“Harvest Moon” by Neil Young is a timeless classic, beloved for its gentle melody and romantic lyrics. It’s also a fantastic song for acoustic guitar, especially for students looking to expand their skills. One of the unique aspects of “Harvest Moon” is its use of Drop D tuning, which adds a richness and depth to the guitar chords. In this lesson, we’ll break down the essential elements you need to play “Harvest Moon” on guitar, including chords, riffs, and strumming patterns, all explained in easy-to-understand terms.
Understanding Drop D Tuning for Harvest Moon
Before we dive into the chords and riffs, let’s quickly cover Drop D tuning. Normally, a guitar is tuned E-A-D-G-B-e (from thickest to thinnest string). Drop D tuning simply means you lower your lowest E string down a whole step to D. You can easily do this by ear by tuning your low E string until it sounds the same as your open D string (the 4th string). Drop D tuning is common in many genres and opens up new sonic possibilities on the guitar, making chords sound fuller and riffs heavier.
Essential Chords for Harvest Moon Guitar
“Harvest Moon” features a beautiful chord progression that is relatively simple to learn. However, in Drop D tuning, some chord shapes are slightly modified. Here are the key chords you’ll need, along with their fingerings in Drop D:
CHORDS:
- Em7: 220000 (Index finger and middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 6th and 5th strings respectively, and other strings open)
- G6: 550000 (Barre your index finger across the 5th fret from the 6th to 1st string)
- A: x02220 (Standard A chord shape, unaffected by Drop D)
- A7sus4: x02030 (Similar to A, but with the 3rd string open at the nut)
- D: 000232 (Standard D chord shape, also unaffected by Drop D)
These chord shapes might look a little different if you’re used to standard tuning, especially Em7 and G6, but they are surprisingly easy to play and sound fantastic in the context of the song.
Mastering the Intro Riff and Verse Riffs
The intro riff of “Harvest Moon” is instantly recognizable and a joy to play. It also reappears throughout the verses and after the choruses, making it a crucial part of the song to learn.
For the intro riff, pay attention to your left-hand fingering. Using your 2nd and 3rd fingers for the initial chord shape allows you to easily reach the 12th fret B note with your pinky finger. The second measure then becomes much smoother without needing to shift your hand position drastically.
In the verses, Neil Young introduces a slight variation at the end of the first and second lines, moving away from the main intro riff. This “RIFF 2” adds a subtle melodic change and prevents the song from becoming too repetitive.
This riff incorporates a move from D to Dmaj7 to D/F#, creating a gentle, flowing feel that complements the verse melody.
Strumming Patterns for Harvest Moon Acoustic Guitar
Neil Young’s strumming in “Harvest Moon” is dynamic and varied. However, for learning purposes, a simple and effective strumming pattern for the verses can be: Down-Down-Up-Down-Up. This pattern provides a solid rhythmic foundation for the song.
You can apply a similar strumming pattern to the G6 chord sections in the verse:
As you become more comfortable with the chords and riffs, feel free to experiment with different strumming variations to capture the nuanced rhythm of Neil Young’s playing.
Adding Harmonics for a Layered Sound
A beautiful element in “Harvest Moon” is the subtle harmonic melody played by a second guitar during the verses. These are natural harmonics, which create bell-like tones.
To play natural harmonics, lightly touch the string directly above the fret (not pressing down) and pluck the string with your picking hand. Immediately after plucking, lift your fretting finger. With practice, you’ll be able to produce clear and ringing harmonic notes. This adds a wonderful ethereal texture to your “Harvest Moon” rendition.
Full Lyrics and Chords for Harvest Moon
Here are the complete lyrics and chord progression so you can play along and sing your favorite Neil Young song:
INTRO: Play RIFF 1, repeat 4x
VERSE 1:
Em7 D (RIFF 2)
Come a little bit closer, hear what I have to say
Em7 D (RIFF 2)
Just like children sleepin', we could dream this night away
G6 D (RIFF 1)
But there's a full moon rising, let's go dancing in the light
G6 D (RIFF 1)
We know where the music’s playing, let’s go out and feel the nightCHORUS:
A7sus4 A
Because I'm still in love with you,
A7sus4
I wanna see you dance again,
A
Because I'm still in love with you,
D (RIFF 1 x4)
on this harvest moonVERSE 2:
Em7 D (RIFF 2)
When we were strangers, I watched you from afar
Em7 D (RIFF 2)
When we were lovers, I loved you with all my heart
G6 D (RIFF 1)
But now it's gettin' late, and the moon is climbin' high
G6 D (RIFF 1)
I want to celebrate, see it shinin' in your eyerepeat CHORUS
SOLO over first two lines of VERSE chords (Em7 D)
repeat CHORUS
END on D
Conclusion
“Harvest Moon” is a beautiful and rewarding song to learn on acoustic guitar. By mastering the Drop D tuning, essential chords, riffs, and strumming patterns outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to playing this classic Neil Young tune. Practice each section slowly and gradually increase your tempo. Before you know it, you’ll be playing “Harvest Moon” and enjoying its timeless beauty on your guitar. Happy playing!
