Run To You

This 80s hit will introduce us to some rock chord strumming and simple lead patterns.

This song is played with a capo on the 2nd fret. If you don't have one, feel free to learn this anyways in open position!

The verse riff is played twice alone, and then the rest of the band kicks in for the next 8 repetitions.

Here we have a pre-chorus. That's just what it sounds like - a few bars gearing the song up for the big chorus.

Now the chorus begins. If you're having trouble identifying those chord shapes from the tab alone, it's: Em - G - D - A.

Don't worry too much about producing the dead notes (the X's). You can almost treat them like a rest. They give you a chance to prepare for the next chord.

Later in the song, there is a gentle solo, performed by the other guitar in the song. The other guitar does NOT use a capo. That means 12th fret really does mean 12th fret here. 

The shape of the riff here is repeated, but shifted around on the fretboard each time.

We also have a grace note here, as we slide up to the first note of the riff. We play these just a little before the beat - focus on ending the slide on the 1 count of the bar. The timing doesn't need to be extremely strict here, if you try it a few times, you'll get a feel for it.

The timing of the two dotted eighth notes and a third regular eighth note produces a Tresillo!

Afterward, the solo is repeated, but with the other guitar providing a harmony.

If you like, you can try your hand at playing both parts at once with the tab below. It may give you a small insight into harmonizing a melody!

This song will have tested your sense of timing and fluency with quickly changing open chords in the chorus, especially.

Make sure you can nail it if you want to move on to harder material.