Wind Cries Mary Guitar Lesson (Jimi Hendrix)

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Jimi Hendrix was one of the greatest rhythm guitar players ever.

Now sure he came out onstage and did circus stunts like playing guitar solos with his teeth and behind his back.

But too often his rhythm playing gets overlooked.

The truth is, Hendrix changed the game in this area as well.

He combined the influences of players like Curtis Mayfield and Cornell Dupree and had some of the most beautiful and inventive rhythm guitar playing you’ll ever hear.

Today I want to share an example of this with you in this Wind Cries Mary guitar lesson.

Who originally wrote The Wind Cries Mary?

"The Wind Cries Mary" is a blues rock ballad written by Jimi Hendrix. He wrote the song as a reconciliatory love song for his girlfriend in London, Kathy Etchingham. The song was originally titled "Katherine" before Hendrix changed it to "The Wind Cries Mary."

This groovy song was recorded at Studio One in London in July 1967. It was produced by Chas Chandler and engineered by Eddie Kramer. "The Wind Cries Mary" was released on the Jimi Hendrix Experience album Are You Experienced.

"The Wind Cries Mary" has been ranked number 379 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It’s also been covered by a variety of artists, including Richie Sambora, Sting, and Jamie Cullum (an artist I personally have had the pleasure of working with who does a great version).

Here are some other credits and accolades that "The Wind Cries Mary" has received:

-Billboard Hot 100 number 6 single (1967)
-UK Singles Chart number 2 single (1967)
-Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time number 379
-Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal (1968)

What tuning is The Wind Cries Mary in?

Jimi Hendrix tuned his guitar down for the majority of songs he recorded. However, in “The Wind Cries Mary” he did not. “The Wind Cries Mary” is played in standard tuning and is tuned E-A-D-G-B-E from the lowest to the highest strings.

Thickest string: E
Fifth string: A
Fourth string: D
Third string: G
Second string: B
Thinnest string: E
Standard tuning is the most common tuning for the guitar.

The Wind Cries Mary Guitar Chords

The intro to “The Wind Cries Mary” begins with these amazing 4-note power chords.

They are essentially common 3-note power chords but then you add the 5th again below the root note and this makes them sound incredible.

The song kicks off with these chords progressing up the neck in half steps (one fret at a time). The 3 chords are Eb5, E5, and F5.

????Follow along with the FULL lesson here: https://www.jonmaclennan.com/blog/wind-cries-mary-guitar-lesson