How to Play "Blowin' In The Wind" on Guitar

"Blowin' In The Wind" by Bob Dylan is a classic folk song often played with simple chords and a steady rhythm, making it ideal for beginners. The original version features Dylan’s distinctive acoustic guitar and harmonica, capturing the song’s gentle, contemplative mood.

Chords:
The song uses only three basic open chords: D, G, and A. These are among the first chords most guitarists learn, so if you're new, take time to practice switching between them smoothly.

Strumming Pattern:
A simple folk-style strumming pattern works well, such as down-down-up-up-down-up for each measure. Try to keep the rhythm even and relaxed; listen to Dylan’s original for reference. You can also use a basic down-stroke on each beat for a softer, more reflective mood.

The Dylan Touch (Advanced): Listen closely to Dylan's playing. He often uses a "bass-strum" technique. For a G chord, he'll pick the low G (6th) string on beat 1, then strum the rest of the chord on beat 2. This adds a wonderful, walking rhythm to the song.

Chord Transitions:
The chord changes often happen at the end of lines, especially moving from G to A to D. Practice moving between these three chords slowly at first, focusing on clear, clean sound.

Tips for Beginners:

• Keep your strumming hand moving gently, even if you miss a chord change, to maintain the song’s flow.
• Play with a capo on the 7th fret if you want to match Dylan’s original key and vocal range.
• Sing along as you play; this helps with timing and memorization.

Enjoy the process and let the simplicity of the song come through in your playing!