Hey everyone, so this is definitely the correct way to play Neon. I've seen countless incorrect tabs or
correct ones but just with the wrong tempo, rhythm, etc. To preface, the song is fingerpicked with the thumb
and pointer. For which is which, refer to the key below. The thumb slaps played at the middle of each chord
shape are all played on the muted low-E (dropped to a C). If you've played Stop This Train or Heart of Life,
you know exactly what I'm talking about.
Ok, first, the tuning is CADGBe. You will not be using the A- or e-strings for the main riff. This is an
acoustic song for sure and low action is almost required.
The two open notes in between each chord shape are really optional (hence the parentheses), but the transition
seems empty without them once you've got the speed down. Up to you. I use them, but don't worry about them.
Chord shapes are separated roughly by bars to make learning easier.
First, get the notes down accurately, then focus on speed, THEN tackle the rhythm. Practice transitioning
between chord shapes so you can switch quickly. Shapes 4 and 5 especially. It's a hard jump to make at first.
In later runthroughs of the main riff, John just strums the last two chord shapes. Another reason to get as
fast as you can here.
Good luck!
__________________________ ______________________________________
|Key | |Chord Shapes |
| | | |
| X - Thumbslap | | e|-------------------------------| |
| T - Pick w/ thumb | | B|----8-----4-----4-----9----8---| |
| P - Pick w/ pointer | | G|----0-----3-----3-----8----7---| |
| t - Note held w/ | | D|---10-----3-----6-----8---10---| |
| left thumb | | A|-------------------------------| |
|_________________________| | C|----0-----3-----5-----8---10---| |
| t t t t |
| #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 |
|______________________________________|
[Main riff]
t t t
e|---------------------|------------------|-------------------|---------------------|
B|--------8------------|-------4----------|-------4-----------|-------9---------8---|
G|------0-----10-------|-----3------------|-----3-----3-------|-----8---------7-----|
D|---10------------(0)-|---3-------5---6--|---6-----------(0)-|---8--------10-------|
A|---------------------|------------------|-------------------|---------------------|
C|-0--------X----(0)---|-3-------X---0----|-5-------X---(0)---|-8-------10--------X-|
T P T P T P T P T P T P T P T P T P T P T P T P T P T P T P T P T
^ ^ ^ ^
Optional (These two notes function as
Transitional the two transitional notes
Notes for this shape however these
two actually aren't optional)
