We have finished with learning rhythm for now. We will start learning melody in September (we are taking August off). Between now and the end of July we will doing miscellaneous assignments.
Our first assignment is to write our own song (the rhythm part). It should be about 16 measures. Here is what I've come up with:
Play @ 140 bpm:
F(DDU) C(DDU) | F(DDU) C(DDU) | Am(DDDDU) | Am(DDDDU) |
F(DDU) C(DDU) | F(DDU) C(DDU) | D(DDDDU) | D(DDDDU) |
F(DDU) C(DDU) | F(DDU) C(DDU) | Am(DDDDU) | Am(DDDDU) |
F(DDU) C(DDU) | F(DDU) C(DDU) | D(DDDDU) | D(DDDDU) |
G(D)
I also came up with a second song:
Play @ 170 bpm:
G (DDUDD) | G (DDUDD) | A (DDUDD) | A (DDUDD) |
G (DDUDD) | G (DDUDD) | A (DDUDD) | A (DDUDD) |
F (DDDDU) | C (DDDDU) | F (DDDDU) | D7 (DDDDU) |
F (DDDDU) | C (DDDDU) | F (DDDDU) | D7 (DDDDU) | D7 (D)
G (DDUDD) | G (DDUDD) | A (DDUDD) | A (DDUDD) |
G (DDUDD) | G (DDUDD) | A (DDUDD) | A (DDUDD) |
F (DDDDU) | C (DDDDU) | F (DDDDU) | D7 (DDDDU) |
F (DDDDU) | C (DDDDU) | F (DDDDU) | D7 (DDDDU) | D7 (D)
G (DDUDD) | G (DDUDD) | A (DDUDD) | A (DDUDD) | (repeat and fade)
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
June 21, 2009
I discovered that Windows Media Player can slow down songs! This is very cool. Its great for learning to play fast songs or songs with complicated strumming patterns. I have used it all week for the four complicated measures in Wake Up Little Susie. By using the Play Speed Settings I was able to make great progress this week. Although I can't play as fast as the original recording, I am getting closer.
I also discovered that if I hold the guitar neck a bit further from my body, I can get my fret hand into position a lot quicker. Previously I was holding the body of the guitar right up against my torso (playing while seated). But if I angle the neck away from my body a bit, my left hand (I'm right handed) can get into position on the neck easier. I'll keep working with that to see if it continues to help.
Our homework for the week was to review some songs that we've played in the past.
Wake Up Little Susie (Everly Brothers)
As mentioned, I've been working with this song at a slower speed. It has really helped with the four complicated measures of eighth notes that appear in the song:
Intro [1 measure]: F (DUD), G(UDU), F(DU)
Chorus [2 measures]: D (DDU) F(DUD) G(U) | G(D) F(DU) D(DUDU)
Outro [1 measure]: D (DD) F(UU) G(DU)
I play along with the version in our songbook. A version of the song is also available on YouTube.
About A Girl (Nirvana)
Still working on the C#5 and F#5 power chords used in this song. I've gotten noticeably better. The version of this song I play is from the songbook we are using in class (the book includes the sheet music and a CD to play along with).
Fire and Rain (James Taylor)
This song is also from the songbook we are using in class. We played this song several weeks ago (before I started this blog). But our assignment this week was to finger pick the Intro: D/C/G/D/D/A/C///. I've been finger picking a PIMA pattern. That seems appropriate for this song.
Ramblin' Man (The Allman Brothers Band)
Another song from the songbook we are using in class. We first played this song weeks ago too. Our assignment this week was to brush up on it. This is really a fun song to play. One reason is that my teacher has us playing G at the 3rd fret using the F-formation rather than the standard G at the 2nd fret. It sounds more authentic that way and is more fun.
Where Have All The Flowers Gone (Peter, Paul, and Mary)
This is another song that we are finger picking. My teacher gave us the chords, but the original song is available on YouTube. I started with PIMA then moved to PIMA PIMA.
I also discovered that if I hold the guitar neck a bit further from my body, I can get my fret hand into position a lot quicker. Previously I was holding the body of the guitar right up against my torso (playing while seated). But if I angle the neck away from my body a bit, my left hand (I'm right handed) can get into position on the neck easier. I'll keep working with that to see if it continues to help.
Our homework for the week was to review some songs that we've played in the past.
Wake Up Little Susie (Everly Brothers)
As mentioned, I've been working with this song at a slower speed. It has really helped with the four complicated measures of eighth notes that appear in the song:
Intro [1 measure]: F (DUD), G(UDU), F(DU)
Chorus [2 measures]: D (DDU) F(DUD) G(U) | G(D) F(DU) D(DUDU)
Outro [1 measure]: D (DD) F(UU) G(DU)
I play along with the version in our songbook. A version of the song is also available on YouTube.
About A Girl (Nirvana)
Still working on the C#5 and F#5 power chords used in this song. I've gotten noticeably better. The version of this song I play is from the songbook we are using in class (the book includes the sheet music and a CD to play along with).
Fire and Rain (James Taylor)
This song is also from the songbook we are using in class. We played this song several weeks ago (before I started this blog). But our assignment this week was to finger pick the Intro: D/C/G/D/D/A/C///. I've been finger picking a PIMA pattern. That seems appropriate for this song.
Ramblin' Man (The Allman Brothers Band)
Another song from the songbook we are using in class. We first played this song weeks ago too. Our assignment this week was to brush up on it. This is really a fun song to play. One reason is that my teacher has us playing G at the 3rd fret using the F-formation rather than the standard G at the 2nd fret. It sounds more authentic that way and is more fun.
Where Have All The Flowers Gone (Peter, Paul, and Mary)
This is another song that we are finger picking. My teacher gave us the chords, but the original song is available on YouTube. I started with PIMA then moved to PIMA PIMA.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
June 14, 2009
I didn't have time to learn many new songs this week. I continued to work on songs that have a Bm or an F chord and found that I actually made some progress. Our homework was to practice one complicated measure of a new song.
Wake Up Little Susie (Everly Brothers)
This song has four very complicated strumming patterns that occur throughout. I only worked on one - the one at the beginning of the song. The song is in 4/4 time and the measure I worked on had 8 eighth notes: F (DUD), G(UDU), F(DU). I can't do it. Not even slowly. But I'll keep working on it. I play along with the version in our songbook, but you can also hear the song on YouTube. The verses and the bridge to this song are quite simple. But the Intro, Chorus, and Outro contain these complicated measures.
That's the only new song I worked on this week and as I said, I only worked on one measure of it. Other than that, I continued to play some songs that I've been playing for a while, namely those that have chords I still need to get better at:
Piccadilly (Squeeze)
I played this a few times because it has a Bm. The chords are on the web. I bought the studio version of the song on iTunes, but there is a live version on YouTube. I've gotten a bit better at this one, but its still a bit fast for me.
I Love This Bar (Toby Keith)
This song also has a Bm so I played it this week. I found myself doing a better job of getting to this chord this week. I play this version from Chordie.com. I play along with the original version of the song on Jango.
Building A Mystery (Sarah McLachlan)
I've continued to play this song which is from the songbook we are using in class (the book includes the sheet music and a CD to play along with). It is pretty slow, but it has an F chord which I still need practice with. I have made a lot of progress with this song.
About A Girl (Nirvana)
This song is also from the songbook we are using in class (the book includes the sheet music and a CD to play along with). I'm doing a better job of getting to the C#5 and F#5 power chords, but I'm still not hitting them cleanly.
American Pie (Don McLean)
I still like playing this one. It has Am7 and Em7 which are slight variations on Am and Em, respectively. They aren't that tough, but they do take some coordination to get my pinky down in time. The chords are on Chordie.com. I play along with the original song which can be heard on jango.com.
Wake Up Little Susie (Everly Brothers)
This song has four very complicated strumming patterns that occur throughout. I only worked on one - the one at the beginning of the song. The song is in 4/4 time and the measure I worked on had 8 eighth notes: F (DUD), G(UDU), F(DU). I can't do it. Not even slowly. But I'll keep working on it. I play along with the version in our songbook, but you can also hear the song on YouTube. The verses and the bridge to this song are quite simple. But the Intro, Chorus, and Outro contain these complicated measures.
That's the only new song I worked on this week and as I said, I only worked on one measure of it. Other than that, I continued to play some songs that I've been playing for a while, namely those that have chords I still need to get better at:
Piccadilly (Squeeze)
I played this a few times because it has a Bm. The chords are on the web. I bought the studio version of the song on iTunes, but there is a live version on YouTube. I've gotten a bit better at this one, but its still a bit fast for me.
I Love This Bar (Toby Keith)
This song also has a Bm so I played it this week. I found myself doing a better job of getting to this chord this week. I play this version from Chordie.com. I play along with the original version of the song on Jango.
Building A Mystery (Sarah McLachlan)
I've continued to play this song which is from the songbook we are using in class (the book includes the sheet music and a CD to play along with). It is pretty slow, but it has an F chord which I still need practice with. I have made a lot of progress with this song.
About A Girl (Nirvana)
This song is also from the songbook we are using in class (the book includes the sheet music and a CD to play along with). I'm doing a better job of getting to the C#5 and F#5 power chords, but I'm still not hitting them cleanly.
American Pie (Don McLean)
I still like playing this one. It has Am7 and Em7 which are slight variations on Am and Em, respectively. They aren't that tough, but they do take some coordination to get my pinky down in time. The chords are on Chordie.com. I play along with the original song which can be heard on jango.com.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
June 7, 2009
I was in need of some new songs this week. Even though I'm still working on the Bm, C#5, and F#5 chords, I wanted to learn something a little new. I found a classic song that has two slightly new chords: Am7 and Em7. I already knew Am and Em, so the Am7 and Em7 aren't too difficult to learn. The tricky part is getting my picking down on that 7th string quickly enough.
I've now been playing guitar for about 18 months. I've learned a lot, but I think I should be better than I am. I practice everyday for at least one hour. But my chord changes could be cleaner and my strumming is a bit clipped at times.
I played quite a few new songs this week. I really needed some new stuff to play. Here are the new songs I played this week.
American Pie (Don McLean)
This song is pretty easy to play. I found the chords on Chordie.com. They seems pretty accurate. This song has an Am7 and an Em7, which are new to me. But they aren't difficult. I play along with the original song which can be heard on jango.com.
Pink Houses (John Mellencamp)
I came across this song while looking for something to play that wasn't too tough but had an F chord. Not only does this song have an F chord, but it has a strumming pattern that is new to me: DUDU UDU. I found the chords on Chordie.com where they are rated as being highly accurate. I play along with the original version on jango.com.
Mull of Kintyre (Paul McCartney)
This is an old song from the 1970s. It is cool to play because it uses bass strumming and is in 3/4 time. Each chord is played by plucking its bass string and then strumming the rest of the chord for two strums. The chords are A, D, G, D7, and a suspicious E (I'm not sure its an E). But other than that E, I think the chords on Chordie.com are accurate. I play along with a video of the original song that I found on YouTube. And who doesn't like a song with bagpipes!
Take It Easy (The Eagles)
This is another old song from the 1970s and it is pretty simple. Nothing tricky here. Just Am, C, G, D, and Em. Here is a link to the chords and to the original song on jango.com.
When The Sun Goes Down (Kenny Chesney)
Another very simple song. Nothing new here really. Just A, D, and E. Here is a link to the chords and to the original song on jango.com.
Life of Riley (Lightning Seeds)
I chose this song because it has an F chord and I can never have too much practice moving to F. Other than that it is mostly a bunch of C chords with one or two G chords thrown in. The chords on Chordie.com are pretty accurate. I found the original song on youtube.
Here are the songs I played this week but which I've been playing for a while:
Piccadilly (Squeeze)
I started playing this song last week and loved it. It moves so fast and it has some challenging chords, namely the F chord and a Bm. I've gotten much better at it. I found the chords on the web. I was playing along with a live version I found on YouTube but I went ahead and purchased the original studio version off of iTunes the other day since I couldn't find that version on the web anywhere. The chords seem close (they might be off in a couple of places), but they're close enough. I'm having fun playing this song and if I can master this song I'll be very happy.
I Love This Bar (Toby Keith)
I'm playing this song mainly because it has a Bm. It is still a struggle to get to that chord, especially when its only for 2 beats. But I think I'm getting better. I play this version from Chordie.com. It seems to be pretty accurate. I play the song on Jango.
Building A Mystery (Sarah McLachlan)
This was one of the assignments for my guitar class this week. I've been playing it for about a month. It has an F chord, but I'm getting pretty good at getting to it in this song. I play the song from the songbook we are using in class (the book includes the sheet music and a CD to play along with).
About A Girl (Nirvana)
This was the other assignment for my guitar class this week. I've been playing this for a few weeks too. I really like the strumming pattern. Each measure is 2 beats of E (DDU) and 2 beats of G (UDU). This song also has a C#5 and an F#5. Even after playing this song almost 50 times, I still can't get to those chords. Its getting frustrating. I play the song from the songbook we are using in class (the book includes the sheet music and a CD to play along with).
I've now been playing guitar for about 18 months. I've learned a lot, but I think I should be better than I am. I practice everyday for at least one hour. But my chord changes could be cleaner and my strumming is a bit clipped at times.
I played quite a few new songs this week. I really needed some new stuff to play. Here are the new songs I played this week.
American Pie (Don McLean)
This song is pretty easy to play. I found the chords on Chordie.com. They seems pretty accurate. This song has an Am7 and an Em7, which are new to me. But they aren't difficult. I play along with the original song which can be heard on jango.com.
Pink Houses (John Mellencamp)
I came across this song while looking for something to play that wasn't too tough but had an F chord. Not only does this song have an F chord, but it has a strumming pattern that is new to me: DUDU UDU. I found the chords on Chordie.com where they are rated as being highly accurate. I play along with the original version on jango.com.
Mull of Kintyre (Paul McCartney)
This is an old song from the 1970s. It is cool to play because it uses bass strumming and is in 3/4 time. Each chord is played by plucking its bass string and then strumming the rest of the chord for two strums. The chords are A, D, G, D7, and a suspicious E (I'm not sure its an E). But other than that E, I think the chords on Chordie.com are accurate. I play along with a video of the original song that I found on YouTube. And who doesn't like a song with bagpipes!
Take It Easy (The Eagles)
This is another old song from the 1970s and it is pretty simple. Nothing tricky here. Just Am, C, G, D, and Em. Here is a link to the chords and to the original song on jango.com.
When The Sun Goes Down (Kenny Chesney)
Another very simple song. Nothing new here really. Just A, D, and E. Here is a link to the chords and to the original song on jango.com.
Life of Riley (Lightning Seeds)
I chose this song because it has an F chord and I can never have too much practice moving to F. Other than that it is mostly a bunch of C chords with one or two G chords thrown in. The chords on Chordie.com are pretty accurate. I found the original song on youtube.
Here are the songs I played this week but which I've been playing for a while:
Piccadilly (Squeeze)
I started playing this song last week and loved it. It moves so fast and it has some challenging chords, namely the F chord and a Bm. I've gotten much better at it. I found the chords on the web. I was playing along with a live version I found on YouTube but I went ahead and purchased the original studio version off of iTunes the other day since I couldn't find that version on the web anywhere. The chords seem close (they might be off in a couple of places), but they're close enough. I'm having fun playing this song and if I can master this song I'll be very happy.
I Love This Bar (Toby Keith)
I'm playing this song mainly because it has a Bm. It is still a struggle to get to that chord, especially when its only for 2 beats. But I think I'm getting better. I play this version from Chordie.com. It seems to be pretty accurate. I play the song on Jango.
Building A Mystery (Sarah McLachlan)
This was one of the assignments for my guitar class this week. I've been playing it for about a month. It has an F chord, but I'm getting pretty good at getting to it in this song. I play the song from the songbook we are using in class (the book includes the sheet music and a CD to play along with).
About A Girl (Nirvana)
This was the other assignment for my guitar class this week. I've been playing this for a few weeks too. I really like the strumming pattern. Each measure is 2 beats of E (DDU) and 2 beats of G (UDU). This song also has a C#5 and an F#5. Even after playing this song almost 50 times, I still can't get to those chords. Its getting frustrating. I play the song from the songbook we are using in class (the book includes the sheet music and a CD to play along with).
Sunday, May 31, 2009
May 31, 2009
I didn't have guitar class this week due to the Memorial Day holiday. Here are the songs I've been working on this week. One of them was an assignment from class. The others I've been playing just for fun.
I Love This Bar (Toby Keith)
I'm getting better at moving to the Bm in this song. The chorus moves a bit fast on the last line too - quick changes to Em, Bm, G, A, and D. But I'm making progress. I play this version from Chordie.com. It seems to be pretty accurate. I play the song on Jango.
Beer For My Horses (Toby Keith)
I still can't get to the F#m in this song, so I just skip it. Evenutally I'll get it. I play this version on Chordie.com which matches the original song very well. I play the song on Jango.
Building A Mystery (Sarah McLachlan)
This is the only song that we were assigned for this week. I've been playing it for a couple of weeks and have been making progress. Getting to the F chord is getting easier. I play the song from the songbook we are using in class (the book includes the sheet music and a CD to play along with).
About A Girl (Nirvana)
We will probably be assigned this song this week. I've been playing it for two weeks. I've got the strumming pattern down but the two power chords are still giving me trouble (C#5 and F#5). I'm still too slow changing to them and I'm still not getting a clear sound from them. I'll keep working on it. I play the song from the songbook we are using in class (the book includes the sheet music and a CD to play along with).
You'll Accompany Me (Bob Seger)
This song is an easy song for beginners. The verses and outro are 2 strums of A followed by 2 strums of E. The chorus changes that up a bit and adds a D. I play this version from chordie.com which seems pretty accurate. I play along with a recording of the original I found on YouTube.
Piccadilly (Squeeze)
This is song is very cool to play. It is extremely fast. I just started playing this one yesterday and will have to work on my speed as I can't keep up with it. The verses are all 2 strums until the last line of each verse which has three single strums of G-A-G (there really isn't any chorus to this song). I found the chords on the web. Not sure if they are entirely accurate because I couldn't find a studio version of this song to play along with. Instead I found a pretty good live version on YouTube. Even if the chords aren't 100% accurate, if I can train myself to keep up with the changes, I'll have accomplished something. Right now this is my favorite song to play.
My fingers are sore from all the playing I've done this week. I'm going to take the rest of today off.
I Love This Bar (Toby Keith)
I'm getting better at moving to the Bm in this song. The chorus moves a bit fast on the last line too - quick changes to Em, Bm, G, A, and D. But I'm making progress. I play this version from Chordie.com. It seems to be pretty accurate. I play the song on Jango.
Beer For My Horses (Toby Keith)
I still can't get to the F#m in this song, so I just skip it. Evenutally I'll get it. I play this version on Chordie.com which matches the original song very well. I play the song on Jango.
Building A Mystery (Sarah McLachlan)
This is the only song that we were assigned for this week. I've been playing it for a couple of weeks and have been making progress. Getting to the F chord is getting easier. I play the song from the songbook we are using in class (the book includes the sheet music and a CD to play along with).
About A Girl (Nirvana)
We will probably be assigned this song this week. I've been playing it for two weeks. I've got the strumming pattern down but the two power chords are still giving me trouble (C#5 and F#5). I'm still too slow changing to them and I'm still not getting a clear sound from them. I'll keep working on it. I play the song from the songbook we are using in class (the book includes the sheet music and a CD to play along with).
You'll Accompany Me (Bob Seger)
This song is an easy song for beginners. The verses and outro are 2 strums of A followed by 2 strums of E. The chorus changes that up a bit and adds a D. I play this version from chordie.com which seems pretty accurate. I play along with a recording of the original I found on YouTube.
Piccadilly (Squeeze)
This is song is very cool to play. It is extremely fast. I just started playing this one yesterday and will have to work on my speed as I can't keep up with it. The verses are all 2 strums until the last line of each verse which has three single strums of G-A-G (there really isn't any chorus to this song). I found the chords on the web. Not sure if they are entirely accurate because I couldn't find a studio version of this song to play along with. Instead I found a pretty good live version on YouTube. Even if the chords aren't 100% accurate, if I can train myself to keep up with the changes, I'll have accomplished something. Right now this is my favorite song to play.
My fingers are sore from all the playing I've done this week. I'm going to take the rest of today off.
Monday, May 25, 2009
May 25, 2009
This week was a shortened week for me as I was out of town on Friday and Saturday and did not get a chance to practice playing at all on those days.
I worked on the following songs this week:
I Love This Bar (Toby Keith)
This song is pretty easy except I can't quite get to the Bm fast enough, although I'm getting better at it. I play this version from chordie.com. It seems to be pretty accurate.
Beer For My Horses (Toby Keith)
This song is also pretty easy. It just has E, D, A, and G chords. But it also has an F#m that has to be played quickly once at the end of each of the three verses. I can't change to that chord yet. I play this version on chordie.com which matches the original song very well.
Building A Mystery (Sarah McLachlan)
My teacher officially assigned this song to us this week. But I had already started playing it last week. Its contains an F chord but since the song is relatively slow I can change to F most of the time.
About A Girl (Nirvana)
We still haven't been assigned this song officially yet. It contains two tough power chords, C#5 and F#5, both of which I have trouble changing to. But the rest of the song is easy. It has the most complicated strumming pattern I've encountered so far. But its coming along pretty well.
We don't have class this week due to the Memorial Day holiday. So I'll keep practicing these and other songs this week.
I worked on the following songs this week:
I Love This Bar (Toby Keith)
This song is pretty easy except I can't quite get to the Bm fast enough, although I'm getting better at it. I play this version from chordie.com. It seems to be pretty accurate.
Beer For My Horses (Toby Keith)
This song is also pretty easy. It just has E, D, A, and G chords. But it also has an F#m that has to be played quickly once at the end of each of the three verses. I can't change to that chord yet. I play this version on chordie.com which matches the original song very well.
Building A Mystery (Sarah McLachlan)
My teacher officially assigned this song to us this week. But I had already started playing it last week. Its contains an F chord but since the song is relatively slow I can change to F most of the time.
About A Girl (Nirvana)
We still haven't been assigned this song officially yet. It contains two tough power chords, C#5 and F#5, both of which I have trouble changing to. But the rest of the song is easy. It has the most complicated strumming pattern I've encountered so far. But its coming along pretty well.
We don't have class this week due to the Memorial Day holiday. So I'll keep practicing these and other songs this week.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
May 17, 2009
This week I worked on the following songs:
Song for a Winter's Night (Gordon Lightfoot)
This song is deceptively fast as the rhythm guitar really moves. This song is not in our songbook so I've been playing along with a version found on YouTube that is very close to the original. Strumming this song isn't too bad except that it contains a Bm chord, which is new to me. I still can't get to it quickly enough. An alternative way to play this song is by finger picking, which I've also tried to practice. But the song moves too quickly for me to use this method. Its a good song, though, and I'll keep working on it.
Wild Thing (The Troggs)
We've been doing this song for a couple of weeks now. It uses four power chords: A5, E5, G5, and D5. I can do this one okay except for the quick eighth notes of G5-A5-G5-A5 in the chorus.
Taking Care of Business (Bachman, Turner, Overdrive)
This was a new song for us this week. It is another power chord song. This one uses A5, B5, E5, and D5. This one isn't too bad. I found it easier than Wild Thing.
I also went ahead in our songbook to the final two songs:
Building a Mystery (Sarah McLaughlin)
This song uses the dreaded F chord, but since the song is realtively slow I actually have time to get to it (most of the time). One thing I've tried to work on with this song is its strumming pattern which I've determined is a half measure of Am (DDU) followed by a half measure of F (DUDU). This measure is followed by a half measure of C (DUDU) followed by a half measure of G (DUDU). I found this song to be relatively easy to play. The challenge is the F chord and the strumming pattern.
About A Girl (Nirvana)
Like other Nirvana songs, this one is pretty simple and a lot of fun to play. It introduces two new power chords C#5 and F#5. I need a lot of practice on those. But the rest of the song uses chords I already know. The trick is the strumming pattern. Most of the song is a half measure of E (DDU) followed by a half measure of G (UDU) in a syncopated rhythm. Its not complicated but it does take some practice.
I've also been working on two Toby Keith songs: Beer for My Horses and I Love This Bar. They are pretty simple although each uses a chord that is new to me (F#m and Bm, respectively). I'm still struggling with those.
We also have a speed drill to perform this week. Our goal is to be able to do it repetitively at 210 bpm. So far I'm not doing so badly on it.
That's all for this week. Its been a busy week, but much progress was made.
Song for a Winter's Night (Gordon Lightfoot)
This song is deceptively fast as the rhythm guitar really moves. This song is not in our songbook so I've been playing along with a version found on YouTube that is very close to the original. Strumming this song isn't too bad except that it contains a Bm chord, which is new to me. I still can't get to it quickly enough. An alternative way to play this song is by finger picking, which I've also tried to practice. But the song moves too quickly for me to use this method. Its a good song, though, and I'll keep working on it.
Wild Thing (The Troggs)
We've been doing this song for a couple of weeks now. It uses four power chords: A5, E5, G5, and D5. I can do this one okay except for the quick eighth notes of G5-A5-G5-A5 in the chorus.
Taking Care of Business (Bachman, Turner, Overdrive)
This was a new song for us this week. It is another power chord song. This one uses A5, B5, E5, and D5. This one isn't too bad. I found it easier than Wild Thing.
I also went ahead in our songbook to the final two songs:
Building a Mystery (Sarah McLaughlin)
This song uses the dreaded F chord, but since the song is realtively slow I actually have time to get to it (most of the time). One thing I've tried to work on with this song is its strumming pattern which I've determined is a half measure of Am (DDU) followed by a half measure of F (DUDU). This measure is followed by a half measure of C (DUDU) followed by a half measure of G (DUDU). I found this song to be relatively easy to play. The challenge is the F chord and the strumming pattern.
About A Girl (Nirvana)
Like other Nirvana songs, this one is pretty simple and a lot of fun to play. It introduces two new power chords C#5 and F#5. I need a lot of practice on those. But the rest of the song uses chords I already know. The trick is the strumming pattern. Most of the song is a half measure of E (DDU) followed by a half measure of G (UDU) in a syncopated rhythm. Its not complicated but it does take some practice.
I've also been working on two Toby Keith songs: Beer for My Horses and I Love This Bar. They are pretty simple although each uses a chord that is new to me (F#m and Bm, respectively). I'm still struggling with those.
We also have a speed drill to perform this week. Our goal is to be able to do it repetitively at 210 bpm. So far I'm not doing so badly on it.
That's all for this week. Its been a busy week, but much progress was made.
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