Paul Simon’s timeless classic, “The Boxer,” is a song that resonates with generations. From the iconic melody to the evocative lyrics, it’s a masterpiece of storytelling and musical arrangement. If you’ve ever wanted to capture the intricate guitar work of the original recording, this guide will walk you through a complete arrangement, drawing inspiration from both Paul Simon himself and the legendary session guitarist Fred Carter Jr. Get ready to delve into the tunings and techniques that bring this song to life on your acoustic guitar.
Unveiling the Guitar Secrets of “The Boxer”
“The Boxer,” featured on the seminal album Bridge Over Troubled Water, is rich with layered guitar parts. Paul Simon and Fred Carter Jr. crafted these parts with different guitars, tunings, and positions, creating a captivating sonic tapestry. Understanding their approaches is key to mastering a comprehensive arrangement.
Fred Carter Jr., a Nashville session virtuoso, employed a unique open tuning on a baby Martin guitar. This tuning was essentially an open G tuning (G A D G B D) but pitched up a third, resulting in B C# F# B D# F# – an open B tuning in effect. To replicate this on a standard guitar, Carter used open G and placed a capo at the fourth fret.
Simon, on the other hand, often utilized C shapes in “The Boxer.” On the Bridge Over Troubled Water recording, his guitar was tuned down a half step, making his C shapes sound in B flat. Interestingly, in live performances across different eras, Simon has played “The Boxer” in various keys, including C# (capo on the first fret in standard tuning) and C (standard tuning).
Mastering the “Boxer” Arrangement: Tuning and Techniques
This lesson presents a guitar arrangement in D A D G B D tuning, commonly known as double dropped D, with a capo at the 4th fret. This tuning choice provides a rich low D bass note while still allowing you to effectively play both Carter’s signature intro and other key riffs from the song. While Carter tuned his 6th string up significantly, potentially straining the guitar neck, this D A D G B D tuning offers a more comfortable alternative without sacrificing tonal authenticity.
This arrangement is a synthesis of Simon’s and Carter’s distinct contributions to “The Boxer.” You’ll learn to play not just the recognizable fingerpicking rhythm and Carter’s unforgettable guitar intro, but also the instrumental interlude – originally played with pedal steel and piccolo trumpet – and even the dobro lick that precedes the song’s powerful final verse.
[Insert image of guitar or sheet music related to “The Boxer” here]
What You’ll Learn in This Guitar Lesson
By exploring this arrangement, you will gain the skills to play a complete version of “The Boxer” on acoustic guitar. This includes:
- The iconic guitar intro: Master Fred Carter Jr.’s beautifully melodic introduction.
- Fingerpicking rhythm pattern: Learn the foundational fingerstyle that drives the song.
- Instrumental interlude: Recreate the melodic lines of the pedal steel and piccolo trumpet on guitar.
- Dobro lick: Incorporate the slide guitar phrase that builds tension into the climactic verse.
To access the complete tablature and detailed charts for this lesson, please visit my Patreon page. Unlocking these resources will empower you to fully learn and perform this timeless song, adding a classic to your guitar repertoire.
