If I Ain’t Got You (Alicia Keys) Guitar Lesson with Backing Tracks + TAB

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If I Ain’t Got You | TAB (Acoustic)

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Let’s go through all sections of If I Ain’t Got You using TAB. Here’s the intro:

You need to play this with your fingers. Then, in the last bar, as you hold that G, find the pick and play the rest of the tune (until the outro) using a pick.

These chords are the same as the chorus, by the way—a very clever songwriting trick!

Verse (Acoustic)

Here’s the verse. The chords are I – VI – II – V, then I – I#dim7 – II – V, like this:

Notice how incredibly empty the verse is compared to the intro. Start by playing exactly as written—you can improvise “in the style of” later.

Bridge (Acoustic)

Here’s the bridge:

Now we go up the scale and then back, like this: I – II – III – II. There’s a quick three-chord run at the end the second time we play it, using IV – III – II.

I’ve developed the part on the second line. Start by playing exactly as written, then modify it if you wish.

Chorus (Acoustic)

Here’s the chorus:

This is similar rhythmically to the bridge—we’re blending 8th and 16th notes.

Make sure you can play all TAB as written, then stop staring at it and play what feels natural, perhaps reading the chords with lyrics and chord chart.

Alternatively, you could play along with my backing tracks above even though this is mainly intended for the electric.

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If I Ain’t Got You | TAB (Electric)

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Let’s now learn all this for the electric in a band that has keyboards. We now need to add to this, not copy what’s on the original as that is too sparse. There’s also horn parts so let’s just take some more room in a smaller setup.

Here’s an idea for the intro:

Play the 7th, or the 3rd for each chord. Hit the note early, before the bar starts, with the volume off, then gradually move it in so it sounds like a swell. Use a delay pedal for best result.

Verse (Electric)

For the verse, we keep the concept of one note per bar, but now we rake, slide, or pull-off into each chord.

Notice how the first one is two strings, not three as with the acoustic.

For the G#dim7, we move up to Bdim7 as these are the same notes!

Bridge (Electric)

For the bridge, I’ve got two ideas. The first idea, we play on strings 2 and 3, hotting the 3rd and 5th.

I feel that sounded really great, so I tried going for the 7th and 3rd instead (just like we had for the intro) and to me, this is even better!

Chorus (Electric)

The chorus, we only play one chord per bar, using four strings so it sounds bigger than what we have do so far.

When you can play all this TAB, try it using the backing track above where I’ve removed the chords so you can hear yourself clearly.

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If I Ain’t Got You | Solo

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Now then, let’s solo!

Try these concepts using the backing track above which has had the vocals removed, the chords are still there:

1. Play the vocal melody from memory
2. Arpeggios, don’t overplay, focus on long notes following the chords
3. E Conspirian as a blanket scale
4. Modally, switch for each chord, focus on key notes like 3rds, 7th, and unique note for each mode.

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If I Ain’t Got You Backing Tracks + TAB | Related Pages

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If I Ain’t Got You | Chords + Lyrics

You can learn to play If I Ain’t Got You by Alicia Keys using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.

| G | Em7 | Am7 | D9 C/G |
Some people live for the fortune. Some people live just for the fame…

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Five similar tunes | Chords + Lyrics

• A Natural Woman
• Easy
• Empire State Of Mind
• Lean On Me
• You’ve Got A Friend

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