“Can’t Help Falling in Love,” an iconic Elvis Presley ballad, is a timeless classic that resonates with guitarists of all levels. Recently, while guiding a student through a solo fingerstyle rendition of this beautiful song, I was struck by its captivating melody and realized I needed to create a fingerstyle arrangement to share with fellow guitar enthusiasts on guitarplayers.net.
While the song is built upon a foundation of relatively simple guitar chords, mastering a solo fingerstyle version presents a rewarding challenge. The original song is in the key of D major, but this arrangement is presented in C major. Don’t worry, this isn’t to make it harder! This key actually makes the chord shapes more accessible and allows the melody to truly sing on top. If you prefer the original key of D, simply use a capo on the 2nd fret and follow the same chord patterns and fingerstyle techniques.
To help you learn this arrangement, I’ve prepared two distinct resources. First, there’s a comprehensive TAB and chord sheet for the full solo fingerstyle version in C (or D with capo). Second, for those who prefer a simpler approach, I’ve also created a chord chart for strumming in the original key of D. The song’s 6/8 time signature lends itself beautifully to a simple strumming pattern – think counting “1 2 3 4 5 6” as you strum. Alternatively, a gentle fingerstyle rolling pattern, reminiscent of a piano accompaniment, can also be easily applied. The beauty of this song for learning guitar is that each chord is given ample time to breathe, lasting at least one measure, making it easy to follow along. Everything is detailed in the accompanying video and charts.
Download the Fingerstyle Guitar TAB for ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’
Get the Simple Chord Chart for ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ for Easy Guitar Strumming
While the chord progression is beginner-friendly, the arrangement does feature a couple of sections that require focused practice. These slightly more complex parts are fantastic opportunities to hone advanced techniques. Remember the golden rule: slow, deliberate practice without errors is the most efficient path to mastery. It’s a point I emphasize in the video, and honestly, something I personally work on constantly, especially when learning new fingerstyle pieces. Embracing slow and perfect practice can dramatically reduce the learning curve.
If you find yourself with further questions about this song or any other guitar challenges you’re facing, I invite you to book a personalized one-on-one video lesson with me here. Alternatively, feel free to reach out via email at [email protected] with any questions. I’m always eager to see your progress, so please share a video of your rendition of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” once you’ve learned it! Wishing you a productive week of practice and continued musical growth!
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Gear used in this video:
