Premium
VIP
Beta Tester
This is America
by Childish Gambino • Lesson #152 • May 8, 2018
Video lesson
Print-friendly Song Sheet
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... it's always great to hear which lessons have the most interest.
Overview
The tabs below show an easy, simplified, accessible version of the acoustic riff you hear in this song. I’m not pretending this is “exactly” how it’s played in the actual song - but it’s close enough, and I think quite beginner friendly compared to what is actually being played.
Simplified riff, variation 1 of 2
E |––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|–
B |––––––––1–––––––––1–––––––3p1–––––|––––––––––––––––––––––––––1––––––––|–
G |––––––2–––––2–––––––2–––––––––2–––|––––––––3–––––––––3–––––––––––0––––|–
D |––3–––––––––––3–––––––3–––––––––––|––––––2–––––2–––––––2––––––––––––––|–
A |––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|––3–––––––––––3–––––––3––––––––––––|–
E |––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|–
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
F C7
Simplified riff, variation 2 of 2
E |––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|–
B |––––––––1–––––––––1–––––––3p1–––––|–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|–
G |––––––2–––––2–––––––2–––––––––2–––|––––––––3–––––––––3–––––––5––––0–––|–
D |––3–––––––––––3–––––––3–––––––––––|––––––5–––––5–––––––5––––––––––––––|–
A |––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|––3–––––––––––3–––––––3––––––––––––|–
E |––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|–
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
F C7
Understanding chord shapes
No matter which of the two variations you’re playing (above), understand that it’s ideal to position your left hand into the chord shapes below. I show both C7 variations here - use the first position for variation 1 (easier), and the second position for variation 2 (a bit tougher because you’re barring part of the 3rd string).
E –––––––––––––––––––––
B –––1–––––1–––––5–––––
G –––2–––––3–––––3–––––
D –––3–––––2–––––5–––––
A –––––––––3–––––3–––––
E –––––––––––––––––––––
F C7 C7
Thanks for reading!
I sincerely hope this was helpful. If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to let me know.
Browse Related Lessons
Click any tag below to view other lessons I've made in that category:
About Song Notes
Hey there! My name is David Potsiadlo, and I'm the creator of the 400+ weekly lessons here at Song Notes, going back to 2013. Here’s my guitar story »
Get Free Lessons Each Week!
Join the 20,000+ readers who get my new lessons dropped in their inbox each week. I teach a fun mix of songs, weekly riffs, practice ideas, and more!
Enjoy my lessons? Buy me a beer!
If this and my other lessons have proven helpful to you, please consider making a one-time donation to my tip jar. Contributions of any amount help make this project possible (including the many, many hours I put into it).
Fun & Helpful Tools I've Made
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
-
June 3, 2023
Pentatonic Fun with Billy Strings' "Lonely At The Top" Riff
-
June 2, 2023
Major Pentatonic Scales in Open Position
-
May 27, 2023
"Fast Car" Riff, Explained Step-by-Step!
-
May 23, 2023
Uncle John's Band
-
May 16, 2023
Learn the Percussive Slap Strum, Step by Step
-
May 12, 2023
Tips for Writing Guitar Tabs (on Paper and iPad)
-
May 8, 2023
First Steps with the "Amie" Intro Riff
-
May 3, 2023
Easy-Going Fingerstyle Blues! A Step-by-Step Guide.