Song Tabs

“It’s Raining Here This Morning” is a gentle, melancholic bluegrass song by Norman Blake and Tony Rice, featuring acoustic guitar and heartfelt vocals. The original is performed at a relaxed tempo with a strong emphasis on melody and clear chord changes, making it approachable for beginners.

How to Play on Guitar
The song uses basic open chords: G, C, and D, which are ideal for new players. Practice switching between these chords smoothly, especially the G to D and C to G transitions. For the intro and instrumental breaks, simply strum the chords as indicated, letting each ring out for a measure.

For strumming, a classic country/bluegrass pattern fits well: try a simple “down, down-up, up-down-up” strum for each measure. Keep your wrist loose, and emphasize the bass note of the chord slightly on the first down strum. Listen to the original recording to match the laid-back groove.

During verses and chorus, pay attention to chord changes that often come at the end of lines, especially when moving from G to D and back. Take it slowly at first, ensuring clean transitions before increasing speed. For the “instrumental” sections, maintain the same strumming pattern to keep the rhythm steady.

If you want to sound closer to the original, play with a flatpick and consider occasional light bass runs between chord changes, but this is optional for beginners. The song’s steady pace and familiar chords make it an excellent practice piece for building confidence and rhythm skills.