Knocking On Heavens Door

[TimM]

Hey gang,

I am so glad that I stumbled onto this site, it looks like a really nice place. I am just starting out playing the mandolin and I have been looking around for days trying to find the tablature for Knocking On Heavens Door. Would anyone know where I can find it?

Thanks in advance,
t-

[Gelsenbury]

I don't know about tab, but you can start by strumming along with some G,D and C chords.

[Jon Hall]

The chord progression I teach my students repeats every other line.
Key of G:
G - D - Am7
G - D - C
G - D - Am7
G - D - C

Key of D
D - A - Em7
D - A - G
D - A - Em7
D - A - G

The melody is pretty simple. Pick which key you can sing it in and then find the notes you are singing on the first 5 frets. It sounds good to tremelo the last note of each line. This will help develop your ear.

[TimM]

Thanks a bunch guys. I will try that. I am not sure about the melody notes yet but I will try the chord progression.

[Ed Goist]

Hi Tim:

Here's a pretty comprehensive PowerPoint on a guitar instruction for the tune that you might find helpful:

http://www.frankmarkovich.com/Presentations/Knock,%20Knock,%20Knockin%27%20On%20Heaven%27s.ppt

And an old Cafe thread:

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-39061.html

-Ed

[Kevin Briggs]

Here's one I did a few years back, if you're interested. I haven't been able to put much up recently, but I have som estuff to add when I get a chance. Here's "Knockin On Heaven's Door":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpVgSRpEBAI

[TimM]

Hi Tim:

Here's a pretty comprehensive PowerPoint on a guitar instruction for the tune that you might find helpful:

http://www.frankmarkovich.com/Presentations/Knock,%20Knock,%20Knockin%27%20On%20Heaven%27s.ppt

And an old Cafe thread:

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-39061.html

-Ed

Thanks, but I am a real newbie to mandolin and I don't know how to play any other instruments. I have no idea how to apply guitar tabs to the mandolin.

t-

[Kevin Briggs]

t-,

We all certainly understand that you are new to playing. It gets easier, but it never stops being work. I think the rewards that intense practice yield start making the act of playing the mandolin worthwhile.

I cannot provide you with TABS to what I'm playing in my video, since that's a deficient area for me. However, I will add that it is very rudimentary mandolin playing, and I made the improv parts up as I went. It's nothing fancy. I suggest spending however long it takes to pick apart the music. If you do, it may be painstaking, but the next time you go to learn a song it will be wayyyyy easier. TABS are convenient, but they don't do much for our learning curves.

[EarlG]

t-,

We all certainly understand that you are new to playing. It gets easier, but it never stops being work. I think the rewards that intense practice yield start making the act of playing the mandolin worthwhile.

I cannot provide you with TABS to what I'm playing in my video, since that's a deficient area for me. However, I will add that it is very rudimentary mandolin playing, and I made the improv parts up as I went. It's nothing fancy. I suggest spending however long it takes to pick apart the music. If you do, it may be painstaking, but the next time you go to learn a song it will be wayyyyy easier. TABS are convenient, but they don't do much for our learning curves.

This is a great suggestion and written in a good spirit. I am going to try your Knocking on Heavens Door also because I never have been very happy with what I play on it, mostly just root notes.

[Rob Gerety]

I think the best thing you could possibly do is to get the melody in your head so you can hum it or sing it - then hunt and peck on your mandolin if need be to find each note. You'll learn a lot more doing it that way than you ever will using tabs - imho. Amazing slow downer is useful too. You can slow down a recording of the tune without changing the pitch.

[Ed Goist]

Hi Tim:

Let me start over - Welcome! It is always great to see new folks taking-up the mandolin. I'm pretty new also, having come over from guitar about three months ago. One of the neat things about playing an instrument is that, in a way, everyone is still learning regardless of skill set. There is always something new to learn. In a very real way we are all 'beginners'.

I think you've gotten lots of great suggestions and guidance so far! I really like Jon's 'Key of G' chord sequence, played with the strumming pattern recommended by Kevin in his video (strum pattern 'down-down-up' on each chord). Sounds really good!

Also, if you'd like to fool around a little with melody, play the song in the background while pickin' some of the notes in the G major scale (http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/scales/mandolin_G_major.htm). No right or wrong here...just play along using different riffs until you find something you really like.

Have fun!

Thanks;
Ed

[TimM]

Thanks guys, I am starting to get it down. With your help I am much better than I was a few days ago. I do appreciate the help.
t-

[Santiago]

Yeah. Learn the chords and sing along with them. Then find the notes you're singing. It's great training for your ears. You'll surprise yourself pleasantly with what you can do.