How to Play "The Boxer" - Simon and Garfunkel Complete Guitar Lesson 

Hello friends, As a reminder, you can access tabs, chord sheets and other resources for ALL my popular RU-vid lessons by pledging $1 at Patreon.com/swiftlessons. Access Tabs for this lesson at: goo.gl/vQiY2G

I'm a professional musician of 45 years who rarely seeks out tutorials. I was looking for a guitar tutorial to send my friend in preparation for doing this song together. I have to say this is one of the best ones I've ever seen and heard. Not only do you approach it gently but offer alternatives as well along the way. Preforming the whole tune offers an excellent lesson on the entire primary melody line of the vocals which he'll be learning also. He, like I have , will get so much out of this I'm sure. Fantastic job! Thanks 👍👍👍

Sometimes, my favorite part of your videos, is just watching you perform the song. serious dude. don't stop doing that.

I picked up the guitar for the 1st time nearly 1 year ago after coming across this tutorial and was just determined to emulate this identical guitar arrangement. 10 months later and I am almost there! Only your perfect tutorial gave me the determination and patience to see it through. A MASSIVE thank you!

I really like how you did not try to emulate Mr. Simon's vocal performance. You did your thing. 👍

I found myself so captivated by your performance of this Classic Song that i actually forgot that it was a lesson . That never happens . Anyway , i came back to earth . And loved the lesson as much as the song . Thank You so Much .

Dude. That was like Cat Stevens played Paul Simon. What a superb voice.

I’m finally getting around to trying learn this legendary folk song. I’m old enough to remember when this song and the other great tunes for Bridge Over Troubled Water we’re making their way up the chart. I feel privileged to have witnessed so much modern music history being made. But Rob, I feel blessed to have tutors like you and the several others I’ve turned to who have made available your collective music commitment, knowledge, and talent for the rest of us.

It's always good when the person who is teaching the song plays the song first then teaches it this is a good tutorial thanks ❤️

There are a few good teacher on youtube but your channel is the only one that I watch also for your interpretations. Man, you are good !

It’s hard to sing that song alone well. You absolutely nailed it!

I have to agree with sjrudebusch - your performance of The Boxer was pure entertainment. Thank you for the perfect tutorial afterward.

I was looking for a guitar nerd to see if I was playing this right. Instead I get a beautiful performance. Thank you.

Thanks for doing the demonstration before the lesson. Surprises me how so many tutorials just go straight to tutorial before you even know what the song sounds like. When that happens I don't even watch anymore and look somewhere else. Thanks for the good video!!

In more than half a century living on this planet.I only met a few people who have a ' radiant' character.You are one of them!!! Keep on posting, Thanks

I've wanted to learn this song since I picked up the guitar ten years ago. Thanks to your clear tutorial, I am finally doing so, and believing I can, instead of running away in overwhelming frustration. You're awesome!

Songs of my younger days... your interpretation is enchanting. I'm going to learn what I should've done long ago! Thanks Rob for sharing 🎵🎵🎵

One of those songs which makes me shed a tear, your performance in the beginning of the video did that. God bless you. Keep up the good work man. Love your lessons.

I'm a bluesman metal head and I think this will he my first Travis picking song. Don't know why but I want to learn this and flavor it my own way.

Beatiful rendition. Great for solo performing. And a really, really, helpful and patient tutorial. I got through it without any frustration. First video I've used of yours, and I can't wait to see more. Thank you!

Not only best tutorial but best voice. Your voice make me fresh.

I come from German Du bist der ein guter Lehrer, da du zeigst wie man es wirklich spielt. You are a good teacher, because you show how you really play.

@swiftlessons I've been playing electric guitar for almost 15 years. Just got my first acoustic and am enjoying the challenge of learning not only that, but fingerstyle as well. There was no one like you when I started, that's for sure! I truly appreciate how much time and effort you put into instruction. Subbed immediately. Thanks again!

Thank you so much, Rob, for this video lesson on "The Boxer". This is the most extraordinary tutorial of this song that I have ever seen. Thank you for sharing your talent and spreading culture. From Brasilia - Brazil, I wish you stay safe in this terrible pandemic time.

I have been trying to figure out the opening of this song for longer than I care to admit. It is unbelievable simple and you nailed it. I can't believe I couldn't figure it out, but I'm happy I found your lesson. Great job and thanks.

I literally cant tell whether you playing it is better than the original or not cause your voice and playing is amazing

S&G top song for me since I 1st heard it when released. Today I’ll begin relearning this song this way.

So glad to see someone on RU-vid playing a Guild guitar! Guild is an underated acoustic guitar and in my humble opinion, the BEST acoustic guitar. Nice lesson...nice voice.

Your rendition gave me the same emotional response as the ordinal. And i learned something to boot. Outstanding.

Smile at 05:22 🥺💯 We can feel your happiness ✨✨✨ Thank you you Master !

DARN! So many verses, variations, and patterns. That was great! Thanks for your patience in taking the lesson through them all! Paul Simon tunes are definitely in your wheelhouse. Great stuff! (Sorry for all the !!!, but this will really will help with my ability to alternate bass notes)

I'm a very very beginner and this song has been a dear track to me for decades...and I can't say enough about the approach you have taken! I've seen other videos where u can't really tell as a beginner where the finger should sit and your video makes it effortless to follow... SUPERB!!! I hope to utilize the hell out of this clip to learn to play this someday and the credit will GO fully to u if I ever get there! Someone stole my line...Cat Stevens covering SG... he hit the nail on the head! Beautifully sung as well. Thank you!!

the first what i have to say: you sing it so well, wow,wow and WOW! Your lessons are allways great! Regards from Germany, Andreas!

the iconic intro what intro... love it.. you made it so easy.. thank you.

SWeet, very good lesson. I play this song a bit differently. I grew up in the 60s. Maybe I'll give y'all the lyrics as I know them... Guys, if your a beginner, don't get frustrated if your chords aren't fretting very clearly yet. It's takes a few weeks to build up your calluses on your playing fingers. It will hurt a bit, screw a little pain, and keep playing, You'll get blisters, then break them. In 3 weeks, for sure, you'll be thru that. Try lowering your strings some, unless your trying to learn slide guitar. U can ask a music ishop to lower your strings, until they are just above the strings, but don't vibrate when you pick em. I taught myself to play in 1970, with a borrowed (stolen) Beatles music book from my sister. It had chord windows in it, & everybody knows a few Beatles songs. Ok, here the lyrics from that Paul Simon song that I learned. Oh, hey... play with people who are better than you, you pick up lots of tricks that way. Keep pickin. Peace, joe I am just a poor boy tho my stories seldom told, I have squandered my resistance for a pocket full of mumbles, such are promises. All lies & jest, still a man hears what he wants to, and disregards the rest, lie, lie lie--------. Well, I left my home & my family, I was no more than a boy, in the company of strangers, in the quiet of the railway station running scared. Laying low, seeking out the ragged places where the ragged people rest, When I go, looking for the the places only they would know know... (Chorus) Lie-la lie, lie-la, lie, la-lie, la-lie, lie-la lie, lie-la lie, la la la la la la la la lie-----* Asking only workman's wages, I go looking for a job, but I get no offers, just a come-on from the whores on Seventh Avenue. I do declare there were times when I was so lonesome, I took some comfort there-- la-la-la----- WELL, the years are rolling by me, they are rocking easily... I am older than I once was, but younger than I'll be, but that's not unusual. Lord, tho it's strange after changes, upon changes we are more or less the same, after changes, we are more or less the same. (Chorus) Then I'm laying out my winter clothes, and wishing I was gone, going home---- where the New York City winters aren't bleeding me---leading me--, going home(Ohhhh La La Lah---) In the clearing stands a boxer, and a fighter by his trade, and he carries the reminder of every glove that laid him down or cut him, 'till he cried out, in his anger and his shame, "I am leaving, I am leaving." But the fighter still remains, lie-la lie---, lie-la la la lag---- Chorus, and fade. Paul Simon, The Boxer. Circa, about 1970 My dear brothers and sisters, I recommended that you listen to Paul Simon sing this song, or pick up a live CD. I believe my version of these lyrics are a combination of the studio version, and a live version. But, I like this one the best. I believe Paul put out a live cut of a concert called Live Rhyming Simon. He had some amazing African singers come over and sing with him, and their version of Bridge Over Troubled Water is so sweet. They changed up the timing a bit, especially on the last verse, but it is all good. Listen to this song a few times on U2ube (I know), and then the song will be forever in your hearts and your souls. Then you won't have trouble with the written chorus. For beginners who like Paul Simons songs, check out an easy chord book, with chord windows, publishes in 1973. It's got this song, plus about 50 others, Lots of hits, like Bridge over T B, Kodakrome, America, American Tune, I Am A Rock, Mrs. Robertson, Kathys Song, A Hazy Shade of Winter, Something So Right, Fakin It, Scarborough Fair, and many more. U guys are lucky, when I BEGAN, (Opps, left caps on) there were no computers. Even the pot was mostly seeds & stems, but then we had jimi Hendriks, & bands like Traffic, & Crosby, Stills, etc, etc, & Joni Mitchell. If you've never heard a Joni Mitchell song, Please, do yourself a major favor, and go buy a copy of Blue, or Clouds, or Miles of Isles. This beautiful lady has vocal abilities, is a master guitarist, pianists, lyricist, & painter. Her songs are so sweet, & perfect. Now this lady can play a guitar, she uses 52 different tuning arrangements. U2ube has many of her old songs, & concerts, & even a duet she did with James Taylor. Guys, I wish I could buy you all a few of her Discs. (Disc's?) Check out Blue, or ACase Of You, or River, or Little Green, or the whole Miles of Isles CD, or Clouds. Her early music put me to sleep every nite. Check out Songs to Ageing Children, this was covered on Arlington Guthrie's film Alice's Restaurant. Alice, if your out there, I send you my Peace... & Joni, I love you, thank you, you amazing LADY. We are not worthy. Guys, be cool. Help someone, if you can, I love ya, too. Don't let little things bug you, ask yourselves, in the course of your lives, how important is something worth getting angry, or upset over. Anger is a choice, every time. My peace, I send you all, we are all brothers & sisters. Be cool, & keep Pickens... joe

I instantly decided this lesson deserves a Patreon contribution. I did well, as the tabs are complete and crystal-clear. Thank you Sir !

I have bought, subscribed to and watched a LOT of guitar instruction online! Rob has opened my eyes to a whole new world. No nonsense note by note real instruction. Become a patron....you won't regret it. Thanks Rob! Now, how about a lesson on If We Were Vampires by Jason Isbell?

Just like the way u do it. Quite impressive and inspiring.

I just found this to look up this song to learn how to play again after a 20 year lay off. You played and sang to an exceptional standard.

Yep! You landed in the right place folks! Everything you need and Accurate! This guy is the most relaxing, easy, non annoying tutor I've come across Coupled with the full example performance, its just an outstanding tutorial! Couldn't ask for any better Thankyou indeed for your work sir Im subbed off this tutorial alone

Have no fear our lord and savior of the guitar 🎸 Rob just perfectly nailed one of the greatest songs of all time Great 👍 job as usual Rob!!

You really rocked this Rob! Plus I loved your voice in this tune, it was perfect! Keep up the fine work Brother... B.

you know your good when your dog stays in the room with you !

FINALLY!! Someone who actually knows how to play (and teach) this song. I have been doing it for years but I picked up a few little nuances from his lesson that I hear now going back and head phoning it. SIR!! You now have a new subscriber and supporter. And thank you for not sucking on vocal. That was a nice touch!! :)

Friend, I owe you, I have been following you and learning from you for quite awhile. You have greatly enhanced my playing and therefore my life. Serious thanks. You obviuosly have a passion not only for music but for teaching. Thanks again. A side note I would enjoy seeing you play in one of the playing for change videos.

I haven't listened to your channel for a while Rob. Pleased to see you are still helping people like myself who love to learn guitar. You are truly gifted to have a voice that exceeds your great guitar work. Many thanks Dan from London.

*MY GOD,* on top of your guitar skill, your voice is beautifully amazing, *AMAZING !!!*

Fantastic rendition of a classic song, wholly absorbing, thank you.

Playing The Boxer in some basic version might seem not very difficult for anybody with basic command of Travis picking. More tricky is perhaps deciphering how to play the Intro with a standard tuning, and the solo instrumental part. However, a true beauty and challenge of this song are those fine additional colorings, dynamics and fingerpicking pattern changes, so typical for this Paul Simon's masterpiece in its studio original version. Note that most of this guitar fingerpicking beauty of the original was added by Fred Carter Jr., a Nashville studio guitarist - who played the second guitar with a higher alternate tuning. Even Paul Simon, when playing this song live, plays only a simplified, less challenging and not-so-impressive guitar. So, I want to emphasize that really good guitar playing of The Boxer, though seemingly rather simple, is actually a true challenge for our musicality and advanced fingerpicking guitar technique. Best Wishes to all fingerpicking guitar players!!

I am so happy to hear this was requested. I am very proud to hear that this type of music is coming back around in the circle of music. Very good job. Thank you.

Wow. What a class act. Thank you for the gift of music.

Just adding to the other comments which say this is just awesome. I was also captivated by your initial performance, but equally the lesson is so great. Have just discovered your channel, but will be sure to view more videos. Good work fella!

absolutely fantastic! great voice ans great lesson. THX from Germany Your voice and playing are crystalline ... thanks for posting such an accurate lesson. Just became a patron, thank you for sharing your talents.

Thank you for showing the Outro,for me it's the finest ever recorded.

Your voice and playing are crystalline ... thanks for posting such an accurate lesson.

Hey dude your have a very nice way explaining the steps an finger picking very talented man well done bro.

Thanks man! I can actually play it now. Feels like the most advanced song I know.

You are an excellent guitarist and you have a terrific voice. I believe The Boxer was released in either 1969 or 1970 (not 1974, since Simon & Garfunkel had long broken-up by then). When you become an older person like me, you start remembering stuff like that). 😁

I just found this. This is excellent in every way. You are an excellent teacher. Finger picking is my biggest weakness still after decades, but when you integrate it with one of my favorite songs.......well.....I gotta buckle down. I am determined to get this. Thank you.

Your intro is perfect, your voice great, your sound is superb, but what every guitarist is looking for is the "pattern" Paul Simon plays, and you aproach as I do but it is not at all. Thanks for you contribution.

What a great freaking lesson! I went through this maybe three years ago when I was just trying to learn finger picking. I put it aside because it was a little to technically advanced….recently I started working on finger picking again and revisited this….I retained a surprising amount of the lesson….most I could pick up glancing at the tabs. I still need to get it up to speed, but the C riff and G riff are way more natural now. So this is my picking practice….thanks 😀

Great walk through / lesson of the song. Really helped me learn it. Appreciate it!

Thanks, great lesson. I came back to acoustics after a 10 yr lay off amd your tutorial has iron out some of my previous mistakes. Your alternate picking of 2 strings at the beginning of a bar is a nice welcome. Re learning and muscle memory took a while but I'm getting there. Many thanks

Rob, this is my all time favourite guitar lesson. I didn't think I'd get it, but I surprised myself by nailing thanks to you. Awesome work and I've sponsored you on Patreon, too.

Just like giving directions for driving somewhere, it's best to eliminate unnecessary info, like "You'll see a tree and a rock, and a barn just after the bridge that's by the fence, then you turn right but you'll see a white horse before you see the big tree or the rock, then you turn but I like to smoke a cig back by bridge" SWIFT lessons!! Thank You!😌 Let's face it, if you don't know what a C chord is, this is probably not the song you should be trying to learn.

The way you sang The Boxer led me to subscribe this channel.

Awesome playing mate.... I really enjoy your tutorials..... I hope you're inspiring the younger kids out there with these gems from another era and what seems now a time far gone.....

Wow ... so absolutely magically perfect ! Great lesson .. great playing .. great presentation .. fab voice !

I play fingerstyle & want to learn Travis style picking, so here I am! Love this tune so good way to learn! Cheers buddy for taking the time to show us! Peace!

Thank you so much I really like this presentation as it is one of my favorite songs and Paul Simon one of my favorite singer songwriters. great Job.

Great job. I've liked it so much and I'm trying to play it based upon this video. It seems it's missing something however. In Simon's plays, after the lie la lie, there are two measures of C, followed by two measures of C7; and when the classic harmony would lead to an F, he comes back to the C and begins the third verse. It's very representative and it's like this in the records and shows.

I gave up playing guitar for a while，your video guild me back again。Thanks Rob，you done a good job，well done。

got my new guitar today so this will be a good tutorial to learn thanks

Love it!! And I sang the 2nd voice with it! But nobody heared....still: love it!! xxx

One of My favorite songs on guitar after playing only 10 months now. Great lesson. Nice intro.Keep following you! Thanks and regards from Holland.

Really enjoy this video lesson. And that's a great sounding Guild you have there. They are excellent guitars, American made, too. I'm a guitar teacher and wanted to get a nice video overview of the song for a student. I'm not the best fingerstyle player but have been getting better over the years, feeling more natural with it. Tutorials like yours help a lot.

Good lessons. I just realised that I got my feeling for harmonics from Art Garfunkel. I had not heard this song in years but I could fill in his part on autopilot. They really did a classic here.

Thanks so much. I’ve never found instructions on “If I Laugh” Cat Stevens

Another great one Rob! Paul Simon is such a fantastic songwriter/guitar player. I can play Kathy's song but can't sing it at the same time... That makes your performance even more compelling to me!

Rob u remind me of Will hunting of good will hunting (Matt Damon) u have a natural gift with your playing and singing and teaching sheer beauty and a talent that is priceless Excellent tutorial brought me to tears 😭!

An absolute joy to watch and learn - amazing voice, great playing and the best teaching style ever. Thank you so much for this.

Awesome lesson, I love Simon and Garfunkel! I've been going through this verse by verse playing along for the past week or so, almost got it down. I would love to hear you do more of their stuff like Cecila, or Mrs. Robinson or of course Sound of Silence. Thanks a million Swift!

Very nice. Thank you. Gone is the time when we had to work this out by listening. This intro was ever tricky.

Your song is so soothing that it makes me happier instantly. Thanks for your fantastic work.

You always play and sing great. Great performance. Just became a patron, thank you for sharing your talents. thank you for all your GREAT lessons!

Very nice cover of this classic tune - you have a great voice and your fingerstyle playing is bang on.....Kudos!

Just became a patron, thank you for sharing your talents.

My fav Paul Simon song. You do it very good. You voice is good. Thanks for reminding how good this song is.

Beautifully played and sung.

Man!!!! I can't thank you enough for showing the picking for this song. Nice one.

one of my favorite songs... great job, and great voice!

I been at this song day and night for three to Four Months but thank Rob Swift (not done yet)

Talent. No question. And beautiful fingers! Wow!

This is the best lesson for this on RU-vid. Thanks.

Grazie grazie!!! Ottima esecuzione ed anche un approccio delicato a questa dolcissima canzone. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

I was born in 72. Mother used to put me to sleep with this song. Great cover! Good job.

I like the way you do it. Simple and I enjoy following your lessons. I love it! Thanks a lot.

Thanks so much for this tutorial. I'm playing the first verse and the chorus now...slowly but getting there! I'm going to learn the intro next and also your improvised G bit towards the end of the verse as can't quite get the hammering on to run smoothly at the moment. You've really inspired me to become a fingerpicker! Will look up some of your other videos, I'd like to learn Blues Run The Game. Cheers and all the best, Tom

Always wanted to learn this song. Always tough I was far to be good enough for it. Not anymore, thanks to you.

your voice is SUPER ! WOW best SINGER EVER AND EVER !