Premium
VIP
Beta Tester
Dublin Blues
by Guy Clark • Lesson #445 • Jul 14, 2022
In today’s lesson I’ll teach you how to play Dublin Blues, the Guy Clark classic from 1995. This is a three chord song (D, G, and A) where we’ll have a capo on the 2nd fret – but we’ll only put the capo on the thinnest five strings. This gives us a tuning similar to Drop D, where the D-major chord is played with all six strings (e.g. 000232) — but the G and A major are played like normal, which is great! I’ll teach you the chords, break down the intro riff step by step, and show you a few options for strumming. Enjoy!
Free Video Lesson
Timestamps:
- 0:00 Playthrough
- 1:17 Chord Shapes
- 1:55 Intro: Bass Notes
- 5:25 Intro: Adding Basic Strums
- 8:37 Intro: Adding Full Strums
- 10:37 Strumming (Verse & Chorus)
- 16:07 Adding an Optional D-Riff
- 19:03 About the Texas Chili Parlor
Licensed Song Sheet 4 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.comLesson Discussion
Guy Clark Performing This Song
Album version:
Live version from Austin City Limits:
Additional Tuning and Capo Notes
To the ear, this song is in the Key of E (using the chords E, A, and B). But by adding a capo on the 2nd fret, we’re able to use the chords D, G, and A. This is what I do in my lesson, and likewise what Guy Clark does when he plays it. With regard to tuning and how you apply the capo, you have a few options.
Option 1: Stay in Standard Tuning, Capo 2nd Fret on thinnest 5 Strings
I suggest playing this song with a capo (2nd fret) across the thinnest 5 strings only, while keeping the strings tuned to standard tuning (EADGBe). This lets you play a D chord using all six strings, while also playing the G chord like you normally would. Best of both worlds! This is what I recommend, and likewise what I use in my main video lesson.
** e --2---3---0--
** B --3---0---2--
** G --2---0---2--
** D --0---0---2--
** A --0---2---0--
E --0---3------
D G A
Option 2: Tune Thinnest String Down to D, Capo 2nd Fret on thinnest 5 Strings
To play it exactly like Guy Clark, use the same 5-string capo approach as above (2nd fret), but also tune the thinnest string down a whole step, to a D. This modifies the chord voicings slightly, as shown below. Note, I don’t think you need to use this approach — as option #1 shown above gets the job done just fine, especially if you’re just getting started with things.
** d --0---0---2--
** B --3---0---2--
** G --2---0---2--
** D --0---0---2--
** A --0---2---0--
E --0---3------
D G A
Option 3: Drop-D Tuning, Capo 2nd Fret on all 6 Strings
You can also play this song with typical Drop-D tuning, along with a capo on the 2nd fret (across all strings). For the G chord, use your left ring finger on the 5th fret note. That same finger can mute the 5th string, so it doesn’t make a sound. Meanwhile, put your left index finger on the 3rd fret note (thinnest string).
** e --2---3---0--
** B --3---0---2--
** G --2---0---2--
** D --0---0---2--
** A --0---x---0--
** D --0---5------
D G A
Additional Lessons To Help With This Song
Here’s instructional lessons I’ve made teaching concepts that are useful in this song.
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!
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 15, 2024
"Scarlet Begonias" by Grateful Dead
-
November 12, 2024
Does CAGED Help When Learning Songs?
-
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"