Video Lesson
A big thanks to Mark Easley who created this video guitar lesson on the “Sounds of Silence”. Mark has a lot more awesome guitar videos over at his YouTube page, so be sure to check it out when you have time.
If you search online for chords and lessons on how to play this song, you will most certainly find a difference of opinion on the correct way to play it.
You can play this song with the Capo on the fourth or sixth fret and it sounds nice both ways. I have a live recording of this song and it sounds like Paul is using a capo (Don’t have a capo? Not sure what a capo is? Follow this link to read a post I did on the Capo not too long ago.It will explain what a capo is and how to use one with video demonstrations.) on the sixth fret, but I could be wrong.
This song uses a finger picking (finger style) technique. This may be a bit challenging if you have no experience with fingerpicking. Mark does a really good job of explaining the fingerpicking technique in the video below. If the finger style technique proves to be too difficult for you at this time, you can simply strum the chords and the song will still sound nice.
The chord shapes you will need to know are: Am , G Major, F Major and C Major.
As Performed By Simon and Garfunkel
Additional Resources
Click here for more information on this song from Wikipedia
Sounds of Silence Chords & Lyrics
Download Simon & Garfunkel Song from iTunes
Tom N on Sun, 19th Oct 2008 4:20 am
Hi this is the first time I have found this site and I like the way you teach this song NO BS some of the guys talk to much and show vary little.
Can you show me how to play PINE POUND HAMMER ?
rserpe on Tue, 4th Nov 2008 8:54 pm
Thank you for your comment. I appreciate that. I am not too familiar with this song. But, I found this break down of the song that may help you along.
http://www.flatpick.com/blues/9lblesson.htm
René on Sun, 7th Mar 2010 9:51 pm
Hey thanks for the help I appreciate the time and effort put into this site its really nice and I see my guitar skills growing.
rserpe on Sun, 7th Mar 2010 11:45 pm
Hi Rene,
You are most welcome! I am thrilled to hear you are enjoying the site and that your guitar skills are improving.
Bonnie on Sun, 13th Feb 2011 5:41 pm
1. Thank you – I’m just learning to play guitar, so these lessons are much appreciated
2. You’re right – if you look about 12 secs. into the live recording, he’s using a capo on the 6th fret