Acoustic Fingerpicking Step-by-Step, Level 1C

Description

Here is an example of a fingerpicking pattern in 3/4 time being used to create an arrangement for a song.

In this version of the traditional song, "Star of the County Down", you'll hear me use a fingerpicking pattern in 3/4 time, as well as an AmSus4 figure in 3/4 time.

Both of these appear in the tablature below. The fingerpicking pattern in 3/4 time was taught in lesson 1 of this tutorial.

Think of this as an example of how you might use fingerpicking patterns and ornaments to create an arrangement for any song in 3/4 time that you choose. Due to copyright law, I am only able to post examples of fingerpicking songs that are in the Public Domain. These include traditional folk songs and songs with no known author. The technique, however, can be applied to a wide variety of songs.

STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN
(Intro: Am figure in 3/4 time, twice)

VERSE PART 1:
Near (Am)Banbridge (F)Town
In the (C)County (G)Down
One (Am)morning (F)last (Em)July((Em)
Down (Am)a boreen(F)green
Came a (C)sweet colleen(G)
And she (Am)smiled as she (F)passed me (Am)by

VERSE PART 2:
She(C) looked so (C)sweet
From her (G) two white (G)feet
To the sheen (Am) of her (F) nut brown (Em) hair (Em)
(Am)Such a coaxing elf (F)
I’d (C) to shake myself (G)
To be sure (Am)I was standing (F) there (Am figure)

CHORUS:
From (C)Bantry (C)Bay to (G)Derry (G)Quay
From (Am)Galway to (F)Dublin (Em)town (G)
No (Am)maid I've (F)seen like the (C)fair coll-(G)een
That I (Am)met at the (F)County (Am figure)Down

VERSE PART 1:
As she onward sped
I shook my head
And I gazed with a feeling rare
And I says, says I, To a passerby
Who's the maid with the nut brown hair?

VERSE PART 2:
He smiled at me, and with pride says he
That’s the gem of all Ireland’s crown
She’s young Rosie McCann
From the banks of the Bann
She’s the Star of the County Down

CHORUS:
From Bantry Bay to Derry Quay
From Galway to Dublin town
No maid I've seen like the sweet colleen
That I met at of the County Down

VERSE PART 1:
I travelled a bit, but never was hit
Since my roving career began
But fair and square, I surrender there
To the charms of young Rose McCann

VERSE PART 2:
I’d a heart to let and no tenant yet
Did I meet with a shawl or gown
But in she went, and I asked no rent
From the Star of the County Town

CHORUS:
From Bantry Bay to Derry Quay
From Galway to Dublin town
No maid I've seen like the sweet colleen
That I met at of the County Down

VERSE PART 1:
At the Crossroads Fair, I’ll be surely there
And I’ll dress in my Sunday clothes
And I’ll try sheep’s eyes and deluring lies
On the heart of the nut-brown rose

VERSE PART 2:
No pipe i’ll smoke, no horse i’ll yoke
Though with rust my plow turns to brown
Till a smiling bride by my own fireside
Sits the the Star of the County Down

CHORUS: From Bantry Bay to Derry Quay
From Galway to Dublin town
No maid I've seen like the sweet colleen
That I met at of the County Down


Playing this along with me on this video is a great way to practice and make sure your rhythm and chord changes are on the right track.