Hey guys! I’ve been playing with some strumming patterns for this song and I came up with this:
DU U U DU
What do you think of it? Is it good for this song? I kinda like it but I’d like to hear someone else’s opinion 
2 Likes
Hi Tommy, most songs sound good with various strumming patterns. Three Little Birds is no exception. I tried out your pattern, and liked it 
. Keep on experimenting 
.
I went for a strumming pattern based on Stephen Marley - Three Little Birds (Bing Lounge) - YouTube
Off beat rhythm, ie the upstrums, features alot in reggae music Tommy so that looks like a nice variation on it. I’m going to give it a go later 
How many BPM should this song be played at?
Hi Carl, @carlcutrone
Welcome and have fun here 
In cases like this that it is not listed, you can often tap the title of the song with BPM behind it faster and then google will give you the correct answer
Song Metrics
Some say 75 Bpm and 76 Bpm but I think it is enough like this?
Three Little Birds is a positive song by Bob Marley & The Wailers with a tempo of 148 BPM. It can also be used half-time at 74 BPM or double-time at 296 BPM. The track runs 3 minutes long with a A key and a major mode. It has average energy and is very danceable with a time signature of 4 beats per bar.
Greetings,Rogier
Edit: I now see that your question was only 8 minutes old…so you didn’t have to wait long 
1 Like
Thank you! I’m having a lot of fun with this course!
Why is this not in the app anymore?
Love it, practising this for my module 2 song practise and I like the song
The song isn’t on your app any more. Any plans to bring it back?
wow! I just played my first song!!
5 Likes
To be able to take even a stab at this one by someone six weeks into guitar, what should I first get my chord change speeds up to? Assuming I want to play this with four down strums.
Hi @Kumar59, there’s no speed requirement: use the song to exercise your chord changes:
- start with 1 strum per bar. Slow the song down if you have to to be able to keep up, then step by step speed it up when it gets easier.
- Once you got the 1 strum, repeat the process, but this time with 2 strums per bar, on 1 and 3.
- When you have that nailed down, repeat, but now with 4 strums per bar.
The key is to make sure your chord changes are clean at the speed and with the strumming pattern you’re playing. If they’re not: slow things down.
You’ll be amazed at how quickly you will see improvement, and it won’t take you long to reach your goal.
2 Likes
Thanks, I will see how this approach goes. The first time I tried, I was ok with A to D to A, but brain/fingers froze for the change to E.
I found this comment on YouTube.
Intro
4 Bars of A
Chorus X2
2 Bars of A
1 Bar of D
1 Bar of A
Verse
1 Bar of A
1 Bar of E
1 Bar of A
1 Bar of D
1 Bar of A
1 Bar of E
1 Bar of D
1 Bar of A
1 Like
Just a quick question: What speed should I play (bpm)?
I looked it up and says either 74 or 148 bpm. Hope it helps.
1 Like
Hi Juan, and welcome to the Community! It’s a great question you ask. I’m assuming you are in Grade 1, or if not that you are still a beginner. This guidance applies to any level though: play at whatever tempo allows you to play the song with no mistakes. Once you can do that, increase 5 - 10 bpm…play at that tempo until you have no mistakes, and increase again until you hit your target. We often want to play at a tempo similar to the original, or similar to our favorite version. But really, it’s up to you! Since you’re asking, I’m also assuming you’re using a metronome…but if not this is a good time to start!
While you’re here, consider heading over to the Introduce Yourself topic and saying hello to the group!
1 Like
Hi, Judi. Thanks for your answer. I will follow your guidance.
On the other side, as you mentioned, I am starting this journey with the guitar, I am located in Colombia (double study practice: Guitar and English). I am 48 years old and challenge myself to learn as part of my wellbeing strategy; my favorite genre is rock, and I hope someday I can be able to play some Metallica full song (Seek and Destroy, Ride the lightning, Whiskey in the Jar) - I am aware that this is a step by step process, still I am also confident I will do it !
Guitar and English — you’ve found a great place to practice both! I think you’ll be pleased with your progress through Justin’s program. We look forward to hearing from you on your journey!
1 Like