Neil Young Harvest Moon Guitar Lesson + Tutorial

My Favorite Guitar + Filming Gear at Sweetwater

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[jakefreeman]

My grandmother told me not long ago that this song makes her want to “slow dance with someone and hold them tight”. She’s in her 70s and got divorced many years ago. If you have someone to hold tight and slow dance with, don’t take it for granted. We all grow old and sooner or later, we’ll have our last slow dance. I pray I can make the years count!

[greenmonster]

I hadn't played guitar much at all since my dad died in October 2019.

My dad loved Neil Young.

I listened to Harvest Moon yesterday, and it's what has got my fire burning again.

Thanks Marty, you're the man.

[talesfromthetoiletseat]

It is like one of the greatest songs written. So heartfelt and chill. It is absolutely on the “wish I wrote that” list.

[InfamousMedia]

Neil Young is one of the finest musicians to grace the 20th century, glad he’s still with us!

[AlyssaGriffin-ic]

i can barely play the guitar but i want to learn it because it was our song. this was the song that brought us together. it started with hearing about our schools talent show. i didn’t like him, not really at all, but i decided to text him anyway. he played the guitar. he was actually pretty good. i thought he was really cool because i didn’t really know anyone who played the guitar and I’m a big music nerd. i invited him to my house because i wanted to sing in the show with him playing the guitar. we went through my spotify trying to find songs until we eventually stumbled upon this song. we both knew it and figured it wouldn’t be too hard to sing and play. we started practicing a few times per week, around this time last march. we started using it as an excuse to hang out. we gradually played music less and less and focused more on each other instead. we opted out of the talent show because i was too nervous, but we still saw each other regularly. we fell in love, and bonded over our passion for music. we found we had much more in common than just music. he became my muse; my inspiration. he inspired me to be the best version of myself. i didn’t do the best i could. i wasn’t the best for him, and that haunted me. i loved him with all of my being but for some reason i just hurt him. now everything reminds me of him. there isn’t a place i could go without thinking of him. his name is forever engraved in my heart, even though he broke it. i love him unconditionally, for eternity. he was so good to me, but we were so young. i will forever be grateful for every moment we spent together, and everything he did for me, even though i must move on. he will always have a place in my heart and in my soul. i pinky promised him id never stop loving him, and i will never break that. march is approaching quickly now, and i sometimes wonder if we would reconnect at this time, because we did last year. it’s a passing thought but it’s what inspired me to come on here. if you stayed for this whole thing, thank you. it was a rant of some sort. i hope you all find the same love i found. and although we didn’t last forever like i had hoped, it was a once in a lifetime pure, true love. im happy with just that thought.

[doodoofart]

my dad died in early october of 2022, right before he died this was my favourite song. i remember i went to his funeral and i seen all the pictures of him and i felt like i was going to throw up, i didn't know what i would do without my dad---and sometimes i still don't know what i'm doing without him. on the way home, i was in the car with my mom, brother, and both my grandparents. this song was playing and i looked at the moon and it was huge and orange, literally a harvest moon. i like to belive it was a sign from my dad that he was free now, no longer struggling with depression.


check up on the people u love before it's too late.

[steezjuice]

I love Neil's chords. They sound more difficult that they actually are. I think its because all the layered instruments in his mixes.

[donnacolwell]

Playing this song is a profoundly moving experience. I truly feel the emotion behind Mr. Young's words. Marty, thank you for making this song accessible to players of all skill levels.

[alansimpson]

That gem by Neil makes me cry too it brings back well memories.

[vroomgrrly]

I am pretty much a guitar hack, so your tutorial has been so helpful!

As a lifelong classically trained violinist, one little tip I can offer relates to the harmonics bit. Instead of moving the whole hand down the next several frets to catch that low A, I just reach back with my first finger. I started doing it this way to accommodate my discomfort with moving all around the neck. See above regarding I'm a guitar hack.

Sometimes it's all I can do to get through this song without getting choked up.

Thank you so much for this tutorial!

[hafizmuizz]

I remember watching Marty in 2011 when i first learned his pentatonic scale and impressed my whole friend on 6th grade.

Im 21 now 😂

[yurilopez]

PERFECT I JUST LEARNED THE HARMONICA FOR THIS

[peanutduber]

Woke up this morning with the harvest moon shining in my window and I knew I had to learn this song. Awesome lesson! Such a brilliant yet simple arrangement this will definitely be in the repertoire. Thanks Marty!

[tuukka]

Thank you! I love this song, and it is much easier than I thought. I can actually play it. Just need some practice to get it right.

[MrHeshersNeighborhood]

What a great great song. I had just added it to my wedding playlist yesterday too.

[garyb]

Marty taught me guitar in his videos. I solo with ease and can pick up a backing track for the first time and play along. I’ve always loved Harvest Moon and now will add it to my practice list. I also play along with harmonica. I find that this is not as easy as it seems. Trying to play basically an improv on the harmonica while trying to keep rhythm on guitar is a bit awkward. The remedy is simple. PLAY. Thanks Marty!

[gillescharron]

Hey Marty, had this song in my music sheets 5 years back, now is the time to play it again thanks to you

[rafaelaugusto]

thank you so much for the tutorial! coming back to studying the guitar, and neil young is an amazing way to start again! 🎉

[quintonbaker]

you taught me guitar when i was in my teens, love this song and what you've done for the music community

[crazeelegscrane]

I remember the first day I heard this song I didn't know the words but still managed to sing it
It always brings a tear to my eye