Guitar Lesson - The Boxer Intro

This is for Sascha!

[larryheller]

Beautiful, exactly what I was looking for, and I didn't have to suffer through some 20 minute windbag video to get it!

[charliegriffin]

Hi Rolf. I realise this is "old hat" for you, but I finally got around to learning the intro/bridge for the Boxer after hearing it 45 years ago.

Your version of the intro (in C shape) is the best and easiest compromise available to a solo singer/guitarist. There are others involving a 5 fret stretch which I can play but find unnecessary and only really work fluently for guitarists gifted with huge hand an long fingers!

However little did I know that Paul Simon did not create the intro used on the studio single in 1968/9, and it was not payed in C shape. It was a famous session player,  Fred Carter, Jr. who tuned his 1st string to D and his 6th to G, so effectively playing it in a sort of G tuning, except for the 5th string. The 5 fret stretch becomes unnecessary.

Actually it seems to have ended up with all guitars tuned down a semitone as the song ended up in B concert! Hence my use of "C SHAPE" and "G SHAPE", to avoid confusion.

Also noted is that it took 100 hours of studio time to finish the song in 1969!

If playing solo, yours is the best method. However today I used a capo on V, and played the intro in G shape. PERFECT! I expect you have also worked this out. If you haven't tried it, it works better than all methods, but the end product is only authentic if there are 2 guitars, in C with no capo and one in G with capo on V. 

What fun and so satisfying to finally get it. It's like I've gone full circle. I was too young and stupid in 1969 but not too thereafter I worked out the guitar by ear for songs like Scarborough Fair (Paul Simon borrowed his accompaniment from a UK folk guitarist), Time In a Bottle, If and Aubrey by David Gates, Blackbird, etc., but somehow never got back to the Boxer until now. And it is SO much easier than I imagined in my awe struck youth!

Thanks for your video. Stay well!

Charlie

[BixLives]

How simple and easy, yet tastefully done! It is also a great hook intro. It just goes to show you that first position can still surprise you. However, this passage is actually employing A voicing at the third fret, thus being in the key of 'C' natural (i.e. 'B' natural, see note).

NOTE: On the record Mr. Simon tuned his guitar a half step DOWN to 'B' (e.g., tune your 'E' to 'D#'). Hey, Paul McCartney tuned his short scale Gibson (with reverse intonation!) down a full step to play "Yesterday" in G voicing instead of F voicing where it plays identically, but is more difficult. How did he get his guitars to play in tune? Simple: He had to re-tune them for every PASSAGE! (early on, —before he was better informed.) Many of your favourite players are not trained players, just hard working and used common sense whilst teaching themselves. E.g., What is the most efficient way of playing THIS Paul Simon intro? Hint, this fellow is making a slight mistake that will cost him the fluid sound necessary for the record. (It involves the left pinky finger).

[stevethird]

I knew there was an easier way I just never figures it out. thanks SO much.

[queenrosas]

thanks i can play the intro now ..A LOT OF GUITAR TUITORIAL IS SO FAST TOO FAR FROM THE SCREEN WE CANNOT SEE THE FINER YOU ARE SO GOOD THANKS

[MRWSSHORTY]

Hey Rolf, schön! Und der Rest??? ;-)
Hoffe man sieht sich bald mal wieder!!

Lothar

[mikeharris]

I tried using this yesterday to teach a student and found that it is only about 80-90% accurate...just so you know.