I haven't picked out the tab for the lead for Melissa but here is the chord progression as close as I can get to what Greg Allman plays. The F#m7 and Emaj7 are a pretty good stretch until you get used to playing them, but they get easier. Note the two forms of C#m. The first form is played throughout except in the line 'Pick up your gear and gypsy roll on' in the chorus. Melissa Allman Bro's E F#m7 Emaj7 A Bm11 C#m B D C C#m2 E|---------------------------------------------2--------------4------------ B|-----------2------4------2-----3-------5-----4---------1----5------------ G|---1-------2------4------2-----4-------6-----4--------------6------------ D|---2-------4------6------2-----4-------6-----4---------2----6------------ A|---2-------4------6------------5-------7-----2---------3----4------------ E|-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intro - E, F#m7, Emaj7,F#m7 Verse1 E F#m7 Emaj7 F#m7 Crossroads seem to ... E F#m7 The gypsy flies fro.. A Bm11 C#m Bm11 Knowing many ... E F#m7 Emaj7 A bearing sorrow, ... C B but back home ... E F#m7 Emaj7 To sweet Melissa Verse2 Same chord progression as verse 1. Freight train, each car l... Chorus E Again the ... D again ... A sunbeam shining ... B appearing not .... C#m (second version) A pick up your gear and ... B roll on Verse 3 (same as 1 & 2 until end) Crossroads, will you ever .... but I know that ... E F#m7, without M... C B Yes I know ... F#m7 without Melissa Emaj7 F#m7 No, no he just ... repeat and fade (E, F#m7, Emaj7,F#m7) Andy King Ck27362@uarksysb.edu I have some preferences on the playing of the _chords_ in 'Melissa' that differ a bit from his, which I think you'll find easier to play (and maybe even sound better): (excuse the lack of rhythm & timing, but I think you can figure it out) e--0----0----0----0--/--0----0----0----0----0----0----0----0----0----0-- B--0----0----0----0--/--0----0----2----3----5----0----0----0----0----0-- G--1----2----4----2--/--1----2----2----4----6----6----1----2----4----6-- D--2----4----6----4--/--2----4----2----4----6----7----2----4----6----7-- A--2----4----6----4--/--2----4----0----2----4----7----2----4----6----7-- E--0----0----0----0--/--0----0----x----x----x----5----0----0----0----5-- (still the mornin' comes...) e--0----0---/---0----2----0----x----0----0----x------0----0-- B--0----0---/---0----3----2----4----5----0----4------0----0-- G--0----2---/---1----2----2----4----6----6----4-(or)-8----2-- (back to D--2----2---/---2----0----2----4----6----7----4------9----2-- start) A--3----2---/---2---------0----2----4----7----2------9----2-- E--3----0---/---0---------x----x----x----5-----------7----0-- This song is REALLY meant for a 12-string -- with all that open-string resonance, it really rings! Hope this gives you more of what you're looking for! J Smith Sunnyvale, CA MELISSA- Allman Brothers TUINING: E B E G# B E E F#m G#m F#m E F#m G#m F#m E F#m G#m F#m Crossroads seem to come ... E F#m The gypsy flies from ... A Bm C#m Bm Knowing many, ... E F#m G#m F#m Bearing sorrow, ... C B (n.c.) But back home he'll ... E F#m G#m F#m To sweet ... Freight train, each car looks t.... BRIDGE: E Again the ... D Again he's on ... A Sunbeam shining .... B Appearing not ... C#m A B (n.c.) Pick up your gear and ... Crossroads, will you ever let ... But I know that ... E F#m Without ... C B E F#m Yes I know that he won't ... G#m F#m No, no he just .... E F#m G#m F#m (repeat and fade) CHORDS: E F#m G#m A B Bm C#m C D E 0 2 4 5 7 7 9 8 10 B 0 2 4 5 7 7 9 8 10 G# 0 1 3 5 7 6 8 8 10 E 0 2 4 5 7 7 9 8 10 B 0 x x 5 7 x x 8 10 E 0 2 4 5 7 7 9 8 10 NOTE: This song may or may not be in this tuning, I'm not sure. But I think it's easier and more fun playing it this way than in standard.
Alternative guitar chords and tabs for Melissa by Allman Brothers