The Animals - House of the Rising Sun Guitar Lesson

Chapter 1: (00:39) Introduction Music Steve starts off this lesson with the introduction to "House of the Rising Sun." Chapter 2: (00:22) Introduction In this lesson, you will learn basic fingerstyle techniques that will enable you to play "House of the Rising Sun." Chapter 3: (07:31) Learn "House of the Rising Sun" A repeated right hand arpeggio figure is played throughout most of this song. The arpeggio pattern follows this right hand fingering: T, 1, 2, 3, 2, 1 or p, i, m, a, m, i. Steve refers to this right hand arpeggio pattern as "the fan." When he uses this term in the course of the lesson, he is simply referring to this right hand fingering from a visual standpoint. Similar to the right hand fingerings of Op. 60 (no. 1), your thumb will play all the notes that occur on the three bass strings. The index, middle, and third finger will pluck the G, B, and E strings respectively.

To practice this arpeggio figure, isolate the right hand. Practice playing the arpeggio using only open strings. This will allow you to focus all of your attention on your right hand technique. Begin by playing the bass note on the D string in conjunction with this pattern. Then, repeat the same exercise with your thumb plucking a bass note on the A string. Finally, repeat the same process with a low E bass note. Practice this exercise as slow as you need to. Focus on control and solid tone production.

Time Signature

This song is played in 6/8 time. This means that there are 6 beats in each measure. The eighth note is counted as the primary metronomic unit. When counting a measure of 6/8, you have two available options. Most musicians prefer to count "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6" for a slow 6/8 time feel comprised of six eighth notes. However, it is not practical to use this method when counting in 6/8 if the metronome marking indicates a fast tempo. If you are playing a fast 6/8, it is much easier to count "tri-ple-let, tri-ple-let" for a measure of six eighth notes. Counting "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6" will leave you tongue-tied, and you won't have a clear internalization of the beat. Regardless of whether you are playing a slow 6/8 or a fast 6/8, the first and fourth beats in each measure (the first notes in each group of three) are inherently accented.

Adding the Left Hand

Once you feel totally comfortable playing the arpeggio pattern with open strings, it's time to add the chord shapes in the left hand. This song is in the key of Am. It begins with a basic open Am chord shape. Whenever this arpeggio pattern is applied to a specific chord in the song, the thumb always begins the pattern by plucking the low root note of the chord. For example, you will pluck the open A string with the thumb as the low bass note for an Am chord.

Once you feel comfortable arpeggiating the Am chord by itself, add the other chords in the progression. This progression involves the following chord changes: Am, C, D, F. Remember to play the appropriate bass note for each chord.

Pause the video, and practice all the materials presented in this scene before continuing to the next scene. Chapter 4: (08:01) Second Half of the Song In the first half of this scene, you have an opportunity to play "House of the Rising Sun" along with Steve.

Adding the "F" Barre Chord

Note: Open the Supplemental Content tab for a chord diagram of the F barre chord.

Instead of playing the voicing for the F chord that Steve demonstrated in the previous scene, an F barre chord should be used. This allows you to move the bass note of the chord one octave lower. Moving this F bass note lower gives the overall bass line a much more powerful effect.

If you can't quite master the F barre chord yet, don't get frustrated. It will come eventually. There is another option available in the meantime. The low F note can be fretted by the left hand thumb. Bring your thumb over the top of the fretboard. Then, fret the F note with the fleshy pad of your thumb. If you have small hands, this particular chord will probably be harder for you than the actual F barre chord. Watch carefully as Steve demonstrates this fingering at about 6:00. Chapter 5: (03:12) Spice up the Song Steve demonstrates a basic addition that can be made to the arpeggio pattern of this song. Instead of plucking the note on the high E string by itself, pluck this note simultaneously with the appropriate note on the G string. The note on the G string should be plucked with the index finger. Isolate each chord in the progression when practicing this alteration. Chapter 5: (09:18) Walking Bass Line and Full Song A basic walking bass line can be added to the arpeggio figure of this song. This requires that you replace a note(s) in the arpeggio figure with a bass note. You are NOT adding an extra beat to each measure. When the bass line is added, you are still playing in 6/8. The first two measures feature a chord change from Am to C. On the last beat of the first measure, you can add a B bass note to create a smooth bass transition between these chords. When switching from D to F, you can add an E bass note on the last beat of the measure containing the D chord.

Whem moving from Am to E, you must add two bass notes. These notes are G and F. They must be played on the last two beats of the measure containing the Am chord.

Do not use these walking lines between every chord change. Using them too frequently will ruin their effect. Remember, you CAN have too much of a good thing.

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