August 2020 Live Lesson - "Rainbow Connection" (Patreon)

{$5+ Patron-only post --> now available for all Patrons!}

Aloha Patrons!  

I'll see you today, Thursday, August 20 at 5:30pm Pacific Time for our monthly Live Lesson. If you click on the video above, you’ll see a countdown for your time zone. (Find all Patron events on our Patron Google calendar). 

Tune in here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyPp2nXt0qI 

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This month, I'll teach "Rainbow Connection"

Many Patrons have been requesting this song for a long time, and I'm happy to finally have an arrangement to teach.  During the tumult of the pandemic back in April, I was moved to see this video of Kermit sharing his most famous song (as a self-taped shelter in place video, which is adorable).  After I played it in a 5@5, a fan who was an essential worker and deeply affected by the pandemic reached out to say how much comfort the song gave him.  It's a song that has taken me a long time to understand.  Now that I live in the land of rainbows, I'm surrounded by magic, and the magic of believing is more important than ever. 

I'll teach a basic version of the arrangement first for beginners, which stays in the same key (which is the key of G.  Kermit plays in the key of A, so capo 2 frets to play the same key as him).  I will also walk through the advanced version of the song, which moves up half a key for the last verse through the end, which is the way Kermit plays it.  This key change introduces lots of new chords, so it's a good opportunity to beef up your chord repertoire and not for the faint of heart (or finger strength!).  I present this advanced option as a challenge for those who seek it.  Beginners are encouraged to ignore the advanced chords entirely. :)

You can hear my arrangement of the song in my 5@5 Live show last night, which you can watch here.  It's the 2nd song in the set. 

Reminder - we'll warm up with last month's Live Lesson song at the start of our time together. Watch the July 2020 Live Lesson on "Lean on Me" if you’d like to review.  

Download the Chord Chart

Please look for the orange PDF link below - the PDF should download immediately when you click on it.   

A note about our monthly Live Lessons

My goal is to teach and arrange a lesson that is interesting for all levels.  I will walk through the lesson by starting with beginner-level strumming, and gradually layer on more challenging options for advanced players.

I encourage you to play at your level, and embrace your own pace of incrementally leveling up. You can re-watch the lesson as many times as you like.  Grasp the basics on the first go-round, and each time you review, you'll pick up new tips and techniques. You can use this method to become a better student and better learner - by building more awareness and more patience. :)

How to Watch Live

1. Click on this direct link to the lesson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyPp2nXt0qI 

For those who are new, please note this is a private link, intended for Patrons only.

2. Log in to YouTube to join the live chat, and please say hello!  I can't see that you're watching unless you chat.  If you have trouble using chat on a mobile device/ tablet, you may want to try on a desktop or laptop browser.  

3. Feel free to post your questions to me, or to the community.

How to Watch Later

1. Watch the video linked above (it's the same as the live link).

2. Feel free to post your comments and questions below.  

Is this your first Live Lesson?  Check out these Tips for Live Lessons from Patron Mark Pierce: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-guest-for-23871916 

Thanks. I look forward to seeing you online!

xo cynthia

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See all previous Live Lessons