Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon” resonates deeply with guitarists for its gentle melody and accessible chord progression. It’s a song that sounds beautiful whether you’re playing solo or with a band, making it a favorite for both casual strummers and seasoned players. This lesson will guide you through mastering the guitar chords for “Harvest Moon,” focusing on techniques to make it sound its best and understand why it’s such a rewarding song to learn. We’ll break down the essential elements, including the signature intro hook, verse and chorus chords, and even explore playing it in Drop D tuning for that authentic Neil Young vibe.
Tuning into Drop D for a Richer Harvest Moon Sound
While you can certainly play “Harvest Moon” in standard tuning, tuning your guitar to Drop D unlocks a fuller, more resonant sound that truly captures the song’s essence. Drop D tuning involves lowering your low E string (the thickest string) down a whole step to D.
Here’s how to tune to Drop D:
- Standard Tuning as a Starting Point: Begin with your guitar tuned to standard tuning (E A D G B e).
- Lower the Low E String: Using a tuner or by ear, lower the pitch of your 6th string (low E) until it matches the pitch of your open 4th string (D). You can also play the open D string and tune your low E string down until it sounds the same, but an octave lower.
- Fine-Tuning: For precise tuning, especially without a tuner, fret the 7th fret of your newly tuned 6th string. This note should match the pitch of your open 5th string (A). Alternatively, the 12th fret harmonic on the 6th string should match the pitch of your open 4th string (D).
Once in Drop D, the open strings from thickest to thinnest will be D A D G B e. This tuning alters the way some chords are played and opens up new sonic possibilities, particularly for bass notes in chord voicings. If you’re new to Drop D, don’t worry – it’s easier than it sounds and greatly enhances the depth of “Harvest Moon.”
Unlocking the Signature Harvest Moon Intro Hook
The intro to “Harvest Moon” is instantly recognizable – that shimmering, melodic hook that draws you into the song. It’s built around a D major chord, but with a twist that adds a touch of sophistication and creates that signature sound. The key is understanding how to voice a Dmaj7 chord and incorporate a simple melodic movement.
Let’s break down how to play this iconic hook:
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Dmaj7 Chord Variations: The foundation is the D major seventh (Dmaj7) chord. There are multiple ways to play Dmaj7 on the guitar neck. Here are a couple of common shapes that are helpful for understanding the hook:
D major seventh chord chart – three variations
Alt text: Diagram showing three variations of D major seventh guitar chord voicings. -
Melody Line: The melody of the hook moves from A to B to C#. On the guitar, these notes can be found on the high E string. A is at the 5th fret, B at the 7th, and C# at the 9th fret.
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Combining Chord and Melody: The trick to the hook is to play a Dmaj7 chord and then incorporate this ascending melody line on the high E string. One effective way to play it is to start with the third variation of Dmaj7 shown above.
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Step-by-Step Hook Execution:
- Initial Dmaj7 Strum: Form the third Dmaj7 chord shape. Strum down, focusing on the lower strings and letting the high E string ring open. This open high E string creates a subtle dissonance that is crucial to the hook’s sound.
- A Note: Keep the Dmaj7 shape. Now, use your pinky finger to fret the 12th fret of the B string (the note B). Strum again, maintaining the open high E string.
- B Note: Remove your pinky from the 12th fret of the B string.
- C# Note & Final Chord: Place your index finger on the 9th fret of the high E string (the note C#). Strum the full Dmaj7 chord.
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Rhythm and Feel: Don’t get too hung up on a rigid strumming pattern for the hook. Experiment with the timing and dynamics. The feel should be relaxed and flowing, not overly precise. Listen to the original recording to internalize the rhythm and nuances.
Download MP3
Alt text: MP3 download link for audio example of Harvest Moon guitar intro hook strumming pattern.
Mastering this signature hook is a significant step towards playing “Harvest Moon.” It’s not just about hitting the right notes, but capturing the subtle dissonance and relaxed rhythm that makes it so captivating.
Verse Chords and Strumming: Em7 and G6 in Drop D
The verses of “Harvest Moon” primarily revolve around Em7, G6, and D chords in Drop D tuning. These chords create a gentle, swaying foundation for the lyrics. The beauty lies in the simplicity of the chords and the rhythmic strumming that drives the song forward.
New Chord Shapes in Drop D:
In Drop D, you’ll encounter slightly different shapes for Em7 and G6 compared to standard tuning. However, these shapes are surprisingly easy to learn and utilize the altered tuning effectively.
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Em7 in Drop D: To play Em7 in Drop D, simply take a standard Em chord shape and move it down so your fingers are on the two lowest strings (6th and 5th strings).
Em7 and G6 chords in Dropped D tuning
Alt text: Diagram showing Em7 and G6 guitar chord shapes in Drop D tuning.- Fingering: Typically, you’ll use your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 6th string (D string in Drop D) and your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string (A string). Some players prefer using index and middle fingers for this shape.
- Chord Construction: This Em7 shape in Drop D effectively puts the root (E) in the bass, creating a rich, full sound.
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G6 in Drop D: The G6 shape in Drop D is remarkably similar to the Em7 shape. You simply move the Em7 shape up the neck by three frets.
- Fingering: Using the same finger pattern as Em7, place your fingers at the 5th fret. Middle finger on the 5th fret of the 6th string, and ring finger on the 5th fret of the 5th string.
- Chord Construction: This G6 shape in Drop D places the G in the bass, giving the chord its characteristic sound. Interestingly, Em7 and G6 share the same notes (E, G, B, D). The difference lies in which note is considered the root of the chord.
Verse Strumming and Dynamics:
The verse strumming for “Harvest Moon” is generally relaxed and rhythmic. It’s not about complex patterns but about creating a gentle, flowing feel.
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Basic Strumming Pattern: A simple down-down-up-down-up pattern can work well. However, don’t be afraid to vary it slightly. The key is to maintain a consistent rhythm but allow for some natural variation.
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Dynamics and Accents: Listen to how Neil Young plays the verses. There’s a subtle dynamic quality. One technique is to accent the second beat of the Em7 chord. You can achieve this by strumming upwards lightly on the first beat and then hitting a stronger downstroke on the second beat. This adds a subtle rhythmic push and pull.
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“Free Time” D Chords: Notice that in the verses, the vocal lines often end in the first half of a musical phrase, leaving several measures of D chord as instrumental space. This “free time” is an opportunity to add subtle fills or variations to your D chord strumming. Experiment with adding single notes or slight rhythmic variations during these D chord sections.
Download MP3
Alt text: MP3 download link for audio example of Harvest Moon verse guitar chords and strumming pattern.
The verses of “Harvest Moon” are about creating a simple, supportive texture. Focus on smooth chord changes between Em7, G6, and D, and experiment with subtle dynamic variations in your strumming to bring the verses to life.
Chorus Chords and Strumming: A7 and Building Intensity
The chorus of “Harvest Moon” builds slightly in intensity, primarily using A7 chords and leading back to the signature hook. While still relatively simple, the chorus provides a lift and contrast to the verses.
A7 Chord Focus:
The chorus centers around the A7 chord. A standard A7 chord shape in open position works perfectly.
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A7 Strumming: Maintain a rhythmic strumming pattern similar to the verses, but you can increase the intensity slightly in the chorus. A consistent down-down-up-down-up pattern or similar variation will work.
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Chorus Fills: The chorus provides opportunities for simple fills to add interest. One fill idea is to echo the melody line on the higher strings during the A7 chord. For example, you can use your pinky to briefly fret the 2nd fret of the high E string (F#) and the 3rd fret of the B string (D) while holding the A7 chord.
Download MP3
Alt text: MP3 download link for audio example of Harvest Moon chorus guitar chords and strumming pattern. -
A7 Turnaround: A common guitar technique, an “A7 turnaround” can be used to smoothly transition from the A7 chord back to the D chord, often leading into the signature hook. This involves sliding up the D string while holding down a partial A7 shape.
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Chorus Structure and Hook Return: The chorus typically involves strumming A7 for a few measures before resolving back to the D chord and the signature intro hook. The hook often gets played multiple times at the end of the chorus, reinforcing its iconic status in the song.
Download MP3
Alt text: MP3 download link for audio example of Harvest Moon full song section demonstrating chorus and hook transition.
The chorus of “Harvest Moon” is about building energy and then smoothly returning to the gentler feel of the verse or intro hook. Focus on solid A7 strumming, experiment with simple fills, and practice the transition back to the D chord and hook.
Harvest Moon Song Structure
Understanding the structure of “Harvest Moon” helps you navigate the song and anticipate chord changes:
- Intro: Signature Hook (Dmaj7 variations)
- Verse 1: Em7 – D – Em7 – D – G6 – D – Signature Hook (x2)
- Verse 2: (Same chord progression as Verse 1)
- Chorus: A7 – A7 – A7 – A7 – A7 – A7 – A7 – A7 – Signature Hook (x4)
- Verse 3: (Same chord progression as Verse 1)
- Chorus: (Same chord progression as Chorus)
- Outro: Signature Hook (fade out)
This structure is relatively straightforward, making “Harvest Moon” easy to memorize and play through in its entirety.
Embrace the Harvest Moon Guitar Journey
“Harvest Moon” is more than just a collection of chords; it’s about capturing a mood and feeling through your guitar. By mastering the chords, tuning, and strumming techniques outlined in this lesson, you’ll be well on your way to playing this Neil Young classic beautifully. Remember to listen to the original song frequently, experiment with your own strumming variations and fills, and most importantly, enjoy the process of learning and playing this timeless song. Keep practicing, and you’ll soon be basking in the glow of your own “Harvest Moon” guitar rendition.
