Simple Man – Lynyrd Skynyrd

Learn how to play "Simple Man" by Lynyrd Skynyrd in our detailed, note-for-note guitar lesson at LickLibrary.com. This timeless Southern rock anthem offers a rich and rewarding learning experience for guitarists of all levels, thanks to its iconic chord progressions, expressive lead lines, and soulful phrasing. Our lesson breaks down each section of the song in meticulous detail, teaching you not only how to play the parts but also why they work and how to develop your own musicality through these techniques. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Song Overview

Originally released on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s 1973 debut album, “Simple Man” quickly became a fan favourite and a staple in the Southern rock genre. The track is a heartfelt ballad that builds from a delicate clean guitar arpeggio into an emotional and powerful chorus. This makes it an excellent piece for developing dynamic control and expressive playing.

About the Guitar Players

“Simple Man” showcases the brilliant guitar work of Gary Rossington and Allen Collins, two of the founding members of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Their twin guitar approach helped define the band’s signature sound—blending blues-based licks, melodic solos, and warm, textured rhythm work. Rossington’s smooth phrasing and Collins' fiery leads laid the foundation for many guitarists who came after them, influencing players across the rock, blues, and country spectrum.

Their playing on “Simple Man” captures the essence of emotional guitar work—everything is played with feel and purpose. Studying their parts gives players not just technical ability, but a deeper understanding of how to use dynamics, tone, and space effectively.

Guitar Techniques in This Lesson

Arpeggios and Arpeggiated Chord Progressions

The intro and verse sections of “Simple Man” are built around clean, arpeggiated chord progressions. These are perfect for improving your finger control, string accuracy, and timing. Practicing these patterns will give you the foundation to play more complex fingerpicking or hybrid picking arrangements down the line. These kinds of passages help reinforce chord knowledge and musical phrasing.

Chord Progressions

The song is driven by a simple but emotionally powerful chord progression that repeats through much of the song. This allows players to focus on dynamics and subtle variations in rhythm, tone, and articulation. It’s an ideal study in how to create atmosphere with relatively few chords, perfect for songwriting and performance practice.

String Bending and Bluesy Bends

In the solo sections, you’ll find expressive string bending and bluesy bends. These techniques add emotional depth to your leads and are essential for conveying feeling through your playing. They also develop your finger strength and pitch control—two critical elements for any lead guitarist.

Vibrato

Used throughout the solo and sustained notes, vibrato gives your playing a vocal, expressive quality. It helps to sustain notes and keep them interesting, particularly in slower passages. Learning proper vibrato technique allows your guitar to "sing" and is a major step toward sounding professional.

Slides

Slides are used to transition between notes smoothly, adding fluidity to both lead and rhythm parts. They contribute to the soulful and lyrical sound that defines the guitar work in “Simple Man.” Practicing slides enhances fretboard familiarity and makes your solos sound more polished.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

Solo phrases in “Simple Man” feature classic hammer-ons and pull-offs, adding speed and flow to licks without needing to pick every note. These legato techniques improve your coordination and give your phrasing a smoother, more connected feel.

Sustain

The use of sustain in this song, particularly during the solo and melodic phrases, gives each note room to breathe and resonate emotionally. Mastering sustain control helps develop your touch, tone, and sense of timing.

Why Learn “Simple Man”?

Learning “Simple Man” provides a foundation for a wide range of essential guitar skills. From rhythm playing and arpeggiation to expressive lead work, this song covers techniques that translate across multiple genres. It’s also an excellent study in musical dynamics—how to build a song from quiet, introspective moments to powerful emotional peaks.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll have more than just another song in your repertoire—you’ll have refined your tone control, improved your fretboard fluidity, and gained valuable insight into expressive guitar playing.

Guitar Techniques Used

• Arpeggios
• Arpeggiated Chord Progressions
• Chord Progressions
• Vibrato
• String Bending
• Bluesy Bends
• Slides
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Sustain

Unlock the timeless licks and soulful phrasing of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” with our expert guitar tutorial—only at LickLibrary.com. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, this lesson will help elevate your playing to new emotional and technical heights.