Knocking on Heavens Door was written & released by Bob Dylan in 1973 for the film soundtrack, Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid.
This song is a soulfully strummed, repeated chord progression using only 4 chords: G, D, Am & C (I V II IV in the key of G). The same foundational strumming pattern is played throughout with some added variations. Bob Dylan sporadically adds and takes away strums throughout the song with no real pattern. In this situation the best thing to do is learn the main pattern and once you’re comfortable with it you can also be a bit freer with it yourself.
The main focus today is building the foundation and then looking at how the song builds using DYNAMICS in the from of Volume, Accents and Strumming feel.
Key: G
Time Signature: 4/4
THE SONG
Chords:
The chords in order G | D | Am | Am | G | D | C | C | are cycled throughout the song.
Rhythm:
The following sequence plays throughout the song. This is the basic strumming pattern.
DYNAMICS
Dynamics are the way in which we craft and breathe life into a rhythm. In order to take a 4 chord sequence and keep it interesting and engaging from beginning to end we have to take the listener on a journey. In this case the dynamic techniques are achieved by using ACCENTS, VOLUME and STRUMMING FEEL.
- Accents:
In order to breathe life and groove into a song one of the things we do is play certain beats accented (more pronounced/emphasised). We do this by playing the strings a bit louder.
Accent the rhythm your’ve already learnt above by playing the red beats below with more pressure.
- Volume:
We build the shape of the song from beginning to end by starting with soft strums (intro & verse). When we get to the chorus we turn those strums into more powerful, meaningful strums by adding more pressure overall for the repeated lyrics ‘Knock, knock, knocking on Heavens door’. Verse 2 we drop the volume of the strums back to soft, raise them again for the chorus and for the ending drop them to soft.
This keeps the song fresh throughout, keeps the listener engaged and mirrors the feel and journey of the emotion of the lyrics.
- Strumming Feel
The strumming feel has a lot to do with the mellowness of the song and perfectly accompanies the sense of resignation expressed in the lyrics.
To achieve this we have a very relaxed and loose wrist, a soft touch of the strings and if you’re holding a pick hold it lightly. Preferably a flexible pick (I used a Dunlop Nylon .60mm). There is very little tension in this song.
Song Structure:
🎸 For additional video lesson help with this lesson ⤵️
🎸FULL SONG PLAY THROUGH⤵️