Song Tabs

 Neil Young’s original "Old Man" features a blend of acoustic guitar, banjo, and pedal steel, with a gentle folk-rock feel. The song’s laid-back tempo and open chords make it accessible for beginner guitarists.

Chord Progressions and Transitions
The main chords are D, Dsus4, Dm7, F, C, G, Am, Am7, Em, and E7.
Focus on smooth transitions between D, Dsus4, and Dm7 during the intro and outro. Practice moving your pinky and middle fingers to alternate between D and Dsus4, and add your pinky for Dm7.

Strumming Pattern
A simple down-down-up-up-down-up pattern works well. During verses, keep your strumming light and even, emphasizing the first beat of each bar. For choruses, strum a bit louder to match the song’s dynamics.

Tips for Beginners
Practice switching between C, F, and G, as these changes can be tricky. For the F chord, use the easier Fmaj7 shape if barre chords are difficult. When moving from Am7 to E7 and G in the chorus, keep your hand relaxed to transition smoothly.

Techniques
Try light palm muting for a softer sound in verses. Listen to the original recording to match the feel. Keep the tempo steady, and let the chords ring out during the outro for a reflective mood.

Take it slow, focus on clean chord changes, and enjoy playing this classic tune!