Learn Cinnamon Girl by Neil Young in this Guitar Lesson

In this post, I'll be unraveling the secrets behind one of Neil Young's most iconic tunes, "Cinnamon Girl." You'll learn how to master the iconic licks, tuning, rhythms, progressions, and I'll even cover some tone tips too in this step-by-step lesson.

Who wrote Cinnamon Girl?

"Cinnamon Girl" was written by Canadian-American singer and songwriter Neil Young.

The song debuted on the album Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, in 1969 featuring the backing band Crazy Horse.

The song was later released as a single and went to #55 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1970.

The track features Young on guitar and lead vocals. Plus Danny Whitten, also on guitar, Billy Talbot on bass, and Ralph Molina on drums. 

What tuning is Cinnamon Girl in?

The guitar part for “Cinnamon Girl” is in a double-drop d tuning. This is accomplished by tuning down the 6th string and the 1st string on the guitar 1 whole step from standard tuning.

6th string: E = D (1 whole step down)

5th string: A = A

4th string: D = D

3rd string: G = G

2nd string: B = B

1st string: E = D (1 whole step down)

Main Riff

Once you are in double-drop d tuning you can play big chords on the top 4 strings with just one finger. The main riff starts off with a bar on the top four strings at the 5th fret and then moves up to the 7th fret right away like this:

For the rhythm, I would use an alternating strumming pattern and play:

DUDU     UD
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +

Then in bar 2 move to the 3rd fret on the 5th string and the open 4th string. From there we will walk down to play power chords on the bass strings at the 3rd and 5th frets. 

This is a beautiful thing about being in drop d you can play power chords on the bass strings with only one finger. And in double-drop d you can also play full major chords on the top 3 and 4 strings. So you have chords easily accessible on the bass strings AND the treble strings.

For the second measure, I use all-down strums. 

When you feel comfortable try putting them together like this:

Verse

The verse is a 6-bar section that repeats. The first 4 bars use open-position chords and then from there we connect in the main riff. For the verse, you’ll need to know 4 chords D5, Am(add4), Cadd9, and G/B. Here’s how I would play each one.

D5 is played like a typical D chord however here we are going to leave open the 1st string. 

Am(add4) is played like a typical Am chord however in this tuning the open 1st string is the 4th of the chord, so that is why it’s called an Am(add4):

Cadd9 is played like a typical C chord yet again the open 1st string is now the 9th of this chord:

And finally, G/B is played like this:

Strumming Pattern

Once the chord shapes are starting to feel comfortable next try adding in a little rhythm with the chords. As a basic groove for this song, I would use an eighth-note strumming pattern. For this, my strum hand is going to alternate back and forth down and then up.

Try it on the Cadd9 like this: 

Rhythmically you can count this out like this:

DUDUDUDU
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +

Just keep that strum hand moving back and forth. (see the video above for a demonstration)

From there you can add a little accent on the 1 and the “and” of 2 like this:

DUDUDUDU
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +

Once you have the riff and this strumming pattern together try following this progression:

D5 (1 bar)

Am(add4) (1 bar)

Cadd9 (1 bar)

G/B (1 bar)

Riff (2 bars)

Guitar Solo

The guitar solo in this song is primarily based around one note, D! This is often played as a double-stop on the 1st and 2nd strings like this:

The master scale used to solo over this would be the D minor pentatonic scale which can be played like this in the open position:

How to Get a Neil Young Style Guitar Tone

To get a great guitar tone for Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl," you'll want to capture that distinctive and raw rock sound. Here are a few tips to help you get the right guitar tone:

• Amp Selection: Opt for a tube amplifier if possible, as it can add warmth and richness to your tone. Look for amps with a classic rock or British-style sound to replicate the desired vibe.
• Drive and Distortion: Neil Young's guitar tone in "Cinnamon Girl" features a gritty, overdriven sound. Experiment with different levels of gain and distortion on your amp or pedals to find the right balance of crunch and sustain.
• EQ Settings: Adjust your amp's eq to enhance the midrange frequencies, as they play a crucial role in capturing the song's signature sound. Boosting the mids while slightly scooping the bass and treble can help achieve that classic Neil Young tone.
• Pickup Selection: If you have a guitar with multiple pickups, try using the bridge or bridge/middle pickup combination. These positions tend to deliver a brighter and more biting tone, which aligns well with "Cinnamon Girl's" character.
• Reverb: Adding a touch of reverb can help create depth and space in your guitar tone. Consider using a subtle amount to enhance the overall ambiance, especially during the lead sections.

Remember, Neil Young's tone in "Cinnamon Girl" is characterized by its rawness and imperfections. Don't be afraid to experiment and make adjustments until you achieve a sound that resonates with you. Let your personal interpretation shine through.

Conclusion:

By putting these elements together, you've unlocked a gateway to capturing the essence of this timeless classic. The strumming patterns and soloing techniques we've explored have provided you with the tools to add your own personal touch and infuse your playing with the spirit of Neil Young.

And let's not forget about the importance of tone. By following these tips, you've learned how to dial in a killer rock guitar tone.

Embrace the rawness and imperfections that define Neil Young's playing and for another great rock guitar lesson check out “Tush” next!