Yesterday Is Gone (My Dear Kay): Guitar Tab

As performed by Lenny Kravitz

Item: 35-DS01965511

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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 5
SKU: 35-DS01965511

More about this title

About the Artist: Lenny Kravitz

Lenny Kravitz burst onto the music scene in the early 1990s with a distinctive blend of rock, funk, soul, and R&B that drew equally from Jimi Hendrix and Prince. A multi-instrumentalist and producer, Kravitz writes music that demands technical precision from guitarists while remaining rooted in groove and feel. His compositions showcase advanced chord voicings, rhythmic complexity, and the kind of melodic sensibility that comes from deep study across multiple genres.

Why we love this

"Yesterday Is Gone" catches Kravitz in soulful, introspective territory where the guitar work serves the song's emotional weight rather than overshadowing it. The tab captures sophisticated rhythmic phrasing and color tones that teach students how accomplished players voice chords beyond basic shapes. It's a masterclass in restraint and musicality wrapped in a contemporary pop-rock context.

What to expect

Introspective and poignant, with the kind of atmospheric quality that allows space to breathe between musical ideas. The guitar work sits in a warm, slightly vintage tone that suggests nostalgia and emotional reflection rather than showiness or technical display.

Who it's for

Intermediate to advanced guitarists ready to move beyond basic progressions and develop their ear for soulful phrasing and sophisticated voicings. Students of contemporary songwriting will gain insight into how modern pop and rock players use texture and restraint as compositional tools.

How to get the most out of it

  • Pay attention to the rhythmic placement of chords and passages; Kravitz rarely plays directly on the beat, so lock into the slight delays and anticipations written into the tab to capture his signature feel.
  • Approach fingering choices as suggestions rather than rules. The tab gives you options, but your hand size and comfort matter. Experiment with barre alternatives or open position voicings if they work for your technique.
  • Let the sustain of each note breathe. This isn't a song that demands blazing speed or aggression. Tone quality and dynamic control between phrases make the difference between playing the notes and playing the song.

How to use it

Pair this with other contemporary soul and pop songs as part of a unit on groove-based songwriting and modern R&B influences in rock. It works equally well as a solo feature or as part of a singer-songwriter focused set where guitarists study how accompaniment can convey emotion.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading and executing syncopated rhythmic figures in standard notation and tab
  • Voicing chords with extended and altered tones beyond basic triads
  • Balancing technical accuracy with interpretive phrasing and feel
  • Understanding how dynamics and tone shape melodic content
  • Transferring groove-based playing from funk and soul traditions into contemporary pop contexts

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