Note: This recording is from a Live Facebook class, of which we run multiple free sessions every single week. For more info on our live guitar lessons visit here: https://www.yourguitaracademy.com/live-guitar-lessons.
This is such a great fun song to play, both for beginners and intermediate guitar players. Simone uses this lesson to show you how to get the most out of this song no matter what level you are. For beginners, it is a great chance to really get to know some of your major open chord shapes, especially as during the verse you only need to strum them on the 1st beat of the bar! For intermediate players, you can test yourself by playing the chords in barre chord positions or even CAGED chord shapes if you like. We also have some cool 'slash' chords (no... not the Guns 'n' Roses chap) for you to learn.
The main chord progression that loops around the song consists of just 3 chords, C major, Am7 and F major. During the intro and verse you simply play each chord on the first beat of each bar. Here are those chord shapes:
Chorus / Verse Chord Chart
C /// Am7 /// F /// Am7 /// (repeat)
For you more intermediate players, you can add a bit more spice and groove to the verse (after the intro) to really make the song come alive. This is the pattern that Simone plays in the video. Remember that the first bar is on the C major, then the second bar on the Am7. Then you repeat so that the first bar rhythm is the F major and the second bar rhythm is the Am7.
You can also try Simone's super cool percussive acoustic idea (skip to 15 minutes into the video) if you want to really test yourself!
As we move into the bridge we are using a more intermediate set of chords, but there are ways to play them as more of a beginner as well. First let's look at the main set of chords:
Bridge Chord Chart
Bb/C /// C /// Bb/C /// C ///
Ab/Bb /// Bb /// Ab/Bb /// Bb /// Fm9 /// Ab/Bb ///
If all of those chords above are just one step too far, then you can try some slightly easier versions of the chords, as shown below. Remember, there is no 'very easy' way to play some of these chords, but these may help!
If you really want to impress and add something very exciting to the chorus, you can use Simone's very cool little walking bass line. We have tabbed it out below so that you can work through it (including the specific rhythm Simone is playing in the lesson). Have fun!
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