Alison - Guitar Lessonby Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello's Alison is deceptively sophisticated. Beneath its beautiful melody lies a wonderful study in barre chords, fingerstyle accompaniment, and expressive dynamics. Neil guides you through the intro's fingerpicked passages before transitioning into the finger-strummed groove that carries the verses and chorus, helping you develop both technique and touch.

Alison is one of Elvis Costello's best known songs, it was released on his first album My Aim Is True, in 1977. Like many of his songs, the lyrics can be interpreted in multiple ways, and it is not likely that this is the love song that it might appear upon first listen. The song is in the key of E, and that means plenty of barre chords, including some 1-beat changes. The lesson uses a fingerstyle plucking technique in the intro, followed by finger strumming accompanying the verse and chorus.