Beginners Fingerpicking Guitar

taught by Fred Sokolow

Tuning String-to-String

E B G D A E

` ```

1st string 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th

Chords for STEALIN

BASIC FINGERPICKING PATTERN FOR STEALIN

j j j j j j F & C
C
0 0 3
I T M T I T M

3
T

0 0 3

1 2 3

1 2

Note: Stems Up means pick with fingers; Stems Down means pick with thumb.

STEALIN
C F j j j j j j j j j j j b & C C
Put your arms around me like a circle round the sun,

I wanna love you baby, like your easy rider done. You dont be-

0 0 3

0 0 3

0 3 3

0 3 3

1 2 3

1 2

*Note: The sign means repeat the previous bar

j j j &
C
lieve Im sinkin,

look at the hole Im in.

You dont be-lieve I love you, look at the fool Ive been.

0 0 3

0 0

C F j j j j j j j j j j j j b & C
Stealin, stealin, pretty mama doncha tell on me.

Im

0 0 3

0 0 3

0 3 3

0 3 3

1 2 3

1 2

G C G j j j j j j j j j j j j & C
stealin back to my same old used to be.

0 0 3

0 0 3

1 0 3

1 0 3

0 0 3

0 0 3

1 0 3

1 0

ALTERNATING BASS

j j j j j j G7 j j j F & C
C

0 0 3

0 0 3

1 2 3

1 2 3

1 0 0

1 0

BASS RUNS
C to F C to G G to C

&

STEALIN
Put your arms around me like a circle round the sun, I want to love you baby, like your easy rider done. Chorus: You dont believe I love you, look what a fool Ive been. You dont believe Im sinkin, look at the hole Im in. Stealin, stealin, pretty mama doncha tell on me. Im stealin back to my same old used to be. Woman I love shes so far away, Woman I hate, I see her most every day. (Chorus) Woman I love shes about my size, Shes a married woman comes to see me sometimes. (Chorus) 4

STEALIN
(WITH ALTERNATING BASS)
C F j j j j j j j j j j j b & C C
The woman I love, shes so far away. The woman I hate, I see her every day.

You dont be-

0 0 3

0 0 3

0 3 3

0 3 3

1 2 3

1 2

j j j &
C
lieve Im sinkin,

look at the hole Im in.

You dont be-lieve I love you, look what a fool Ive been.

0 0 3

0 0

C F j j j j j j j j j j j j b & C
Stealin, stealin, pretty mama doncha tell on me.

Im

0 0 3

0 0 3

0 3 3

0 3 3

1 2 3

1 2

G G j j j C j j j j j j j j j & C
stealin back to my same old used to be.

0 0 3

0 0 3

1 0 0

1 0 3

0 0 3

0 0 3

1 0 0

1 0

STEALIN
(WITH BASS RUNS AND ALTERNATING BASS)

& C

C F j j j j j j j j j j b
I wanna love you baby, like your

Put your arms around me like a circle round the sun,

3 0 2 3

0 0 3

0 0 3

0 3 3

0 3 3

1 2 3

1 2

j j &
easy rider done.

j j j
0 0 3 0 0

You dont be-lieve Im sinkin,

look at the hole Im in.

You dont be-lieve I love you, look what a

1 3

1 2 2 0 3

j j j
tell on

j j &
C
fool Ive been.

C j j j j j b
stealin,

Stealin,

pretty mama doncha

0 0 0 2 3

0 0 3

0 0 3

0 3 0 2 3

1 2 3

1 2

j j &
me.

j
back to

my

j
used to

j j j
etc.
1 0 0 3 1 0 0

Im stealin

same old

be.

1 3

1 2 2 0 3

0 0 2

1 0 3

1 0 0 2 3

WABASH CANNONBALL
j j j j & C
C F j j j j j
December day, As she

She came down from Birmingham one cold

3 0 2 3

0 0 3

0 0

0 0 0 2 3

1 2 3

1 2

j j j j &
G
pulled into the station,

j
1 0 0 2

j j j
Theres a

you could hear all

the people say:

1 0 0

1 0

1 3

0 0 3

0 0

j j j j j &
C
gal from Minne sota,

j j
0 0 0 2

j j j
1 2 3 1 2

Lord shes long

and shes tall.

0 0 3

0 0

1 3

j j j j &
G
Shes the combi nation

j
1

j j j
etc.
0 0 3 0 0

called the Wabash

Cannon - ball.

1 0 0

1 0

0 0 2 3

WABASH CANNONBALL
She came down from Birmingham one cold December day, As she pulled into the station, you could hear all the people say: Theres a gal from Minnesota, shes long and shes tall. Shes the combination called the Wabash Cannonball. Chorus: Listen to the jingle, the rumble and the roar As she glides along the southland, through hills and by the shore. Hear the mighty rush of engines, hear the lonesome hoboes call, Travelin through the jungles on the Wabash Cannonball. Oh, the Eastern states are dandy so the Western people say, From New York to Chicago, St. Louis by the way. From the hills of Minnesota where the rippling waters fall, No chances can be taken on the Wabash Cannonball. Heres to Daddy Claxton, may his name forever stand, And may he be remembered in the courts throughout our land. When his earthly race is over and the curtain round him falls, Well carry him on to victory on the Wabash Cannonball.

BASS RUN

&

D to G

0 2 3

NINE POUND HAMMER

& C
This old

j j j j j
hammer killed John

j j j
Henry.

3 0 0

3 0 3

3 0 0 2 3

0 0 3

0 0

# j j &
Aint gonna

kill

j j j D j
me, ain't gonna

kill

0 0 2 0 3

3 0 0

3 0 0

2 2 0 2

G j j j j # &
me.

Roll on,

j j j j
3 0 0 3 0

buddy,

3 0 0

3 0

j j # &
pull your load

of

j j j j j
How can I

coal.

3 0 0 2 3

0 0 3

0 0 3

0 0 2 0

G D j j j j j j j jG j j # &
pull when the wheel won't go?

etc.

3 0 2

0 3

3 0

2 2 0

2 2 3

3 0 0

3 0

NINE POUND HAMMER

The nine pound hammer is a little too heavy, for my size, buddy for my size. Chorus: Roll on, buddy, doncha roll so slow. How can I roll when the wheel wont go? This old hammer, it killed John Henry,aint gonna kill me, aint gonna kill me. Chorus: Roll on, buddy, pull your load of coal. How can I pull when the wheel wont go? There aint no hammer in this tunnel that can ring like mine, that can ring like mine. Rings like silver and it shines like gold. Rings like silver and it shines like gold. Im goin on the mountain for to see my baby, never comin back, never comin back. Its a long way to Harlan and a long way to Hazard to get a little brew, little home brew.

BASS RUNS

#3 & 4

G to C

D to G

0 2 3 0 2 3

10

WABASH CANNONBALL
(WITH PINCHES)

j j & C #
G
Oh, the eastern states are dandy

so the

j
people

j j
From

eastern

say,

3 0 3

3 0

3 0 0 2 3

0 0 3

0 0

D j # j &
New York to Chi - cago,

and St.

j j
Louis by the

j
From

the

way.

2 0 2 0

2 2

3 0

2 2 0 2 3

3 0 3

3 0

j j # &
G
hills of Minne sota

j
waters

j j
No

where the rippling

fall,

3 0 3

3 0

3 0 0 2 3

0 0 3

0 0

# &

j j
can be taken

on the

j j
Wabash Cannon -

j j
etc.
3 0 0 3 3 0

chances

ball.

2 0 2 0

2 2

11

3 0

2 2 0 2 3

CALIFORNIA BLUES PATTERN

&

####

j j n C
E
0 1 0 2 0 3 0 2 1

12

CALIFORNIA BLUES
E j j #### C n j &
I got the California Blues

I got the

and Im sure gonna leave you here.

0 1 2

3 0

0 2

# # # # j j j n &
California

j j j a n
0 3 0 0 2 3

I might

Blues and Im sure gonna leave you here.

0 0 2

2 0

0 2

#### j j j & a
ride the blinds,

I aint

n j j
fare.

got no railroad

etc.
0 3 0 0 2 3

2 2 1

0 2

2 1

&
BASS RUNS

####

E to A

E to B

n #

0 2 3 4 0 0 1 2

13

CALIFORNIA BLUES
(WITH BASS RUNS)

&

####

n j j j
Maine is just

j j j j n #
0 0 0 0

Portland,

the same as sunny

Tennes - see.

0 1 2

3 0

0 2 1

0 2 3 4

# # # # j j j & n n
Portland, Maine

a n j j n #
0 3 0 0 2 1 0 1 0 2 3 0 1

is just the same as sunny Tennes - see.

0 0 2

2 0

0 2 0

# # # # j j j j j & a
Any old place I hang my hat

n j j
0 3 0 0 2 1

is home sweet home to me.

2 2 1

0 2

2 1

0 2

2 2 1

0 2

2 1 2

14

CALIFORNIA BLUES
Im goin to California where they sleep out every night. (Repeat) Im leavin you sweet mama, cause you just dont treat me right. Chorus: I got the California Blues and Im sure gonna leave you here. (Repeat) I might ride the blinds, I aint got no railroad fare. Let me tell you something, mama, that you dont know. (Repeat) Im a do-right papa, got a home everywhere I go. Listen to me mama, sing this lonesome song. (Repeat) You got me worried now, but I wont be worried long.

&
BASS RUN

####

E to A

2 4 0

15

NINE POUND HAMMER

(WITH BASS RUNS)

&

####

Im

j j ..
goin on the

j j
0 2 0 2

mountain buddy,

for to see my pull your load of

0 2 0

0 2

..

#### &

j j j j j jEj j
never How comin can I back, pull

baby, coal.

0 2 0

2 2

0 0

0 2 0

2 2

0 0

0 1 0 1

B j j j E # # & ##
when never the comin back. wheel wont go?

j j j j j j ..
Roll on,

2 2 2

0 1

0 2 0 0

0 2

0 2 0

0 2 0

..

16

# & #c
SLOOP JOHN B. PATTERN

j j

2 0 2

3 0

2 2

JOHN B. SAILS
We come on the sloop John B., my grandfather and me. Around Nassau town we did roam. Drinkin all night, got into a fight. I feel so break-up, I wanna go home. Chorus: So hoist up the John B. sails, see how the main sail sets, Call for the captain ashore, let me go home. Let me go home. I want to go home. I feel so break-up, I wanna go home. The first mate he got drunk, broke up the peoples trunk, Constable had to come and take him away. Sheriff Johnstone, please let me alone. I feel so break-up, I wanna go home. The poor cook he got the fits, threw away all of my grits, Then he took and he ate up all of my corn. Let me go home, I wanna go home, This is the worst trip I ever been on.

17

SLOOP JOHN B.
& ## c
D

j j
the sloop John B.,

my

and

me.

A -

We come on

grandfather

## &

2 0 2

3 0

2 2

j j
0 0 0 0

Nassau town

Drinkin all

round

we did roam.

## &
D

j j

n j j
got into a

j j
3 0 3 0 3

night,

fight.

2 0 2

3 0

2 2

3 0

2 2

1 0

2 2

1 3

## &

j j
so break - up,

j j
I wanna go

j j

So

feel

home.

2 0 2

3 0

2 2

3 0

0 0

2 0

0 0

2 0

2 2

3 0

2 2

18

STAGOLEE
Stagolee shot Billy De Lyons, what do you think of that? Shot him down in cold blood cause he stole his Stetson hat. Chorus: Hes a bad man, that cruel Stagolee. Stagolee oh Stagolee, please dont take my life. Ive got two little kids at home and a darlin lovin wife. What do I care about your two little kids, your darlin lovin wife? You just stole my Stetson hat and Im bound to take your life. Judge said, Stagolee, what you doin here? You done shot Mr. Billy De Lyons, youre gonna die in the lectric chair. Twelve oclock they hanged him, head reached up high. Last thing that poor boy said, My six-shooter never lied.

19

STAGOLEE
& ## j j j j j j . c
D
Stagolee killed Billy De Lyons,

j j j n j #
what do you think of

# & #

3 0

2 2 0

2 2 0

2 2 0

1 2 0

2 2

3 0

2 2

G j j j j j j
Shot him down in cold blood,

cause he

that?

2 0 2 0

2 2 3

3 0 3

3 0

j ## &
stole

his Stetson

A j j j j j j j n #
Hes a bad man,

hat.

3 0

2 2 0

2 2

1 0

3 2 0

3 2

D j j j j j # # 6 . c n j # j j j j j j j & 4
that cruel Stagolee.

3 2 0

3 2 0

1 2 0

2 2

3 0

2 2

3 0

2 2 0

2 2

20

JAMAICA FAREWELL PATTERN

### c &

j j
0 2 0 2 0

JAMAICA FAREWELL
### c . . &
A

the took

way a

j
the a

are ship

j
gay, and

Down I

where trip on

nights sailing

and the when I

& ###
E

..
0

0 2

2 0

0 2

2 0

2 2

3 0

2 2

sun reached

j
0

j
top, stop.

j ..

shines brightly Jamaica

on the mountain I made a

But I'm

0 1

0 0

0 0

0 2

2 0

0 2

..

21

BASS RUNS

&

###

A to D

E to A

2 4

0 2 4

JAMAICA FAREWELL
(WITH BASS RUNS)

&

###

c ..

at rice,

the

j .
market salt

can are

hear nice,

Down Ake

you fish

ladies and

the

### &
E

..
0

0 2

2 0

0 2 4 0

2 2

3 0

2 2

out is

while fine

cry rum

j .
on their any

they of

j
bear

j ..

heads time

year.

But Im

0 1

0 0

0 0

0 2 2 4

2 0

0 2

..

22

JAMAICA FAREWELL
Down the way where the nights are gay, and the sun shines brightly on the mountain top, I took a trip on a sailing ship and when I reached Jamaica I made a stop. Chorus: But Im sad to say Im on my way, Wont be back for many a day. My heart is down, my head is turning around, I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town. Sounds of laughter everywhere and the dancing girls sway to and fro. I must admit my heart is there though Ive been from Maine to Mexico. Down at the market you can hear ladies cry out while on their heads they bear Ake rice, salt fish are nice, and the rum is fine any time of year.

23

ST. JAMES INFIRMARY

It was down in old Joes barroom on the corner by the square. The drinks were served as usual and the usual crowd was there. On my left stood big Joe McKennedy, his eyes were bloodshot red. He took a look at the crowd around him, these are the words he said. I went down to St. James Infirmary, I saw my baby there. Stretched out on a long white table, so still, so cold, so fair. Let her go, let her go, God bless her, wherever she may be. She may search this wide world over, never find another man like me. When I die, please bury me in my hightop Stetson hat. Put a $20 gold piece on my watchchain so the boysll know I died standing pat. And now that youve heard my story, Ill take another shot of booze. If anyone should happen to ask you, Ive got the gamblers blues.

Am

Dm

24

ST. JAMES INFIRMARY

& c ..
On my right go,

Am

E j

0 1 0 3 0

Am Dm j j j j j j j
his her, eyes wherever were she bloodshot may

stood Big Joe Mc - Kennedy, let her go, God bless

Am

..
0

0 1 0

0 3 0 0

0 1 0

0 1 0

0 1 0

0 1 0

0 1 0

0 1 0

1 3 0

1 3

E j j &
red. be. He took She a may

Am

E Am j j j j j
the this bar wide a - round world over, him, these are the shell never

look at search

0 1 0

0 1 0

0 3 0

0 3 0

0 1 0

0 1 0

0 3 0

0 3 0

0 1 0

0 1 0

0 1 0

0 1

E Am E j j j j .. & F
very find another words man he like said. me. Let her

1 1 3 3

1 1 0

0 3 0

0 3 0

0 1 0

0 1 0

0 3 0

0 3

..

25

CARELESS LOVE
& #### c
E

j .
0 0 0

.
0

n j j .
3 0 0

cried

j .
last

0 0 0

&

####
night

and the

j .
night be -

fore.

n
0 0 3 0

n j .
3 0 0 0

2 2 2

2 2

#### &
cried

j .
last

.
night

j j .
and the night be -

j .
2 2 2

fore.

0 0 0

0 0 0

0 2

#### n &
3 2

3 2

j .
I

cried

j .
last

night

n
3

j .
and

the

3 2

2 2

0 0 0 0

26

#### &

j .
be -

fore.

n
3

j .
Gonna

cry

j .
to -

night

0 0 0 0

3 0

0 0

0 0 0

#### &

then

. j
cry no

j n .
3 0 0

n j .
3 0 0

more.

etc.

night,

0 2 2

2 2

CARELESS LOVE
Love, oh love, oh careless love, (3 times) See what love has done to me. Sorrow, sorrow to my heart, (3 times) When me and my love had to part. Cried last night and the night before, (3 times) Gonna cry tonight, then cry no more.

27

HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN

There is a house in New Orleans that they call the Rising Sun. Its been the ruin of many a poor girl and Lord I know Im one. My mother was a tailor, she sewed those new blue jeans, My father was a gambler, down in New Orleans. The only thing a gambler needs is a suitcase and a trunk, And the only time hes satisfied is when hes on a drunk. Go tell my baby sister not to do like I have done, But to shun that house in New Orleans they call the Rising Sun. Im goin back to New Orleans, my race is nearly run, Goin back to spend the rest of my life beneath that Rising Sun.

WALTZ PATTERN

& 6 8 .

Am

0
T

2
I

2
I

28

HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN

# N & . . . .
There is a house in New Orleans that they

Am

2 3

# # & . . . .
call the Rising Sun, and its

Am

2 3

0 0

1 0

# N & . . . .
been the ruin of many a poor boy, and

Am

2 3

& # # . . . .
God, I know Im one.

Am

Am

2 0

1 0

2 0

29

SCARBOROUGH FAIR
3 j & 4 .
Are you

Am

j
going

j .
-

Am

j .
0

to Scar

borough

Fair?

0 0

j &
Parsley,

j
Sage,

j # j j . .
and thyme.

Am

Re -

rose - mary

2 0

j &
member

j j .
to

.
there.

me

one who lives

Am

j & .
She once

j .

Am

j .
etc.
1 0 1

was

true love of

mine.

2 3

30

SCARBOROUGH FAIR
Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. Remember me to one who lives there. She once was a true love of mine. Tell her to make me a cambric shirt, Parsley, sage Without any seam or fine needlework, then shell be a true love of mine, Tell her to wash it in yonder well Where water neer sprung nor drop of rain fell, and then shell be Tell her to dry it on yonder thorn Which never bore blossom since Adam was born, and then shell be O will you find me an acre of land Between the sea foam and the salt sea land, and then shell be

WALTZ PATTERN

3 j & 4 .
0 1

3
T

0
I

0
I

0 1

0
I

R M

R M

31

STREETS OF LAREDO
3 & 4 . j . . .
As I walked out in the streets of La redo, as

0 1

0 1

0 3

1 0

1 0

0 3

0 1

0 1

0 3

1 0

1 0

j j & . . . .
I walked out in La redo one day, I

Dm

0 1

0 1

1 3

1 3

2 3

0 1

0 1

0 3

1 0

1 0

& . . . .
spied a cow - puncher all wrapped in white linen, all

0 1

0 1

0 3

1 0

1 0

0 3

0 1

0 1

0 3

1 0

1 0

j j j & . . . .
wrapped in white linen as cold as the clay.

Am

Dm

etc.
0 1 0 1

0 1

0 1

1 3

1 3

2 3

1 0

1 0

0 3

32

STREETS OF LAREDO
As I walked out in the streets of Laredo, As I walked out in Laredo one day, I spied a cowpuncher all wrapped in white linen, Wrapped in white linen as cold as the clay. I see by your outfit that you are a cowboy, These words he did say as he saw me ride by. Come sit down beside me and hear my sad story, Im shot in the breast and I surely must die. It was once in the saddle I used to go dashing, Once in the saddle I used to go gay. First to the dram-house and then to the card house, Got shot in the breast and Im dying today. Get six jolly cowboys to carry my coffin, Six pretty maidens to bear up my pall. Put bunches of roses all over my coffin, Roses to deaden the clods as they fall. Beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly, Play the death march as you carry me on. Take me out to the graveyard and throw the sod oer me, For Im a young cowboy and I know Ive done wrong.

TUMBLEWEEDS PATTERN

# &

3
T

3 0

0 3

3 0

R M

R M

33

TUMBLING TUMBLEWEEDS
# j & c ..
down, See them tumbling Cares of the day are be - hind,

j
to the ground. but Ill find

pledging their love nowhere to go

..
3

0 1

0 3

0 1

2 2

2 0

2 2

2 0

. # . &
Lonely but free Ill be found, just where the trail will wind,

}
3 0 0 3 0 3 0

drifting along with the tumbling

{ tumbleweeds. tumbleweeds.
0 3 0 0 3 0 3 0

0 1

0 3

0 1

0 3

2 1

2 1

2 3

..

# # N &
know when night is gone, that a new day is born at dawn.

D BRIDGE

2 1

2 1

2 3

3 0

0 3

3 0

0 0

0 2

0 0

0 2

2 1

2 1

# &
Ill keep rolling a - (etc.) (like the first 8 bars)

0 1

0 3

0 1

34

TUMBLING TUMBLEWEEDS
See them tumbling down, pledging their love to the ground. Lonely but free Ill be found, Drifting along with the tumbling tumbleweeds. Cares of the past are behind, nowhere to go but Ill find Just where the trail will wind, Drifting along with the tumbling tumbleweeds. I know when night is gone, that a new day is born at dawn. Ill keep rolling along. Deep in my heart is a song. Here on the range I belong, Drifting along with the tumbling tumbleweeds.

35

NINE POUND HAMMER

& ####
E On The Beat

C
0 0

n
3 3

#### &

2 2

0 2 0

2 2

0 0 2

2 0 2

2 0 0

2 0

0 0

w
0

0 2

2 2

0 2 2 0 2 1

0 2

2 1

0 2 0 0 2

#### . &

Syncopated Melody

.
0

j
0

n
3 3 2 2 0

j .

0 2

0 0

2 2

0 0 2

2 0 2

2 0 0

2 0

#### &

j .
0 0

w
0

etc.

0 2

2 2

0 2 2 0 2 1

0 2

2 1

0 2 0 0 2

36