How to play 'Free Falling' by Tom Petty

News! December 9th 2021 - I am now an affiliate for the Beatbuddy drum machine that I am ALWAYS using - you get 10% off if you enter promo code GAW10 via this link:
www.singularsound.com?aff=37.
NEWS!
All Guitar At Work song sheets are now downloadable completely free of charge - no hassles, no gimmicks. Head to:
www.shanesimpson.com and download your favourites!
Thank you for all of your comments and likes!
Cheers, Shane
Classic riff by a rock icon - only three chords in this song and a valuable strumming approach.

[@chrisbergonzi7977]

Great stuff, great song. Losing Tom Petty and David Bowie around the same time rocked my world. They seemed eternally youthfull and then Bam! Well, nothing is forever 'cept death and taxes. Thanks pal...

[@robertscottbyers5502]

I've been playing and singing this song for a bit and sometimes still got a stutter in my strumming pattern (especially while singing with it!). This video helped. Keep up the good work.

[@hypekillacsplaya]

me to !

[@richardgreen2818]

This tutor is excellent ! I am 3 years into my guitar 🎸 journey. 64 years old and flying with Shane. Thanks mate!!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Richard - that’s great news - my best to you, Shane

[@rockincoltsify]

This guy is probably the best explainer of the mechanics on guitar as anyone on youtube. I have been playin since 1973 and I have learned I play a ton of songs wrong just from watching his videos.

[@GuitarAtWork]

A big thank you David - very glad to hear that you are enjoying these videos and benefitting from them. My best to you and have fun with it! Shane

[@ukchris64]

There are so many out there that KZbin can become your own worst enemy, or maybe I am just my own worst enemy, believe it or not I am having trouble with this, but then I haven't picked up th eguitar in years so no surprises there. I watched Tom Pettys original on Vevo last nigh and he seemed to have the capo on the 1st fret. Not knocking anything just an observation, this lesson is quite good so thank you for posting this.

[@AleMadison]

Just great, I'm so glad I came across your channel, lots to learn and have fun! you rock

[@MrTucker76]

great approach. Thanks for all the great videos and sheets.

[@albertstone7905]

Dude your a great at teaching been playing and loving all your lessons you really get in to it you’re a lot of fun keep rocking

[@lucashenriquegarcia3037]

I really love the professional - pedagogical approach - that you have your videos. Keep rocking man!

[@gmord3903]

Thanks for the lesson Shane.

[@robertbaker3174]

The more we play, the older we get, the harder it is to remember all the little nuances because so many things are similar. I was trying to remember chords to Hotel California, which uses a capo on the 7th and I couldn't remember this ditty on the 3rd because I was thinking about trying to do something to teach someone else. Whoo. I better keep playing more. I grew up with a transistor radio and listened to so much music. I didn't get a guitar until I was 16. I have worked me arsse off all my life and finally have time to enjoy this journey. Thanks, even though this one is 6 or 7 years old.

[@AdrenoverseBlogspot]

Really appreciate these lessons! Guitar practice flys by. So kind of you to share! Thank you! 😃🎸🎶

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you adrenobrit - I'm really glad to hear that you are enjoying these videos - glad to have you with us and have fun with it! Shane

[@sergionunes7274]

Many thanks. Straightforward, simple. Good music.

[@stevenhenry8374]

Love your teaching style....

[@johnronan5478]

Walk-the-chicken is awesome. Hadn't heard that before but resonates with me!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Ha! Thanks John, walk-the-chicken has helped me immensely. Shane

[@nyacoustics8373]

Your an awesome instructor. you give very detailed tips on how to add the percussion to your strumming and how to accent the hits that give the songs its melody. Walk a chicken. love it. You certainly make the whole thing easier to understand with these explanations.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks FM - really great to hear that. Glad to have you with us. Shane

[@chuckabernathy467]

Found it! :) Great stuff Shane!

[@JB-ov2el]

Walk the chicken....GROWL!!!! One of the reasons I enjoy your lessons. You add some fun to it!

[@hankmccartin3119]

thanks Shane. nothing here not to like!!

[@stevewoolley4224]

Thanks for a great well explained lesson.

[@jonnythegreek1]

Well this was super! I've been playing this song wrong for about 20 years! LOL! All fixed now--sounds great and expertly taught. Thank you!

[@chrismachado2700]

thank you, thank you, thank you. every other video I've seen with this lesson just doesn't sound right. Your lesson sounds spot on and I love it. Subbed and thumbs up

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Chris - really great to hear that. Happy to have you here with us. Shane

[@drumtone827]

Such a brilliant tutor!

[@sandilandi9801]

Really Great Lesson , I really Love that you give a great deal of time to getting the timing and essence of the song this is always where I struggle with my rt hand long after I can play the chords I have a hard time getting the strumming and timing rt So that being said You really did a Great job of Addressing that from the beginning making it Much Easier to learn So that makes you a Great teacher that I can relate to ! Rock on Dude and Keep sharing the Music it’s a Gift ♥️🎸😎🇺🇸

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you sandi - really great to hear all of that from you. Hope you have fun with it! Shane

[@minimutt1000]

Learning to play that made my day!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Very happy to hear that Robert - glad to have you here. Cheers! Shane

[@vehiclenvqstudieslevels12a63]

If I ever meet this guy I am buying him a beer! Thanks for helping out, genuinely learnt a few things. 👌

[@robr471]

Very cool

[@thedustykeratometer8570]

Very well done!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Dusty - very glad you enjoyed it and happy to have you here with us - Cheers! Shane

[@dopamining7621]

"The left hand plays the notes, the right hand makes the music."

[@GuitarAtWork]

Exactly right dopamining - cheers! Shane

[@rocketman5707]

thank you for that nice explanation :-)

[@elisagaiser2791]

Thank you so so much ❤️

[@stonerageexploring6898]

great way of teaching this

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks!

[@donaldcahill8255]

Awesome instruction.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Don - best to you! Shane

[@sheilaroberts2022]

Good Deal sounds good

[@lrlimits]

Great tutorial! You have a mellow and practical approach - not condescending whatsoever. Much appreciated!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Irlimits - I really appreciate the feedback. I hope you are having fun with it! Shane

[@kengayoka1645]

Plz would u review the guitar tutorial for straight from the heart by bryan admas

[@b33fy61]

Great stuff! What kind of Capo do you use?

[@carleenmejzastrumunderthes4130]

That was helpful

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Carleen - very glad! Shane

[@jamesryan5436]

Would you please do badge by cream . Ive learned it Jimmy dillons way would love to see your version of it

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you James - great suggestion. Cheers, Shane

[@clemax229]

82.601 Good Job!

[@jordanperlow3125]

Nice lesson Shane! Is that a beaver or an otter on your shirt? Have flown countless times in both on fishing trips in the arctic!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Jordan - I'm not actually sure - I think it might be a Beaver. I love RC planes....especially float planes. Best to you and Cheers, Shane

[@shirazisam455]

It's not a regular G chord, if you listen closely! There's a sus2 in it.. When you transition to the G, leave your index finger rooted and mute the 5th string when you play the Low G note. what you're teaching is the beginner's easy version. For a proper tutorial with the correct chords, check out kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5fHpmqDdsqgiq8

[@gatoryak7332]

It sounds better without the sus2, to my ears.

[@maurotollot6706]

mythical

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Mauro - hope you had fun with it! Shane

[@Freshboyarly]

Great lesson, but it'll be much better if you zoomed in a bit for beginners that are struggling to see the notes and frets.

[@phillipzinke9774]

Where can I find these sheets you mention? TIA, Danke im Voraus!

[@robg784]

I've seen a live recording where Tom Petty plays this with the capo on the first fret and and E chord shape as the first chord (so an F chord, same as your D shape with capo on the 3rd). Any reason you choose capo on the 3rd fret instead?

[@patrickmacleod2415]

You can play both at the same time. I think while Tom Petty plays as you say (and that sounds very nice too), the other guitarist (Mike Campbell) is playing as he is here. I'm not sure that is what they do, but try both together with another guitarist or a looper pedal and you will love it.

[@cptcruncherify]

Yes one guitar(Tom) is capo 1 the other is playing (Mike) a triad higher than guitar 1

[@kennybaker4169]

3:18

[@UpLateSC]

I am determined to make this the first song I know how to play on guitar. I can get the chords on time, but can't get the rhythm down.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Keep at it Ric - you’ll get it! Shane

[@UpLateSC]

@@GuitarAtWork Thank you, Shane. I'm 60 and picked up the guitar a month ago. I was a drummer in high school and college. I am using Yousician, and it has been great. Slowly progressing is so rewarding. I told my wife it's like baseball. If you keep doing it, you'll keep getting better.

[@StoicTrader-]

If the notes sound the same, how come we can't just play it without a capo and just use the regular open chords? I'm new sorry if I sound dumb.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Good question - thanks! You can play it without a capo for sure if you are just playing by yourself - but if you want to play it with the recording you'll have to use a capo on the 3rd fret. Cheers! Shane

[@Redshoes51]

You can do that.. you are just in a different key from the recording...

[@StoicTrader-]

@@Redshoes51 I'm trying to figure out the whole different key thing, so if I play open chords along with the original recording, they'll sound different? Not talking about the singing, just the guitar parts.

[@Redshoes51]

@@StoicTrader- I woulld recommend that you play along with the recording, doing it your way (open chords)... you will notice that something sounds 'wrong''... same chord shapes in different positions are different notes... and should clash.. If you want to use the open chord shapes... use the capo as recommended. In the meantime, there are some excellent tutorials on how to learn about keys, etc etc etc. You asked a great question... that's how to learn. Maybe some others can chime in and help..

[@StoicTrader-]

@@Redshoes51 thanks for the great answer, it makes sense the notes are different and answered my question!

[@spencerm3554]

debbie kline

[@rishabhbharti462]

Your heads sake a lot 😆

[@tomnanD3]

Straight G Major is incorrect. It's a Gsus2 or more correctly since you're in the key of F, BflatSUS2.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Hi Tom - always glad to hear from people - can you explain the chord you mean? I must respectfully disagree. Cheers! Shane

[@Shacklaw]

Bad lesson the chords that you are using to play free falling are no where close to the ones used in the original recording by Tom Petty

[@seanowens1006]

It's just D A G for the whole song. Are you using the capo on 3? That might be throwing you off