Six String Fingerpicking Courses and Lessons

Freight Train (Fingerstyle Guitar Lesson)

Elizabeth Cotten

SONG DETAILS

DIFFICULTY:

2

TUNING:

Standard

TEMPO:

Moderate

KEY:

C major

In this fingerstyle guitar lesson we’re learning a slightly simplified version of the classic fingerpicking song Freight Train.

Freight Train was written by Elizabeth Cotten in the early 20th century and is very often taught to people who are new to fingerstyle guitar. The song has a constant bass line running throughout with a strong, yet simple, melody line playing simultaneously. This makes it a great starting point for learning how to play more complicated fingerstyle songs.

Let’s start learning how to play Freight Train!

Learn To Play Freight Train

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Freight Train Guitar Lesson

The key thing to remember as you’re learning this song is that you’re always alternating between your thumb playing the bass note of the chords and your first finger playing the G string. The melody line is then played with your 2nd and 3rd fingers. This runs throughout the whole piece.

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