The Gambler | TAB (capo 1 + 2)
Let’s look at how to play all sections of The Gambler, here’s the intro.
Make sure you can see how the chords are what they say by focusing on the intervals.
- Dadd4 – 3rd and 4th in this chord
- Dsus2/4 – no 3rd, 2nd and 4th
Here’s verse 1, pay extra attention to the general rhythm. This verse is the most complex, it will get easier soon.
Play along with the original to see why this part was chosen. Next up is verse 2. The bass is in on the original and everything becomes more laid back, hence the change in rhythm.
Notice how verse 2 was much more consistent than verse 1.
Here’s verse 3, now the bass starts alternating.
With chords and lyrics, I don’t write all the chords, it’s just too messy. All chords have an alternating bass line from root to 5th.
Here’s chorus 1, all other choruses could be played like this as well, just with a capo a fret higher.
Notice how the rhythm was the same as verse 3, but we strum two notes from the chord on beats 2 and 4, rather than picking a string each.
Finally, here’s verse 4, the rhythm is the same, but we pick one note and strum the next.
What these TAB examples do is demonstrate how an arrangement needs to build in intensity. If you have a band you can do this by bringing instruments in and out, on one acoustic, you must simulate this concept by gradually changing, or it’ll sound boring.
In verse 5 we hold chords halfway through, you can do this for a later chorus as well.
Play along with the original, a Glider capo will enable you to move up a fret at the same time as you’re playing.
The Gambler TAB | Related Pages
The Gambler | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn how to play The Gambler by Kenny Rogers using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, TAB, and the original recording.
| D5 | G D5 |
On a warm summer’s evening, on a train bound for nowhere…
Five Similar Tunes | Chords + Lyrics
- The Boxer chords by Simon & Garfunkel
- End Of The Line chords by The Traveling Wilburys
- King Of The Road chords by Roger Miller
- On The Road Again chords by Willie Nelson
- Ring Of Fire chords by Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash tunes
Johnny Cash recording career started in 1955 on Sun Records (the same label as Elvis) and ended in 2002 with a masterpiece produced by Rick Rubin.
His best tunes include Ring of Fire, A Boy Named Sue, Hurt, Man in Black, Folsom Prison Blues, Get Rhythm, Personal Jesus, and I Walk The Line.
Johnny Cash on the web
Kenny Rogers tunes
Starting out already in the 50s, Kenny Rogers became one of the most beloved country storytellers, by mainly singing covers.
His best tunes include The Gambler, Islands In The Stream, Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In), and She Rides Wild Horses.
Kenny Rogers on the web
About me | Dan Lundholm
This guitar lesson by Dan Lundholm featuring TAB covers The Gambler. 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.