Learn to Play "Hold On" by Tom Waits on the Guitar

In this lesson, we'll learn how to play Hold On by Tom Waits on the guitar. We'll explore the song's chord progression, strumming pattern and how to adapt it to suit different vocal ranges. This song's beautiful melodies and soulful lyrics make it a classic you'll love learning!

The Basics

The original song is played in an open position, which is perfect if you have a low, husky voice like Tom Waits. But don't worry if you can't sing that low - I can't either! We'll see how to use a capo on the 3rd fret to adjust the song to your own vocal register. If you wish to play along with the recording, you should move the capo a little higher or take it off entirely. Remember, the chords are the same—it's just the pitch that changes!

Strumming and Tone

We're going to take a simple approach to strumming with continuous eighth notes. I recommend not using a pick as it can sound a bit harsh for this soft, ballad-style song. Instead, I prefer to use the fleshy part of my thumb for a round, quiet sound that does this beautiful song justice. So, all you need to do is keep the strumming continuous in a '1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and' rhythm.

Chord Progression

The chord progression for Hold On is refreshingly simple, making it a great song for both beginners and experienced guitarists. The song starts off with a D chord for the intro and follows a sequence of D, G, D, G, D, G, D, G, D, G, E minor, G, D. This sequence forms the backbone of the song, but the beauty of this piece is in its flexibility. If you want to linger on a chord a bit longer or feel the song needs a break at a certain point, you can do that. This song is not strictly symmetrical, and that's part of its charm.

Playing Along with the Record

If you're feeling confident and want to play along with the record, grab your songbook and follow along. I've written out one chord for each type of bar that the chord is played. This way, you can understand the song's rhythm and structure. But remember, music is an art form, and you can make it your own. If you feel like adding an extra bar of D, go right ahead!

Wrapping Up

I hope you enjoy this lesson for Hold On. Tom Waits is a masterful songwriter, and if you're not familiar with his work, I highly recommend checking it out. With a little practice, you'll be able to play this beautiful song with ease. Remember, learning an instrument is a journey, and the most important thing is to enjoy the process. So, pick up your guitar, watch the video, and let's make some music!

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Note that the original is actually played in drop D and on electric guitar. You can use the same accent pattern, with a bit more palm mute and letting some notes ring through and with a little reverb it sounds awesome! The chord grips if in drop D become:

D = 0 0 4 2 3 2
G = 5 x 0 0 0 3
Em = 2 2 2 0 0 0
A = x 0 2 2 2 0 (standard)