California Dreamin' - Mamas and the Papas

Disclaimer: Not my own work. You can find the original of this and other very well done acoustic tabs at http://www.acoustictabs.co.uk .

This is one of those songs that will offer a great sense of accomplishment with relatively little effort. I have searched but did not find it in the Easy Songs database so even though it's not my work I decided to make people aware of it.

Two versions of this tab is available. The one I learned initially is the all barre chords version which I'd learned on the cable channel video-on-demand program called Guitar-Xpress. The other version utilizes a capo making the song a lot easier to play. The original at http://www.acoustictabs.co.uk/tabs/MammasandPapas,The-CaliforniaDreamin.txt lists both barred and capoed chords at the same time. I will remove the barred versions for easier reading. Do attempt the barred versions later on though. It's not that much more difficult and looks oh so professional while playing :)

Capo on 4th Fret

Intro Riff #1:

Am
-----------------|
-----0---3--1--0-|
---2-------------| X 3
-2-----2---------|
-----------------|
-----------------|


Basically form an Am shape (relative to capo). Do not put the index finger down initially. Use the pinky on the third fret of the B string, followed by putting the index finger on the 1st fret of the same string. You will definetely recognize this little riff.

According to the tab, a second guitar (12 string) starts playing another riff (Riff #2) during the 2nd and 3rd times this riff (Riff #1) is played. I like to play this riff (Riff #1) 3 times per normal, then play the next riff once before switching to chords.

Intro Riff #2:

|-----0-1-0-------|-----------------|---
|-------------3---|-1---3-1---------|---
|-----------------|---------4--2--0-|-2-
|-----------------|-----------------|---
|-----------------|-----------------|---
|-----------------|-----------------|---


Again this is pretty easy to play. Make sure to vibrato the last note.

I am not sure about how to make a smooth transition into the verses but for me singing the first "All the leaves are" bit without playing anything and then starting with the strummed chords works well. In general the song gives the guitar player a bit of room with the sections where you don't sing but just strum chords. These sections are really back vocal sections in sort of a verse & response kind of feel. If you can sing the main lyrics as well as the response sections, all the more power to you. Go for it ! :)

Before posting the verses let me remind you that the E7sus4 we need for this piece is not as scary as it looks. Just look at the following fingering and play it.

(chord images courtesy of jguitar.com used without permission and with great joy !)

Looking at the images you will notice that while playing the E7sus4 you can already place your index finger on the 1st fret of the G string (not that particular G string). This way you need only lift your middle finger to switch to E7 in record speed.

The rest of the song goes like this:

Verse 1:

[G] [Fmaj7] [Am]
On such a winter's day


This song has a very particular strumming pattern (it's probably not even a pattern) that should come naturally if you've heard the song as many time as I have.

I hope you enjoy playing and benefit from this. I would love to hear your recordings if you feel like sharing.

oktay