How to Play "Forever Young" by Bob Dylan on Guitar
About the Original
Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young” is a gentle folk ballad from his 1974 album “Planet Waves.” The original version features a relaxed, heartfelt vocal delivery and simple acoustic guitar accompaniment, making it an ideal piece for beginner guitarists to learn.
Chord Progression and Transitions
The song uses basic open chords: G, C, D, Em, and Bm. The only barre chord is Bm, which may challenge beginners. Practice moving between G, C, and D first, as these transitions occur frequently. To simplify, you can replace Bm with Bm7 (x20202) if full barre chords are difficult.
Strumming Pattern
A gentle, steady strumming pattern works best. Try: down, down-up, up-down-up for each measure. Keep the rhythm even and relaxed, matching the song’s reflective mood. For verses, play softly, and increase dynamics slightly in the chorus.
Tips for Playing
- When repeating chords (such as [C] [C] [C] [G]), keep your right hand moving to maintain timing.
- For smoother transitions, keep your ring finger anchored on the B string (3rd fret) when moving between G and C.
- Practice Bm separately, focusing on getting all strings to ring clearly.
- Listen to Dylan’s recording to internalize the song’s pacing and feel.
Summary
Keep the strumming light and focus on clean chord changes. The song’s heartfelt nature shines with simplicity, so don’t rush—take your time learning each section.