Handy Man (Easy Version) Guitar Lessson - Song Arrangement and Demo
Introduction:
Handy Man is a classic song written by Otis Blackwell in collaboration with Jimmy Jones. But the song became much more popular after James Taylor covered it in his own style of soft rock.
Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson
Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: This song requires you to use soft fingerpicking along with smooth chord transitions. The instructions below show how you can play the arpeggios for this song. Don’t forget to use the thumb-heavy fingerpicking technique.
e|-----------0------------|
B|------1------1---------|
G|----0---0------0------|
D|-------------2--------|
A|--3------------------|
E|----------------------|
Strumming Pattern
You can use a simple flowing rhythm with a 4/4 time signature: D D U U D U.
- D = Down strum
- U = Up strum
The strumming pattern for the softer version should be played like this: D x D U x U D U.
- D = Down strum
- U = Up strum
- X = Muted strum; here, you have to lightly touch the string as you strum.
Song Structure
Song Arrangement And Demo: For this song, your guitar instructor is going to be Steve Luciano; he shares the difference between this easy version of the song and how it can be played even by beginners. In addition to this, you will be using capo and simple strumming for this guitar lesson. The capo is going to be on the 2nd fret.
Why Learn Handy Man Song?
This song uses easy to understand chords, thus, making it a great song to learn for beginners and for other guitarists no matter what their level is. In addition to this, it is a perfect song to play on acoustic guitar as well because it has that laid back feel to it.
FAQs – This Song Guitar Lesson
Q1. Who sang the original version of the song Handyman?
Ans. James Jones, the American singer, was the singer and songwriter of the song.
Q2. What is the meaning of the Handyman?
Ans. A handyman is someone who is skilled at repairing and making things inside or outside the house.
Q3. Is there a hidden meaning to the song Handyman?
Ans. There is no such hidden meaning attached to the song, in this song a man is offering his services as someone who is able to fix broken hearts and make people happy again.
Fun Fact: The Taylor version of this song made him win his second Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.