Your First Rock Tune
Click here to listen
to the tune you are about to learn
OK, so
you’ve got your first electric guitar and you don’t have a clue what to do with
it. Firstly make sure it’s in tune.
If you’ve
got an electronic tuner, check your tuning with that.
If you don’t have one of these devices, or you’re not sure how to use it, then
click on the links below for the reference note to tune each string to:
Once you’re
in tune, you need to learn some chords. The chords used in this tune are called
“power chords” and are slightly different from traditional chords you will see
taught in many beginner type lessons, but don’t worry about that right now.
Here’s how to play the three chords in this tune:
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Each chord
is played on two strings that should be struck simultaneously. Listen to each
chord by clicking on it’s diagram above.
The next
thing to look at is rhythm. Right at the start of the tune you will have heard
a cymbal giving a “1 2 3 4” intro. The drums (which set the rhythm) are playing
a pattern based on this count of 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 etc.
All you have
to do to play the tune is hit the relevant chord on beat one of each cycle
(known as a bar). Click here
to listen to this done with just the drums, so you hear your part more clearly.
Here is the
order in which to play the chords (read from left to right):
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
A |
|
|
|
D |
|
|
|
A |
|
|
|
D |
|
|
|
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
A |
|
|
|
D |
|
|
|
E |
|
|
|
E |
|
|
|
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
A |
|
|
|
D |
|
|
|
A |
|
|
|
D |
|
|
|
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
A |
|
|
|
D |
|
|
|
E |
|
|
|
E |
|
|
|
End the tune
with single stroke of the A chord.
Click here to
download a backing track of the tune minus the chords for you to play along
with.