Dan Green – Cincinnati – Guitar Tabs

Melissa by Allman Brothers – Guitar Tab

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Dan Green

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Melissa by Allman Brothers – Guitar Tab

Allman Brothers - Melissa album art

This tab for “Melissa” by the Allman Brothers is straightforward and clear, making it a great choice for guitarists who want to tackle a classic rock song without getting lost in overly complex arrangements. The chords are simple and familiar, and the tabbed intro riff really captures the essence of the original song. I appreciate how this tab maintains the song’s original feel while still being accessible for the casual player. The standard tuning and absence of a capo means you can pick up your guitar and start playing right away, without any additional setup.

Practice Tip

Take the time to get comfortable with the intro riff before moving on to the rest of the song. It sets the tone for everything that follows and is a key part of the song’s identity. Don’t rush through it. Start slow, focus on your finger placements and gradually build up speed as you get more comfortable. And remember, the goal isn’t to play it fast, it’s to play it right.

Genre & Difficulty

This is a classic rock song with a laid-back, bluesy feel to it. If you enjoy the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eric Clapton, or Stevie Ray Vaughan, you’ll probably enjoy learning and playing this song. In terms of difficulty, it’s not too challenging, making it a good choice for intermediate players looking to expand their repertoire. However, the intro riff and the subtle nuances throughout the song provide enough of a challenge to keep even more advanced players engaged.

Full Tab


[Verse 1]
E           F#m                Emaj7   F#m
  Crossroads, seem to come and go,        yeah
E                               F#m
  The gypsy flies from coast to coast
A         Bm           Amaj7   Bm
  Knowing many, loving none
E         F#m            Emaj7   A
  Bearing sorrow, havin' fun
Cmaj7                           B                 E  F#m  Emaj7  F#m
     But back home he'll always run to sweet Melissa...   mmm...

[Verse 2]
E              F#m                   Emaj7   F#m
  Freight train, each car looks the same,       all the same
E                              F#m
  And no one knows the gypsy's name
A        Bm               Amaj7   Bm
  No one hears his lonely sigh
E              F#m               Emaj7   A
  There are no blankets where he lies
Cmaj7                                     B                    E  F#m  Emaj7
     In all his deepest dreams the gypsy flies with sweet Melissa... mmm...
F#m

[Chorus]
E
  Again the morning's come
D
  Again he's on the run
A
  Sunbeams shining through his hair
B
  Appearing not to have a care
C#m                                    A      B      B7
    Well, pick up your gear and gypsy roll on, roll on

[Verse 3]
E         F#m                       Emaj7   F#m
  Crossroads, will you ever let him go?     (Lord, Lord)
E                                 F#m
  Or will you hide the dead man's ghost
A             Bm     Amaj7      Bm
  Or will he lie, beneath the clay
E             F#m          Emaj7   A
  Or will his spirit float away?
Cmaj7                         B                 E   F#m
     But I know that he won't stay without Melissa
Cmaj7                          B                       E
     Yes, I know that he won't stay, yeah, without Melissa

[Outro]
(E)  F#m   Emaj7   F#m
 E   F#m   Emaj7   F#m   x4

(fade out)

Adapted for educational use. Based on public tab formatting. The commentary on this page is autogenerated as part of an ongoing test.

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