Tuesday's Inspiration's:

Two songs to teach today. One was one one of my favorites when it came out, never making it to the hit radio status, it struck a chord in my rebellious youth. The second song was my single favorite song of the late 60's, a west coast band, the song: White Bird. The original version had violin solo's throughout, which was unique to R&R. My bands, the Elf King's had cello and flute solo's, and was always one of our crowd's favorite covers. For today's lesson, take note of the capo III at the top of White Bird, I don't use capo's, and will demonstrate how to transpose, on the spot, to take the chords up to the vocal range of the original.

Almost Cut My Hair, CSNY

[Verse] Am G D Almost cut my hair Am G D It happened just the other day Am G D It was gettin' kind of long Am G D I coulda said it was in my way [Chorus] C Em Am But I didn't and I wonder why Fmaj7 Em7 I feel like letting my freak flag fly Dsus4 D [ Am ] Yes, I feel ... like I owe it to someone [break] [break] [Solo] | Am G | D | Am G | D | | Am G | D | Am G | D | [Verse] Am G D Must be because I had the flu for Christmas Am G D And I'm not feeling up to par Am G D It increases my paranoia Am G D Like looking in my mirror and seeing a police car [Chorus] C Em Am But I'm not giving in an inch to fear Fmaj7 Em7 'Cause I've promised myself this year Dsus4 D [ Am ] I feel ... like I owe it to someone [break] [break] [Solo] | Am G | D | Am G | D | | Am G | D | Am G | D | | Am G | D | Am G | D | [Verse] (1/2) Am G D When I finally get myself together Am G D I'm gonna get down in that sunny southern weather [Chorus] C Em Am And I find a place inside to laugh Fmaj7 Em7 Separate the wheat from the chaff Dsus4 D Am G D I feel ... like I owe it ... to someone, yeah [break] [break] [Outro] | Am G | D | Am G | D | | Am G | D | Am G | D | (repeat and fade)

White Bird:

apo III A G 4x A G White bird, in a golden cage A G On a winter's day, in the rain A G A White bird, in a golden cage, alone A G The leaves blow, 'cross the long black road A G To the darkened sky, in its rage A G A But the white bird, just sits in her cage, unknown D F A White bird must fly or she will die A G The white bird, dreams of the aspen tree A G With her dying leaves, turning gold A G But the white bird, just sits in her cage, A Growing old D F A White bird must fly or she will die D F A G White bird must fly or she will die A Em The sunsets come, the sunsets go F E The clouds roll by, and the Earth turns slow A F And a young bird's eyes do always glow A G A G A G And she must fly, she must fly, she must fly Break A G White bird, in a golden cage A G On a winter's day, in the rain A G A White bird, in a golden cage, alone D F A White bird must fly or she will die D F A White bird must fly or she will die D F A White bird must fly or she will die D F White bird must fly . . Set8 White Bird chords (version 2) It's A Beautiful Day C Bb 4x C Bb White bird, in a golden cage C Bb On a winter's day, in the rain C Bb C White bird, in a golden cage, alone C Bb The leaves blow, 'cross the long black road C Bb To the darkened sky, in its rage C Bb C But the white bird, just sits in her cage, unknown F Ab C White bird must fly or she will die C Bb The white bird, dreams of the aspen tree C Bb With her dying leaves, turning gold C Bb But the white bird, just sits in her cage, C Growing old F Ab C White bird must fly or she will die F Ab C Bb White bird must fly or she will die Cm Gm The sunsets come, the sunsets go Ab G The clouds roll by, and the Earth turns slow Cm Ab And a young bird's eyes do always glow C Bb C Bb C Bb And she must fly, she must fly, she must fly Break C Bb White bird, in a golden cage C Bb On a winter's day, in the rain C Bb C White bird, in a golden cage, alone F Ab C White bird must fly or she will die F Ab C White bird must fly or she will die F Ab C White bird must fly or she will die F Ab White bird must fly . . Set8