Long Black Veil

by Johnny Cash • Lesson #523 • Nov 3, 2023

Description

In this video I’ll teach you how to play the classic country song Long Black Veil, originally recorded by Lefty Frizzell in 1959. My lesson teaches a Key of C version which draws inspiration primarily from Johnny Cash - who recorded this song many times in his career. In addition to teaching you the chords and basic strumming, I’ll show a few tips to help you mimic Cash’s distinctive alternating bass note strumming style – which sounds great in this song. This song is an all-time favorite of mine… I hope you enjoy!

  • 0:00 Playthrough & Lesson Summary
  • 2:55 Chords
  • 3:52 Verse & Chorus
  • 6:54 Chorus “C” Rhtyhm
  • 9:20 Strumming w/ Simple Bass Note Pattern
  • 13:58 Strumming w/ Alternating Bass Notes
  • 19:21 Add’l Tips & Advice

Lesson Discussion

Jump in the conversation with other members of the Song Notes community! Post a comment about this lesson, ask a question, or even upload a video of your progress. All skill levels welcome!

View Comments

Jump in the conversation with other members of the Song Notes community! Post a comment about this lesson, ask a question, or even upload a video of your progress. All skill levels welcome!

To access the community forum, upgrade to premium or log in.

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.com

Save 50% on this song sheet by applying the July 2024 code at Musicnotes checkout: TXB8387VDD (click to copy). Thanks for being a Premium supporter!

Song Notes Premium includes a 50% discount code you can use when buying any of my licensed song sheets. For the current month's code, upgrade to premium or log in.

Extended Video Lessons

Melody Deep-Dive

In this video I’ll shine a light on the vocal melody used in this song, showing you how to play it on your guitar in open position. I’ll also show how you can add simple strums to each measure, while also playing the melody. Likewise, I’ll show you how you can play Travis-style fingerpicking while playing the melody (similar to what I teach in lesson #455).

Only available to Premium members

Upgrade to Premium


Play-Along Practice Track

Here’s a 4-5 minute instrumental track that plays through the same progressions this song uses, with simple drums / bass / guitar to fill things out. If you’d like to practice strumming, lead guitar, or simply playing along to a steady beat (128bpm) - I suggest using this!

Only available to Premium members

Upgrade to Premium


Recorded Versions of Long Black Veil

Lefty Frizzell’s original 1959 recording

Johnny Cash’s 1965 Cover from “Orange Blossom Special”

Johnny Cash’s 2003 Cover from “Unearthed”

Dave Matthews & Emmylou Harris Duet (from 1999 Johnny Cash Tribute)

This duet was first introduction to Emmylou Harris, and likewise was probably the first time I’d ever heard the name Johnny Cash! I was a huge Dave Matthews fan during my college days (1999-2003) and I’m quite grateful he turned me on to so many great songs & artists.

Comparing 10 Versions of Long Black Veil


Unlock My Secret Stash!

Gain instant access to my library of 233 print-friendly cheat sheets! Also includes my extended video lessons, jam tracks, courses, and more.

Join Song Notes Premium

Have questions? Watch video tour »

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!

Donate

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

Key Master

See and hear the notes, chords, scales used in each of the most common keys.

View

Blank Tabs

Free PDF templates to download, print, and write out your own guitar tabs!

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

  • July 24, 2024

    Must-Know Strumming Patterns in 6/8 Time

    Learn how to strum any song in 6/8 time! Here's a collection of 8 must-know strumming patterns in that time signature, from beginning to advanced.

  • July 13, 2024

    "Wondering Why" by Red Clay Strays

    Let's learn how to play this easy-going, Southern-Rock hit! Plenty of strumming & rhythm tips, including a capo'd acoustic version if you want to avoid barre chords.

  • July 8, 2024

    Viewing Notes in a Certain Area of the Fretboard

    In my FretMonster web tool, you can now adjust the visible range of frets where notes appear. Great for less distraction while practicing. Check out this video tour!

  • June 21, 2024

    "Sultans of Swing" by Dire Straits

    A mega-lesson for this classic song! Learn a strummed version, how to incorporate the melody notes, and two ways to play it fingerstyle.

  • June 14, 2024

    "Have a Little Faith In Me" by John Hiatt

    Learn how to play Hiatt's 1987 classic! Just like his live performances, I'll teach it using capo 5 and the Key of C chord family.

  • June 6, 2023

    "And It's Still Alright" by Nathaniel Rateliff

    Learn Nathaniel Rateliff's amazingly powerful song from 2020! I include a few different strumming & riff options to make sure you're covered.

  • June 1, 2024

    Introduction to Reggae Strumming & Rhythm

    Let's dive into playing reggae on the guitar! I'll walk you through the basics, from off-beat accents to muted strums — with a few fun song exercises included.

  • May 20, 2024

    What Types of Play-Along Covers are Most Helpful?

    Most of my song lessons feature backing tracks or play-along covers — and I'd love your feedback about which aspect of these is most helpful!

  • May 10, 2024

    "Wichita Lineman" by Glen Campbell

    Let's dive into Glen Campbell's all-time classic from 1968, originally written by Jimmy Webb. I teach this with capo 5th fret, using easier-to-manage Key of C chords.

  • May 1, 2024

    Tour of My New "KeyMaster" Web Tool

    My new interactive web tool lets you see and hear the notes, chords, and common progressions in all of the most common keys. Super helpful!

  • April 24, 2024

    13 Must-Know Riffs with Droning Strings

    A handy roundup of all the songs I've taught that use droning strings... with a quick breakdown of each riff!

  • April 18, 2024

    "Moonshadow" by Cat Stevens

    Learn how to play Cat Stevens' 1971 classic! I include campfire-friendly chords and strumming, and a step-by-step breakdown of the intro fingerstyle riff.

Browse All Recent Lessons →

Browse All My Lessons

By lesson type

By technique

By musical genre

By decade

By musical key

By popular artist


← back to homepage