Stop This Train – John Mayer

Explore the intricate and emotive playing of John Mayer with our note-for-note guitar lesson for Stop This Train. This acoustic masterpiece is a fan favourite from Mayer’s 2006 album Continuum, and is an essential study for guitarists seeking to improve their finger-style technique, rhythmic independence, and overall musicality. In this detailed lesson, we’ll break down every nuance of the song to help you master Mayer’s signature style. Michael Casswell breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Song Overview

Stop This Train is a heartfelt acoustic track built around a percussive, rolling guitar part that blends melody, harmony, and rhythm in a seamless flow. It’s a perfect example of Mayer’s unique finger-style approach, combining traditional techniques like Travis Picking with percussive thumb slaps and syncopated rhythms. The lesson dissects the track into manageable sections, ensuring that you learn not only the notes, but also how to capture the feel and dynamics of the performance.

Guitar Techniques in the Lesson

Fingerpicking / Travis Picking

Mayer’s playing on Stop This Train centres around a modified Travis Picking technique. His thumb maintains a steady bass-line while the fingers pluck out melodies and chords on the higher strings. This technique builds rhythmic independence, allowing guitarists to develop a flowing, piano-like texture on the acoustic guitar. Mastering Travis picking enhances coordination and helps players build dynamic, full-sounding arrangements from a single instrument.

Percussive Thumb Slaps

Though not traditionally labelled, the use of thumb slaps and muted percussive hits on the strings add a rhythmic punch to Mayer’s playing. These subtle percussive elements mimic the sound of a snare drum and contribute to the groove of the track. This approach teaches players how to add rhythm without losing harmonic content, crucial for solo performers.

Syncopated Rhythms

Mayer often employs Syncopated Rhythms throughout the track, pushing and pulling the beat for emotional effect. Learning to navigate these off-beat patterns helps guitarists improve their timing and groove, making their playing feel more alive and expressive.

Slides and Hammer-ons

The melodic lines in Stop This Train feature delicate Slides and Hammer-ons, particularly within the vocal-style licks that weave in and out of the chord changes. These techniques are essential for smooth phrasing and legato playing, allowing for fluid transitions and a vocal-like expression.

Chord Progressions

The song makes use of rich and colourful Chord Progressions that blend standard open chords with moving inner voices. Studying these chord movements improves a player’s understanding of harmony, voice leading, and composition on the guitar.

Altered Tuning

Stop This Train is played in an Altered Tuning (Drop C# tuning – C# G# C# F# A# D#), which facilitates the bass movement and creates unique voicings that would be more challenging in standard tuning. Learning songs in altered tunings expands a guitarist’s tonal palette and inspires creativity in songwriting and arranging.

About the Guitarist – John Mayer

John Mayer is one of the most influential guitarists and singer-songwriters of the 21st century. Known for blending blues, pop, folk, and rock, his playing combines technical sophistication with emotional depth. On Stop This Train, Mayer channels the storytelling of James Taylor and the technical nuance of players like Tommy Emmanuel. His ability to mix complex techniques with a natural feel makes him a valuable study for guitarists aiming to evolve both technically and musically. Learning from Mayer’s work not only improves your technique but also deepens your musical understanding and expressiveness.

What You’ll Gain from This Lesson

• Better finger-style technique: Build independence between thumb and fingers for more expressive solo performances.
• Improved rhythm: Develop a stronger sense of groove and timing through syncopation and percussive elements.
• Musical phrasing: Learn to play melodies and licks that sound more like vocals than typical guitar lines.
• Expanded harmonic knowledge: Understand how creative chord voicings and altered tunings can unlock new sounds.
• Expressive playing: Add subtle dynamics and articulation to your playing, making each note count.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Travis Picking
• Finger Picking
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Hammer-ons
• Slides
• Chord Progressions
• Altered Tuning

Whether you're a fan of John Mayer or simply looking to challenge your acoustic guitar skills, our Stop This Train lesson is a masterclass in musical guitar playing. Every note, nuance, and technique is broken down to help you sound and feel like the original—because at Licklibrary, we believe the details matter.