How to play 'It's Too Late' by Carole King

News! December 9th 2021 - I am now an affiliate for the Beatbuddy drum machine that I am ALWAYS using - you get 10% off if you enter promo code GAW10 via this link:
NEWS!
All Guitar At Work song sheets are now downloadable completely free of charge - no hassles, no gimmicks. Head to:
Thank you for all of your comments and likes!
Cheers, Shane
An oldie but a goody - Jazzy chords make this old pop song a must learn - great main riff with short lead idea

[pdxfun]

Amazing people have such access to an informative player to teach such a beautiful song

[beaverboy]

Great lesson, Shane, as usual.

Kidpoker you have a great ear.
D6 is the 2nd chord during the intro. D7 doesn’t sound terrible but if you play the D6 instead you’ll have a real “AHA ! THAT’S THE SOUND” moment.

The dead easiest way to play a D6 for beginners is to play an open position D7 and remove the index finger to expos the open B string. OR, the ‘social’ (or middle ;-) finger on 3rd string, 3rd fret and the ring finger on the 1st string, 3rd fret. “X out” the 5th and 6th strings, play from the 4th string to the bottom and BOOM !, that’s the intro.

Then... the last two chords of the last line of the first chorus and coming back from the solo, are E7sus4 resolving to E7, not Em7sus4 to Em7. There are no ‘minor’ chords in that bit.

Then there’s a whole other bit the lesson didn’t get to just before the piano solo. Towards the end of the 2nd chorus’ Dm7, play G7sus4 to G7 instead of the earlier E7sus4 bit.
Head into the piano part of the solo by playing CMaj7, FMaj7, BbMaj7 and Am7 for four beats each.
Then, over the” Doo doo doo doo” vocal parts, play Gm7, FMaj7, Dm7, (E7sus4), (E7) (last 2 chords 2 beats, not 4).
Then you go back to the intro chords (Am7, D6) before the final verse (“There’ll be good times again for me and you...”).
Finally, the end of THAT chorus uses the (G7sus4) to (G7) bit and goes back and forth between CMaj7 and FMaj7 twice before the ‘signature’ CMaj7 chord ending that repeats the ‘1 strum-stop’, ‘2 strum-stop’, ‘3 strum-stop’, ‘1 long final strum’ pattern that you described earlier.

Oops, I guess I got a little carried away there... Well, I guess anybody who landed on your lesson but wants to play the whole song has the raw info.
Cheers

[algarvefarm]

You sir are the most talented teacher I have ever seen. The different camera angles enhance the learning experience. Bravo and thank you.

[rayvoorhies]

I had to get the sheet music to get the lead riff correct. Starts with the slide with two 16th notes, two 8th notes, two 16ths, and ends on a 8th note. I love that riff and it's very cool to play. Shane did a nice job explaining how to play this great song.

[Kingarth]

Superb lesson... 👌
Tapestry by Carole King is one of my fav albums - an absolute gem.
Great chord progressions...

[meredithhughes]

"throw your back out, don't hurt yourself" alol. Great work as always. I really enjoy your work and the pace you move through these.

[markandrew]

Shane, this is outstanding. You have just the right balance of pace, finger placement tactics, and song information. I am looking forward to future instruction of yours. Thanks for posting this. Cheers.

[dstoodley]

Very nice job. This one came out of the blue after about 40 years. Don't know how I missed it so long. Thanks for the great lesson.

[SJon]

Excellent, no nonsense blurb, precise constructive tutorial 10/10 Thank You :)

[cffinch]

My ear says second chord should be D6 in my opinion. I play the intro (almost all of the tune) using open chords Am7 (x02010) and D6 (x00202) and play the lick in 1 position as well. Your position is probably easier for lick but I think open chords sound better over all. I also think Em7sus to Em7 sounds better as Esus then E7 (which is how brigde turns around) even though sheet music has it as Esus to Em7. Just one mans opinion. Do with it what you will.

[aprylrittenhouse]

My aunt Dale who just passed had tapestry. It was an extreme influence on me as a singer songwriter. I was 9 when it came out

[gmoney]

I know you can play it anyway you want, but the second chord of the song should be a D6. It really gives the song the sound that makes it unique.

[stevelancaster]

Hi, I`ve just received the Carole King tab sheet via email without any hassle or sale pitch. Brilliant. Thanks Shane.

[larryherbert]

I see all the corrections on your information on the song by Carol King It's To Late but l still think it is real good instruction, like how you went over the chords and strumming several times. Thank you for your instructions

[kidpoker]

D7 is not the 2nd chord it’s actually D6 made like this 1st finger on 3rd fret B string 2nd finger on 4th fret D string 3rd finger on 4 th fret G string and pinky on 6th string 5 th fret

[guitarDad]

Great work on this one. I never would have thought to transpose this one to an acoustic guitar arrangement. This is a very nice cover of a classic. Thanks for posting this lesson.

[eddiet]

This is a great tutorial. Thanks, Shane. You have a pro style, and a voice to go with it. Your lessons are easy to digest.

[tommeyer]

Thanks for a great interpretation of this song. really appreciate the quality of your videos and pace of instruction. Also, thanks for promptly sending the sheet music. Bravo!

[jeffsnedden]

Great Stuff Shane! Thanks for your efforts. This one is going to take some work but it's a great song and I really like your arrangement

[anaoldies]

Thanks for the lesson! Simple and great technique for an intermediate player as me ☺️