Neil Young Harvest Moon Guitar Lesson + Tutorial 

My grandmother told me not long ago that this song makes her want to “slow dance with someone and hold them tight”. She’s in her 70s and got divorced many years ago. If you have someone to hold tight and slow dance with, don’t take it for granted. We all grow old and sooner or later, we’ll have our last slow dance. I pray I can make the years count!

I hadn't played guitar much at all since my dad died in October 2019. My dad loved Neil Young. I listened to Harvest Moon yesterday, and it's what has got my fire burning again. Thanks Marty, you're the man.

my dad died in early october of 2022, right before he died this was my favourite song. i remember i went to his funeral and i seen all the pictures of him and i felt like i was going to throw up, i didn't know what i would do without my dad---and sometimes i still don't know what i'm doing without him. on the way home, i was in the car with my mom, brother, and both my grandparents. this song was playing and i looked at the moon and it was huge and orange, literally a harvest moon. i like to belive it was a sign from my dad that he was free now, no longer struggling with depression. check up on the people u love before it's too late.

It is like one of the greatest songs written. So heartfelt and chill. It is absolutely on the “wish I wrote that” list.

I love Neil's chords. They sound more difficult that they actually are. I think its because all the layered instruments in his mixes.

Neil Young is one of the finest musicians to grace the 20th century, glad he’s still with us!

i can barely play the guitar but i want to learn it because it was our song. this was the song that brought us together. it started with hearing about our schools talent show. i didn’t like him, not really at all, but i decided to text him anyway. he played the guitar. he was actually pretty good. i thought he was really cool because i didn’t really know anyone who played the guitar and I’m a big music nerd. i invited him to my house because i wanted to sing in the show with him playing the guitar. we went through my spotify trying to find songs until we eventually stumbled upon this song. we both knew it and figured it wouldn’t be too hard to sing and play. we started practicing a few times per week, around this time last march. we started using it as an excuse to hang out. we gradually played music less and less and focused more on each other instead. we opted out of the talent show because i was too nervous, but we still saw each other regularly. we fell in love, and bonded over our passion for music. we found we had much more in common than just music. he became my muse; my inspiration. he inspired me to be the best version of myself. i didn’t do the best i could. i wasn’t the best for him, and that haunted me. i loved him with all of my being but for some reason i just hurt him. now everything reminds me of him. there isn’t a place i could go without thinking of him. his name is forever engraved in my heart, even though he broke it. i love him unconditionally, for eternity. he was so good to me, but we were so young. i will forever be grateful for every moment we spent together, and everything he did for me, even though i must move on. he will always have a place in my heart and in my soul. i pinky promised him id never stop loving him, and i will never break that. march is approaching quickly now, and i sometimes wonder if we would reconnect at this time, because we did last year. it’s a passing thought but it’s what inspired me to come on here. if you stayed for this whole thing, thank you. it was a rant of some sort. i hope you all find the same love i found. and although we didn’t last forever like i had hoped, it was a once in a lifetime pure, true love. im happy with just that thought.

PERFECT I JUST LEARNED THE HARMONICA FOR THIS

I remember watching Marty in 2011 when i first learned his pentatonic scale and impressed my whole friend on 6th grade. Im 21 now 😂

This song never fails to make me cry.

Playing this song is a profoundly moving experience. I truly feel the emotion behind Mr. Young's words. Marty, thank you for making this song accessible to players of all skill levels.

Woke up this morning with the harvest moon shining in my window and I knew I had to learn this song. Awesome lesson! Such a brilliant yet simple arrangement this will definitely be in the repertoire. Thanks Marty!

Hey Marty, had this song in my music sheets 5 years back, now is the time to play it again thanks to you

Love it. This song makes me cry every time I hear it, but I've always wanted to be able to play it. Thanks, Marty!

I've listened to some of your tutorials before Marty but this was exceptional and so Neil Young with one of those simple riffs that are up there with the greats. Thanks for that.

Thanks Marty Music. This song has been on my “to do” list for a while now. What a great lesson - love your presentation. You make life easy!

Great song, broken down to it's basics and so brilliantly explained Marty. Another one for the repertoire.Thanks 👍

I just found your channel looking for a good tutorial for this gorgeous song (none of the tabs I found seemed right) and I am SO GLAD. This tutorial basically taught me the entire song in a night! Definitely just got a subscriber from me

Perfect for learning the first new song in 2021. thank you very much!Marty and have a healthy new year! Greetings from germany 🇩🇪

OMG Yes I learned this song a while back but I kinda forgot it 😅 I was hoping you would do a lesson on this, I needed a refresher. Gotta love Neil Young! ❤🔥 Have a good one Marty! ❤👍

So wonderful man! Thank you for your hard work throughout the year!

This song reminds me of a happier time in my life. I'm so excited to learn this one. Thanks, Chief

Marty, thank you so much for adding timestamps to your lessons. So helpful. Also love the Katana patches you are putting together!

What a great great song. I had just added it to my wedding playlist yesterday too.

nd love your respectful way of teaching, without dumbing anything down. Thanks heaps from Australia!

Thanks for this! Easy to follow…even for me! So happy I can have a go at this most beautiful tune. Thanks again to you.

Thank you Marty for all the great lessons. You have truly brought joy into my life.

Marty taught me guitar in his videos. I solo with ease and can pick up a backing track for the first time and play along. I’ve always loved Harvest Moon and now will add it to my practice list. I also play along with harmonica. I find that this is not as easy as it seems. Trying to play basically an improv on the harmonica while trying to keep rhythm on guitar is a bit awkward. The remedy is simple. PLAY. Thanks Marty!

That entire album is phenomenal, happy new year Martumus!

Man Marty is just the best guitar teacher on RU-vid! Marty and carl are my favourites!

Marty, thank you so much. Your videos have helped me so much. Your a great teacher and an amazing guitarist. Again, can't thank you enough

Love this - Thanks Marty!! You've explained it all very clearly😃

thank you so much for the tutorial! coming back to studying the guitar, and neil young is an amazing way to start again! 🎉

One of the most beautiful songs out there

You are amazing sir, thanks for all the effort you pt into these videos.

Thank you for explaining the chord spelling in drop d, it made sense! Thx again!

Truly, Beautiful Chords ! 👍🏽

I remember when I first saw one of your videos to help me learn how to play guitar. That was 10 years ago. Love your stuff man

Marty I love ya. Best guitar teacher ever. I bought a guitar at start of pandemic and because of you I never put it down. Thank you!!!!

Always wanted to learn this song.. Thank you very much, Marty !

Great stuff Marty! Your tutorials are always appreciated!

you taught me guitar when i was in my teens, love this song and what you've done for the music community

Great lesson Marty! Love you man! You're amazing and such a great teacher!

One of my favorite Neil Young songs.

Thanks for doing a classic, Marty. Happy New Year.

You're the man Marty. Thank you for the lesson 🙏 🤘

Thank you! I love this song, and it is much easier than I thought. I can actually play it. Just need some practice to get it right.

you make sense and you make things easy to understand its like your speaking my language. thank you so much.

this is a LOT of fun to play! and it's not that hard for a beginner. amazing! thank you

I will try tonight after this refresher on 12 string busking.Thank you Marty.

What a tune.Love it.Your a great teacher Marty thanks from Ireland😁👍

Awesome lesson Marty. Love this song I just worked it out by ear a week ago. I set and play it ride along with the CD. I had a friend tell me that he could not even tell I was playing with it and I am in standard tuning didn't drop the e down to d at all. I play mine down on the 1st and 2nd fret and then the part you started off with I go to the 6 threat. Wish there was a way I could send a video to you have you hear what it sounds like. Love your videos keep up the great job enjoy learning things from you.

I remember the first day I heard this song I didn't know the words but still managed to sing it It always brings a tear to my eye

Hey Marty, it’s my birthday and I just got an Iced Tea Epiphone Les Paul!!!

I can only play the broom part :(

I just learned the proper way to play this song, which I have been performing for years... but not quite right. Thank you for how you break it down so well. Subscribed...

Thank you so much Marty for always making everything so easy :)

Marty,you are so good.i love your tutorials. Thanks

Hey Marty, thank you for the Harvest Moon guitar lesson. Really Appreciate it!!

Marty, I wish you were my next-door neighbor. I haven't played guitar for over 25 years and just started again in my 60s. I always loved this song and now I can play it. Thank you for being such a good teacher. I will look you up for more songs. Thanks again, dude.

Sweet Just found the next song lesson I want to learn! Thank u Marty

man you're such an inspiration i recently listend to your interview with mary spender, thanks man!

there’s so many touching stories in the comment section, yall making me tear up😢

Thank you!!! I loved your tutorial. I learned a lot. Thank you Marty. You're so special. I wish nothing but the best for you. Suggestion for your suggestion box- bongo tutorial? All in all, I love you. Xoxo Iris

Marty, you are a gift from god, and I’m forever grateful for what you have done for my guitar progression.

Thank you for that video showing, it gave me a much better idea of playing harvest Moon 🎑

Good stuff once again. Thank you

Superb Melody, thanks Marty!

amazing tutorials Marty! Been playing for 3 months now and working my way through your Neil Young videos - any chance of some lessons on Love and War or For the Turnstiles? Your channel is whats getting me through lockdown ❤️

This video saved my life, thankyou✊🏼❤️‍🔥💯

this song has been on my list to learn for weeks and i was scrolling through marty’s vids to see he posted this a week ago lmao i was meant to learn this song

Excellent lesson as ever. Thank you Marty.

Awesome song abd excellent lesson! Thanks!

Marty strikes again! Love you man. I could’ve sworn I had this song figured out but I was just a few ticks off. I’m a by ear player and normally I can get pretty close on my own haha. . Hey thanks for putting this up. I’m rewriting the lyrics and going to play it for my grandmother. Beautiful song . always love your channel man. Thanks

clear as crystal !thanks very much

Loving the lessons bud x

This is a good song. Thanks Marty

Your stuff is great, Marty... I'm gonna tackle this one (looks do-able, thanks to you)...thanks!

Thanks my friend. Love Neil Young. Now i can try to play some songs of him. Take care and god bless.

Excellent Marty thanks!!

Beautiful song that falls under the fingers in a solo guitar arrangement as well.

Can you do any John Prine tutorials?

Love you Marty! For all you do for us musicians we need to donate tons of $$$ to you sir!

Yesss my day has been made

Top lesson!! Thanks!!

Super lesson and love the J-45!

Nice to hear this on a Gibson J-45. I just got one and am planning to play a lot of Neil Young songs on it!

Super lesson. Thank you.

Lovely lovely song. Neil Young wrote some of the nicest songs you could learn on guitar.

dude... i HAD to pause this to say Ive never had a better quick lesson. BraaaVo.

I was wanting to relearn this! Thanks Marty Man!

PERFECT YOU MADE MY DAY MARTY THANK YOU

Top lesson as always, cheers.

Could you do a video on practice routines? Thanks! Love your videos!

Very cool sounding chords!..

great work thank you

Great tutorials! Would love to see a Stone Roses - I Wanna Be Adored tutorial, I can't seem to find a good one for it.

Great lesson! Putting it in Drop D tuning changes everything! Marty, do you have tab and/or song sheets available for this and other YT videos? I didn't see anything on your site. Thanks.

I have been waiting for this a long time thanks

Great tutorial, thanks Marty your is the best guitar coach.. best regard from Indonesia 👌