Simon & Garfunkel - Mrs. Robinson - Guitar Lesson

About Mrs. Robinson

Few songs in Folk Rock pack as much rhythmic drive into an acoustic guitar part as "Mrs. Robinson." The signature picking pattern in E major sits at a brisk 128 BPM, so your right hand needs to be both precise and relaxed: the thumb drives a steady bass line while the fingers pick a syncopated pattern on the treble strings. Getting those two layers independent of each other is the real challenge, especially at full tempo. In E Standard tuning, the open low E string anchors everything, and Paul Simon leans on first-position chord shapes with quick hammer-ons that give the part its bouncy, almost nervous energy. Start by isolating just the bass-note pattern, then layer in the treble picking gradually. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop the verse figure slowed down until the thumb and fingers stop fighting each other. Simon & Garfunkel recorded this with a very clean, percussive acoustic tone, so letting each note ring clearly is as important as nailing the rhythm.

• The picking pattern combines an independent thumb bass line with syncopated finger-picked treble notes, making right-hand independence the primary technical hurdle.
• At 128 BPM in E Standard tuning, the verse riff uses first-position E major shapes with hammer-ons to create its characteristic bouncy feel.
• Practise the bass line alone before adding the treble pattern: looping it slowed down in the Practice Toolbar will help the two layers lock together cleanly.