
Welcome to the guitar lesson on a song that’s survived centuries, travelled through cultures — Greensleeves. This traditional English folk tune first appeared in print in 1580, titled “A Newe Northen Dittye of ye Ladye Greene Sleves,” and while many romantic myths claim it was written by King Henry VIII for Anne Boleyn, that’s pretty unlikely. The Italian style of music that Greensleeves follows didn’t even make it to England until after his death. Still, the legend sticks, and maybe that’s part of the charm — nobody really knows who wrote it, or exactly when.
The lyrics speak to a mysterious Lady Greensleeves. Back in the 16th century, the colour green was linked with flirtation and promiscuity. The tune has since been reimagined again and again, as a Christmas carol (What Child Is This?), in Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, and in operas and symphonies by composers like Vaughan Williams and Holst. It's even turned up in films, TV shows, and ice cream truck jingles.
Greensleeves – Guitar Lesson
In this lesson, our instructor Bobby Koelble breaks down Greensleeves in a way that makes it approachable even if you’re just starting out. The song is built on a simple set of chords — Am, Bm, C, G5, G, and C — but what makes it sound so rich is how these chords move against the melody. The tune is in a minor key, which gives it that haunting and medieval sound, and Bobby explains how the minor scale creates a sad, emotional feeling in music. It's a great track to learn if you're exploring how mood is built in a song.
One of the special things about this arrangement is that it lets you play both the melody and the harmony together. Bobby shows how to fingerpick the notes so that the melody stands out, while the rest of the chord supports it underneath. It's a gentle, flowing style of playing that teaches you control, timing, and how to bring emotion out of the guitar.
Bobby also walks you through the song in sections, the A part and B part of the melody, and shows how the melody repeats in a structure that's easy to follow. He keeps the theory simple and makes sure to demonstrate each movement slowly before putting it all together. The beauty of learning Greensleeves is that it helps you practice chord transitions, picking accuracy, and musical phrasing.
FAQs
Q1. What skill level is Greensleeves suitable for?
Ans. This lesson is great for beginner to intermediate players. If you can play basic open chords and are starting to work on fingerpicking, you’ll be able to learn this comfortably.
Q2. Is Greensleeves played in standard tuning?
Ans. Yes, this version of Greensleeves is played in standard tuning — E A D G B E — so you don’t have to retune your guitar.
Welcome to the guitar lesson on a song that’s survived centuries, travelled through cultures — Greensleeves. This traditional English folk tune first appeared in print in 1580, titled “A Newe Northen Dittye of ye Ladye Greene Sleves,” and while many romantic myths claim it was written by King Henry VIII for Anne Boleyn, that’s pretty unlikely. The Italian style of music that Greensleeves follows didn’t even make it to England until after his death. Still, the legend sticks, and maybe that’s part of the charm — nobody really knows who wrote it, or exactly when.
The lyrics speak to a mysterious Lady Greensleeves. Back in the 16th century, the colour green was linked with flirtation and promiscuity. The tune has since been reimagined again and again, as a Christmas carol (What Child Is This?), in Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, and in operas and symphonies by composers like Vaughan Williams and Holst. It's even turned up in films, TV shows, and ice cream truck jingles.
Greensleeves – Guitar Lesson
In this lesson, our instructor Bobby Koelble breaks down Greensleeves in a way that makes it approachable even if you’re just starting out. The song is built on a simple set of chords — Am, Bm, C, G5, G, and C — but what makes it sound so rich is how these chords move against the melody. The tune is in a minor key, which gives it that haunting and medieval sound, and Bobby explains how the minor scale creates a sad, emotional feeling in music. It's a great track to learn if you're exploring how mood is built in a song.
One of the special things about this arrangement is that it lets you play both the melody and the harmony together. Bobby shows how to fingerpick the notes so that the melody stands out, while the rest of the chord supports it underneath. It's a gentle, flowing style of playing that teaches you control, timing, and how to bring emotion out of the guitar.
Bobby also walks you through the song in sections, the A part and B part of the melody, and shows how the melody repeats in a structure that's easy to follow. He keeps the theory simple and makes sure to demonstrate each movement slowly before putting it all together. The beauty of learning Greensleeves is that it helps you practice chord transitions, picking accuracy, and musical phrasing.
FAQs
Q1. What skill level is Greensleeves suitable for?
Ans. This lesson is great for beginner to intermediate players. If you can play basic open chords and are starting to work on fingerpicking, you’ll be able to learn this comfortably.
Q2. Is Greensleeves played in standard tuning?
Ans. Yes, this version of Greensleeves is played in standard tuning — E A D G B E — so you don’t have to retune your guitar.
Explore More in English Songs
Introduction
Torrins brings you another heartfelt country classic-Always on My Mind by Willie Nelson, taught by Mike Dugan. This in-depth lesson covers everything from basic chords to advanced rhythm techniques, making it accessible for both beginners and advanced players.
Fun Fact: Always on My Mind was the Billboard number one country album of the year in 1982. It remained on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart for an astonishing 253 weeks, holding the number one spot for 22 weeks. It even spent 99 weeks on the Billboard 200, peaking at number two for three weeks!
Chords Used in Always on My Mind
Beginner Chords:
- D, A, Bm, etc (alternative chords provided for those struggling with barre chords)
- Bm/G# and other slash chords (simplified option available)
- Basic downstrumming technique
Advanced Chords:
- Walk-down from Bm barre chord to G, creating a smooth transition
- Em, A, D, and motion chord movement from Em to F#, along with other chord voicings
- Includes A/C# to add depth to the song
Rhythm & Strumming Pattern
Beginner Rhythm:
- Simple downstrumming throughout the song for easy playability
Advanced Rhythm:
- More dynamic strumming pattern: DUDDUD with variations in the upstrokes
- Incorporates subdivisions and expressive chord transitions to match the song’s emotional tone
Song Structure
This song follows a classic country ballad structure:
- Intro
- Verse 1 & 2
- Bridge – Separate versions for beginners and advanced players
- Solo Verse – Melody-driven section
- Bridge Repeat
Solo Section
- Uses the D major scale for advanced players
- Simple yet effective solo incorporating D and Bm/A chords, to name a few
- Captures the melody of the song to create an emotional instrumental moment
Improvisation Techniques
For those wanting to add their own flavour, Mike shares techniques to elevate their playing:
- Walk-down motions to create smoother transitions
- Letting open strings ring for a fuller sound
- Subtle rhythmic variations to match Willie Nelson’s expressive phrasing
Why Learn Always on My Mind?
This lesson is a great way to enhance your expressiveness as a guitarist. Whether you’re learning the basic chords or mastering the advanced transitions, Mike ensures that every player walks away with valuable skills.
FAQs – Always on My Mind Guitar Lesson
Q1. Is this song beginner-friendly?
- Ans: It’s better suited for intermediate and advanced players, but Mike breaks it down for beginners as well.
Q2. What if I struggle with barre chords?
- Ans: Alternative chord shapes are provided for Bm and Bm/G# to make it easier.
Q3. How can I improve my strumming on this song?
- Ans: Beginners should start with downstrumming, while advanced players can incorporate upstroke variations and subdivisions for a more dynamic feel.
Q4. Does this lesson include a solo?
- Ans: Yes! The solo is based on the D major scale and includes a simple yet effective melody.
































