Lesson 5
The song 'The Midnight Special' uses the chords A, D and G. You will notice that these are chords that you have already learned, so you should have no problems playing and changing between them. Also you will notice the strum used in the song is exactly the same as the strum that we practiced in lesson 4.Now, I realise that this song might not be in the style that you are specifically into, but it is a good song to just get you started at playing something and using the chords that you have learned. In the full Jamorama course, we cover many more styles including pop, rock, jazz, blues, metal and funk. So don't be worried if this song is not your thing. It's just there to get you up and rolling, and stringing some chords together.
Today we will be using chords that you already know and using a strum that you have already practiced. Not only that, we have practiced using both these chords and this strum with changes. So you can see how we have systematically built you up, so that playing this song is just another simple step in developing your playing.
Today, like yesterday, I am going to teach you a new warm up pattern. This one will be a touch more difficult than the last few. This pattern starts on the first fret and the sixth string (thickest string). You will play all six strings and use all your fingers. As always with these exercises, I would like you to use the correct fingering.
Warm Up
Play the audio for this exercise above or download Audio mp3 - Exercise 1 (Warm Up)
(right click on the link and select "save as")
Video - Exercise 1 (Warm Up)
In the above warmup, you will have noticed that the frets you play have the same numbers as the fingers you use. This should make it easy to remember what to play. So now after playing that, your fingers should be warmed up and ready to play. Let's move onto learning 'The Midnight Special'...
As you already know how to play the chords and the strum for the song, all we really need to work on today with this lesson is getting you to remember the changes and getting into the feel of the song. The first part of ‘The Midnight Special’ is the chord G followed by the chord D. The chord progression is the same during the vers and the chorus. In tomorrows lesson I will also give you a chance to play along with other instruments, but today we will try and work with a singer and your guitar.
You will have noticed by now that I like to break things down and give them to you in small, manageable steps. Nothing is going to change for this lesson. There are going to be four parts to this lesson. Firstly I want you to listen to the song, then I want you to try and play it by yourself, thirdly I would like you to play it with another guitar, and finally we will get you playing it with a singer. I have broken it down into parts like this so that you should have no problems taking each step forward.
Now I would like you to just listen to the song. You will hear that there are only two instruments playing (note; it is common to hear the ‘voice’ being called an instrument). Listen carefully to the guitar part, you will be able to hear that it holds the song together and maintains its rhythm.
The Midnight Special
Audio for 'The Midnight Special':Play the audio for this exercise above or download 'The Midnight Special' Backing Band mp3
(right click on the link and select "save as")
This is the longest piece of TAB I have asked you to read and play along with, but like I said you have done all the parts of it before. Now is the time to put it all together and play. This time I would like you to just try and play in your own time. I would like you to consider this a piece Section. Play this piece of music until you feel you are getting it together. Make sure that it is tight and sweet sounding before you move on to the next. One last thing... all the tracks in this lesson have a click in period of 2 measures (8 clicks) before you start playing. So, when you play the following exercise, wait for 8 clicks before starting.
The Midnight Special Section 1
Play the audio for this exercise above or download Audio mp3 - The Midnight Special (Section1)
(right click on the link and select "save as")
Once you feel like you have mastered that piece I want you to practice it some more, and then some more as in essence that same section repeated over and over is the entire song! The song structure is simple and easy to follow. I have written out how many times you play the chord progression section below:
The Midnight Special Structure
Chorus) Play section 1 twiceVerse 1) Play section 1 twice
Chorus) Play section 1 twice
Verse 2) Play section 1 twice
Chorus) Play section 1 twice
Chorus) Play section 1 twice
At this point, I would like you to practice the structure with all the changes in your own time until you feel confident with the piece. Note that the whole song is quite long, and without someone singing and can feel very repetitive, try singing along (if you can) as you practice.
Now that you have had a chance to play the song by yourself, you should be getting used to the chord changes. Now I would like for you to play along with my guitar track and the vocal tracks. This will feel a little harder as you will have to keep time with my guitar. Focus on playing in time and if you make any mistakes, just restart. Listen to the count on the track for your cue in.
In this part of the lesson you will be playing the exact same TAB that you have played in the last exercise. If you can do this then you have mastered this piece and you really are developing as a player.
The Midnight Special with Vocals
Play along with the following guitar and vocal track:Play the audio for this exercise above or download Audio mp3 - The Midnight Special (With Vocals)
(right click on the link and select "save as")
So now you know how to play the song (with the guitar and vocal). In tomorrow's lesson we will be playing with the whole band. I won’t ask you to learn anything new. It will just be a matter of putting together all the elements that we have already learned in the previous lessons. There will be no new chord changes or strums for you to learn. You can just play with the band and enjoy the skills you have learnt. I have also included a track without the singing so you can try singing the song yourself while you are playing the guitar part.
Until next time!
The Jamorama Team!
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