Song practice guide
How to Practice The Boxer
Simon & Garfunkel's 'The Boxer' is one of the most-played folk songs of the 1960s. The fingerpicked accompaniment, the narrative lyric, and the iconic 'lie-la-lie' chorus have made it a cornerstone of singer-songwriter and folk-duo repertoire.
Song Details
- Key
- C
- Tempo
- 104 BPM
- Time
- 4/4
- Style
- boom-chuck
Structure
This song is still under copyright, so we publish its form rather than its chord chart. Add it to your library and you can enter or attach your own chart, and Repertoire will schedule it either way.
What to Focus On
Fingerpicked accompaniment. Smooth chord changes. Singing the narrative lyric with restraint. The 'lie-la-lie' singalong chorus.
Practice Tips
- 1
The fingerpicking is the song. Master it slowly before tackling the chord changes.
- 2
The lyric is a story. Tell it.
- 3
The 'lie-la-lie' chorus is meant to be sung in groups. Lead with confidence.
Why This Song
It's one of the great Simon & Garfunkel narrative songs, and a folk-duo milestone.
Practice The Boxer Daily
Repertoire uses spaced repetition to keep your songs sharp. Add this song to your collection and the system schedules your practice automatically.
No credit card required • Free tier: 3 collections · 15 songs each
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