John Mayer - Neon

Neon (intro as played live) - John Mayer Tuning is Standard except that low E is tuned down to C [Finger Picking/Rhythm Technique] It will make learning the song much easier once you get this pattern down. Practice this without playing any notes so you can focus on consistent timing and the percussive rhythm. To play this song correctly, you will need to use an unconventional picking technique; Use only your thumb and index finger(with the exception a whole hand slap), in an alternating 16th note pattern. The thumb should only ever pick downward and the index finger upward. Once the thumb has played the bass note on the C string, it must then reach down past the index finger to the G string. Reaching that thumb down is the most practical way to play the notes and incorporate the percussive movements. This is the technique John himself uses. Legend: T = Thumb *T = Slap note using thumb (like the slapping technique used for bass guitar) I = Index finger X = Percussive slap using the whole hand on the strings (simulating a snare drum) 1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a 1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a e|---------X---------------X---------------X---------------------------------| B|-------I-X-------------I-X-------------I-X-------------I-------I-----------| G|-----T---X-I---------T---X-----------T---X-----------T-------T-------------| D|---I-----X-----I---I-----X-I---I---I-----X-I---I---I-------I---------------| A|---------X---------------X---------------X---------------------------------| C|*T-------X---T--*T-------X---T--*T-------X---T--*T------*T-----------------| [The Bassline - C string notes] Played with the thumb (LH) only, the goal is to substitute this bassline for the C string picking shown above. * = Indicates a bass style slap 1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a 1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| G|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| D|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| A|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| C|*0-----------0--*3-----------0--*5-----------5--*8------*10----------------| [Basic Chord Shapes] Using the bassline above to guide you through changes, work on positioning your hands for the chord shapes. Chords: * = Indicates thumb used to fret note. Disclaimer: this was the most ergonomic way to fret the notes for me. If you want to play exactly like John, use your thumb to fret all notes on the C string. I would not advise this unless you have giant rubber hands and I take no responsibility for injuries you incur attempting this. e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| B|-8--------4--------4--------9--------8-------------------------------------| G|-10-------3--------3--------8--------7-------------------------------------| D|----------3--------6--------8--------10------------------------------------| A|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| C|-0-------*3--------5-------*8--------10------------------------------------| Chord Fingering (ergonomic way): 0 = Open string T = Thumb 1 to 4 = Index to little finger respectively e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| B|-1--------2--------2--------2--------2-------------------------------------| G|-2--------1--------1--------1--------1-------------------------------------| D|----------1--------4--------1--------4-------------------------------------| A|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| E|-0--------T--------3--------T--------3-------------------------------------| [Full Tab] In addition to the plucked out chord shapes above, the slapping/rhythm and the bassline. There are a few transition notes which tie all the elements together, fill blank spaces in the rhythm and allow for smooth changes between chord shapes. These notes include an open D string, the open C string from the bassline, and a few other extra notes between the chord shapes. 1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a 1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a e|---------x---------------x---------------x-------------------------| B|-------8-x-------------4-x-------------4-x-------------9-------8---| G|-----x---x-10--------3---x-----------3---x-----------8-------7-----| D|---x-----x-----0---3-----x-5---6---6-----x-6---0---8-------10------| A|---------x---------------x---------------x-------------------------| C|s0-------x---0--s3-------x---0--s5-------x---5--s8------s10--------| ************************************ | * Natural harmonic | x Dead note ************************************