Below is the lesson for “Blue Skies” by Rock Class 101.

Helpful Tips

Learn a beautiful fingerpicking song that’s perfect for the seasoned beginner. This piece combines a few elements which make it an ideal challenge for this level.

The music begins with double stops (two notes at once) that move elegantly down the neck. As such, the challenge here is not only in the motion, but also in the rhythm. There’s a bit of syncopation (playing on an off-beat) in this opening phrase. While the syncopation creates a really cool sound, it is a challenging rhythm to play. Therefore, I’d recommend tackling it with the “play by ear method”. In other words, if you can sing it, you can play it!

As the song develops, you’ll encounter new chord shapes which help create a unique tonal landscape. Some of these chords require your left hand to perform a wide stretch. If you’re struggling with them, check out this lesson for help with increasing your left hand reach.

Part 1 – Performance & Free Lesson

Tab Play Along