"Simple Man" Guitar Tutorial - Lynyrd Skynyrd | Arpeggiate Basic Chords

Hey everyone! In today's lesson I'm going to show you how to play "Simple Man" by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Before I teach a song I always take a quick look online and see what resources are already available. For this one I found a bunch of TABs that show every single note you're plucking, and look incredibly confusing. It was my goal to simplify that and show you that there's actually a really easy pattern behind the whole thing!
"Simple Man" Sheet Music/TAB no longer available due to copyright issues, but I have something even better!
► FULL PLAY-THROUGH (entire song, start to finish) available on my Patreon page:
/ simple-man-full-58833034
Before getting started: it's very important to note that the original recording is played on a guitar that is tuned down by a half-step. This means each string has been tuned down by one fret. The e-string becomes the E flat string the a-string becomes A flat and so on.
---
Having trouble with the basics? You'll want to check out my Beginner Guitar Course! More information here: goodguitarist.com/beginner-gu...
And there's my FREE eBOOK (which is free for all subscribers!) - You can use it to help you build a solid foundation: chords, switching, progressions, riffs, techniques... everything it takes to be a "good guitarist." You can find it here: goodguitarist.com/learn-rhythm...
---
The lesson begins with the chord shapes: C, G, Am, Am7. The A minor 7 chord is just one finger different than A minor so it's not even 4 chord shapes when you think about it... more like 3.5!
From there, I basically take you through the picking and teach you how to practice it. By the end of this you'll be able to play it just like it is on the recording.
I also show you a strumming pattern so if you want to do something a bit more energetic during the chorus you can switch over to that... it's a really straight-forward lesson for one of the most legendary southern rock songs ever. Enjoy!
-James
---
goodguitarist.com/simple-man-p...
/ goodguitarist
/ goodguitarist
0:00 - INTRO
1:37 - CHORDS & SWITCHING TIPS
2:35 - SWITCHING PRACTICE
4:09 - PICKING PATTERN ON C
6:19 - PICKING PATTERN ON G
7:23 - PICKING PATTERN ON Am
8:18 - PICKING PATTERN ON Am7
9:30 - LEAD-IN TO C
10:00 - FLATPICKING PLAY-ALONG
10:25 - SIMPLE CHORDS & STRUMMING VERSION
11:10 - PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
13:50 - FAREWELL!

[@Good_Guitarist]

Any other Skynyrd tunes you all wanna learn?

[@jessicanavarrete6215]

Sweet home Alabama

[@forestduffe9586]

Gimme three steps

[@GetK1lled]

Sure

[@robertkittle5650]

Curtis lowe

[@mr.beastfunnymoments9088]

Piano man

[@mystwolfe7791]

I had a stroke and am “relearning” guitar. Thank you very well designed tutorial

[@nicknappi24]

God bless u

[@richplant2205]

Good on you! Keep going 👍🏻

[@alesiaarnold4259]

that's wonderful ❤

[@TheMoneyMakingMentor]

get better

[@brennenrichards2585]

Good luck recovering sir

[@grumerguy]

I lost the tip of my finger in a very unfortunate vacuum cleaner motor accident years ago and I was just beginning to learn the guitar chords and scales. I could play a couple of bluegrass tunes but after the accident, I had to give it up. Now years later, the pad of my forefinger is nonexistent but I'm finding I can use that finger and so I am going to try it again. I bought I little piece of junk guitar at a garage sale recently and have been using it to toughen up my fingertips again. Now I think I'm ready for a full size guitar and this is one of the songs I really want to learn. Great video and excellent instruction. I will be watching it over and over until I can get it right!

[@user-bg2re5mn4v]

I love how in depth you taught this. Many other tutorials just show "yeah pick this, a couple of those, boom!" But you broke it down well so thank you

[@Good_Guitarist]

I feel like so many online guitar teachers teach WHAT to play, but not HOW to play it. That's where I come in. It's the most essential step to successfully learning a lot of songs and building repertoire.

[@jdogbusa07]

Just picked up guitar around 2 months ago, and learned this in one night thanks to you. I appreciate you posting this!

[@colinbaugh1913]

No way bro your a god

[@uno_andonly216]

1 night I call bs

[@Chris-in7pr]

Best tutorial ever for this song

[@rexthedragon305]

I avoided it for so long but 5 minutes later I got it I never thought I would amazing tutorial

[@johnmitchelljr]

Thank you for a great inspiring music channel. I have old fingers so I stay in open tunings. You've given me a good start on a new year. Thanks again.

[@jimbishop8667]

finally! I've tried 4 other tutorials on simple man and I could tell they just weren't right.... and they weren't. This is correct, you can hear it and feel it when you play it! Thanx a million!

[@bigsis409]

Same here! Ive been through it all then pop goes it all with this vid man its great. All his tutorials are legit and his music break down lessons . awsome my guy absolutly imoressive, inspiring and mostly helpful im sure to all. Your comment was what helped me leave my own and I thankyou! Best of luck to the music life brotha! Sincerely, Zack Brookes. Have a good one bud.

[@xy2115]

First tutorial that makes sense. Thank you

[@DH-so5iz]

Very easy to follow and great explanations of each section, thank you!

[@jodyvaillant118]

You are a man who understands teaching and learning. Thank you for this excellent lesson. I will be sharing it with all my friends.

[@AbigailMilamProductions]

Learned this in one night thanks to your well rounded lesson, & I'm just a beginner! Thank you, Good Guitarist.

[@argojason5548]

This was the first thing I tried on guitar and took me a month. 😅

[@NuclearHeat]

@@argojason5548 Just got an acoustic and decided to learn this, it’s been about a week and a half now and man it’s a struggle for me picking the right chords or not to touch 2 chords at once

[@argojason5548]

@@NuclearHeat yea it was sooo frustrating for me as first as well. 😅 I would cuss a lot when I would make those mistakes. Practice Alex. Keep practicing, don't give up and you'll get it. Merry strumming. :')

[@NuclearHeat]

@@argojason5548 I do too😂i’ll sit there and be like mother fuck you🤣it’s very challenging to get started but I know it’ll improve in no time, merry strumming to you as well!

[@prosperity2740]

@@NuclearHeat now you’ve mastered this song and your everybody’s favorite at the campfire

[@raphaelmarques8720]

best teacher! Special Thanks from Brazil!

[@johnnybx3254]

Glad that this lesson is back again! 👍Wonderful teaching James 👏👏✌🏻

[@Good_Guitarist]

Hello John, thanks for the ongoing support! - James

[@brando81]

Man, what an amazing song, the picking during the verse always grabs me by the soul

[@frankfichera2986]

That was GREAT! Passed it by accident love the song. Picked it up in a few minutes.

[@ginamcclure463]

Sweet! Thank you for teaching us!

[@McDinkys]

Great tutorial for all still levels. Thank you!

[@scott602]

love your breakdown man, very very helpful, a lot of guitar lessons don't break things down as well and concise as you.

[@enzobagnara3875]

Fantastic teacher!!!

[@argojason5548]

Finally got this under my belt. Big thanks. ♥️

[@worshipingchristthroughmus5606]

Cool Lesson! Thanks for sharing!

[@haleyalexander]

You’re a great teacher!

[@chrissmith268]

Best guitar tutorial made it so easy

[@user-ej5dg2gx7y]

Great lesson.

[@kindion]

Thank you :) You’re a very calm and amazing teacher!

[@starvideoproduction2045]

This is awesome. It takes some practice with the finger picking, but I finally get it. You're awesome.

[@westknsscty]

James, you have helped me tremendously, I am extremely grateful. More ways than just this song

[@johnnybx3254]

Thanks ! Great lesson!

[@darenanderson4961]

Excellent teacher!! Many thanks!

[@Dylan_Jones]

Great Video - Just beginning and think you do a great job at showing the chords/tabs in a logical, easy to follow manner.

[@Pianobug007]

Thank you for making your videos.

[@flavioayresrodrigues7266]

Parabéns. Ótimo vídeo. Sua didática é de fácil compreensão e muito prática. Excelente trabalho. Obrigado pela sua dedicação e trabalho. Blumenau - Santa Catarina - Brasil.

[@n1c0_]

It is a good and clear lesson. Good job👌🏻

[@timmiller9439]

learned this in 10 minutes, thank you so much man!

[@aaronlocksmith4645]

This video really helped me ty

[@davetribear]

Love the teaching method. Thanks

[@alexanderzatti]

This is one of the very best guitar lessons on whole KZbin! Thanks so much! Teached it nice and slowly and explained everything. Perfect!

[@prasany]

Thank you so much! this lesson makes learning by ear so much more easier..

[@gingersnap9756]

Fantastic video. One of the best I’ve seen. I love the header and how it ties everything together. One small note, at first glance you reminded me of Jim Carrey as Ave Ventura Pet Detective! At the end, it wasn’t so prominent but every once and awhile you’d say or do something that made you look like him all over again! 😂

[@annamattesich4938]

I started guitar 2 days days ago and I nailed this song

[@calmarcum2724]

Thanks man for your time and making great beginner videos!

[@Vtard1]

Very clear...great job! Best how to ive seen on here..

[@kenmosholder1935]

Thank you! Nice concise understandable lesson. Excellent.

[@forestduffe9586]

Best tutorial on KZbin 👍

[@trungcao8988]

Love the breakdown...and close up and clear explanation. I am a beginner.

[@Abenjohar22]

Best detailed lesson on you tibe

[@hudsonwakeboardclub5010]

BRO! Awesome tutorial!

[@birdiebear1394]

AWESOME TEACHING!

[@Good_Guitarist]

Thank you!

[@tcao42]

53 yo learning basic guitar. Awesome teaching video...set up tab..tempo ...etc.

[@Good_Guitarist]

Glad you liked it!

[@tabithapulliam2490]

BRAVO, my friend! Excellent tutorial for this song; the BEST I have found thus far. SUBSCRIBED!! ☺

[@brettmilliman1432]

Best lesson I've seen for this song! Thank you!

[@Good_Guitarist]

You're very welcome!

[@williammoran5070]

Great job

[@Kaisermoocow]

shoot first time on guitar ever and i just got down three and a half cords plus just learned the picking pattered to the sone in a matter of 30 mins thanks man your amazing!

[@miken7750]

DAMN THAT WAS SO WELL TAUGHT..THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE TAB NOTES AND SPLIT SCREEN SHOWING PICKING AND CHORDS

[@abramhernandez1216]

Awesome lesson! Thanks. 😎👍

[@markhinde710]

Great song and lesson. Yours are extremely well made, easy to follow and I like that you show everything. I didn't see the solo part though you mentioned.

[@Good_Guitarist]

Hey Mark, thanks a lot for the support.

[@markhinde710]

@@Good_Guitarist I appreciate all of my KZbin instructors. Yours are one of best by far. Thanks James

[@jimmycross7272]

I’ve been watching ur videos and are the best I’ve seen I started trying to learn how to play a long time ago work kinda of got in the way so I’m back trying to learn again and just by ur video I’ve just about got simple man down pat just need to work on my strumming just keep up to good work you do and thank you

[@matthewkanter7585]

Hi . So glad to find this . Looking forward to more . ..? And to practicing ! Thank you !!

[@Adriatic880]

Great tutorial, thanks 👍

[@alliw4611]

Your videos are the best :) thanks for making them

[@Technomage1700]

This was the song that made me want to play guitar back in the day. Thanks for this video!!!!!

[@hanguyen2211]

Thanks very easy to follow :)

[@chrisamick6720]

beautiful

[@joelemieux3392]

Thank you for this tutorial. Didnt go into too much detail talking, let the video of your fingers do the work. Well done! Perfect pace.

[@brendansnee7299]

Well done great to see a good player teaching will recommend your channel to my students

[@Good_Guitarist]

Awesome, thank you!

[@felipe._.567]

Good video dude

[@nirmalamarak9386]

Sounds cool 🎉

[@Thetruththatliesunder]

THANK YOU SO MUCH I been gifted a gift that when I watch someone play i pick up really fast just with the first 5 mins I was already playing the song thanks

[@nashvillefirenickhood9845]

Bro you really made this easy. Thank you

[@jeeplifedeana4747]

Awesome, I love the way you break down the song. It makes in it easier to learn thanks.

[@Good_Guitarist]

Glad you like it!

[@motox570]

Excellent teacher.

[@KennethWayne]

Thank you!

[@CristianGarcia-bh3np]

I love that song, and thanks to you I can play it, and I'm just a beginner, Thank you very much :D

[@mikeryan6277]

Well done

[@thaiming1306]

Earned a new subscriber

[@robbiek1999]

Thanks bud, love the song

[@driftking452]

Dude you are awesome

[@heimwerkeringo]

Thank you so much :) Nice Tutorial.

[@willolux9564]

Happy Birthday, James!!

[@1theblacksheep]

Thank you, you really teach very well, congrats, I was just expecting you to play the whole music at the normal pace at the end, but it was amazing anyway, thanks. Greetings from Switzerland.

[@byates59]

AWESOME tutorial! Thanks!

[@Good_Guitarist]

Glad it was helpful!

[@iRusiko]

Thanks! Your version sounds much better than other lessons which I found on KZbin, very close to original. I never heard this song at my place before, and only got to know about it when started to learn guitar recently, very beautiful! But needs alot of practice, even after so easy and cool lesson for such silly person as me.

[@Good_Guitarist]

When someone makes it look easy, that just means they already did the practice... they played all the wrong notes, missed the switches, and stuck with it, so that now they can do it.

[@stevenjennings8789]

you're the man thank you

[@Good_Guitarist]

Glad to help

[@hibernianmelody6761]

Awesome video thank you 👍

[@Good_Guitarist]

No problem 👍

[@zachfree6126]

Thank you, James. I really enjoyed this lesson. You are brilliant.

[@Good_Guitarist]

You're very welcome!

[@augustooliveira2116]

Great Work, man! Really superb !

[@Good_Guitarist]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@user-tl5or1xw5s]

Вы офигенный учитель, настолько подробно все. Даже знать английский язык не нужно, чтобы понимать ваши уроки! Спасибо!

[@garycook3689]

Good instructions

[@gabzenb4224]

Thank you huge step i learned it

[@aquariusstar1806]

that was so enjoyable . thank youu 💖💜😀

[@michaeldunkley1232]

very good!!

[@DaytonaShooter]

Thank you for taking the time to make it so simplistic and slow-paced. just want to beginner needs to really be able to get a song perfected.

[@LoquendoComenta]

Yo no se mucho ingles. Pero a pesar de ello, logre comprender todo tu tutorial. Definitivamente uno de los mejores. You have a new subscriber

[@cramfox9010]

It is so wunderful😍

[@billysea7769]

Good tutorial

[@johnsamuel5324]

U r superb teacher............

[@duaneulman9915]

Thank you

[@tshooter4419]

like your style of teaching. nicely done!