“Peaceful Easy Feeling” by the Eagles is a timeless classic, and Bernie Leadon’s guitar solo is a masterclass in melodic phrasing and country guitar sensibilities. Many guitarists admire this solo, yet often struggle to grasp its underlying structure. The key to truly understanding and playing this solo lies in recognizing its foundation in what we call “chord Form III” and “Form II” – root chord forms that are essential for country guitar playing. This approach, often attributed to Mel Bay’s teachings, reveals the brilliance of Bernie Leadon’s playing and provides a framework for mastering this iconic solo and countless others.
Decoding Root Chord Forms: The Foundation of Country Licks
Country guitar playing, unlike blues which often centers around Form I (the Chuck Berry “A” chord shape), heavily utilizes Form III and Form II. Let’s break down these forms:
- Form III: Think of your open D chord shape. This “Cowboy D chord” at the 2nd fret is Form III. In terms of root position, this form starts with the root on the 5th string (A string) at the 9th fret.
- Form II: This is your familiar open A chord shape, the “Cowboy A chord” at the 2nd fret. Form II places the root on the 6th string (E string) at the 12th fret, and also on the 5th string (A string) at the 2nd fret.
These aren’t just chord shapes; they are positions on the fretboard that unlock scales and melodic possibilities. Strumming chords in these Form III and Form II positions allows you to literally hear the solo waiting to be played. It’s about understanding the relationship between these root forms and the scales that spring from them.
“Peaceful Easy Feeling” Solo: A Study in Root Forms
Bernie Leadon’s “Peaceful Easy Feeling” solo beautifully exemplifies the application of Form III and Form II. The solo begins in “A” within Form III, starting around the 9th fret. It then moves towards the “E” position (Form II) around the 9th fret, creating a seamless transition between these forms. This movement between root positions is what gives the solo its characteristic country flavor and melodic contour.
The solo phrases effortlessly flow from the scales inherent in these chord forms. For players familiar with B Bender guitars, you’ll recognize how B Bender phrasing is perfectly suited to playing within these root forms, particularly around the “A” in Form III (9th fret, equivalent to “D” on the 2nd fret with a capo).
Marty Stuart, Clarence White, and Bob Warford are just a few country guitar legends who deeply understood and utilized these root positions as their “home base” on the fretboard.
From Cowboy Chords to Country Mastery
Never underestimate the power of those basic “Cowboy chords” you first learned. Form II (Cowboy A) and Form III (Cowboy D) are your starting points, your “primer” for unlocking a vast vocabulary of country guitar licks and solos. Many country licks, including those in “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” are directly derived from Form III and Form II, along with their associated scales and phrasing. While Form I (Chuck Berry A shape) has its place, especially in blues, Forms II and III are truly “home” for country guitarists.
These forms work together in a “box” on the fretboard, allowing your fingers to naturally navigate between positions. “Peaceful Easy Feeling” serves as an exceptional study piece for understanding these root positions. By studying and internalizing this solo through the lens of Form III and Form II, you’ll unlock not just this solo, but a deeper understanding of country guitar soloing and phrasing, paving the way to mastering countless more.
