Flatpicking Guitar Magazine Free Lesson - January 2019

“Precious Memories”

By J. F. B. Wright

Arranged by Mickey Abraham

Download PDF | Download mp3

Hello and welcome once again to Flatpicking Guitar Magazine’s free lesson portion of our monthly newsletter. This month I am excited to share with you a simple arrangement of the beautiful gospel song “Precious Memories.”

“Precious Memories” has been recorded by everyone from Emmylou Harris to Alan Jackson. In addition to having wonderful lyrics “Precious Memories” also makes for a beautiful flatpicking tune. I chose this song because it has showed up in my life a lot recently. Two of my students brought it in to learn and then I heard a country band playing it the very next weekend. It seems “Precious Memories” is purposely popping up and it is meant to be. I can’t get the song out of my head!

For this lesson I have arranged the melody in C position with a capo at fret four. This will put you into the key of E where Emmylou sings it. If you listen to Emmylou’s rendition you might notice how she hangs on certain chords for effect. While I think this really adds to her version I have chosen to play it straight. In fact, even when the vocalist incorporates the extended measures, the breaks are played over the straight forward forward form.

If played correctly “Precious Memories” will make your audience cry. I hope you enjoy working out this simple arrangement and adding to your list of flatpicking tunes. As always should you have any comments or questions on this lesson just drop me a line at [email protected]