Beginners can play Metal!
This week we dive into another song that everyone seems to know. When I think of Crazy Train, I think of baseball. Odd Right? I live in Georgia and the Atlanta Braves had Chipper Jones all through the 90’s and most of the early 2000’s and this was his walk-up song.
Most beginning guitarists hear this song and think that it’s out of reach, but in this lesson I will break it down into bite sized chunks that any guitarist (even if you just unboxed yours) can play.
If you are just starting out then check out level 1 first. If that looks too easy, then move on down to level 2!
Have fun and leave a comment below to let me know you are here!
Level 1
Crazy Train is not often thought of as a song for beginners, but I have broken it down so that anyone can learn this great song. As always start with Level 1 and work to make sure your transitions are smooth and sound correct before moving on to Level 2.
When you start out on guitar every step forward and every new skill will lead you to harder and harder tasks. As you progress take pride in looking back at where you were and where you are. If things get frustrating, take a break!. I always found that when I took a break for even a few days, I came back playing the difficult passage better than I ever had!
Level 2
Level 2 is pretty much the full Intro and guitar part minus the short leads between transitions. Start slow with the rhythm and slowly get faster until you reach the ortiginal tempo, which is 136 bpm. Stay tuned for my tab coming out this weekend that will allow you to play along with a version of the song that is a little slower than the original.
Once you memorize the intro, it won’t be to hard to move your guitar playing to the speed you need it to be because this riff is so much fun to play! Once you get it in your head it will be one of the things your fingers and brain want to do every time you pick up a guitar!
Make sure you stay in second position, which means your first finger plays all notes in the second fret, your second finger all notes in the third fret, your third all notes in the fourth and your fourth all notes in the fifth.
For the verse you are playing a first inversion of a D position, which means the middle note of the chord (known as the third) is in the bass.
Have fun playing!
