If you're like me, you’ve played Wildwood Flower more times than you can count. It’s one of those timeless flatpicking guitar tunes that never gets old — but it also leaves space for personal touches.
In this short post, I want to share a simple but expressive chord variation you can use in the B part of Wildwood Flower. It’s an idea that gives the melody a new emotional feel while staying true to the traditional structure.
🎵 The Idea: C → E7 → Am
Traditionally, the B part of Wildwood Flower sits on a C chord for two bars. Instead of staying on C, I move through:
C → E7 → Am
It’s a small change — but it creates a lift, a little tension, and a sweeter resolution. The E7 adds brightness, and the Am brings a warm, reflective sound that fits beautifully behind the melody.
🎸 Watch the Example
I recorded a short video where I play just the main section of the B part with this variation.
It’s filmed at home, on the stairway, to capture some nice natural reverb.
🎥 Watch it here:
👉 https://youtu.be/lJcIK_7mzKI
I kept it short — just enough to demonstrate the idea and let the sound speak for itself.
💡 Why Try Variations on Traditional Tunes?
One of the beautiful things about flatpicking guitar is that we’re not just repeating old songs — we’re in conversation with them. These tunes are living music, and part of the tradition is adding your own voice.
Changing just a few chords can open up a whole new feeling in a tune you thought you already knew.
Want to Go Deeper?
If you enjoyed this idea, I’ve got a free Flatpicking 101 crash course that covers tone, pick direction, and phrasing — all the fundamentals that help variations like this shine.
📥 Download it here:
👉 https://bit.ly/4isGBmG
And if you’re looking for a deeper experience, come join us at my Guitar Camp in the Italian Alps. It’s the perfect place to learn, play, and connect with other musicians.
🏕️ More info here: https://bit.ly/4lCyw1j
Thanks for reading — and for keeping this music alive in your own way.
Let me know if you try this variation or create your own. I'd love to hear it.
—Roberto