Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison

Unlock the timeless magic of Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” with our detailed note-for-note guitar lesson at LickLibrary.com. A staple of classic rock and a favourite for guitarists of all levels, this song blends infectious rhythm with melodic guitar work. In this comprehensive guitar lesson, we break down every section of the track, covering the rhythmic strumming patterns, bright chord voicings, and classic melodic licks that define the song’s feel-good energy.

Whether you're an aspiring guitarist looking to build your rhythm skills or a more advanced player interested in mastering subtle articulation and phrasing, this lesson offers both a faithful recreation and a valuable study in essential guitar techniques. Lee Hodgson breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Song Overview

“Brown Eyed Girl” is one of Van Morrison’s most iconic songs, originally released in 1967. With its upbeat tempo, joyful melody, and singalong chorus, the track has become a mainstay at gigs, parties, and jam sessions. From a guitarist’s perspective, the song is a treasure trove of rhythm and melody interplay, built on a straightforward but expressive set of techniques that make it as rewarding to learn as it is fun to play.

Guitar Work and Techniques Explored

Chord Progressions

At the core of “Brown Eyed Girl” is a sequence of bright, open chord progressions. These progressions provide the harmonic foundation of the song and are executed with a rhythmic strumming pattern that maintains the song’s bouncy, upbeat feel. Mastering this element helps players improve their timing and chord-changing speed—crucial skills for any rhythm guitarist.

Barre Chords

While the intro and verses utilise open chords, the chorus and bridge sections feature barre chords. These add more dynamic range and allow for cleaner transitions higher up the neck. Barre chords are an essential tool in any guitarist's arsenal, helping develop finger strength and enabling the guitarist to play in different keys without retuning.

Slides

Melodic fills in the song often incorporate tasteful slides. These add a smooth, vocal-like quality to the transitions between notes. Learning to slide accurately and musically trains both intonation and expressive playing—an excellent way to bring personality to your solos and phrases.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

Some of the lead fills use combinations of hammer-ons and pull-offs. These techniques increase fluidity and speed in your playing by minimising pick strokes. They are a foundational part of building a more legato, smooth lead style.

Double Stops

You'll also encounter melodic fills that use double stops—playing two notes simultaneously to create harmonic depth. Double stops are an excellent technique to develop because they allow guitarists to imply chords while still maintaining melodic movement, giving solos more texture and complexity.

Guitarists on the Track

Although Van Morrison is known for his vocals and songwriting, the original guitar work on “Brown Eyed Girl” was played by Eric Gale, a prolific session guitarist whose influence spans genres like soul, R&B, and jazz. His playing on this track showcases his clean tone, smooth phrasing, and ability to craft catchy, singable guitar lines that support the song without overshadowing it. Gale’s subtle but effective use of rhythm and melody serves as an excellent study in tasteful guitar accompaniment and phrasing.

Learning to play in this style gives guitarists a solid grounding in supportive, song-serving playing—a crucial aspect of becoming a well-rounded musician.

Benefits of Learning This Song

Learning “Brown Eyed Girl” is more than just adding another classic to your setlist. It’s a gateway to developing core guitar skills in an engaging and musical context. Here are some of the key benefits:

• Improves rhythm and timing through steady strumming patterns.
• Enhances finger dexterity and hand strength with barre chords and melodic phrases.
• Builds melodic vocabulary through tasteful lead lines and fills.
• Strengthens expressive playing with slides, hammer-ons, and double stops.
• Expands knowledge of song structure and how guitar parts are used to support vocal melodies.

Whether you're playing solo or in a band setting, these skills are immediately applicable and will make your playing more dynamic, polished, and confident.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Chord Progressions
• Barre Chords
• Slides
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Double Stops

Ready to bring that iconic ‘60s tone and groove into your playing? Dive into our “Brown Eyed Girl” guitar lesson and let the music do the talking.