How to play 'If You Could Read My Mind' by Gordon Lightfoot

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.singularso...?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
An arpeggio-type right hand pattern to this song - from one of Canada's premier songwriters - Gordon Lightfoot - enjoy!

[@JL-fs9wh]

RIP Gordon! One of the best songs ever written.

[@JL-fs9wh]

Awesome lesson, too!!!

[@MagicDisease-vk6ib]

He will be missed Bob Dylan said he was his is biggest inspiration and one for many other songwriters

[@merman22100]

It would be helpful to hear more of the fingerpicking patterns played at normal tempo as you progress. Love the lessons.

[@jjb653]

Great teacher... Good speaking voice too... One of my favourite songs from a man born 30 km from me. Thx.. I'm subscribed

[@GuitarAtWork]

Fabulous - a big thank you Jason - Very glad to have you here! Shane

[@icejunki]

Tremendous content. I'm 45 years old and this song encapsulates my youth being driven around by my parents in a hot station wagon, windows down, experiencing the freedom of youth. Thanks for reaching how to play this beautiful song.

[@MrSimmies]

My favorite song of all time. Lightfoot's most beautiful...and he has a ton of them. You do a terrific job of explaining how to play this song. Clear and simple and not rushed. Well done and thanks.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you MrSimmies - really appreciate the encouragement and am super glad it is working for you - glad to have you with us! Shane

[@sprezzatura8755]

Bob Dylan's favorite song. But what does he know. 😊

[@mickeyroulette503]

Dude, you are the greatest teacher in the history of teachers. Thanks from Portland, OR.🤙

[@GuitarAtWork]

A big thank you Mickey. Makes my day to get a comment like yours. My best to you ! Shane

[@adampoe2797]

I say the same! Back on here as I was looking through chord book on This going through all the stuff I collected! Great thorough approach and as said above regarding Your voice and manner! I need to get back to this style of playing take a break from my meandering phrases Love from Portlandia Oregon as well

[@jimfunk5420]

Shane, you're by far the best guitar application teacher out there, rivaled only by the Shut Up and Play guys. Thanks again for great instruction!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Jim - I appreciate that. My best to you, Shane

[@oscarbone1000]

I am starting to figure that out myself.

[@sparkx251]

Nice lesson. Thanks. Short and very much to the point.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks for that - very glad you enjoyed. Cheers! Shane

[@rahuliox]

The was the simplest and most clear picking explaination i've encountered. thanks so much. great job

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Rahul - really makes my day to get a comment like that. Cheers! Shane

[@casperfriendlyjp]

Thank You Shane. This was one of my Mom's special songs. I think of her every time I hear it play. Out of the clear blue, I started singing this song while cooking dinner last night, so I decided to look up the acoustic tutorial. And I have to say, I was so grateful it was you! You are my favorite acoustic tutorial teacher ever 😘 Thank You Much🎸

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Julie - I really appreciate that - it is a beautiful song indeed - very happy you enjoyed it and always glad to hear from you. Cheers! Shane

[@rickrickard2788]

Excellent lesson. And, yes, thank goodness for the pause/rewind. That intro took a try's to get the hang of. Thank you for taking your time, to help us out here on KZbin. Greatly appreciated.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Rick - really glad you enjoyed it - hope you are having fun with it! Shane

[@bassisbosschannel6937]

Can’t live near the Great Lakes and not know Gordon Lightfoot. He passed yesterday and will be missed. This song reminded me of home when as a young man, I was far away from home.

[@paulfitzpatrick954]

your teaching style is spot on, Shane. Slainte!

[@jasonbrown2287]

Definitely the best guitar tutorial presentation I've seen in a long time

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Jason - glad to have you here. Cheers, Shane

[@chesterfrantz6209]

best vid out for this song. fantastic consice and well organized lesson n appreciate your web page with song downloads! discovered some more gems there. You are a fantastic instructor.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Chester - my best to you! Shane

[@stevefranklin9176]

Lovely and clear Shane. Thanks for your time.

[@DaveMorrisonMusic]

RIP Gordon Lightfoot.

[@petertrast]

Excellent. I have been playing for 40 years and your videos are clearing up some details in songs like this. Great video!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Glad to hear that Peter - all the best with it. Always glad to hear from you. Cheers, Shane

[@davidallen527]

Nice sweet. Easy to understand. Now it's all about the practice. Thanks for the great pointers.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks David - have fun with it! Shane

[@johnhopwood4633]

Gentle pace and pleasant demeanour. A good teacher!

[@TheYogaDen]

After 10 weeks of daily practice, I'm finally playing Solsbury Hill - thanks to your tutorial. After watching Family Guy last night, where 'if you could read my mind' was used in a cutaway, I'm very pleased to see you have a tutorial for this song. Thanks in advance! I'm sure this is going to be way easier than Solsbury Hill :-)

[@GuitarAtWork]

SO great to hear that YogaDen! My best to you! Shane

[@lane99]

This video + the song sheet from his website = best lesson for this song I've found on KZbin.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you lane99 - I really appreciate you taking the time to comment - very encouraging. Glad to have you with us and I hope you continue to enjoy! Shane

[@skeeterman7144]

I’ve been playing guitar since 1964. Not a picker. However your instruction style was a easy for me to follow and I’m persevering. Using the backwards roll throughout is very helpful. I got this Shane. ❤️

[@beemanrunning977]

Shane! You are a stellar teacher. Very concise and easy to follow. Thanks dude.

[@mikekavalerchik5226]

You're a good teacher. You have a very calming and reassuring voice and demeanor

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Mike - glad it's working for you. All the best with it. Cheers, Shane

[@donlawler9510]

Excellent tutorial! I had a morning off and managed to get it down - thanks to you! What a fun progression!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Don - that's great news. Happy to have you with us and I hope you are having a ton of fun with it. Cheers! Shane

[@jamesmccarthy5727]

fabulous lesson Shane, I can play this as a strumlong campfire song. but its time to step up.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks James - happy to hear that. My best to you and happy to have you with us! Shane

[@philipcampion386]

Fantastic lesson. So well explained. Thanks Shane. Philip, Brittany, France.

[@2011littlejohn1]

I've been compiling forgotten gems and this was one I remembered. So to save time working it out I watched your tutorial. Very straightforward and instantly understandable.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Jack - hope you have fun with it. Cheers, Shane

[@2011littlejohn1]

@@GuitarAtWork The bridge breaks your heart.

[@martinleach9849]

Fantastic tutorial. Ive been wanting to have a go at this for a long time. Many thanks indeed.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Martin - hope you have a ton of fun with it. Cheers, Shane

[@JPLodine]

Fantastic tutorial! I’ve played off and on for years and covered a lot of theory, but never had a clue about finger picking. Your patient and thorough walkthrough of this beautiful song is a revelation. Looking forward to viewing your other videos as well. Thank you!

[@GuitarAtWork]

A big thank you Philip. So glad to have you here with us. I appreciate your encouragement and I wish you the very best with it all. Fingerpicking is such a great way to play the guitar. Cheers! Shane

[@lynsey4224]

What a beautiful song.

[@GuitarAtWork]

It sure is Lynsey - all the best with it! Shane

[@JohnJano]

Excellent Tutorial!!! :) I have learned from this video. Now, my wife and I are going to make a video of this song,. :)

[@GuitarAtWork]

Very glad to hear that Johnny. Have fun with it - Shane

[@TheOrangep7]

Fantastic tutorial that. Amazing song and Broke it down nicely. Thank you.

[@johnv3809]

Excellent finger picking lesson for a beautiful song. Thank you.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you John - very glad you enjoyed it! Shane

[@lisabyrnek.c.805]

Hey Shane! Wonderful job on this one. As always you have a fantastic ability to break down songs to make learning them enjoyable and attainable! Thanks for sharing this!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Lisa!! Shane

[@Grungehead1993]

Gotta try and learn this after the news of gordon. am awful at fingerpicking lost without a plectrum sloppy but not sure when to arrange and to move certain shapes and remembering like the g and e shape and several other ones, getting better will try again tomorrow or later :) loved the words of "if you could read my mind" R.I.P Gordon Lightfoot

[@danielfadd]

Shane you are such an incredibly patient and thorough guitar teacher with a way about your style thats soothing and reassuring always. We damn lucky to have you teach us. Thank you. Will support...

[@GuitarAtWork]

A really big thank you Dan - so glad to hear it is working for you and I hope you are having tons of fun with it! Glad to have you here with us, Cheers, Shane

[@markrapier7779]

Great lesson. With your video and explanation, I quickly learned the fingerpicking pattern. When I emailed Shane about how to get the tab sheet, he emailed it to me very quickly at no charge.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Mark - hope you’re having fun with this song! Shane

[@deborahwilliamson8826]

Mark Rapier j

[@AcousticJamDad]

Beautiful Taylor!

[@tonybrook7768]

Thanks for this Shane, best vid on KZbin for this song. Always wanted to learn this one. Playing it has calmed my lively hound.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Tony Brook thanks Tony - very glad you enjoyed it and happy to have you here with us! Shane

[@IBIZABIKE]

My comment is just the same as Tony Brook , thanks

[@simonliew9728]

Hi Shane, Thank you for sharing this beautiful song lesson. I was never able to play till now (at 67) 😢. Thanks again. Cheers.

[@terryeaster1]

Thank you for this, the pace is perfect. I've been playing a very long time and the hole in my playing has been my right hand on these finger picking patterns. Faking it doesn't work for me anymore. Thanks for the instruction.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Terry - my best to you, Shane

[@gemaf]

Shane thank you for your time and patience. You are an excellent teacher.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you gemaf - glad to have you with us! Shane

[@MichaelJGayda]

Hi, Shane. "If You Could Read My Mind" is the first lesson I am learning from you. Always loved this tune. I also downloaded the worksheets with the picking. I then noticed all the other tunes you offer. I'll get to work on it and let you know how I'm doing. I need to modify my right hand because of an injury. I play with a pick and fingers. Thank you, Michael J. Gayda Worcester, Mass.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Michael - really glad to have you with us! That is such a great song. Let me know if I can help - cheers! Shane

[@jadeedmundson5715]

You’re a good finger-style teacher!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Jade - I really appreciate that and I hope you're having fun with it. Cheers Shane

[@alanmullaney1938]

Thanks Shane really good lesson on one of my favourite songs cheers !

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Alan - all the best with it. Cheers, Shane

[@delroymiller5023]

I would have liked for you to play the song so that I can see how each chord fit into the verses,Ive been looking for a decent lesson for this song for so long,however,I am a little confused by your lesson,I don’t know how the chords fit the structure of the song,the finger pattern sounds good,but without knowing where each chord matches the pattern I am still lost.

[@sp6276]

Hi Roxxy I hope you figured how to play the song in tempo by now but if you still are having some difficulty, a good approach is to just concentrate on learning the finger picking pattern Shane showed you and practice and practice until you have that pattern down without thinking about it too much. You can then build up the speed but don't speed up if you are making mistakes. Slow back down until you can play the pattern smoothly. Your right hand will develop muscle memory and it will become easier to play.Then listen to the song so you know when to change chords along with the song. You will see how each chord fits into the verses better once you can finger pick up to speed and play in tempo. In the beginning its hard to hear the song when you are mastering the technique. And remember each chord uses that same pattern. Also it helps to listen to the song without picking just picture the picking and get the rhythm of the pattern in your head. Count out the picking sequence. Then pick it yourself. Sometimes playing along with the song screws you up. Play it at your own pace and sing along. You should "hear" the song in your head. Hope that helps. Good Luck.

[@alankenworthy9722]

Roxxy Best thing to do is just watch the KZbin video of GL in live performance and see his hands doing it . Play along with him couple of times and it will come quickly to you.

[@jeteye97]

If you click on the settings for a video, you can change the playback speed without changing the pitch. Miracle of modern technology. Play along with one of Gordon’s videos at the reduced speed and watch his hands for the changes...best wishes, you can do it if you want it badly enough.

[@johnhumphreys664]

I agree. This is the wrong picking pattern and it doesn't fit the song. This is why he doesn't play it

[@silvermanewj4366]

Look for Joanne Cooper.. she has this song with chords (tab). She creates them herself karaoke style.

[@strumalong3224]

Canadian iconic tune - strumming along in 2021 - thanks for the lesson

[@Mr9111950]

Great teacher... Thank you from Ireland... 🎶🙏

[@Rob-id3zf]

Excellent teaching video! Thanks!

[@gibrancaballero]

Gordon is flying high!!!

[@neilgroves3592]

An excellent lesson of one of my very favourite songs, very well and clearly explained, thankyou and Subscribed!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Neil - really glad you enjoyed it and thank you for the feedback! Shane

[@brendanwilson4876]

Excellent demonstration! Thanks! I’ve subbed!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Brendan - glad to have you here with us. Cheers! Shane

[@loellamarre6821]

Great lesson..I can not play it this way at all though. To not incorporate the left hand and right hand movements of more complex rendering of the melody after listening to the original or other ways both GF himself and others covering it...But I enjoy this so much because it reminds me of teachers telling me to slow down and focus on the bass runs and right hand first. I guess it's why I still am a "hack" as a guitarist. Sure enjoy playing though. Great lesson. I am going to follow you sir. Thanks so much.

[@douglasmccannpiano]

outro falling. best part

[@GuitarAtWork]

Super. Thanks Doug. Cheers, Shane

[@pelasquep]

Shane! amazing work man!

[@jimjybe]

Another great lesson, wasn't planning on learning more right now but what the heck, you make it so easy! Love the short and to the point!

[@PreacherRickie]

Very affable teaching style! Thanks for putting this up!

[@schincat]

One nice touch is to add the fifth fret, third from the capo, of the D string making a G7 before going to C. The pattern is dead on and it is fun to play along with GL. Thank you.

[@johnnybgood2887]

I'm a drummer but always liked the guitar. I can pick n strum some chords but nothing fancy and not to fast lol. Thank you for the lesson mate.

[@marknthetrails7627]

just found this and I believe I have enough skills to learn this. loved the straight forward way you showed this..👍✌🖖🥃🎸new subscriber...

[@isntax]

Great video and instruction! Thanks!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Michael - glad to have you here with us. Hope you have fun with it. Cheers, Shane

[@hitchannel7777]

lovely instruction, flows without complication.

[@darrelbreasley4401]

Your the best Shane thanks

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Darrel - much appreciated. Glad to have you here with us and best of the season to you and yours. Cheers! Shane

[@rb0106]

I have to say complements this is an excellent guitar lesson....good for you

[@LeeEisenstein]

Great lesson and easy to follow. Subscribed. Mahalo for posting these lessons.

[@doncharlesworth4748]

Fantastic lesson! Great teacher, thank you!

[@alicestubblefield8974]

Great teacher!! Thank you so much!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks you Alice - much appreciated and hope you are having fun and doing well with it. Cheers! Shane

[@janlimfueco8006]

Great finger pickin' lesson ! Thanks. Bless you on your passion to share great musical pieces.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Jan! Glad you enjoyed and very glad to have you with us! Shane

[@SRees-qw5dz]

Wow! Love your slow and patient teaching method...and free Guitar At Work song sheets. May I say, this is the kind of guitar lesson we need right now. :o)

[@JohnColapinto]

Great teacher! Thanks for this.

[@JoeRivermanSongwriter]

Canadians should be governing the planet.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Ha! Thanks Joe, Shane

[@jerrysamuelson1247]

What a great tutorial. Thank you very much.

[@mrvy33]

I just discovered your channel. Excellent instruction Shane! Thank you!

[@bobgoldcat7636]

Great explanation!

[@michaelstrickland6592]

Shane - thanks for the picking pattern. I was using random, and it wasn't working out. Your instructions are crystal clear.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Michael - very glad to hear that - hope you are having fun with it! Shane

[@tomsexton4880]

Thank you for the lesson. Well taught.

[@MarcoJfrisbee]

this is a quality lesson and a quality site!

[@Tim.R.McDonald]

Thanks for this. I was searching for the sheet for the intro pattern from many years ago but couldn't find it. I a book with the song in it, but it just isn't the same as having it broken down on a sheet. Of course this is even more handy. Now if you could expand on this with your looper and show how some of the slides and other bits fit into the song it would be great.

[@maefernie8210]

Great lesson! so simple. Thank you!!!

[@larrylyons9362]

Thank you Sir. I've been playing a bastardized version that I made up. This is much nicer.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Larry - very glad it helped you - happy to have you here with us and Happy New Year! Shane

[@robdonell9915]

Me too; I had been focused on singing more and felt okay.

[@jamesnohe671]

Just discovered your channel. Excellent breakdown and teaching. Thank you.

[@idan4848]

thank you very much!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Glad you enjoyed - thanks! Shane

[@darrylt1031]

Rest easy, Gordon........😢

[@timmerrigan3941]

Well done enjoyed it

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Tim - Cheers! Shane

[@michaelpittoggi1903]

Thank you very helpful

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Mike - hope it's all going well. Shane

[@ZulqarCheema]

thank you

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Zulqar - my best to you and glad to have you here with us! Shane

[@brendanconway7317]

Came across your channel today Shane. Great lesson this one. Subscribed and looking forward to learning some new tunes

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Brendan - glad to have you with us - hope you have fun with it! Shane

[@tealcollins9733]

Thank you so much! Great lesson!

[@boblowndes9613]

Great clear lesson thank you

[@douglasmccannpiano]

outro best part

[@giscardrasquin4793]

Great lesson! Thanks

[@alanhall8365]

May I ask you the model of your Taylor Guitar? Love the sound! Also, you are an awesome teacher! Thank you

[@RobDeelComedy]

Nice!

[@Wildevis]

Awesome lesson!!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Erika - glad to have you with us! Shane

[@dantyson3198]

you should play the whole song just to see what it sounds like added to the parts.

[@robdonell9915]

Oh drats, I’ve been plucking this song differently for years. I’m thankful for your video and hope to learn more. So how can I undo my other way of playing it ?

[@Jamesandcheraylucas]

AWESOME

[@robertprine7912]

Thanks for the lessen

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Robert - hope you enjoyed it and hope you are having fun with your guitar. Happy New Year! Shane