← Prev Song Next Song →

Crowded Table

by The Highwomen • Lesson #519 • Oct 8, 2023

In this guitar lesson, I’ll teach you how to play Crowded Table by The Highwomen (2019). This is a song that only requires basic chords and straight-forward strumming, both of which I’ll explain for the verse, chorus, bridge, and intro. While there’s no fancy guitar parts in this song, the timing can be a bit tricky - so I’ll explain that in careful detail.

Special thanks to Song Notes members Nathanael and Kaylyn for requesting this one – I hope y’all find it helpful!

0:00 Playthrough
2:05 Lesson Summary
3:08 Capo & Chords
4:01 Timing & Rhythm
5:41 Verse Strumming
8:14 Chorus Strumming
10:17 Bridge & Intro
13:11 About The Highwomen
14:47 Add’l Lesson Resources

Lesson Discussion

Print-Friendly Song Sheet 2 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.com

Extended Video Lessons

Vocal Melody

If you, like me, need help with figuring out the exact notes to sing - this video will help you out! I go through the verse, chorus, and bridge melodies. Knowing these precise notes can help you listen, sing, and adjust your vocal pitch to get things just right.

If you’re curious where these notes are coming from - it’s the G major scale (for the verse & chorus) and G mixolydian scale (for the bridge). See my Key of G cheat sheet for a writeup of both of these scales.

Play-Along Practice

Here’s a beginning-to-end playthrough of the entire song, where I demonstrate how to combine everything I teach in my main lesson. Feel free to play-along with me, if you wish!

Recorded Versions of Crowded Table

The Highwomen Album Recording

The first 25 seconds is a rehearsal clip, after which the “official” album recording begins.

Natalie Hemby’s Solo Acoustic Version

I had to include this as well, as Natalie Hemby is the one who originally began writing this song (before being asked to join The Highwomen). Note, she’s playing this with her capo in a different position, and using slightly modified versions of some chords (e.g. her C major is a Cadd9).

Browse Related Lessons

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

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

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

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 1, 2023

First Steps with Doc Watson's "Deep River Blues"

Here's a getting started guide to learning this fingerstyle classic from Doc Watson. I'll guide you, step-by-step, through the necessary chords, picking, and strumming skills needed.
November 22, 2023

10 Years of Song Notes... Thanks to You!

A few quick words of gratitude for all the support & encouragement you all have given me over the past ten years!
November 17, 2023

Guitar Finger Exercises for Flexibility, Control, Speed, and more

Here's a handful of my favorite exercises to help with finger independence. Whether you're a beginner or been at it for years, baking these into your practice routine can pay off big time!
November 10, 2023

Lead Guitar Improvisation Tips (feat. Wagon Wheel)

Learn how to improvise, step-by-step! I'll show how you can play countless riffs over a small cluster of notes on the thinnest three strings. Tons of fun!
November 5, 2023

Travis Picking Training Wheels (ft. Hayes Carll)

I showcase a short & fun fingerstyle riff, where I demonstrate the "training wheels" trick you can use to simplify any Travis Picking pattern.
November 4, 2023

Strumming with Alternating Bass Notes

Learn how to strum any of the most common chords using alternating bass notes – which is an essential technique often used in country, rock, and folk songs.
November 3, 2023

Long Black Veil

Learn to play Lefty Frizzell's 1959 country classic in the style of Johnny Cash! Includes alternating bass note strumming tips & a melody deep-dive.
October 28, 2023

St James Infimary Blues

A refresh for my 2019 lesson teaching this blues classic! I updated my PDF guide and added four new zoomed-in playthroughs, showing tabs on screen.
October 21, 2023

Fingerstyle Patterns for All Chords (using Travis Picking)

I've taught tons of lessons using Travis-style fingerpicking, but haven't ever put together a cheat sheet showing patterns for every common chord... until now!
October 16, 2023

Soulful Lead Guitar Licks over "Amazing Grace"

Learn how to combine simple strumming with beginner-friendly lead guitar licks while playing this classic song! Slow playthrough video & jam tracks included.

Crowded Table

Lesson Discussion

Print-Friendly Song Sheet 2 pages