How to Play Landslide by Fleetwood Mac on Guitar – Chords & Tutorial

“Landslide” is a timeless classic by Fleetwood Mac, released in 1975 on their self-titled album. Written by Stevie Nicks, the track has become one of the band’s most beloved songs and a staple in the world of music.

The song’s enduring appeal lies in its beautiful melody and profound lyrics, which many interpret as a reflection on change and growing older. Its folk-rock style is characterized by a gentle, finger-picked acoustic guitar that accompanies the poignant vocals.

As for its significance in the music industry, “Landslide” has not only been a major hit for Fleetwood Mac, but it has also been covered by numerous artists across various genres, demonstrating its wide-reaching influence. The song’s intricate guitar work offers a rewarding challenge for guitarists, making it a popular choice for learning and performance.

Understanding the Basics

To start playing “Landslide” on the guitar, you’ll need a few essential pieces of equipment:

1. Acoustic Guitar: “Landslide” is typically played on an acoustic guitar, which provides the warm, resonant sound that characterizes the song.
2. Guitar Pick: While some guitarists prefer to fingerpick when playing this song, a guitar pick can also be used depending on your personal style and comfort.
3. Capo: This song requires a capo on the third fret to match the original recording. A capo is a device used on the neck of a stringed instrument to shorten the playable length of the strings, hence raising the pitch.

Before attempting to play “Landslide,” you should have a basic understanding of guitar playing techniques:

1. Chord Knowledge: You should be familiar with basic open chords, as the song uses several including C, G/B, Am7, and D7.
2. Fingerpicking Skills: The beauty of “Landslide” lies in its fingerpicking pattern. It would be beneficial if you have some prior experience or knowledge of fingerpicking, although beginners can still attempt it with patience and practice.

Chords and Progressions

Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac incorporates a handful of chords that give the song its soulful and heartfelt sound. The primary chords used in the song are C, G/B, Am7, and D7.

1. C Major (C): This is a basic open chord that serves as the home chord or tonic of the song. The song starts and ends on this chord, giving it a sense of completeness and resolution.
2. G with B in the bass (G/B): This is an inversion of the G major chord, where B, the third note in the G major scale, is played as the lowest note. This chord adds variety to the progression and creates a smooth transition between chords.
3. A minor 7 (Am7): This chord adds a touch of melancholy to the progression, fitting perfectly with the introspective mood of the song.
4. D dominant 7 (D7): This is a variant of the D major chord that adds a bit of tension before resolving back to the G chord.

The chord progression for the song is quite straightforward, typically going C – G/B – Am7 – G/B, with the D7 thrown in at certain points for variation. These progressions resonate well with the song’s theme of change and reflection, adding depth and emotion to the lyrics. The simplicity of the chord progression makes the song accessible for beginners, while the fingerpicking pattern provides a fun challenge for more advanced players.

Picking Pattern

The picking pattern in “Landslide” is a key element of the song’s signature sound. It’s a form of a fingerpicking technique known as “Travis picking,” which alternates between bass notes and higher strings.

Here’s a simplified explanation of the picking pattern used in this song:

1. Start by plucking the bass note of each chord with your thumb (for instance, if you’re playing a C chord, your bass note would be the C note on the 3rd fret of the A string).
2. Next, use your index finger to pluck the G string.
3. Then, return to the bass note with your thumb.
4. Finally, use your middle finger to pluck the B string, and then go back to the thumb for the bass note.

This pattern repeats throughout the song, giving it a flowing, rhythmic feel. The pattern is essentially: Thumb – Index – Thumb – Middle – Thumb.

As for tips to master this pattern:

1. Start Slowly: This can’t be emphasized enough. Begin at a slow tempo and gradually increase your speed as you get more comfortable.
2. Maintain a Steady Rhythm: The rhythm should remain constant regardless of the speed. Use a metronome if needed.
3. Practice Transitioning Between Chords: Practice switching between the chords while maintaining the picking pattern. This can be tricky at first but will become smoother with time.
4. Relax Your Hand: Try not to tense up your hand while playing. Stay relaxed to maintain fluidity in your movements.

Playing the Verse and Chorus

“Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac features a relatively simple structure, with the verse and chorus following similar chord progressions. Here’s a step-by-step guide for playing both parts:

Playing the Verse:

1. Start on the C chord, plucking the bass note (the C note on the 3rd fret of the A string) with your thumb.
2. Follow the Travis picking pattern: Thumb (bass note) – Index (G string) – Thumb (bass note) – Middle (B string).
3. Transition to G/B, keeping the same picking pattern but changing your bass note to B (2nd fret of the A string).
4. Move to Am7, again shifting your bass note to A (open A string), but maintaining the same picking pattern.
5. Return to G/B before starting the progression over again.

Playing the Chorus:

1. The chorus starts on the C chord, just like the verse. Follow the same Travis picking pattern.
2. Transition to G/B as you did in the verse.
3. Instead of moving to Am7, you’ll now shift to D7. Your bass note is D (open D string).
4. Finally, return to G/B before cycling back to the C chord.

A few tips to keep in mind:

• Consistent practice will help smooth out your chord transitions. Start slow and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable.
• Pay attention to your timing. The rhythm should stay steady throughout both the verse and the chorus.
• Practice the fingerpicking pattern separately from the chord changes initially. Once you’re comfortable with both, start to combine them.

Playing the Bridge

The bridge in “Landslide” provides a slight variation from the verse and chorus, creating an interesting change in the song’s dynamics. Here’s how you can play it:

1. C Major (C): Begin with the C chord, following the same Travis picking pattern as before (Thumb – Index – Thumb – Middle).
2. G with B in the bass (G/B): Transition to G/B, maintaining the same picking pattern but changing your bass note to B (2nd fret of the A string).
3. D dominant 7 (D7): Now move to the D7 chord. Your bass note shifts to D (open D string), and the picking pattern remains the same.
4. G with B in the bass (G/B): Return to G/B before cycling back to the C chord to start the progression again.

Remember, the bridge is meant to contrast the verse and chorus, so don’t be afraid to add a little more emotion or intensity to your playing during this section.

Combining All Elements

Mastering “Landslide” involves not only learning the chords, picking pattern, verse, chorus, and bridge separately but also understanding how to seamlessly combine these elements. Here’s a guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Master Each Element Separately

Before you can combine the elements, you need to be comfortable with each one on its own. Spend time practicing the chords, getting comfortable with the fingerpicking pattern, and learning the structure of the verse, chorus, and bridge.

Step 2: Combine Chords and Picking Pattern

Once you’ve got the hang of the chords and the picking pattern, start to combine them. Practice playing each chord with the Travis picking pattern until you can do it without thinking.

Step 3: Incorporate Verse, Chorus, and Bridge

Now that you’re comfortable with the chords and picking pattern, start to incorporate the verse, chorus, and bridge. Play each section slowly at first, focusing on smooth transitions between the chords.

Step 4: Practice Transitions

A critical part of playing “Landslide” is mastering the transitions between sections. Practice moving from the verse to the chorus, the chorus to the bridge, and back again. This might feel challenging at first, but with practice, it will become second nature.

Step 5: Play Along With The Song

Finally, try playing along with the song. This will help you get a feel for the timing and dynamics of each section. Start slow, and don’t worry if you can’t keep up at first. Speed will come with practice.

Practice Tips

Practicing guitar effectively can significantly speed up your progress and help you avoid common mistakes. Here are some suggestions for effective practice routines and tips to avoid common pitfalls:

Effective Practice Routines:

1. Regular Short Sessions: It’s more beneficial to have short, regular practice sessions every day than long sessions once or twice a week. Aim for at least 15-30 minutes each day.
2. Slow and Steady: Always start slow, especially when learning new songs or techniques. Speed will come naturally with time.
3. Use a Metronome: This tool is essential for developing good rhythm and timing. Start with a slow tempo and gradually increase it as you become more comfortable.
4. Focus on One Element at a Time: Whether it’s mastering a chord progression, the picking pattern, or a particular section of the song, focusing on one thing at a time can make the learning process less overwhelming.
5. Record Your Practice: Recording yourself can help you identify areas that need improvement.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them:

1. Playing Too Fast, Too Soon: This is a common mistake, but it often leads to sloppy playing. Remember, accuracy before speed.
2. Neglecting Timing and Rhythm: Don’t just focus on the notes; timing and rhythm are equally important. Use a metronome to keep your timing accurate.
3. Not Warming Up: Just like any physical activity, warming up before practicing can prevent injuries and improve your playing. Simple exercises can get your fingers ready and warmed up.
4. Ignoring Mistakes: When you make a mistake, don’t ignore it. Instead, slow down and try to understand why you’re making the mistake and how to correct it.
5. Lack of Consistency: Regular practice is key to making progress. Try to make practicing a part of your daily routine.

Conclusion

Mastering a song like “Landslide” is an impressive feat and worth every minute of your practice time. Remember, the journey to musical mastery is not a sprint, but a marathon. Every step you take, no matter how small, brings you closer to your goal. Keep practicing regularly, patiently, and mindfully, and you’ll see progress in your musical journey.

“Landslide” is a beautiful song, rich in emotion and musicality. Its seemingly simple structure belies a depth of complexity, making it a rewarding piece to learn and play. The fingerpicking pattern gives the song its distinctive, flowing rhythm, while the chord progressions provide a subtly shifting harmonic backdrop.

The song is a testament to the power of music to express deep, personal feelings. As you continue to practice and eventually master “Landslide”, you’ll not only improve as a guitarist, but also deepen your appreciation for the beauty and emotional expressiveness of music.

Remember, every musician was once a beginner. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you stumble or progress slower than you’d like. Instead, celebrate each small victory and enjoy the process of learning and making music. Happy practicing!

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