On The Esplanade


i'm pretty confident of the accuracy of this tab - i've put a lot of time into it, watched a video of paul playing it, and even slowed the tempo for part of it (specifically figure 4) to make sure it's correct. however, if you have any corrections, please comment. also, if you know the names of the chord forms used for these figures, please comment those as well - i don't really know how to identify chords yet, but i know their forms are how most people identify picking patterns like these, so it would help a lot for more experienced players. two youtube videos are useful in learning this song, hopefully they're still up, if not try to find video similar to their description: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8xiDvH7gEE this video has the album version of the song. any time stamps found in this tab are meant to match up with the timeline in this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImwQjVo7r_g this is a video of paul playing the song. both of paul's hands are visible throughout the majority of the video so it's an excellent reference in case you get stuck. figure 1 e|--------------| b|----6---------| g|--------0---0-| d|------7---7---| a|--5-----------| E|--------------| figure 2 e|--------------| b|----6---------| g|--------0---0-| d|------7---7---| a|--8-----------| E|--------------| figure 3 e|--------------| b|----6---------| g|--------0---0-| d|------7---7---| a|--0-----------| E|--------------| figure 4 e|-----------------| b|-----8-----------| g|-----------------| d|-------7----7----| a|--10-----10---10-| E|-----------------| figure 5 e|----------------| b|----6-------6---| g|--------0-------| d|------7---------| a|--5-------0---8-| E|----------------| figure 6 e|----2---------| b|--------2---2-| g|--------------| d|--0---0---0---| a|--------------| E|--------------| figure 7 e|----0---------| b|--------2---2-| g|--------------| d|--------------| a|--4---4---4---| E|--------------| figure 8 e|--------| b|------0-| g|----2---| d|--0-----| a|--------| E|--------| figure 9 e|--------| b|--------| g|----1-2-| d|--------| a|--4-----| E|--------| figure 10 e|---------------| b|------0-0-0----| g|----2-------2~-| d|--0------------| a|---------------| E|---------------| here is the order in which the figures are played throughout the song: GUITAR 1 11112233 x 8 [00:00 - 1:09] 4411533 x 2 [1:09 - 1:22] 1111 x 2 [1:22 - 1:30] 11112233 x 6 [1:30 - 2:21] 4411533 x 2 [2:21 - 2:33] 1111 x 2 [2:33 - 2:42] 66667777 x 10 [2:42 3:32] 6 x 1 [3:32 - 3:41] GUITAR 2 88889999 x 10 [2:42 - 3:32] 10 x 1 [3:32 - 3:41] the first three quarters of the song (up to 2:42) use only figures 1-5. the intro uses only figures 1-3 so start by practicing these figures. as you can see, the only difference between these three figures is the note played on the a string. i use my index finger for figure 1, my pinky for figure 2, and of course nothing for the open a on figure 3. repeat this process eight times. after the first couple verses, switch to figure 4 by sliding on the d string from the 7th fret to the 9th. switch back to the chord form from figure 2 right before this part, as figure 4 uses the same form. the picking pattern for figure 4 is slightly different than the pattern from figures 1-3. after playing figure 4 twice, slide back down on the d string to the 7th fret and play figure 1 once. then play figure 5, which is like a combination of figures 3 and 2, in that order. after playing figure 5 you should be in position for figure 2; play this figure twice, then repeat the process once more. at 1:22, simply play figure 1 eight times, then return to the same figures 1-3 pattern from the first part of the song, but this time only play it six times. after that, play the same instrumental segment from 1:09 - 1:22 twice like last time, then play figure 1 eight more times. this is the last time you'll play any of figures 1-5 in the song, so now we move onto the outro. the rest of the song is an intro in which you alternate between figures 6 and 7. once again, this is yet another different couple of picking patterns, so study the tabs and practice to get them right. just alternate between playing figure 6 four times then figure 7 four times, and repeat the process ten times, which is when the song ends. at 2:42, a second guitar comes in. just like guitar 1, it's the same tab over and over for the rest of the song until the very end. play figure 8 four times then figure 9 four times a total of ten times, then end with figure 8. lyrics: On the Esplanade, down by the sea Baby, watch my back I think somebody’s been following me You feel overcome, with trying to play it dead You feel safe that way, is it better than just playing instead? It was a big step for me to roll up my golden life Should have saved, saved my energy I’m awake today It’s so nice to see the windows wash my dreams away And I prop myself up on my pillow We’ve been through shaky times But I’m glad you found your way There was too much panic then From here on it will be straight all the way It was a big step for me to roll up my golden life Should have saved, saved my energy Changing with time, I can’t wait for the sign Is this right? Day chose your side, but the day brings the pride of the light Oh the peace comes at night; I will never break from this shadow of exile To be blinded Changing with time, I can’t wait for the sign Is this right? Is this right?