Christmas/New Year party singalongs

[stitch]

@sairfingers

songs I knew they were often in a different key from the one I knew and by the time I’d messed about with capo positions etc. the song was over.

This is where knowing basic chord progressions works really well. No capo needed get a chord chart with all the keys and practice playing different keys with open chords.

[jjw]

@stitch

Learn the 3 most common 4 chord progressions and you’ll add thousands of songs to your play list.

I get the point, but this really isn’t true, is it? I can play the G-Em-C-D Axis of Awesome progression, but I can’t play thousands of songs or even dozens. Beyond learning how to play those 4 chords in a row, I’d have to do this:

1. Know which songs use that progression.
2. Most of those songs don’t use only that progression. I might have to learn different progressions for the bridge, chorus, etc. for all those songs.
3. I’d have to learn the lyrics to thousands of songs.
4. I’d have to learn the song structure: how many verses, chorus, where the bridge(s) are, intro, outro. Etc.
5. I’d have to learn a strumming pattern or groove, which can be quite different for different songs.

Of course, learning the I-V-iv-IV progression is very useful, especially when you can start to recognize it when you hear it. But let’s stop saying that learning a 4-chord progression will add many songs to your repertoire. It’s a good first step.

[stitch]

@jjw

But let’s stop saying that learning a 4-chord progression will add many songs to your repertoire. It’s a good first step.

It’s all about learning how to play the guitar. You can learn song or you can learn how music is constructed. It’s up to you. I prefer to learn how music is constructed.

[sairfingers]

@stitch

You can learn songs or you can learn how music is constructed.

That’s a really good point and one which I’m going to take on board this year. Thanks Rick.

@Richard_close2u perhaps we can have ‘learn songs, learn songs, learn songs and take note of how there is a similarity in their construction’. Cue a Vintage Club lesson.

[JokuMuu]

@sairfingers

perhaps we can have ‘learn songs, learn songs, learn songs and take note of how there is a similarity in their construction’. Cue a Vintage Club lesson.

Uuh… What a great idea and most thrilling topic @sairfingers. If there ever will be such a session @richard_close2u. If there would ever be such a session, could I please get an invite?

[jjw]

@stitch

You can learn song or you can learn how music is constructed.

Or both!

[Mari63]

@sairfingers

@Richard_close2u perhaps we can have ‘learn songs, learn songs, learn songs and take note of how there is a similarity in their construction’. Cue a Vintage Club lesson.

And you could have a ‘homework’ assignment, asking people to bring a list of a couple of songs that use one of the standard chord progressions

[TheMadman_tobyjenner]

FWIW I just stripped this out of my Practice Schedule Spreadsheet and highlighted the open chords to help less experienced folk here. For F if barre chords are beyond you Fmaj7 will set you straight.

And if anyone spots an error please shout up, as it was done a while back and I can’t recall checking it thoroughly !

[sairfingers]

Excellent chart Toby.

[SILVIA]

Hi Gordon, thanks for starting this thread as we’re all getting very interesting input for our practice. I was reflecting on my guitar goals recently - well I think many of us did the same! - and I happened to think that being a Campfire guitar player might actually not be my cup of tea at the moment…of course I would love it, who wouldn’t? But it feels too difficult for me. I can play soo many children’s tunes with just C and G from memory…well I can still do it if a third chord is added, but if it starts being a 4 chords song my ear struggles to be prompt and recognize to which of the chords I need to switch. If it’s pop or rock or whatever (not children’s tunes) it’s even harder as I don’t have as yet the tools to add all the dynamics and the cool stuff my musical imagination suggests! Much Food for Thought for me from other people’ s replies…

Ps: I’m glad to read you had a good time sharing your guitar with your family!

[SILVIA]

Toby, could you share the file so that we can print it out? Pleaaaseee

[TheMadman_tobyjenner]

I’ll see if I can extract that one worksheet and drop it into a document on its own.

[roger_holland]

@TheMadman_tobyjenner

And if anyone spots an error please shout up

In the key of B a biggie
greetings

[TheMadman_tobyjenner]

Better

[TheMadman_tobyjenner]

@SILVIA and anyone who may be interested. Link to my Google Drive added here.

https://community.justinguitar.com/t/common-chord-progressions/2837/41

[SILVIA]

Thanks Toby I managed to download it!

[Tbushell]

@sairfingers

Then the karaoke goes up on the tv screen……

Learn songs, learn songs, learn songs (thanks Richard) is an oft repeated mantra on this site. The 1,4,5 progression helps but trying to work it out for songs you don’t know while others are belting out the lyrics two verses and a chorus ahead of you is difficult! It doesn’t help that you’ve just eaten a huge meal and the alcohol is kicking in!

Answers/solutions (other than learn more classic multigenerational singalong songs) on a postcard please……

For the second year in a row, we have had successful holiday singalongs by screen sharing the Justin Songs App to a big screen smart TV (Roku).

Great for guitar players and singers alike!

Also, my girlfriend’s daughter impressed the hell out of me by playing along on an extra guitar…even though she only plays ukulele.

Between the visible chord diagrams and slowing the tempo, she was able to keep up quite credibly on an unfamiliar instrument.

But I wasn’t at all envious of her natural talent - uh, uh - not me!

[sairfingers]

@Tbushell

For the second year in a row, we have had successful holiday singalongs by screen sharing the Justin Songs App to a big screen smart TV (Roku).

Glad you’ve found your solution to the singalong issue Tom. I don’t subscribe to the app so not a path open to me.
Also great that you’ve converted someone to guitar!

[sairfingers]

Following on from @TheMadman_tobyjenner spreadsheet a few posts back, I’ve now come across this Community post. It’s a long one but lots in it.
Common Chord Progressions

I’ll also highlight @stitch Axis of Awesome video.

4 Chords | Music Videos | The Axis Of Awesome

[Richard_close2u]

@sairfingers

perhaps we can have ‘learn songs, learn songs, learn songs and take note of how there is a similarity in their construction’. Cue a Vintage Club lesson.

I’m late to this party …

Within my mantra are many paths / depths / meanings / interpretations / applications.

Perhaps it could be worth shaking the mantra tree to see what comes out and making much of it explicit.