For guitar players who are also enthusiasts of Bob Dylan, discovering Dylanchords is like finding a hidden treasure. This website stands out as an unparalleled resource for anyone looking to master Dylan’s songs on the guitar. Whether you are just starting your Guitar Playing journey or are an advanced player, Dylanchords offers an extensive collection of tabs that surpasses any other site online. You’ll find chords for every song from Dylan’s official albums, plus a vast archive of covers, live versions, and unique renditions. Want to dissect Larry Campbell’s intricate fingerpicking in a 2003 live performance of “Girl of the North Country”? It’s there. Curious about that distinctive guitar riff from the At Budokan version of “Maggie’s Farm”? Dylanchords has you covered. Even beginners aiming to strum along to classics like “Blowin’ in the Wind” will find Dylanchords to be the most dependable source for accurate chords, far exceeding the reliability of generic chord sites.
The mastermind behind this invaluable tool for guitar playing is Eyolf Østrem. For over 25 years, Eyolf, a dedicated musicologist, has meticulously transcribed Dylan’s songs, building Dylanchords into the definitive online archive it is today. His passion for Dylan’s music and commitment to accuracy make Dylanchords an exceptional place for guitar players to learn and improve. Recently, Eyolf has also launched Dylanology, a newsletter delving into the deeper aspects of Dylan’s music, including music theory and in-depth analyses. We had the opportunity to speak with Eyolf about his journey with Dylanchords and gain insights into his approach to tabbing, his thoughts on Dylan’s guitar playing, and advice for guitar players looking to explore Dylan’s rich musical catalog. This interview offers valuable perspectives for guitar players of all levels interested in enhancing their skills through the music of Bob Dylan.
The Genesis of Dylanchords: A Guitar Player’s Resource Born from Necessity
In 1996, as the internet was becoming more accessible, Eyolf, then at the Musicology department of Uppsala University, saw an opportunity to share his guitar playing insights online. Frustrated with the inaccuracies prevalent on existing tab sites, he started creating his own transcriptions of songs he wanted to play. “I had tabbed some of the songs that I wanted to play that weren’t available on the usual sites, or where the chords were so wrong that it was just a waste of time to look them up,” Eyolf explains. He initially hosted these tabs on a sub-page called “My Back Pages.” The name Dylanchords came later, suggested by Karl Erik Andersen of Expecting Rain, perfectly capturing the site’s focus on Dylan and guitar chords.
The real turning point for Dylanchords came with the release of Time Out Of Mind. Eyolf recounts, “Time Out Of Mind came out in Sweden on a Friday and in the rest of the world on the Tuesday after, so I spent the weekend tabbing and extending the site, so that the whole album would be ready when the album reached the world. That’s when the site was born for real.” This dedication to providing timely and accurate resources cemented Dylanchords’ reputation as the go-to site for guitar players seeking Dylan tabs.
The Art and Science of Tabbing: A Deep Dive for Guitar Players
For guitar players wondering about the meticulous process behind Dylanchords’ accuracy, Eyolf provides a detailed explanation of his tabbing methodology. It’s a blend of musical theory, practical guitar playing experience, and keen listening. “First step is determining which chord family is being used, which means figuring out if and where there is a capo,” he begins. His deep understanding of how different chords resonate on the guitar is fundamental. “If the song is guitar-based, this is usually quite easy, since the different chords sound so different, because of how the tones are distributed over the strings: C is a tight chord, with no air between the tones: very full and sonorous. D tends to sound thin or ringing because of the pronounced third (f#) on the top string… G – my favourite – has the full bottom, and the high keynote on the top, and lots of room for melodic detail on the intermediary strings. And so forth.” This nuanced understanding of chord voicings is crucial for accurate guitar playing and tabbing.
For basic chords, Eyolf’s process is streamlined and efficient, often done with just his ear and musical knowledge. “If I’m doing just the chords, it’s usually very easy. Having a working knowledge of music theory and the relationship between chords also helps. I usually tab with a guitar on my knee, but for the simpler songs I may not even use that.”
However, for more complex arrangements, Eyolf employs advanced techniques to capture every detail for fellow guitar players. “Anything beyond plain chords requires close listening, to figure out fills, strange fingerings, weird chords, etc. At this stage, open strings are useful, and so are slides, hammer-ons, etc – all those things that indicate that this has to be played in a particular way, at a particular place on the neck.” He also utilizes software tools like Transcribe! to slow down audio, isolate channels, and analyze spectrograms, ensuring no nuance is missed in his quest for perfect guitar tabs. While videos are rarely used, they can occasionally offer visual confirmation of fingerings or techniques, further ensuring accuracy for guitar players learning from his tabs.
Dylanchords vs. The Rest: Why Accuracy Matters for Guitar Playing
When asked about what sets Dylanchords apart from other tab sites like Ultimate Guitar, Eyolf points to a combination of expertise, dedication, and a commitment to accuracy that is invaluable for guitar playing. “Aw, this is a tough one, because I hate to be impolite. But let me start in the other end: do I have an idea why I am always dead on? Yes: (a) I am good at music theory, (b) I play the guitar decently well, so I know how the chords sound and how to produce them, and (c) I listen carefully before I write anything down. You could probably add a touch of OCD too (at least metaphorically speaking).” This meticulous approach, driven by a genuine care for musical accuracy, is what elevates Dylanchords above sites that often prioritize quantity over quality.
Eyolf identifies common pitfalls in less accurate tabs, categorizing them into: “(a) bad understanding of music theory, resulting in wrong chord and no sense of what is important and what is not; (b) the “Hal Leonard” disease… and (c) sloppy, careless complacency, not giving a damn whether it’s a Dm or an F, or whether a chord should be written G# or Ab.” These errors can be detrimental to guitar players trying to learn songs correctly, highlighting the importance of Dylanchords’ rigorous standards.
The “Hal Leonard Disease” and the Importance of Authentic Guitar Tabs
Eyolf elaborates on the issue he terms “Hal Leonard disease,” referencing officially licensed sheet music that often misses the mark when it comes to accurately representing guitar arrangements.
He uses an example of official sheet music for a Dylan song played in Drop D tuning with a capo, which is technically transcribed in F major. “On the album, Dylan plays it in Drop D with a capo on the third fret, so technically it is correct that it is played in F major, but who cares? It’s a guitar song, like most of his songs, and F is a bad key, especially if one wants to achieve that wonderfully rich sound of the Drop D tuning. And the arrangement… It’s terrible. But that’s what all the licensed sheet music looks like.” This disconnect between theoretical correctness and practical guitar playing is what Eyolf critiques. He questions the utility of such arrangements for guitar players, emphasizing that Dylanchords prioritizes authentic guitar voicings and tunings to enhance the learning experience for guitarists.
Dylan’s Guitar Craftsmanship: Chord Progressions and Riffs for Aspiring Guitar Players
For guitar players seeking inspiration from Dylan’s songwriting, Eyolf highlights some of his favorite chord progressions and riffs, offering valuable starting points for exploration. Among his favorite chord progressions, he lists:
- “Lay Lady Lay”: A song he describes as his “first love” in terms of chord progressions, likely due to its beautiful and memorable sequence.
- “Abandoned Love”: Eyolf praises the simplicity and effectiveness of the G-D-Em | C progression, demonstrating how powerful basic chords can be in songwriting and guitar playing.
- The open E tuning songs from Blood on the Tracks: These songs were transformative for Eyolf, showcasing the unique textures and possibilities of open tunings in guitar playing.
When it comes to riffs and solos, Eyolf is particularly fond of Dylan’s acoustic work: “Everything on Good As I Been To You and World Gone Wrong – the way the riffs flow so naturally.” He specifically mentions “Frankie and Albert,” “Broke Down Engine,” and “Blood in my Eyes” as standout examples. “[Blood in my Eyes] – that was one of the first songs I sat down and figured out, those hypnotising chords in the beginning.” These songs are excellent studies for guitar players looking to delve into fingerstyle guitar and learn how to create captivating riffs.
Eyolf’s Perspective on Dylan as a Guitar Player: An Evolving Artist
Finally, Eyolf shares his insights on Bob Dylan’s guitar playing itself, tracing its evolution over the decades. His perspective offers a deeper appreciation for Dylan not just as a songwriter, but also as a guitarist. [This section of the interview, and Eyolf’s broader thoughts on Dylan’s guitar playing, would be further developed to add more depth and insight, but is cut short in the original article].
Dylanchords stands as a testament to Eyolf Østrem’s dedication and expertise, providing an invaluable service to guitar players worldwide. For anyone looking to explore the rich musical landscape of Bob Dylan through guitar playing, Dylanchords is undoubtedly the ultimate resource.
