Simon&garfunkel:theboxer

As Paul Simon announces his farewell tour we take a look at Rockschool’s Grade 6 arrangement of this fingerstyle classic

Originally appearing on Simon & Garfunkel’s classic Bridge over Troubled water album, The Boxer has been covered by many artists, from Bob Dylan and Joan Baez to Mumford & Sons, who recorded a version with Paul Simon himself. The fingerstyle pattern has the lower strings pounding out the roots and 5ths of the chords – an approach often referred to as ‘Travis picking’ after the great country player Merle Travis.

Rockschool’s arrangement maintains this bass pattern and the harmony is filled out on the treble strings. The best way to practise is to go slowly – after all, you are programming your fingers to ‘remember’ the movements, so the slower and steadier you go, the easier it is. If you’re unsure of where the notes fall rhythmically, remember that each bar of music can be counted as ‘1& 2& 3& 4 &’ and every note synchs up with this count.