To Far Away Times from Chrono Trigger

This was one I had looked at multiple times in the past, but never could figure out a way to get it to work in a way I liked. I guess time and experience really are the best teachers, because I decided to take a look at it recently and everything just kind of "clicked." The body taps are optional, but I think I wrote it in a way that shouldn't be too hard to pull off, and the suggested fingering is included. Hope you enjoy this wonderful track from an amazing game!

It's so weird how things just kind of "click," all of a sudden. I have looked at this piece COUNTLESS times, and never could make it work, and then all of a sudden, when I looked at it again recently, I immediately thought, "Oh, I SEE." Everything just fit. There were only two real trouble spots.

One, was the ticking clock! I knew it was such an important, iconic, part of the piece, so leaving it out wasn't an option. That took a lot of tinkering to come up with something playable, because really, it's just the clock ticking, the arpeggiated notes, and a bass line. There wasn't much to "hide," behind. Initially the taps were with the thumb, but I know thumb tapping while playing notes is very tricky for a lot of people; it's an unusual wrist movement, so I had to come up with something else.

The other trouble spot was the final section, because it changes key and becomes MUCH more uncomfortable on the guitar compared to the previous sections. Of COURSE, the final section would be the trickiest to arrange! Knowing I was only like 20 measures away from the end and hitting that roadblock was a punch to the gut! So, I had to get a little devious here and there and "cheat," a bit, but I finally made it to the finish line!

I'm happy, because it was one I've always wanted to do, and I can finally cross it off my list. :)

To Far Away Times (Chrono Trigger) - The Bear's Den (kabukibear.com)