How to Play Wagon Wheel by Old Crow Medicine Show: A Beginner’s Guide
"Wagon Wheel" by Old Crow Medicine Show has become a modern folk anthem, a song that evokes images of open roads, campfires, and shared experiences. Its simple yet infectious melody and relatable lyrics have made it a favorite for singalongs and acoustic jam sessions. If you’re looking to learn how to play this timeless tune, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will break down "Wagon Wheel" into manageable steps, providing you with the chords, strumming patterns, and tips you need to strum along with confidence.
Understanding the Song’s Appeal
Before diving into the technical aspects, let’s appreciate what makes "Wagon Wheel" so captivating. The song is a blend of traditional folk elements and modern sensibilities. The lyrics, written by Bob Dylan and completed by Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show, tell a story of longing, travel, and the search for home. The melody is simple and catchy, built around a few basic chords, making it accessible to players of all skill levels. This combination of factors contributes to its enduring popularity.
Required Materials
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How to Play Wagon Wheel by Old Crow Medicine Show: A Beginner’s Guide
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How to Play Wagon Wheel by Old Crow Medicine Show: A Beginner’s Guide
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- Acoustic Guitar: While it can be played on other instruments, "Wagon Wheel" is most commonly performed on an acoustic guitar.
- Guitar Tuner: Accurate tuning is crucial. Use an electronic tuner or a tuning app on your phone.
- Guitar Pick (Optional): A pick can help you achieve a consistent strumming pattern, but you can also play with your fingers (fingerpicking).
- Patience: Learning any new song takes time and practice. Don’t get discouraged!
The Chords
"Wagon Wheel" primarily uses four basic chords, all relatively easy to play:
- G Major (G):
- Place your middle finger on the 6th fret of the E string.
- Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string.
- Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the E string.
- Strum all strings from the low E string to the high E string.
- C Major (C):
- Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the B string.
- Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D string.
- Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A string.
- Strum all strings from the A string to the high E string.
- G/B (G over B): This is a G major chord with a B note in the bass, which adds a nice flavor.
- Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string.
- Place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the E string.
- Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the high E string.
- Strum all strings from the A string to the high E string, but don’t play the low E string.
- D Major (D):
- Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the G string.
- Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the E string.
- Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B string.
- Strum all strings from the D string to the high E string.
Chord Progression
The core of "Wagon Wheel" lies in its simple, repetitive chord progression. Here’s the basic structure:
- Verse: G – C – G – D
- Chorus: G – C – G – D
Strumming Patterns
The strumming pattern is key to the song’s rhythm. Here are a couple of popular patterns you can use:
- Basic Down-Down-Up-Up-Down-Up:
- This pattern is a good starting point. Practice it slowly at first, making sure your downstrokes hit all the strings.
- Down (Down) – Down (Up) – Up – Down (Up)
- You can try practicing with the beat of a metronome to keep the rhythm in check.
- More Advanced "Train" Strumming:
- This pattern has more a "train" feel to it and is more dynamic:
- Down – Down – Up – Up – Down – Up
- Use a light touch on the "Down" strokes to create a nice bounce.
Putting it Together: The Verse
- Start with G Major: Strum the G chord for four beats (four downstrokes or the pattern).
- Move to C Major: Strum the C chord for four beats.
- Return to G Major: Strum the G chord for four beats.
- End with D Major: Strum the D chord for four beats.
Putting it Together: The Chorus
- Start with G Major: Strum the G chord for four beats.
- Move to C Major: Strum the C chord for four beats.
- Return to G Major: Strum the G chord for four beats.
- End with D Major: Strum the D chord for four beats.
Practicing the Transitions
The most challenging part for beginners is often smoothly transitioning between chords. Here are some tips:
- Practice the Chord Changes: Isolate the chord changes. For example, repeatedly switch between G and C, then G and D, and finally C and D.
- Slow Down: Practice the chord changes at a slow tempo, focusing on accuracy. Gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable.
- Visualize: Before changing chords, visualize the new chord shape. This can help your fingers move more efficiently.
- Use the G/B chord: This chord is used frequently in the song. Start by transitioning from G to the G/B.
Lyrics and Chord Chart
Here’s the chord chart for the song.
(Verse 1)
(G)Head down to the (C)south side
(G)Take a trip across the (D)sea
(G)I’m goin’ to the (C)south side
(G)See if I can (D)find my baby
(Chorus)
(G)Rock me (C)Mama like a (G)wagon wheel
(D)Rock me (C)Mama, any (G)way you (D)feel
(G)Rock me (C)Mama like a (G)wagon wheel
(D)Rock me (C)Mama, any (G)way you (D)feel
(Verse 2)
(G)Run down the (C)road, I’m (G)running fast
(D)I’m going to (C)find my (G)baby
(D)And I (G)won’t be (C)back ’til (G)I’m back (D)in the past
(Chorus)
(G)Rock me (C)Mama like a (G)wagon wheel
(D)Rock me (C)Mama, any (G)way you (D)feel
(G)Rock me (C)Mama like a (G)wagon wheel
(D)Rock me (C)Mama, any (G)way you (D)feel
(Bridge)
(G)I’m going to (C)travel to the (G)south
(D)I’m going to (C)travel (G)on and (D)on
(G)I’m going to (C)travel ’til I (G)find my (D)baby
(Chorus)
(G)Rock me (C)Mama like a (G)wagon wheel
(D)Rock me (C)Mama, any (G)way you (D)feel
(G)Rock me (C)Mama like a (G)wagon wheel
(D)Rock me (C)Mama, any (G)way you (D)feel
(Outro)
(G)Rock me (C)Mama like a (G)wagon wheel
(D)Rock me (C)Mama, any (G)way you (D)feel
Tips for Improvement
- Practice Regularly: Even short practice sessions every day are more effective than infrequent, long sessions.
- Listen to the Song: Listen to the Old Crow Medicine Show version of "Wagon Wheel" to get a feel for the rhythm, tempo, and phrasing.
- Sing Along: Once you’re comfortable with the chords and strumming, sing along to the song. This will help you coordinate your playing with the lyrics.
- Record Yourself: Recording yourself playing allows you to identify areas for improvement and track your progress.
- Don’t Give Up: Learning takes time. Be patient with yourself and celebrate your successes along the way.
Advanced Techniques
- Fingerpicking: Experiment with fingerpicking the chords to add a different texture to your playing.
- Variations: Once you’ve mastered the basic structure, experiment with adding variations to the strumming pattern or adding your own embellishments.
- Capo: Experiment with a capo to change the key and find the key that fits your voice best.
Conclusion
Learning to play "Wagon Wheel" by Old Crow Medicine Show is an enjoyable and rewarding experience. With a little practice and patience, you’ll be strumming along to this classic tune in no time. So, grab your guitar, tune it up, and get ready to rock!
