Transcribing Notes From John Neil (Head Transcriber)
American Girl – Tom Petty – Song Breakdown
Melody
An iconic vocal part with the range of A3 to G4. If the backing vocals are included, the range is A3 to B4. I also notated some of the backing vocals, including the ending sections where they wanted to hold that high A note, so Tom Petty and Phil Seymour of the Dwight Twilley band alternated singing it.
Download the Melody Sheet Music Here
Keyboard
A more elusive keyboard part by Benmont Tench. It blends in pretty well with the guitars. Some of the piano sticks out more, but mostly that and other sounds are pretty far back in the mix. I recreated it as faithfully as possible.
Download the Keyboard Sheet Music Here
Lead Guitar
There are several (at least 3) guitar tracks, some by Mike Campbell, some by Tom Petty. So I picked out the more prominent parts and divided them into 2. This part contains more of the active lines (though the “rhythm guitar” contains some as well).
Download the Lead Guitar Tab Here
Rhythm Guitar
As mentioned above, this part also contains some of the more active lines (mostly when they are doubled), but also holds down more of the rhythm parts.
Download the Rhythm Guitar Tab Here
Strum Guitar
There isn’t an actual strum guitar in this recording, so a part was made up, which is pretty active.
Download the Strum Tab Here
Bass Guitar
A very active bass part that starts out with some harp harmonics. Lots of syncopation throughout.
Download the Bass Tab Here
Drums
A somewhat repetitive drum part based on a certain syncopated rhythm.
Download the Drum Music Here
Download the Lead Sheet Here
