CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’ – Guitar Lesson

It is fitting that John Phillips "dreamed" this song before he wrote it. Number 89 on Rolling Stone's Top 500 song list and with it's echo vocals … a great choice for campfire or get-together singing. Here's your California Dreamin' guitar lesson!

*Note* use the   down ….. down/down   strumming pattern for each chord change

  Am G F G Esus E
All the leaves are  brown      and the  sky is  grey       
  F C E Am           F Esus    E
  I've been for a  walk          on a winter's day        

  Am G F G Esus   E
I'd be be safe and  warm      if I  was in L. A.       
  Am G F G Esus   E
California  dreaming             on  such a winter's  day    

  Am G F G Esus E
Stopped into a  church       I passes a long the  way       
  F C E Am F Esus E
Oh I  got down on my  knees        and I pre tend to  pray     
  Am G F
You know the preacher likes the  cold,         
  G Esus E
he knows  I'm gonna  stay     
  Am G F G Esus    E
California  dreaming        on  such a winter's  day    

  Am G F G Esus E
All the leaves are  brown        and the  sky is  grey       
  F C E Am Esus    E
  I've been for a  walk           on a winter's day        

  Am G F G Esus E
If I didn't  tell her        I could  leave to day      
  Am G F
California  dreaming        
  G Am  G   F
on  such a winter's  day        
  G Am G F
on  such a winter's  day          
  G Esus  E   Am
on  such a winter's  day          

 

{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }

tony July 25, 2011 at 11:25 PM

Hi just getting back into playing guitar your lessons are very good just brought a lovely 12 string just waiting for it to turn up 

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admin September 2, 2011 at 9:03 AM

Let me know when it arrives Tony and what you think of it.

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bob parnell February 15, 2012 at 4:34 PM

Your voice is awesome….in both keys…..Thanks again for another good lesson Jackson.

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admin February 15, 2012 at 8:48 PM

Thanks and you’re most welcome!

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Mike March 17, 2012 at 2:59 PM

I want to tell you how much I enjoy getting your song lessons. Each one helps me to play the songs better. I plan to add Cali Dreamin to my list.
Thanks
Mike

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admin March 17, 2012 at 3:18 PM

My pleasure Mike … so glad you are enjoying them!

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john oguona April 21, 2012 at 12:29 PM

Nice one Jackson. Enjoy watching your tutorials, they are very compact and precise. Will try this. Thanks 

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admin April 21, 2012 at 1:07 PM

Thanks kindly John!

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john July 16, 2012 at 1:40 AM

hi. jackson.
Would you like to tell me the strumming pattern?
Thank you.

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admin July 16, 2012 at 6:38 AM

I posted the pattern on the page John. I hope this makes sense … I really regret not being more thorough with a few of the tunes I did early in the game …… which is why I’m so happy with Song Mentor program …. I never lose sight of the strumming. It’s sometimes difficult to explain in words. I hope this helps.

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Miguel Angel July 22, 2012 at 10:50 AM

Hi Jackson.
Good song and good class.
Thanks for your time and job.

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admin July 22, 2012 at 11:00 AM

You are too welcome Miguel!

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erdogan October 14, 2012 at 8:16 AM

thank you so much good song  and good guitar lesson.thanks ones again.

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Lane Hall November 12, 2012 at 8:34 AM

Thanks Jackson, your website is like having Eric Clapton as a best friend. I noticed your Aria. I have one I've had for 40 years it looks new and sounds great but it sounds different from yours. Yours sounds James Taylorish, Duh! What strings are you playing here? Thanks for all the hard work. You're really appreciated out here. Lane 

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admin November 24, 2012 at 10:45 AM

Hi Lane … just standard light gauge acoustic strings. Thanks for the comments …. it’s an oldie but a goody!

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lynn December 31, 2012 at 3:20 PM

thank you jackson for what you do for us, anyway cool site

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admin January 2, 2013 at 2:38 PM

You are most welcome Lynn … Happy New Year!

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leslie clive williams March 10, 2013 at 1:07 PM

thanks again for the lessons geting there now thank you Mr mace from les

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tk April 5, 2013 at 9:43 AM

your site is awsome jackson!  im a beginner and i've learned more from you than anybody else, keep up the great work you do!

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admin April 5, 2013 at 10:43 AM

Thanks so much TK!

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