rock
Alright, guitar players!
Get ready for something truly awesome because today, I’m going to break down how to play one of the most recognizable and legendary guitar riffs ever created.
We’re talking about the timeless anthem, the one and only Lynyrd Skynyrd classic…
“Sweet Home Alabama.”
Legend has it that Ed King was the mastermind behind that signature guitar part. (Trust me, your friends will instantly recognize it when you start playing!)
Ed laid it down using a Fender Stratocaster.
I’ve played this tune countless times with different bands over the years. It’s always a crowd-pleaser, especially when the energy picks up and people hit the dance floor.
Funny enough, a simplified version of “Sweet Home Alabama” was actually one of the very first riffs I ever learned. (And guess what? I’ll show you that easy version too!)
My cousin was the one who showed it to me. He taught me the basic chords and a simple picking pattern.
I remember playing it for my parents and friends back when I was a kid. Even they thought it was really cool.
They recognized it immediately. (And you can get that reaction too!)
Ed King crafted this monumental riff as a perfect complement to Gary Rossington’s part. Gary played a subtle arpeggiated guitar part, using the same chords, which you can hear in the background of the recorded track.
So, without any further delay…
Let’s dive right into this “Sweet Home Alabama” guitar lesson!
The Story Behind “Sweet Home Alabama”
“Sweet Home Alabama” is a quintessential rock song by the iconic American band Lynyrd Skynyrd.
This enduring track was penned by band members Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, and Ed King.
It was released as a single in 1974 and became a highlight of their second studio album, “Second Helping,” also released that same year.
The song was recorded at Studio One in Doraville, Georgia, a location chosen for its proximity to their hometown of Jacksonville, Florida. The recording sessions were expertly produced by Al Kooper and engineered by Rodney Mills.
“Sweet Home Alabama” rapidly ascended to become one of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s defining songs, remaining one of their most celebrated and enduring hits.
It’s a constant presence on classic rock radio and has been covered and referenced across countless forms of media.
“Sweet Home Alabama” soared to No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. The song has evolved into a powerful anthem for the state of Alabama itself. (It’s frequently played at sporting events and various public gatherings throughout the state.)
In Rolling Stone magazine’s prestigious list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time,” “Sweet Home Alabama” was initially ranked at No. 398 in 2004, later climbing to No. 389 in their 2010 update.
How Easy is “Sweet Home Alabama” to Play on Guitar?
Learning an easy version of “Sweet Home Alabama” on guitar is definitely achievable and not overly challenging. The song utilizes just 4 chords in total, and as a beginner, you could even get by with just 3 to start.
However, replicating all the guitar parts exactly as they are on the recording is a different story and presents a significant challenge. Nailing all those nuances requires an advanced level of guitar playing.
Sweet Home Alabama Guitar Chords: Simple Shapes
To play “Sweet Home Alabama” on guitar, you’ll only need to master four chords: D, C, G, and F.
Let me show you some cool ways to voice these chords on the guitar neck. For the D chord, we’re going to leave out the 1st string and play a D5 chord shape like this:
For the C chord, we’ll keep it simple and use just two fingers to play a Csus2 shape like this:
Next, for the G chord, simply move your middle finger on your fretting hand over one string, like so, from the Csus2:
The last chord is the F chord. For this one, I like to use an F(add9) shape, which sounds great:
There are really only two main chord progressions in “Sweet Home Alabama”. One is the primary progression, and the other is a subtle variation that comes up later in the song. Let’s look at the main progression first.
The main chord progression is a 2-bar pattern that repeats throughout much of the song. It starts with a split bar: 2 beats of D5 followed by 2 beats of Csus2.
D5, Csus2 (1 bar)
Then, in the second bar, we simply play G. So, the complete main progression is:
D5, Csus2 (1 bar)
G (1 bar)
Now, let’s talk about the subtle variation.
This variation comes in after the first chorus. It begins the same way as the main progression:
D5, Csus2 (1 bar)
But in the second bar, instead of just G, we have a sequence of three chords. It starts with 2 beats of G, then transitions to 1 beat of F, and finally 1 beat of C. This is where I use the F(add9) shape, and then quickly switch to a standard open position C chord like this:
So, those are the two chord progressions you need to know for “Sweet Home Alabama”: the main progression and the subtle variation.
Playing the “Sweet Home Alabama” Guitar Riff
The iconic main riff of “Sweet Home Alabama” is built directly from the chords we just learned: D5, Csus2, and G. The riff itself is created by combining palm-muting and arpeggio picking techniques.
Palm muting is a guitar technique that produces a percussive, dampened sound. You achieve this effect by lightly resting the palm of your picking hand on the strings near the bridge of the guitar as you play.
This technique is widely used across many music genres and allows you to introduce dynamic variation and unique textures to your guitar tone.
Palm muting is then combined with arpeggio picking to create the signature riff.
Arpeggio picking involves playing the individual notes of a chord one at a time, typically moving from the lowest pitch to the highest. This creates a harp-like or cascading sound, and it’s a foundational guitar technique.
The term “arpeggio” itself refers to the notes of a chord played sequentially, rather than all at once as in strumming.
Here’s a guitar tab example showing how these two techniques are applied in the style of Lynyrd Skynyrd for the “Sweet Home Alabama” riff:
Sweet Home Alabama Main Guitar Riff Tablature
Notice in the tab how the notes on the lower bass strings are indicated to be played with palm-muting, while the notes on the higher treble strings are allowed to ring out clearly.
This contrast is a crucial element in creating that ICONIC sound that we all instantly recognize from the original recording.
The Easy Way to Play “Sweet Home Alabama” Riff
As mentioned earlier, playing the “Sweet Home Alabama” guitar parts note-for-note as they are on the record can be quite challenging. However, here’s a simplified way to get started with the iconic “Sweet Home Alabama” riff that’s perfect for beginners.
In fact, this simplified riff is exactly how I first learned to play it. I remember playing it for my friends and family, and they were genuinely impressed and thought it sounded really cool. It’s a great starting point to get the feel of the song under your fingers quickly.
Conclusion: Mastering “Sweet Home Alabama” on Guitar
To summarize, “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd is undeniably home to one of the most iconic guitar riffs in the history of rock music. While mastering all the intricate guitar parts may demand advanced guitar skills, this lesson has hopefully provided you with a valuable starting point, whether you’re a beginner or a more experienced player.
We’ve explored the history of the song, broken down its essential chord progressions, and investigated the key techniques of palm muting and arpeggio picking that give the riff its signature and unforgettable sound.
Whether you’re a beginner aiming for a simplified version or an experienced guitarist striving to recreate the legendary guitar work of Ed King and Gary Rossington, this guide will give you a solid foundation.
So, keep practicing and exploring! For more Lynyrd Skynyrd guitar lessons, be sure to check out “Call Me The Breeze” or “Tuesday’s Gone” next!
