"The Boxer" by Simon & Garfunkel

At LickLibrary.com, we’re proud to offer an in-depth, note-for-note guitar lesson on "The Boxer" by Simon & Garfunkel – a timeless classic that blends delicate finger-style guitar with rich musical storytelling. This lesson focuses not only on helping you replicate the beautiful acoustic guitar parts in the song but also deepens your understanding of several essential guitar techniques used in folk and acoustic music. Whether you’re an intermediate guitarist or an advanced player wanting to refine your skills, this lesson brings musical nuance and technical proficiency into one cohesive package. Lee Hodgson breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Song: A Timeless Folk Masterpiece

Released in 1969, “The Boxer” is a standout track from Simon & Garfunkel’s celebrated album Bridge Over Troubled Water. With its haunting melody, poetic lyrics, and distinctive guitar work, the song has captivated audiences for generations. The acoustic guitar arrangement features intricate fingerpicking patterns, dynamic chord progressions, and a subtle emotional resonance that gives the song its unique character. Our LickLibrary lesson breaks down each of these elements so you can capture the true spirit of this enduring track.

Guitar Techniques Explored in This Lesson

Finger Picking

At the heart of “The Boxer” is a beautiful finger-picking pattern that drives the rhythm and feel of the song. Our lesson shows you exactly how to execute the alternating thumb and melody finger technique, a must-have for any acoustic guitarist. Learning this not only improves your coordination but also develops independence between your thumb and fingers—vital for more complex arrangements in the future.

Travis Picking

One of the key elements in the guitar part of "The Boxer" is Travis picking—a finger-style pattern that alternates the bass notes with the thumb while the fingers pluck melody notes. This creates a steady, rolling rhythm that’s both percussive and melodic. Mastering this technique gives you the foundation to play countless other folk and country songs.

Slides

There are several tasteful uses of slides in “The Boxer,” which add a vocal, expressive feel to the melody lines. Our lesson shows how to integrate slides smoothly into your playing, helping you connect notes seamlessly and enhance the emotion of your performance.

Chord Progressions

A solid understanding of chord progressions is essential to mastering "The Boxer." We take you through each change step-by-step, highlighting the way the chords support the vocal melodies and instrumental interludes. This not only helps with memorising the song structure but also strengthens your ability to recognise common patterns used in songwriting.

Capo Use

The song is performed with a capo, which changes the pitch of the guitar without altering chord shapes. We explain the use of the capo in detail, showing how it helps achieve the bright, open sound that characterises the track. Understanding capo placement can expand your ability to play songs in different keys while keeping familiar shapes under your fingers.

Guitarists Behind the Song

Although Paul Simon is primarily known for his songwriting, he’s also an accomplished guitarist and was the primary guitarist on “The Boxer.” His unique finger-style technique and sophisticated approach to harmony and melody have influenced countless acoustic guitarists. In addition to Simon’s playing, session guitarist Fred Carter Jr. also contributed electric guitar parts that added depth and colour to the arrangement. Carter’s tasteful additions helped shape the sonic texture of the song without overshadowing its acoustic core. Learning from these players gives valuable insight into dynamics, tone control, and musical storytelling.

Why You Should Learn "The Boxer"

“The Boxer” is a goldmine of guitar techniques that every serious player should explore. It offers a chance to:

• Improve your finger independence and rhythm with finger-picking and Travis picking.
• Learn musical phrasing through expressive techniques like slides.
• Understand song structure and harmony through detailed chord progressions.
• Enhance your capo knowledge for more tonal versatility.

By mastering the song, you not only learn to play a folk classic but also sharpen a wide range of acoustic guitar techniques that can be applied across genres.

Techniques Featured in This Lesson

• Finger Picking
• Travis Picking
• Slides
• Chord Progressions
• Capo

With LickLibrary’s expert instruction, you’ll be playing “The Boxer” with confidence and style in no time. Dive into the lesson today and bring your acoustic playing to the next level.