Fast Car — One String Guitar Tab

1. This melody uses just the 1st string (high E string) of your guitar. The fret sequence is: 0, 1, 0, 3, 3, 8, 7, 7, 0, 1, 0, 3, 3, 8, 10, 8, 7, 8, 7.
2. Start with the opening phrase: open string (0), fret 1, back to open (0), then fret 3 twice. This gentle walk-up sets the tone for the whole melody.
3. Jump up to fret 8, then step down to fret 7 and play it twice. Let these notes ring — they carry the emotional weight of the phrase.
4. The second half begins the same way: 0, 1, 0, 3, 3, 8 — a repeat of the opening pattern.
5. This time, instead of stepping down, climb higher to fret 10 — the peak of the melody. Then descend: 8, 7, 8, 7.
6. The ending alternates between frets 8 and 7, creating a gentle rocking motion. Keep these transitions smooth and unhurried.
7. Fast Car is meant to feel flowing and relaxed. The original tempo is around 100 BPM, but start much slower. Focus on making each note blend into the next — think of it as telling a story, not just hitting frets.

Rushing the opening walk-up (0, 1, 0, 3) — this phrase should feel gentle and unhurried, so give each note its full length. Making the jump from fret 3 to fret 8 sound abrupt — try sliding your finger up smoothly rather than lifting and landing. Losing the difference between the two halves — the first phrase ends on 7, 7 while the second climbs to 10 before descending. Make sure you hit fret 10 clearly to bring out the variation. Playing too aggressively — Fast Car is a soft, acoustic melody. Pick the string gently and let the notes sustain naturally.