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Learn Cinnamon Girl by Neil Young in this Guitar Lesson

In this post, I'll be unraveling the secrets behind one of Neil Young's most iconic tunes, "Cinnamon Girl." You'll learn how to master the iconic licks, tuning, rhythms, progressions, and I'll even cover some tone tips too in this stepbystep lesson.

Who wrote Cinnamon Girl?
"Cinnamon Girl" was written by CanadianAmerican singer and songwriter Neil Young.

The song debuted on the album Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, in 1969 featuring the backing band Crazy Horse.

The song was later released as a single and went to #55 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1970.

The track features Young on guitar and lead vocals. Plus Danny Whitten, also on guitar, Billy Talbot on bass, and Ralph Molina on drums.

What tuning is Cinnamon Girl in?
The guitar part for “Cinnamon Girl” is in a doubledrop d tuning. This is accomplished by tuning down the 6th string and the 1st string on the guitar 1 whole step from standard tuning.

6th string: E = D (1 whole step down)

5th string: A = A

4th string: D = D

3rd string: G = G

2nd string: B = B

1st string: E = D (1 whole step down)

Main Riff
Once you are in doubledrop d tuning you can play big chords on the top 4 strings with just one finger. The main riff starts off with a bar on the top four strings at the 5th fret and then moves up to the 7th fret right away.

For the rhythm, I would use an alternating strumming pattern and play:

DUDU UD
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +

How to Get a Neil Young Style Guitar Tone
To get a great guitar tone for Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl," you'll want to capture that distinctive and raw rock sound. Here are a few tips to help you get the right guitar tone:

Amp Selection: Opt for a tube amplifier if possible, as it can add warmth and richness to your tone. Look for amps with a classic rock or Britishstyle sound to replicate the desired vibe.
Drive and Distortion: Neil Young's guitar tone in "Cinnamon Girl" features a gritty, overdriven sound. Experiment with different levels of gain and distortion on your amp or pedals to find the right balance of crunch and sustain.
EQ Settings: Adjust your amp's eq to enhance the midrange frequencies, as they play a crucial role in capturing the song's signature sound. Boosting the mids while slightly scooping the bass and treble can help achieve that classic Neil Young tone.
Pickup Selection: If you have a guitar with multiple pickups, try using the bridge or bridge/middle pickup combination. These positions tend to deliver a brighter and more biting tone, which aligns well with "Cinnamon Girl's" character.
Reverb: Adding a touch of reverb can help create depth and space in your guitar tone. Consider using a subtle amount to enhance the overall ambiance, especially during the lead sections.
Remember, Neil Young's tone in "Cinnamon Girl" is characterized by its rawness and imperfections. Don't be afraid to experiment and make adjustments until you achieve a sound that resonates with you. Let your personal interpretation shine through.

Read the full blog here: https://www.jonmaclennan.com/blog/cin...

Discover the 5 MUSTKNOW chords and scales to play in ANY style anywhere on the neck FREE PDF GUIDE → https://www.jonmaclennan.com/fretboar...