In this easy lesson, we'll learn how to play Van Morrison's evergreen hit, "Brown Eyed Girl." This song is fantastic for beginners, as it only requires four chords: G, C, D, and E minor. It's mostly played with the Old Faithful strumming pattern, with a slight variation leading into the chorus.
🎉 I first recorded this lesson in February 2018—so it was time for a remake, eh? :) You can watch my original take teaching this classic here. :)
If you're new to guitar, I highly recommend the JustinGuitar Lessons & Songs app. It contains hundreds of backing tracks to help beginner guitarists develop a solid rhythm. One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is stopping their strumming hand between chord changes, which can be a hard habit to break. Playing along with backing tracks prevents this because the track won't stop.
Start by strumming on the beat to lock in the chord changes before adding the Old Faithful strumming pattern: Down, Down, Up, Up, Down. Work slowly to ensure smooth transitions.
If you struggle to sing and play simultaneously, focus on mastering each independently before combining them. I have a 10-step program to help with this.
Play verses softly and build up volume in the chorus to add dynamic variation.
💡 Check out my lesson on the 3 Types of Songs You Should Practice: easy campfire songs, skill developers, and aspirational dream songs.
Check out the original