends. So, let's dive right in and start making some music!
First, I want to mention that the original version of this song has a more fingerstyle, nylon-string vibe, played by the talented Dominic Miller. However, we'll look at a simplified version for this lesson. But there's no need to worry. We'll also see some interesting embellishments you can add to make your rendition a little bit more elaborate.
The song starts off with eight bars on an A minor chord. From there, we'll just strum through it quite simply, with four strums per bar. This way, you can get a feel for the song and understand where you're at with it.
When we get to the verse, the chord changes to an Asus2, which is simply lifting your first finger off while playing the A minor chord. You'll play Asus2 for a whole bar, then you'll switch to D over F#, then another bar of that, going to C, and then back to Asus2.
The verse progression continues with E minor, to C, D, and D - G - A minor for a whole bar, then half a bar of A minor, half a bar of F, and then two bars of C – C sus if you want to get all fancy. That's the sequence for the verse.
The strumming pattern I've suggested for this song is quite simple. However, it's just a starting point. As you gain confidence, you can add more strums, or what I call "ghosting," where your pick lightly hits the strings to create a little bit more interest.
Remember, when you're learning a song, it's not just about playing the right notes. It's also about making it your own. Feel free to experiment with different strumming patterns, chord voicings, and even fingerstyle patterns.
The beauty of playing guitar is that there's always room for creativity and personal expression. Remember, practicing regularly is the key to improving your skills. And don't forget to enjoy the process. Learning to play a new song is always an exciting journey. Now it's time to watch the video and start learning Fields of Gold! I'll see you for another lesson very soon. Until then, take care and keep strumming!
Check out the original
You're missing Strumming Dynamics, and all great techniques that add a percussive hit to your rhythm guitar!