Matilda

by Alt J • Lesson #1 • Nov 10, 2013

Editor’s Notes

Here’s the first video lesson I ever posted on YouTube! Matilda by Alt-J. I was heavy into this album back in 2013 — this was one of many songs I had on repeat. At that same time, I had my first experience watching guitar lessons of any kind on YouTube… Justin and Marty were the two I remember seeing. I had been on YouTube many many times before, of course — but never had considered the possibility of watching (or making) guitar lessons. It fascinated me.

Given that I had experience with video editing (and was already learning a song every few weeks on the guitar) — I decided to experiment and make a few videos of my own. After all, I have a strange love for talking about & explaining things I’m really into. And so, this was the first video I made. Poorly lit, in the spare room deep in the basement of a house in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. Glad I made it, as it was the first step in getting to where I am now! —DP, July 2022

Free Video Lesson

Looking for a Print-Friendly Guide?

This is one of my few lessons that doesn't have a printable song sheet / PDF available. If you'd like to request I make one, let me know by clicking the button below! If there's enough demand I'll bump it toward the top of the list.

Click to Request

Notes and tabs

Guitar chords used

Nice and straightforward chords given the key of D. Here they are for guitar. I prefer playing the G with my ring finger draped on the low E string, muting the 5th string. This frees up my index and middle finger to riff on the higher strings, which I show in sections below.

e-|---2----3----0----0-----2----
B-|---3----0----2----0-----3----
G-|---2----0----2----0-----4----
D-|---0----0----2----2-----4----
A-|--------x----0----2-----2----
E-|--------3---------0----------
      D    G    A    Em    Bm

Approximating the guitar intro

To play the acoustic guitar intro as heard on the album version of the song, you’ll want to play something like this. Any basic fingerpicking pattern using the D chord will work here. The trick is adding your pinky on the 3rd fret (of the high string) at the right moment. Listen along, and play what works for you.

e-|---2----------2----------2----------2---3-----|--
B-|-----3---3------3---3------3---2------3---3---|--
G-|-------2----------2----------2----------------|--
D-|---0----------0----------0----------0---------|--  ...repeat this 4 times
A-|----------------------------------------------|--
E-|----------------------------------------------|--
      D

For the four bars of G that come after the D, I play it like this. Note, the G could very well be an Em chord here. I prefer playing a G, as it makes the transition to Em (at the start of the verse) much more profound.

e-|---3----------3----------3----------3---------|--
B-|-----0---0------0---0------0---0------0---0---|--
G-|-------0----------0----------0----------0-----|--
D-|----------------------------------------------|--  ...repeat this 2 times
A-|----------------------------------------------|--
E-|---3----------3----------3----------3---------|--
      G

An additional way to add some melodic voicing to the final measure of G in the intro / refrain is as follows. I play this by having my ring finger on the low E string, freeing up my middle finger to help with the 2nd fret voicing on the high E string. Listen along for reference! This shows only an approximation of the rhythm, and is more focused on the notes played.

e-|---3--x--------0---2---3---x---3---2------|---0--------3-----------
B-|---0--x--------------------x----------0---|---0--------0-----------
G-|---0--x--------------------x--------------|---0--------0-----------
D-|------------------------------------------|---2--------0-----------  etc
A-|------------------------------------------|---2--------x-----------
E-|---3--------------------------------------|---0--------3-----------
      G                                          Em       G
                                               "Just like Johnny Flynn said..."

How I Play the Bridge

You can surely play the bridge using the chords shown above in any standard fashion, with whatever strumming pattern you please. With that said, here is how I prefer to play it. I prefer to walk up the bassline, as shown here. This lets the bridge sound a bit more distinct from the verse and refrain.

e-|---------------------------------------------------------------|--
B-|---------------------------------------------------------------|--
G-|---------0-------------2------------0-----------------------2--|--
D-|-------2-------------0------------0-----------------------0----|--  ...etc
A-|-----2-------------0------------2-----------------------0------|--
E-|---0-------------2------------3-----------------------2--------|--
      Em           D/F#          G                      D/F#
           "And she needs you...        ...this is for Matilda..."

How I Play the Ending

Again, you can approach this however you want. I prefer to emphasize the top strings, moving downward to the lower frets from the higher ones. As shown below. Pick / strum the chords shown here however you want, but these are the positions I use.

e-|----5----------3------------2---2----|---5---------3------------2---2--|--
B-|----5----------3------------3---3----|---5---------3------------3---3--|--
G-|----6----------4------------2---2----|---6---------4------------2---2--|--
D-|----7----------5------------0---0----|---7---------5------------0---0--|--
A-|-------------------------------------|---------------------------------|--
E-|-------------------------------------|---------------------------------|--
       A          G            D   D        A         G            D   D
      "...This is for Matilda...           ...This is for Matilda..."

Unlock My Secret Stash!

Gain instant access to my library of 245 print-friendly cheat sheets! Also includes my extended video lessons, jam tracks, courses, and more.

Join Song Notes Premium

Have questions? Watch video tour »

Browse Related Lessons

Click any tag below to view other lessons I've made in that category:

Enjoy My Lessons? Show Your Support!

Most of the lessons on my website are 100% free. If you have the means, please show your support with a tip jar contribution. I put many hours into every lesson — but it only takes you a minute to make a donation. You have my thanks!

Donate

Looking for More Song Lessons?

Featured Courses

Fun & Helpful Tools I've Made

Fret Monster

Interactive fretboard map! See the patterns behind every scale in any key.

View

Capo Captain

An easy way to calculate key & chord combinations, for any capo location!

View

Key Master

See and hear the notes, chords, scales used in each of the most common keys.

View

Blank Tabs

Free PDF templates to download, print, and write out your own guitar tabs!

View

Coming soon is Jambox – which shows all the video jam tracks I've made. It's note quite ready for the spotlight, but check it out if you like!


Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Be sure to never miss a lesson by subscribing on YouTube. I put out 2-3 new videos every week. These include full song lessons, as well as covers, practice tips, behind-the-scenes updates. Thanks!


Recent Lessons

  • December 6, 2024

    "Our House" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

    Let's fingerpick this classic from CSNY! While it's originally a piano-driven song, I came up with a easy-going Key of C arrangement I think you'll enjoy.

  • November 28, 2024

    Thanksgiving Roundup: Improved Search, Vidami Coupon Code, and Melody Deep-Dives

    A collection of website & lesson updates from the past couple weeks, including a 20% discount code for Vidami pedals!

  • November 15, 2024

    "Scarlet Begonias" by Grateful Dead

    Let's dive into the 1974 classic from the Dead, with an acoustic-friendly arrangement using Key of G chords! I also show how you can include the catchy riffs wherever they occur, which is great way to channel the full spirit of this song.

  • November 12, 2024

    Does CAGED Help When Learning Songs?

    A quick audience Q&A video, where I talk about how CAGED helps (or does not help) when learning songs. Featuring the main riff from Scarlet Begonias by the Grateful Dead, which I'll be teaching soon!

  • November 8, 2024

    Rhythm Deep Dive: "Guitar Town" by Steve Earle

    Watch the process of me transcribing the rhtyhm of an incredibly tricky song! All shown in real time, in writing. Featuring "Guitar Town" by Steve Earle.

  • Nov 1, 2024

    Website Tour – November 2024

    A look at the state of the Song Notes website, as of November 2024. I've been working on more than just new lessons... check out the latest updates here!

  • Oct 24, 2024

    "Fast Car" - Strumming & Rhythm Guide!

    I've gotten a ton of emails asking how to strum Fast Car — here's a lesson showing 3 possible approaches! You can strum the whole song using what I teach, or combine this with the fingerstyle riff from lesson #494.

  • October 18, 2024

    CAGED - It's More Than Just Chords!

    Learn how each CAGED shape contains not only a chord, but also an arpeggio, pentatonic, and full diatonic scale! This is a must-know realization that'll level up any practice you do with these shapes.

Browse All Recent Lessons →

← back to homepage