Wonderful Tonight

1. Wonderful Tonight Slow Ballad in Clapton Style

2. Chords • Only 5 chords in the song. • We will start in first position. • Introduction for most versions is: 4/4 ||: G | D | C | D : || repeated • Live version #2 is: First a vamp of 4/4 ||: C |D : || then 4/4 ||: G | D | C | D : || repeated Next we will add in the hook. This is the introduction 2 times and ending 2 times but also between the verses and going into the last verse from the bridge.

3. Introduction to Wonderful Tonight. This is in tablature format. Each line is a string. The top line is the 1st or the High E string. The bottom line is the 6th or Low E string. The numbers indicate which frets to play. For example, the first number is On the 3rd string and is a 4 so you would play the 3rd string 4th fret. The Next note is on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string then the next is the 5th fret of the 4th string (since it is on the 4th line). Here is the easy version.

4. You have 3 ways to do this. Suggest beginners do first one, Intermediates 2nd one and Advanced last one.

5. Now for doing it more like the CD • Play the root on Beat 1 – arpeggiate the chords – see next slide. • Try both in 1st position and up the neck. • Following are 4 examples of doing this. • Last one is like the video but others will work just fine.

7. Learn both with fingers and with a pick. Also try with pick and fingers – called “Hybrid” picking. Do with each of the following ones:

8. Same basic idea using barre chords. G in the E form. D and C in the A form.

9. Timing is all 1/8th notes until here. This is more what you want to head for. I would do with pick or hybrid picking but fingerpicking as above works really well.

10. This one is like what is on the video. Learn with both a pick and with your fingers. Really take your time. Use this pattern throughout the song. Notice how the first not is always the root of the chord. You could also move this up the neck with Barre Chords. On the Video though it is done in 1st position chords.

11. This is the first verse or part of the song. When there are 2 chords in a measure of 4/4 time each usually gets 2 beats. Strum each chord 2 times. This happens in the 3rd line 3rd measure of the song. See the * for where. If you do an introduction you would play the first 4 chords.

14. Soloing • Most likely a solo would be off of the main chords 4/4 ||: G | D | C | D : || • You could use the G major scale but the main notes would have to follow the notes in each chord.

15. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 D Chord C Chord G Chord E form -G Major Scale E form -G Major Scale E form -G Major Scale The notes in the D major chord are D F# and A. Don’t play the G root of the scale! The notes in a G major chord are G B and D. Bottom root is in red – others in light blues Notes in the C major chord are C, E and G. Practice each of these seperately until you can do them smoothly. Use other notes in the scale as passing notes. Begin and end each line on a chord tone!

16. D form - E Major Scale A form C Major Scale E form -G Major Scale C form - D Major Scale G form - A Major Scale 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 4 4 2 4 4 4 4 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 Below are the 5 forms of the major scale. For this song you can approach in a number of ways. But do G major in all 5 forms as a start. Then find the chord tones in each against the G C and D chords.

17. To really learn this • Work out all 5 forms (CAGED forms) and where all of the notes are in each of the scales. • Work on bending up to notes in the chord and even pre-bends and releases. • Take your time on this!