In today’s cigar box guitar lesson, we will learn Wicked Game by Chris Isaak.  This is an approachable tune that would be a good challenge for a relative beginner player.  You will need to understand how to read cigar box guitar tablature to play along with the video below. Still, with a bit of practice, you will be playing along in no time.

You can play the song with or without a slide, or as I do, a combination of both slide and fingers.  If you play with the slide, a couple of finger alterations will make the opening riff easy to play.

Cigar Box Guitar Chords

Before we go there, let’s look at the basic chords used in Wicked Game.  Fortunately, there are only three chords: Am, G and D.  I have included two shapes for the D chord for variety.  It should also be noted that the D chords are technically called D5 as they don’t have the 3rd of the chord (F#).

You can use a standard strumming pattern for the whole song:

Cigar Box Guitar Tab – Intro

Ok, let’s have a look at the intro 3-string cigar box guitar tab.  You will notice the first slide from the 2nd to the 9th fret has a line connecting both numbers with a curved line over the top.  That means to slide up from the 2nd to 9th fret but not pick the 9th fret again.  In other words, just slide up to the 9th fret with one stroke of the pick.  The second slide is the same as the first, but this time pick the 9th fret again.  

Ok, hopefully, that was easy for you to do.  Let’s look at how to finger the second part of the intro using the slide and fingers together.

Using the Slide and Fingers Together

Learning how to use the slide and fingers together is sometimes a challenge, but a few tricks can help.  First, try the slide on the 3rd finger so you can still use your 1st, 2nd and 4th fingers.  The slide generally acts as a straight barre but is also very useful when tilted.

After you do the slides in the intro of  Wicked Game, you are presented with the challenge of using your fingers while still holding onto the slide.  The issue is, the notes need to ring and overlap each other to sound close to the original guitar recording.  This can only be achieved by choosing a position and a fingering that avoids the third finger, as obviously, you have a slide on the third.  Notice the fingering in red below:

As is evident, there are always limitations when arranging from 6-string guitar to 3-string cigar box guitar.  What is simple for a 6-string is sometimes more challenging on just 3-strings.  Of course, it is easier in some respects because you can only play three notes at a time!

The other option that may make the position shift easier is to add some reverb and delay if you play electric.  These effects can allow you to shift between positions and keep the notes ringing to create a connected flowing sound.

Ok, I hope you got something out of this lesson.  To buy the sheet music visit Sheet Music Plus.  Subscribe below for more free cigar box lessons and the latest publications. Check out my other blog posts for more free cigar box guitar lessons, and here’s the link for a good selection of cigar box guitar books and arrangements.

If you have any suggestions for more songs or lessons, please leave your comments below.