Simple Twist of Fate
by Bob Dylan • Lesson #351 • Feb 12, 2021
In today’s lesson I’ll teach you how to play Simple Twist of Fate, the classic from Bob Dylan’s 1975 album Blood on the Tracks. I’m teaching things with a simplified approach: no capo, standard tuning, and using Key of E chord shapes. This is all slightly different than Dylan’s approach (open-D-tuning, capo 2, Key of D chords). Ultimately, my aim is to make this song accessible to those of us more comfortable in standard tuning.
- 0:00 Preview & lesson summary
- 1:49 Notes on tuning, capo, and key
- 2:50 Chord shapes & basic progression
- 9:31 Basic strumming
- 11:50 Playthrough (basic strum, with tab)
- 13:42 Advanced strumming
- 17:10 Playthrough (adv strum, with lyrics)
Licensed Song Sheet 3 pages
Follow along with my print-friendly guide for this song! It’s available for purchase at Musicnotes.com, the web’s leading provider of licensed sheet music.
On the fence? Here's a guide I made showing the purchase & print process, including answers to common questions about my song sheets.
Buy at Musicnotes.comMore Notes about Capo, Tuning, and Key
As I note above, Dylan does not play the song the way I am showing! He’s using capo 2nd fret, in open D tuning (D-A-D-F#-A-D). Maybe I’ll make a lesson for playing this song that way someday, but again – that’s not what I’m doing in my lesson.
If you’re interested in an Open D lesson, see this excellent tutorial from Joe’s Guitar Lessons on YouTube. Thanks to John W. for sending in this video!
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!
Looking for More Song Lessons?
Featured Courses
Fun & Helpful Tools I've Made
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
-
November 8, 2024
Rhythm Deep Dive: "Guitar Town" by Steve Earle
-
Nov 1, 2024
Website Tour – November 2024
-
Oct 24, 2024
"Fast Car" - Strumming & Rhythm Guide!
-
October 18, 2024
CAGED - It's More Than Just Chords!
-
October 3, 2024
Kris Kristofferson's "Me and Bobby McGee"
-
September 27, 2024
Paul Simon Fingerstyle with "59th Street Bridge Song"
-
September 20, 2024
Fingerstyle & Travis Picking Lesson Roundup!
-
September 13, 2024
"Rebel Rouser" - 1950s Lead Guitar Lesson