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Learn These Don McLean Songs on Acoustic Guitar
Don McLean’s songwriting captured a generation—from the epic storytelling of “American Pie” to the tender beauty of “Vincent.” This page offers six acoustic guitar lessons for his most beloved tracks, each arranged with clear chord guidance and rhythm tips.
Whether you’re drawn to nostalgic ballads like “Empty Chairs” or reflective tunes like “Bronco Bill’s Lament,” you’ll find everything you need to start playing: an overview video with short demo snippets, song background, and the option to purchase full lesson tutorials with downloadable materials.
Let’s dive into these timeless songs and bring McLean’s storytelling to your guitar.
🎸 Overview Video - “Watch This Preview of My Best Don McLean Guitar Songs”
Don McLean Guitar Lesson Titles
American PieBronco Bills Lament
Castles In The Air
Empty Chairs
The More You Pay
Vincent
1. American Pie - Learn To Play On Guitar
American Pie was a single back in 1971 from the album of the same name and was written by Don McLean. In the song McLean makes ref to the Buddy Holly plane crash that killed Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper in Feb 1959.
He also mentions he was a paper boy delivering papers at age 13 in the line "Feb made me shiver ... with every paper I delivered".
The song was a #1 hit in several countries and was the longest #1 song on the radio (over 8 min) for more than 50 years until Taylor Swift broke that record in 2021 with a 10 min version of "All Too Well".
Chords And Strumming
For rhythm in this one I play a root up down up pattern once you get past the down strokes in the beginning. There is no lead work in this one played in standard tuning using the chords G, D/Gb, Em, Am, C, D7, A7 and a G6.
Guitar Lesson Detail - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
Back To Song List
2. Bronco Bills Lament - Learn To Play On Guitar
Bronco Bill's Lament by Don McLean was never released as a single.
It can be found on his 1973 album "Don McLean".
Chords And Strumming
You can play this song in standard tuning using the rhythm pattern root down root up down up. There is also some picking required in this song using the chords G, D/Gb, Em, C, D, A7, B7, G6 and Am.
Guitar Lesson Detail - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
Back To Song List
3. Castles In The Air - Learn To Play On Guitar
Castles In The Air was released before American Pie but did not chart in 1971. Ten years later it was released again and did hit the top 10 in Canada and the US.
The track can be found on McLeans debut album "Tapestry".
Chords And Strumming
Play this one with a capo on the 2nd fret but you have no lead work to be concerned with while you play a root up down up root up down up rhythm pattern. The chords in this song are Em, A7, D, Dmaj7, Esus4/D and a G.
Guitar Lesson Detail - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
Back To Song List
4. Empty Chairs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Empty Chairs was never released as a single and can be found on the 1971 album "American Pie".
It has become down thru the years, a very popular song by Don McLean.
Chords And Strumming
Another song here played in standard tuning with a few picking riffs throughout while strumming the chords G, G/C, Am, D, D7, D/Gb and Em. For rhythm I'm playing a root up down up and repeat while playing a bit of arpeggio notes during the strumming.
Guitar Lesson Detail - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
Back To Song List
5. The More You Pay - Learn To Play On Guitar
The More You Pay was never released as a single .
It can be found on the 1973 album "Don Mclean".
Chords And Strumming
This one has a few chords in it which include D, C, Am, F, G, Em, E, Asus2, Bm and Fmaj7 while played in standard tuning. There isn't any lead work and you can get away with a simple root down root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern.
Guitar Lesson Detail - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
Back To Song List
6. Vincent - Learn To Play On Guitar
Vincent became a #1 song in the UK in 1972 and was a top 10 in the US, Australia and Canada. My Vincent Don McLean cover has received some positive feedback.
The track can be found on the 1971 album "American Pie".
Chords And Strumming
You have two choices for rhythm in this song. Either a root up down up and repeat will work or in this lesson I'm arpeggio picking a few notes along the way, so I'm not playing a straight rhythm pattern. This one is in standard tuning with the chords G, Am, C, D, D/Gb, Em, D7, Am7, F, E7 and a Cmaj7.
Guitar Lesson Detail - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
Back To Song List
Don McLean’s songs remain cornerstones of singer-songwriter tradition, and these lessons give you an authentic way to bring his storytelling to your guitar. With chord guidance, rhythm tips, and demo snippets, you’ll develop both technique and feel as you learn each tune.
When you’re ready for deeper instruction, grab the full lesson tutorials to access downloadable materials and step-by-step walk through for each lesson. Enjoy playing these classics, and check out other folk and singer-songwriter lessons on the site to expand your repertoire.
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The Meaning Of American Pie
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