Here on my James Taylor songs page you'll find a collection of demo covers you can watch me play for free along with a bunch of free downloadable pdf chord sheets you can use to follow along. I'll also describe the rhythm patterns I'm using in the various songs.
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If you wish to purchase a full lesson of these James Taylor Greatest Hits that goes into more detail, that option is under each video.
You will find more info on my Carolina In My Mind chords page.
This song from James Taylor I'm playing with a capo on the 2nd fret. Unlike other James Taylor songs listed here, this one is pretty much all arpeggio.
You can get that effect by picking the string on the chords as you move around on this number.
Often the song has some arpeggio and rhythm combined, but not this one.
There isn't any picking break in this one except the rhythm picking you're already doing.
The Copperline chords are D, D/b, G, A7, Em, Bm, D/Gb and an A.
One of those classic James Taylor songs here called Everyday which is played with a capo on the 2nd fret, but if it's too high vocally, ditch the capo. This one was close to the edge for me.
This rhythm pattern is a bit complex but essentially what you want to do is play a down down up stop up down up stop up.
If you try this slowly you should catch the vibe with this pattern for two chords, and then again for the next two chords and so on. You will change it when you get into the area using the A# chord.
No lead work to be concerned with in this one, just a solid rhythm is all you need.
James Taylor Everyday chords in this intro is the D, a Dm shape up two frets from the original Dm, then up another two frets from there. Eventually you use Bm, Em, A7, Gbm, Bm, G, A#, C and an A7sus.
Fire And Rain is a finger-picking song that can be played with rhythm and still capture the essence of the song. James Taylor recorded this one back in 1970.
The song is a capo 2nd fret. The noticeable play on this is on the A chord and hammering on of that B string on the 2nd fret.
Once you get past the intro, you'll see from the demo that Im just playing a shuffle rhythm and most of the work is being handled by the left hand with that B string, Gmaj7 chord which stands out and the decending bass line.
There isn't any picking break in this song. I have changed the arrangement and brought the intro back into the ending.
The Fire and Rain chords are A, G/A, D, Em, G, Gmaj7, E, A/Db and a Bm.
This is one of those James Taylor songs that seems to go in many directions. It blows my mind how many chords he can throw into a song and it still sounds good.
There is arpeggio, a root up down up pattern, a shuffle strum and a few places where you'll use down down down up. Not to mention some quick chord changes and picking riffs.
If you're new to guitar, don't let this your first song you learn by James Taylor.
The Frozen Man chords are D, Bm, Em7, A6, A7, D/Gb, G, Em, Gbm, E7, A7sus, C and an F.
I have more info on my James Taylor Handy Man chords page.
How Sweet It Is chords page has more info.
There is more info on the James Taylor Mexico chords page.
Another great number here from James Taylor called Montana. As expected, there are quite a few chords in this song.
This one can be played with a combination of arpeggio and strumming for the first bit and as I do here in my version. Then I switch over to a root down up down up, root down up down up strum pattern.
There is no lead picking break in this song.
The chords for Montana are G, A, Em7, A7, D, A/D, Bm, Bm/A, D/Gb, Gbm, Fdim/Ab, E and a C.
Just a note: The James Taylor Montana chords sheet shows an A/Dm chord but it should have be A/Db.
You'll find more info on my James Taylor October Road chords page.
I have more in-depth info for this song on my Shower The People chords page.
Another song with a capo on the 3rd fret, optional of course, and quite a few chords to work through.
The rhythm here is a steady up and down with the right hand but there are some riffs all through the song which can be blended in various places.
There isn't any lead breaks in this one.
The chords here are A, Em, D, G, C, D/C, D/B, D/A, Gbm, Bm, Bm/E and a D/Gb.
You could almost say of all the James Taylor songs on this page, this one sounds like it could be two different songs. Im using a capo on the 2nd fret.
Once this one gets going the rhythm pattern is a steady up and down. However, it changes to all down strokes as the song takes on a rock and roll vibe. It then returns before switching back again.
There is a small bit of picking in this song.
The Suite For 20G chords are – D, Dsus, C, A, A/B, E, G and a Gb.
Keep in mind as you play through these James Taylor songs that many are finger-picked and original tab sheet music is available if that's the style you prefer.
This song has two distinct patterns combining arpeggio and rhythm. The first is a down down up down and the other is a down down down up where the up is the strum for the most part.
The James Taylor Wandering chords are Gsus, G, C, Em, Asus, A7, Dm, G7,Dm, F and a G7.
You've Got A Friend chords page has more info.
On this James Taylor Songs page we discussed 15 different songs and many various strumming patterns. As you can see, James Taylor often puts a lot of chords into his compositions, but hopeful my free demos and chord sheet were helpful.