How Adam Rafferty Transformed Billie Jean into a Fingerstyle Guitar Classic
Adam Rafferty Billie Jean PDF Download: How to Play Michael Jackson's Classic Song on Guitar
If you are a fan of Michael Jackson and guitar music, you might have heard of Adam Rafferty. He is a talented fingerstyle guitarist who has arranged and performed many popular songs, including Billie Jean. In this article, you will learn more about Adam Rafferty, Billie Jean, and how to download his PDF and video lessons on how to play this classic song on guitar.
adam rafferty billie jean pdf download
Introduction
Michael Jackson was one of the most influential and successful artists of all time. His music spanned across genres, generations, and cultures. One of his most iconic songs was Billie Jean, released in 1982 as part of his album Thriller. The song was a huge hit, topping the charts in many countries and winning two Grammy Awards. It also featured a memorable music video, where Jackson performed his signature moonwalk dance for the first time.
Billie Jean is a song that has inspired many musicians, including guitarists. One of them is Adam Rafferty, a fingerstyle guitarist from New York. He has arranged and played Billie Jean on acoustic guitar, using his own style and technique. He has also created a PDF and video lessons on how to play Billie Jean on guitar, which you can download for free from his website.
Who is Adam Rafferty?
Adam Rafferty is a professional guitarist who specializes in fingerstyle guitar. Fingerstyle guitar is a technique where the guitarist plucks the strings with the fingers instead of using a pick. This allows the guitarist to play multiple parts of the music at the same time, such as bass, rhythm, melody, and harmony.
Adam Rafferty started playing guitar at the age of six. He was influenced by various genres of music, such as jazz, blues, rock, pop, and classical. He studied with some of the best guitar teachers in the world, such as Mike Longo, Barry Harris, and Howard Roberts. He also performed with many famous musicians, such as Dr. Lonnie Smith, The Dizzy Gillespie Big Band, L.A. Studio Legend Bennie Wallace, and Alvin Queen.
Adam Rafferty discovered fingerstyle guitar in 2006, when he heard Tommy Emmanuel play live. He was amazed by the sound and possibilities of fingerstyle guitar, and decided to learn it himself. He soon developed his own style and repertoire, arranging and playing songs by artists such as Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Nat King Cole, and more.
Adam Rafferty has released several albums and DVDs of his fingerstyle guitar music. He has also toured around the world, performing in countries such as Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Switzerland, Poland, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Australia. He has received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike for his musicality, creativity, and skill.
What is Billie Jean?
Billie Jean is one of Michael Jackson's most famous songs. It was written and composed by Jackson himself, and produced by Quincy Jones. It was released as the second single from his sixth studio album, Thriller, in 1982.
Billie Jean is a song that tells the story of a woman who claims that Jackson is the father of her son. Jackson denies the allegation, saying that "the kid is not my son". The song is based on Jackson's own experience with a fan who stalked him and accused him of fathering her child.
Billie Jean is a song that combines elements of pop, funk, and dance music. It has a catchy and groovy bass line, a simple and effective drum beat, and a smooth and expressive vocal performance by Jackson. It also has a distinctive synth sound that creates a mysterious and suspenseful atmosphere.
Billie Jean is a song that has been praised by critics and fans for its musical quality, lyrical content, and cultural impact. It is widely regarded as one of the best songs of all time, and one of Jackson's signature songs. It has been covered by many artists, such as Chris Cornell, David Cook, Justin Bieber, Kanye West, and more.
Why learn Billie Jean on guitar?
Learning Billie Jean on guitar can be a fun and rewarding experience for any guitarist. Here are some reasons why you should learn Billie Jean on guitar:
You can enjoy playing one of the greatest songs of all time on your instrument.
You can challenge yourself to master a complex and intricate arrangement of fingerstyle guitar.
You can improve your skills in playing bass, rhythm, melody, and harmony simultaneously on guitar.
You can impress your friends and family with your musical talent and taste.
You can express your admiration and appreciation for Michael Jackson and his music.
How to download Adam Rafferty's Billie Jean PDF
If you want to learn how to play Billie Jean on guitar according to Adam Rafferty's arrangement, you will need his PDF and video lessons. The PDF contains the tablature and notation of the song, which shows you exactly where to place your fingers on the fretboard and how to pluck the strings. The video lessons show you how to play the song step by step, with clear explanations and demonstrations by Adam Rafferty himself.
The good news is that you can download Adam Rafferty's Billie Jean PDF and video lessons for free from his website. All you need to do is follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Visit Adam Rafferty's website
The first step is to visit Adam Rafferty's website at https://www.adamrafferty.com/. This is where you can find all his information, products, and resources related to fingerstyle guitar.
Step 2: Sign up for his newsletter
The second step is to sign up for his newsletter. This is how you can get access to his free PDF and video lessons on Billie Jean and other songs. To sign up for his newsletter, you need to enter your name and email address in the form on his website. You will also need to agree to his terms and conditions and privacy policy.
Step 3: Confirm your email address
The third step is to confirm your email address. After you sign up for his newsletter, you will receive an email from Adam Rafferty with a link to confirm your subscription. You need to click on that link to verify your email address and activate your account.
Step 4: Access the PDF and video lessons
The fourth step is to access the PDF and video lessons. Once you confirm your email address, you will receive another email from Adam Rafferty with a link to access his free PDF and video lessons on Billie Jean and other songs. You need to click on that link to open the page where you can download the PDF and watch the video lessons.
How to play Billie Jean on guitar according to Adam Rafferty
Now that you have downloaded Adam Rafferty's Billie Jean PDF and video lessons, you are ready to learn how to play this song on guitar. Here are some tips and tricks on how to play Billie Jean on guitar according to Adam Rafferty:
The basics of fingerstyle guitar
Before you start playing Billie Jean on guitar, you need to know some basics of fingerstyle guitar. Here are some of them:
). You can use a tuner or an online tool to tune your guitar.
You need to use your thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers to pluck the strings. You can assign each finger to a specific string, such as thumb for the sixth, fifth, and fourth strings, index for the third string, middle for the second string, and ring for the first string. You can also use your pinky finger for some notes if needed.
You need to use a capo on the second fret of your guitar. A capo is a device that clamps across the fretboard and shortens the strings, changing their pitch. By using a capo on the second fret, you can play Billie Jean in the key of F# minor instead of E minor, which is easier and more comfortable for fingerstyle guitar.
You need to practice the basic techniques of fingerstyle guitar, such as hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, bends, harmonics, and percussions. These are ways to embellish and enhance your playing by adding more expression and dynamics to your notes. You can learn these techniques from Adam Rafferty's video lessons or other online sources.
The main riff and groove of Billie Jean
The main riff and groove of Billie Jean is the most recognizable and important part of the song. It is what gives the song its catchy and funky feel. It is also what you will play most of the time throughout the song.
The main riff and groove of Billie Jean consists of four bars that repeat over and over. Each bar has four beats, and each beat has four sixteenth notes. The main riff and groove of Billie Jean uses only three chords: F#m7, B9sus4, and Emaj7. Here is how to play them:
Chord
Fret
String
Finger
F#m7
2nd
6th
Thumb
4th
4th
Ring
2nd
3rd
Index
2nd
2nd
Middle
B9sus4
2nd
5th
Thumb
4th
4th
4th
3rd
Middle
4th
2nd
Index
Emaj7
4th
6th
Thumb
6th >4th >Pinky 4th >3rd >Middle 4th >2nd >Index
To play the main riff and groove of Billie Jean, you need to pluck the strings in a specific pattern and rhythm. You need to follow the tablature and notation in Adam Rafferty's PDF, and watch his video lessons for more details and tips. Here are some general guidelines:
You need to pluck the bass notes (the lowest notes of each chord) with your thumb on the first beat of each bar. You need to accentuate these notes by plucking them harder and louder than the other notes.
You need to pluck the other notes (the higher notes of each chord) with your index, middle, and ring fingers on the second, third, and fourth sixteenth notes of each beat. You need to syncopate these notes by plucking them slightly off the beat, creating a swing feel.
You need to mute the strings with your palm or fingers after each note, creating a staccato effect. This will make your playing sound more crisp and clear, and also create a contrast with the sustained notes.
You need to add some percussions with your thumb or fingers on some beats, creating a drum-like sound. This will make your playing sound more rhythmic and groovy, and also fill in the gaps between the notes.
The chord progression and melody of Billie Jean
The chord progression and melody of Billie Jean is the part where you play the chords and sing or hum the lyrics of the song. It is what gives the song its meaning and emotion. It is also what you will play during the verses and choruses of the song.
The chord progression and melody of Billie Jean follows the same four bars as the main riff and groove, but with some variations. You will play different chords on some beats, and add some melody notes on others. Here are some examples:
Bar
Chord/Melody
Fret
String
Finger
Note/Lyric
1st
F#m7/B9sus4
h
6th/5th/4th/3rd/2nd/1st
Thumb/Ring/Middle/Index/Ring/Middle/Index/Ring/Middle/Index/Ring/Middle/Index/Ring/Middle/Index/Ring/Middle/Index/Ring/Middle/Index/Ring/Middle/Index/Ring/Middle/Index/Ring/Middle/Index/Ring/Middle/Index
F#/B/E/B/F#/B/E/B/F#/B/E/B/F#/B/E/B/F#/B/E/B/F#/B/E/B/F#/B/E/B/F#/B/E/B
2nd/4th/5th/7th/9th/11th/12th/14th/16th/18th/20th/22nd/24th/26th/28th/30th/32nd/34th/36th/38th/40th/42nd/44th/46th/48th/50th/52nd/54th/56th/58th/60th/62nd/64th/66th/68th/70th/72nd/74th
3rd
Index
C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#
2nd >2nd >Middle >A 2nd >B9sus4 >2nd >5th >Thumb >B 4th >4th >Ring >E 4th >3rd >Middle >F# 4th >2nd >Index >B 5th/7th/9th/11th/13th/15th/17th/19th/21st/23rd/25th/27th/29th/31st/33rd/35th/37th/39th/41st/43rd/45th/47th/49th/51st/53rd/55th/57th/59th/61st1st >Ring/Middle/Index/Ring/Middle/Index/Ring/Middle/Index/Ring/Middle/Index/Ring/Middle/Index/Ring/Middle/Index/Ring/Middle/Index/Ring/Middle/IndexC#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#3rd >Emaj7/B9sus44th6thThumbE6th4thPinkyG#
4t h>
3r d>
Middl e>
E
4t h>
2n d>
Inde x>
B
5t h>
1s t>
Rin g>
G#
2n d>
5t h>
Thum b>
B
4t h>
4t h>
Rin g>
E
4t h>
3r d>
Middl e>F#
4t h>
2n d>
Inde x>
B
5t h/7t h/9t h/11t h/13t h/15t h/17t h/19t h/21s t/23r d/25t h/27t h/29t h/31s t/33r d/35t h/37t h/39t h/41s t/43r d/45t h/47t h/49t h/51s t1s t>Rin g/Middl e/Index/Rin g/Middl e/Index/Rin g/Middl e/Index/Rin g/Middl e/Index/Rin g/Middl e/Index/Rin g/Middl g/Middl e/Index/Rin g/Middl e/Index/Rin g/Middl e/Index/Rin g/Middl e/IndexC#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#4t h>
F#m72n d>
6t h>
Thum b>
F#
4t h>
4t h>
Rin g>
C#
2n d>
3r d>
Inde x>
A
2n d>
2n d>
Middl e>
F#
5t h/7t h/9t h/11t h/13t h/15t h/17t h/19t h/21s t/23r d/25t h/27t h/29t h/31s t/33r d/35t h/37t h/39t h/41s t/43r d/45t h/47t h/49t h/51s1sRinC#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#/C#/F#
To play the chord progression and melody of Billie Jean, you need to pluck the strings in a similar pattern and rhythm as the main riff and groove, but with some changes. You need to follow the tablature and notation in Adam Rafferty's PDF, and watch his video lessons for more details and tips. Here are some general guidelines:
You need to pluck the bass notes (the lowest notes of each chord) with your thumb on the first beat of each bar, except for the fourth bar, where you pluck it on the third beat. You need to accentuate these notes by plucking them harder and louder than the other notes.
You need to pluck the other notes (the higher notes of each chord) with your index, middle, and ring fingers on the second, third, and fourth sixteenth notes of each beat, except for some beats where you pluck them on the first sixteenth note instead. You need to syncopate these notes by plucking them slightly off the beat, creating a swing feel.
You need to mute the strings with your palm or fingers after each note, creating a staccato effect. This will make your playing sound more crisp and clear, and also create a contrast with the sustained notes.
You need to add some percussions with your thumb or fingers on some beats, creating a drum-like sound. This will make your playing sound more rhythmic and groovy, and also fill in the gaps between the notes.
You need to add some melody notes with your index, middle, or ring fingers on some beats, creating a vocal-like sound. These are the notes that correspond to the lyrics of the song. You need to play these notes louder and longer than the other notes, creating a melody effect.
The bridge and outro of Billie Jean
The bridge and outro of Billie Jean are the parts where you play something different from the main riff and groove and the chord progression and melody. They are what give the song some variety and excitement. They are also what you will play during the bridge and outro sections of the song.
The bridge and outro of Billie Jean use different chords and melodies from the rest of the song. You will play four new chords: Dmaj7, C#m7, Bm7, and Amaj7. Here is how to play them:
Chord
Fret
String
Finger
Dmaj75t h>5t h>Thum b>7t h>4t h>Rin g>6t h>3r d>Middl e>5t h>2n d>Inde x>C#m7
4t h>
5t h>
Thum b>
6t h>
4t h>
Pink y>
4t h>
3r d>
Middl e>
5t h>
2n d>
Rin g>
Bm7
d>
5t h>
Thum b>
4t h>
4t h>
Rin g>
2n d>
3r d>
Inde x>
3r d>
2n d>
Middl e>
Amaj7
5t h>
6t h>
Thum b>
6t h>
4t h>
y>
6t h>
3r d>
Rin g>
5t h>
2n d>
Middl e>
To play the bridge and outro of Billie Jean, you need to pluck the strings in a different pattern and rhythm from the main riff and groove and the chord progression and melody. You need to follow the tablature and notation in Adam Rafferty's PDF, and watch his video lessons for more details and tips. Here are some general guidelines:
You need to pluck the bass notes (the lowest notes of each chord) with your thumb on the first beat of each bar. You need to accentuate these notes by plucking them harder and louder than the other notes.
You need to pluck the other notes (the higher notes of each chord) with your index, middle, and ring fingers on the second, third, and fourth sixteenth notes of each beat. You need to syncopate these notes by plucking them slightly off the beat, creating a swing feel.
You need to mute the strings with your palm or fingers after each note, creating a staccato effect. This will make your playing sound more crisp and clear, and also create a contrast with the sustained notes.
You need to add some percussions with your thumb or fingers on some beats, creating a drum-like sound. This will make your playing sound more rhythmic and groovy, and also fill in the gaps between the notes.
You need to add some melody notes with your index, middle, or ring fingers on some beats, creating a vocal-like sound. These are the notes that correspond to the lyrics o