60 Comments
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Wendy Eldredge's avatar

This is just lovely. As someone who formally learned music for a few instruments, but never wanted to let the guitar become anything but fun and relaxing, I wholeheartedly appreciate this tutorial. I picked up the guitar at 12 and learned much from tabs and the Decemberists discography, and it looked quite a bit like this! A weird handshape here and there, and introducing all my loved ones to songs they’ve never heard of, but grew to love. Thanks for these, Colin.

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Samuel's avatar

I really enjoyed those, especially the ones with mistakes! :)

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Quinn's avatar

This is my favorite song from this album. It hits in such a specific way to 2015, I remember listening to this song in the car when it came out just awestruck at how lovely it is.

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Graham S's avatar

Love the cherry blossoms falling. Thanks for sharing this I have struggled with the chords of the Chorus so love this.

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Catherine Matthews's avatar

Love this song. Had it played at our wedding

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Colin Meloy's avatar

sweet! And thanks very much, Catherine, for being a founder!

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Amy's avatar

I do not have a musical bone in my body and this video and your other tutorials make me so amazed that folks can play an instrument while also singing like I'm lucky to accomplish one thing at a time nevermind two complicated things haha.

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Murray's avatar

You and me both Amy

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Denis's avatar

Hi Amy. Having tried and failed miserably many times to learn to play the guitar, I totally relate to your comment. Although for me the two things I couldn't do were co-ordinate my left and right hands. Never got anywhere close to even trying to sing.

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Standingbasser's avatar

This was the first Decemberists song I ever heard. It took my heart and ripped it open, remembering a long forgotten love. Im amazed how music can do that.

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Murray's avatar

Not just music but gifted lyricists

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Marci Ball's avatar

I absolutely love that you're a professional musician who doesn't know what all the notes are right off the bat. I play violin, have played for most of my life, but I only know what the main strings are (G-D-A-E) and the rest of the time I'm like, "Okay, that note is third finger on the E string, and that is second finger flat on the D, etc..." :)

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Stacey Bennetts's avatar

oh dear god you're killing me. i love this. your barn. your sweet goofy personality. and one of many many favorite songs. gracias!

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Stacey Bennetts's avatar

oh dear god you're killing me. i love this. your barn. your sweet goofy personality. and one of many many favorite songs. gracias!

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Warren's avatar

Love the ‘ACTION’... 😆

I’m not even an average guitarist so struggling badly. Could you tell us what some of the chords are. Like was that a G you started with? Then maybe some sort of D?

Ta very muchly.

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Colin Meloy's avatar

Starts in a D, then kind of hints at a G in the turnaround. I have no idea what the names of the other chords are, sadly, but hopefully you get an idea from the fretting instructions.

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Adam Palmer's avatar

Nice... Can't wait to give it a try... Our little family folk band had a go at Rox in the Box a couple of years ago which was great fun ... Thanks

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Nat Torkington's avatar

Rox is one of our family folk band favs too!

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Adam Palmer's avatar

That's great ... Nice to know they're inspiring people across the globe ...!

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DeadBall's avatar

Oh God, I love this and I can't even spell gittar.

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Sanayo's avatar

Thank you! One of my favorites from WATWWABW. Love the palpable teen angst and fickleness of it all.

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Nat Torkington's avatar

One of my favs from that album too! I love that atmosphere, the pregnant mystery of teenage years. "The ghost of your two footprints, that they might haunt me when you're gone". Perfect! And the vocabulary words: prevaricate, sybiline, fey ... It's the full package.

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Jade's avatar

My favorite line, three! And on the album, when they add the reverb under "haunt me"... Chef's kiss on whoever suggested that. I want someone to illustrate that line on a poster or something...

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Sanayo's avatar

That’s my favorite line, too! I’m would wager that we could count on one hand the number of songs ever written that have the word “prevaricate” in them.

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Valerie Hill's avatar

I can't play the guitar to save my life, but this is charming.

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Chelsea McCullin's avatar

Same 🤣

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Dan Stone's avatar

Love this, Colin. Thanks for the tutorial!

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