Watermelon Sugar | TAB (Rhythm Slashes)
Let’s look at how to play Watermelon Sugar by Harry styles using TAB and play-along loops as this has become a standard on the working guitarists repertoire in the U.K.
Here’s a good basic rhythm you could play throughout, we only use three strings per chord and play a bit like a beginner.

Play this along with the loop above, as well as the backing track using a chord chart. As soon as you feel comfortable, start exploring the fretboard by trying the same rhythm using different shapes.
Next, let’s develop that basic idea by not always playing three strings, here’s idea 2.

We’re hammering on, sliding up and most of the time, play two strings at the time. Depending on if we are playing a down stroke or upstroke, which two strings vary.
I haven’t altered the chord names even though there are occationally other notes than the triad.
Here’s the next idea. We now don’t use string 1 any more. This will probably sit better in the mix compared to idea 1 and 2. Notice how I’m altering the rhythm on beat 4.

If you explore fretboard using this way to play the rhythm, you can keep yourself entertaied for many gigs. If yopu don’t, you may get bored.
Here’s idea 4, where we start using extensions. Play along with the loop in the playlist to get it right.

We’re now into small microscopic details. For example, notice the dot on beat 2, which means to “play short”. It is used to make the rhythm easier to read, compared to 16th notes and rests.
Here’s idea 5. Here we are using new chord shapes. I’m not a massive fan of the Dm7 using an Em shape, it doesn’t feel great, however, the other new shapes do!

Most interestingly, the Am7 and C use the same notes, so do the Am and C6. The only thing that seperates the two bars is beat 4. You can only play like this if the bass change the root note.
The last bar is a G and G6.
Here’s the final idea, it’s a bit extreme. Practise as it says (use the loop), and then explore moving this concept to other shapes.

In the end, you can incorporate this Hendrix like 16th note triplet anywhere!
Watermelon Sugar TAB | Related Pages
Watermelon Sugar | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn how to play Watermelon Sugar by Harry Styles using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and backing track.
| Dm | Am |
Tastes like strawberries, on a summer evenin’…
Five similar tunes | Chords + Lyrics
Harry Styles tunes
Starting out with One Direction on the talent show X Factor, Harry Styles launched a successful solo career on the back of the boyband’s success.
His best tunes include What Makes You Beautiful, Sign Of The Times, Watermelon Sugar, Lights Up, Adore You, and As It Was.
Harry Styles on the web
About me | Dan Lundholm
This guitar lesson by Dan Lundholm features TAB and covers Watermelon Sugar. 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.