Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi, everyone:

While most Byrds fans know that Roger McGuinn performed "It's Alright, Ma" for the "Easy Rider" soundtrack, the Byrds did it live in concert for years. And, It's on their live 1969 album that was released a few years ago.

Anyway, I would love to learn how to play it. I have searched the Internet for an accurate tab, but NOTHING is even close. I would especially love to see the tab for those great little "runs" that McGuinn does right before each new verse.

So-- does anyone know how to play it????

Thanks,

Karl

The song is in E minor. Those bass run licks are all hammer ons or pull offs done on the fifth and fourth strings (and maybe the sixth string too...I'm not sure) from the second fret....just like you would hold down an E minor chord. It's based on the blues scale.

JimK

Thanks, Jim!!!!


Does anyone play this song?

Karl

I guess your only options to date are either the original Dylan recording, or the Byrds. I have heard a recording McGuinn singing it, but I couldn't find a vid of it on YouTube. Don't overthink this, it isn't all that hard. First thing to do is understand the chord progression, then go from there. It will develop you skill at playing something by ear, learning to recognize intervals, etc. <chawing on his dentures like a geezer>Yep, back in them thar olden days, that's the way we usedter do it away back before they was computers an sech new fangled gadgets like they got now.</chawing>

But if you're just absolutely obsessed with the idea of playing the song just like Roger does, then I'd suggest downloading something like Audacity. You can dub off your copy onto your computer, open up Audacity, cut the passage out you wish to learn, slow it down, and save it, among other things. Hope this helps.

JimK

Thanks, Jim!!! As always, you try to be as helpful as possible!!!

Karl