Knocking On Heaven’s Door | TAB
Let’s take a look at how you could strum this like Bob Dylan would if he didn’t have his band with him.
This part is heavily influenced by what he does with the band, adjusted a little bit, mainly making beat 1 bigger.

The G chord’s 5th string is first muted with the flesh of the fretting finger from string 6, as it’s repeated we don’t have this problem since the chord is played first, and the bass note later.
Notice how the TAB describes that you should break up the strumming, playing higher strings when strumming up, and lower when going down.
The top string is fretted halfway through the bar. For the Am, this changes the chord to an Am7, for the C, it’s still just a C chord.
Using the original recording, play along exactly like the TAB says throughout before you try it on your own. In time, you can start varying the part as you see fit.
Also, try the Eric Clapton version, he changes the chords by not going to C and playing in a reggae style, here’s TAB, play along with the recording in the playlist above.

Knocking On Heaven’s Door TAB | Related Pages
Knocking On Heaven’s Door | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn how to play Knocking On Heaven’s Door by Bob Dylan using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| G D/F# | Am Am7 |
Mama take this badge off of me…
Five similar tunes | Chords + Lyrics
Eric Clapton tunes
As well as a member of bands like Derek & The Dominos, The Yardbirds, and Cream, Eric Clapton has successfully played sessions for more stars than any other guitar player.
His long career earned him three inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.
Eric Clapton on the web
Bob Dylan tunes
Widely regarded as the most influential artist in popular culture, Bob Dylan has been covered and copied by almost everyone who ever attempted to write a song. His famous tunes are so many it’s impossible to pick just a few.
Some say Dylan invented modern songwriting.
Bob Dylan on the web
Guns N’ Roses tunes
Formed in the mid-’80s in Los Angeles, Guns N’ Roses wrote almost all their best tunes before the release of the debut album.
Their biggest hits include Paradise City, Welcome To The Jungle, Sweet Child O’ Mine, Patience, You Could Be Mine, and November Rain.
Guns N’ Roses on the web
About me | Dan Lundholm
This guitar lesson by Dan Lundholm features TAB and covers Knocking On Heaven’s Door. Discover more about him and how you can learn guitar with Spytunes.
Most importantly, find out why you should learn guitar through playing tunes, not practising scales, and studying theory in isolation.