Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon” is a timeless classic, beloved for its romantic melody and gentle rhythm. It’s also a fantastic song for guitarists to learn, especially those looking to expand their chord vocabulary and explore different tunings. This lesson will guide you through playing “Harvest Moon” guitar chords, focusing on making it easy to learn and enjoyable to play. We’ll break down the song section by section, covering everything from the signature intro hook to strumming patterns and chord variations, all while utilizing the unique sound of Drop D tuning.
Let’s get started and bring the magic of “Harvest Moon” to your guitar playing.
Tuning to Drop D: Getting Started
Before we dive into the chords themselves, “Harvest Moon” utilizes Drop D tuning, which gives the song its characteristic deep and resonant bass. If you’re not familiar with Drop D, it’s a simple adjustment from standard tuning.
To tune your guitar to Drop D:
- Start in Standard Tuning: (E A D G B e)
- Lower the 6th String (Low E): Tune your lowest string (the thickest one) down a whole step until it matches the pitch of your open 4th string (D).
You can use a tuner to ensure accuracy, or tune by ear by comparing the 6th string to your open D string. Once you’re in Drop D tuning, we can explore the chords that make “Harvest Moon” so beautiful.
The Iconic Intro Hook: Signature Licks
One of the most recognizable parts of “Harvest Moon” is its signature guitar intro. This melodic hook immediately sets the mood and lets everyone know what song you’re playing. Let’s break down how to play it.
This hook is based around a Dmaj7 chord and uses a clever combination of fretted notes and open strings to create a shimmering, slightly dissonant sound that’s crucial to the song’s feel.
Here’s how to approach learning the hook:
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Dmaj7 Chord Shapes: The lesson uses the Dmaj7 chord as the foundation. Here are a few ways to play Dmaj7, but we’ll focus on the version that works best for the hook.
D major seventh chord chart – three variations
Image: Three variations of D major seventh chord charts, demonstrating different finger positions on the fretboard. -
Melody Notes: The melody moves from A to B to C# over the Dmaj7 chord. These notes are played on the B string.
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Combining Chords and Melody: The key to the hook is blending the Dmaj7 chord with these melody notes and utilizing the open high E string for that distinctive dissonance.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of playing the signature hook:
- Start with the third variation of Dmaj7 shown above. Place your ring finger on the 11th fret of the G string and your middle finger on the 10th fret of the B string.
- Strum down just the top strings, aiming to hit from the D string down to the high E string, letting the high E string ring open.
- Next, keep your ring and middle fingers in place and use your pinky finger to fret the 12th fret of the B string (this is the B note). Strum again in a similar fashion.
- Finally, remove your pinky finger and place your index finger on the 9th fret of the high E string (this is the C# leading into the Dmaj7). Strum the full Dmaj7 chord (version three).
Practice this sequence slowly at first, focusing on clean chord changes and letting the open high E string ring. Once you have the finger positions down, you can work on the strumming rhythm.
Download MP3
Audio Example: MP3 audio file demonstrating the signature “Harvest Moon” intro hook on guitar.
Remember, the strumming doesn’t need to be perfectly rigid. The feel is more important than strict adherence to a pattern. Experiment with the timing and dynamics to find what sounds best to you.
Verse Chords: Em7 and G6 in Drop D
The verses of “Harvest Moon” primarily use Em7 and G6 chords in Drop D tuning, along with D and A. The Drop D tuning allows for some interesting voicings of these common chords. Let’s look at the Em7 and G6 shapes specifically for Drop D.
Em7 and G6 chords in Dropped D tuning
Image: Chord diagrams for Em7 and G6 chords in Drop D tuning, showing finger placements on the fretboard.
Em7 (Drop D): To play Em7 in Drop D, you’ll use a familiar Em shape but move it down to cover the lower strings.
- Use your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 6th (low D) string.
- Use your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th (A) string.
- The rest of the strings are open.
This creates an Em7 chord with the root E in the bass, even with the Drop D tuning.
G6 (Drop D): The G6 chord in Drop D is ingeniously created by simply moving the Em7 shape up the neck.
- Take the Em7 shape you just learned and move it up to the 5th fret.
- Your middle finger will now be on the 5th fret of the 6th string.
- Your ring finger will be on the 5th fret of the 5th string.
This simple shift creates a G6 chord, sharing some of the same notes as Em7 but with G as the root.
Verse Strumming and Dynamics:
For the verses, a gentle strumming pattern works well. Try emphasizing the second beat of each measure with a stronger downstroke to create a subtle rhythmic feel. You can also experiment with an upstroke on the first beat, played closer to the guitar’s bridge for a brighter, shimmering tone.
Download MP3
Audio Example: MP3 audio file demonstrating verse strumming patterns and chord transitions for “Harvest Moon”.
The verses offer space for improvisation and fills, especially during the D chord sections. Don’t be afraid to experiment with adding single notes or arpeggios around the D chord to add your personal touch.
Chorus Chords: A7 and Turnarounds
The chorus of “Harvest Moon” brings in A7 chords, adding a slightly bluesy and yearning quality to the song. The strumming in the chorus is generally more straightforward than the verses, providing a solid rhythmic foundation.
A7 Chord: Use a standard A7 chord shape for the chorus.
Chorus Strumming: A consistent down-up strumming pattern works well for the chorus. You can add emphasis by making the downstrokes slightly stronger.
Download MP3
Audio Example: MP3 audio file illustrating the chorus strumming and A7 chord progression in “Harvest Moon”.
Chorus Fills and Variations:
The chorus also provides opportunities for fills and variations. One common fill involves echoing the vocal melody on the higher strings during the A7 chord. You can also experiment with using A7sus4 and A7sus2 chords to create movement and interest within the A7 progression.
The A7 Turnaround: A signature element in the transition from A7 back to D is the “A7 turnaround.” This involves a sliding chromatic movement on the D string, creating a smooth and ear-catching transition.
Download MP3
Audio Example: MP3 audio file showcasing the full chorus section with strumming variations, fills, and the A7 turnaround.
To play the A7 turnaround smoothly:
- Use your middle finger on the D string.
- Slide your middle finger up chromatically from the 2nd fret to the 4th, 5th, and 6th frets, changing notes with each slide.
- Use your ring finger and index finger to fret notes on the B string as needed to complement the sliding melody.
Practice this slide slowly to get the finger movements smooth and connected.
Song Structure: Putting It All Together
“Harvest Moon” follows a classic verse-chorus structure, making it easy to learn and memorize.
The basic song structure is:
- Intro: Signature Hook (Dmaj7 variations)
- Verse 1: Em7 – D – G6 – D
- Verse 2: Em7 – D – G6 – D
- Chorus: A7sus4 – A7 (repeated) – Signature Hook (x4)
- Verse 3: Em7 – D – G6 – D
- Verse 4: Em7 – D – G6 – D
- Chorus: A7sus4 – A7 (repeated) – Signature Hook (x4)
- Outro: Fade out with Verse Chords or Signature Hook
By understanding this structure and practicing each section individually, you’ll be able to piece together the entire song.
Final Thoughts and Encouragement
Learning “Harvest Moon” guitar chords is a rewarding experience. It’s a song that is both musically rich and relatively accessible for intermediate guitar players. By mastering the chords, strumming patterns, and the signature hook in Drop D tuning, you’ll be able to impress yourself and others with your rendition of this Neil Young classic.
Remember to focus on:
- Drop D Tuning: Ensure your guitar is accurately tuned to Drop D.
- Chord Shapes: Practice the Em7, G6, Dmaj7, and A7 chord shapes in Drop D.
- Signature Hook: Dedicate time to mastering the intro hook.
- Strumming Patterns: Experiment with different strumming dynamics and rhythms.
- Listening and Improvisation: Listen to the original song and don’t be afraid to add your own creative fills and variations.
Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the process of learning this beautiful song. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be playing “Harvest Moon” with confidence and style. Explore more guitar lessons and songs at guitarplayers.net to continue your musical journey!
