How To Play Roslyn By Bon Iver On Guitar
Dive Headfirst into Bon Iver's Roslyn (Guitar Edition!)
Okay, so you wanna tackle Roslyn by Bon Iver on guitar? You've got guts, I like that! It's beautiful, haunting, and… well, let's just say it's not exactly "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." But fear not, brave guitarist!
We're going to break it down so simple, even your grandma (who thinks an amp is a type of lightbulb) could almost follow along. Almost.
Tuning is Your New Best Friend
First, forget everything you know about standard tuning (EADGBE). Roslyn lives in a world of its own. We're going to alternate tuning here.
Grab your tuner. Tune your guitar to DADF#AD. Sounds like gibberish, right? Don’t worry! Just repeat after me: D. A. D. F sharp. A. D.
Imagine your guitar is a cranky toddler. Each string needs its own special coddling to reach the right note.
The Chords (Simplified, Of Course!)
Alright, let's get those fingers moving! Forget fancy chord names for now. We'll call them "chord 1," "chord 2," and "chord 3" because why complicate things?
Chord 1: Picture a power chord on the D string! Play 0-0-0-0-0-0. That's basically just letting all the strings ring open. Beautiful, isn't it?
Chord 2: Now, move that shape! 0-2-2-2-0-0 on the 2nd fret. This shape will give you that sad and longing feeling.
Chord 3: Place your index finger on the 5th fret. Strum a 5-5-5-5-5-5. Feel like you're on top of the world. Play it with confidence!
The Rhythm: Flow Like a Gentle Stream
The rhythm in Roslyn isn't about shredding or frantic strumming. Think calm water flowing over rocks.
Try holding Chord 1. strum it gently for four beats. Then change quickly to Chord 2 and strum for another four beats. This helps to get used to it.
Remember, we're not aiming for perfection here. We're aiming for feel! Let the music breathe.
Putting It All Together (The Easy Version)
Ready for a ridiculously simplified version of the main riff? Here we go!
Start with Chord 1, play for four beats. Chord 2, play for four beats. Chord 3, play for eight beats. Boom! You're basically playing Roslyn.
Loop that sequence! Chord 1 - Chord 2 - Chord 3. Again and again. Feel the mood.
Adding a Little Pizzazz (Because You're Worth It!)
Feeling adventurous? Add some little hammer-ons or pull-offs. Gently tap a finger on the string to create a little trill.
Experiment with different strumming patterns. Try emphasizing certain beats! Don't be afraid to make a mistake. It's all part of the learning process!
Most important of all, listen to the original song carefully! Try and capture the emotion that Justin Vernon poured into it. Feel the song in your bones.
You Did It! (Probably… Mostly…)
Okay, maybe you're not going to nail Roslyn perfectly on your first try. It's a journey, not a destination.
But the important thing is you're trying! You're pushing yourself! You're wrestling with a beautiful, complicated piece of music.
Keep practicing! Keep listening! Soon, you'll be lost in the enchanting world of Bon Iver, one strum at a time. Now go, make some beautiful noise!
