DON’T FEAR THE REAPER – Guitar Lesson

"I GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL!"  SNL's hilarious skit belies the value of Blue Oyster Cults' 1976 poem about eternal love. A classic song with a classic riff. Here's your Don't Fear the Reaper guitar lesson.

HERE"S THE CHORD PATTERN

Let the open 'G' ring out each time

  Am G F G Am G F G
  All     our  times  have  come.  ( musi c )  
  Am G F G Am G F G
  Here    but  now    they're   gone.  ( musi c )  

  F G Am
  Seasons don't  fear the reap er   nor
  F E Am
do the  wind,  the  sun or the rain.      We
  G F G Am
can  be like they  are.    Come on ba by.  Don't

 

{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }

Johnny July 12, 2011 at 5:42 PM

nice website.  pretty cool!  I think it would be nice if you could have a written version of the songs showing the chord progessions, maybe have some play along videos for practice, but overall, really cool site.  You make it look easy man.

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admin September 2, 2011 at 9:05 AM

Done Johnny! Hope that makes it better for you!

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otis dove September 10, 2011 at 10:39 AM

I have not played for 20 years just starting to get back into it your site really helps.

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admin September 10, 2011 at 10:45 AM

Thanks kindly …… nice to hear you are BACK!

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John February 29, 2012 at 6:11 PM

Love your site. Been playing 5 yrs.  and learning alot from your site.  Even able to work on Johnny B. Goode.  Keep up the great work.  John

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admin February 29, 2012 at 8:23 PM

Thanks a million John!

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Chris Hudson October 8, 2012 at 12:54 PM

You're a good player and teacher, Jackson … and a good dude to share your love of guitar and music with all of us!

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Ron January 27, 2013 at 7:58 AM

Hi Jackson,I'm 64 and really enjoying your lessons.I'v Just put the guitar down while I type here, and thank you for taking the time to pass on your guitar skills to us all.

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admin January 27, 2013 at 8:25 AM

You bet Ron!

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Tom February 17, 2014 at 9:20 AM

Thanks Jackson.  Love your playing, singing, and teaching.
One question please,  the picking pattern (ie. downs or ups) on the main riff?
I'm having trouble getting it smooth and getting the G to ring out a little.
 

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admin February 17, 2014 at 10:08 AM

Hard to advise without a visual but I might suggest that you be sure to lift your fingers high off the fretboard (exaggerate) before they reland for the next chord. You have that open G string note to regroup for a clean landing on the G chord. Hope that helps!

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tom June 9, 2014 at 2:09 PM

I think what Tom's asking is about the right hand picking on the riff.  Is it up and down or the perhaps easier all downs?  Thanks for the lesson and your site!  (My name's also Tom but not the same person as the above question.)
 
 

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I Ray Warren September 18, 2016 at 1:15 AM

Brilliant thanks 

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admin September 18, 2016 at 5:28 AM

Many thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

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Tim Sauer August 13, 2017 at 9:51 AM

 Jackson – Great website,  thanks for the lessons I'm still learning (As most of us are) after 10 years playing guitar.  Please keep it up!

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sdjakeblues October 6, 2018 at 11:28 PM

Hey Jackson! Sir I really enjoy and have learned a lot from your videos. I've tried others on the internet and you seem to make it understandable.

On this song I understand the Am and G however your move to the F cord I'm still not clear on and I because I'm "ADD" formally "ADHD" age will do that.. when you pop up the message "I'm not giving you the Finger" it throws me off and I don't understand.. I think you're using the index on the E string 1st fret for the F, pinky finger on the A string 3rd fret for the C note then you're picking 6,5,4,3?

Thank for everything and please advise if I'm on the right track.

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admin October 7, 2018 at 7:05 AM

You are on the right track and described the change perfectly. Well done Jake!

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