About This Lesson

In this lesson I’ll teach you to fingerpick the intro to Dust in the Wind by Kansas. This 16-measure sequence is an all-timer classic rock intro, and for the most part it’s built around variations of two chord shapes: C major and A minor. My lesson walks you through the various chord voicings used, then show you how to tackle the fingerstyle step-by-step. This gets your foot in the door with this song’s intro, helping you build confidence with some semi-simplified arrangements while working toward the full version. Let’s get into it!

• 0:00 Lesson Overview
• 1:23 Step 1: Just the Chords
• 4:21 Step 2: Bouncing Bass Notes
• 7:45 Step 3: Syncopation
• 9:29 Step 4: Intermediate Version
• 11:44 Step 5: Full Version
• 12:46 Additional Tips

Practice Notes 6 pages

Lesson Discussion

Extended Video Lessons

Here’s a few extra videos, made in thanks to those supporting me with Premium membership here on my Song Notes website. To those showing your support, you have my true thanks and appreciation — and I hope you find these additional videos helpful!

Slow Playthrough, Part 1: Chords Only

Start with this! Get your left hand familiar with all the chord shapes & transitioning between them smoothly. Things will only get trickier once we introduce fingerstyle, so be sure to set a good foundation.

Slow Playthrough, Part 2: Alternating Bass Notes

Once you know the chords, practice alternating your right thumb between the 5th and 4th string. You’ll need to do this constantly. In this playthrough, I go through the 16 measures twice… first with the third string note included, the second time without this third string note. This third string note is not necessary, but it fills things out nicely.

Slow Playthrough, Part 3: Adding Syncopation

After you’re comfortable with the alternating bass notes, practice bringing in a syncopated note on the off-beat. Start by adding it on the “+” count between the 3 and 4. We’ll add more in the next step, but this is a great starting point.

Slow Playthrough, Part 4: Intermediate Version

This adds a second syncopated note for each chord. This version sounds almost like the Kansas recording, but is a bit easier to play since we’re skipping out on the final syncopated note in each measure.

Slow Playthrough, Part 5: Full Version

Finally, we have the full Kansas version. This one requires you to transition between chords very quickly, as you’re picking the second string on the “+” just before each 1 count. If you can manage, great! If not, fall back to the previous version.

Related and Recommended

Here’s some of the lessons I’ve made tackling the tips & techniques used throughout this song. Brushing up on these will absolutely help you get up to speed with the Travis fingerstyle technique used.

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