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First Call

by (traditional) • Lesson #236 • May 4, 2019

Video lesson

Instructional PDF 2 pages

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It includes all of my notes for this lesson, allowing you to follow along at your own pace. You're free to download, print, and share the PDF across your devices.

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Editor’s notes

Hey friends! In this lesson I’ll teach you a few easy acoustic guitar versions of “First Call”, the very recognizable bugle call used in the military and at horse races. This melody only uses four notes, and can be played with your left hand staying (mostly) still in a single chord position. I’ll show you a few ways to play it using different chord voicings, and likewise explain ways you can pull this melody out of any chord shape you may play going forward. I hope you enjoy!

Video timestamps:

  • 0:00 Playthrough & agenda
  • 0:51 Riff in key of D (2-3-2)
  • 3:06 Riff in key of A (9-10-9)
  • 4:04 Cool tip #1 (sliding the D-shape)
  • 4:51 Cool tip #2 (using the E-shape)
  • 5:47 Cool tip #3 (intervals & fretboard)
  • 7:37 Farewell

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