Part – 1

I hope my part 1 lesson wasn't too hard, because today we are going to turn it up just a notch by using E voicing at different parts of the neck. During the last lesson, we learned that the chords we can make with the E open voicing are, 'E', 'A' and, 'B.' I did change the key to 'E,' to make this exercise work, (and, I also sing it better in the key of 'E').

This song only has two sections. I really benefit from looking at the form before playing. Here are the two sections:

Chorus: Don't worry 'bout a thing...

|E / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |

|A / / / | / / / / | E / / / | / / / / |

and the Verse:

|E / / / | / / / / | B / / / | / / / / |

|A / / / | / / / / | E / / / | / / / / |

How Should You Practice This?

I thought of a great way for you to practice this song at your own individual skill level rhythm wise. What you'll need is:

• The chord chart above
• My video playing it
• Patience

First, before you even try to play along, I want you to look at the chord progressions I've written out and follow along with the video. Get a feel for where the measures and chord changes are. A measure is a section of music. Each box in my diagram represents a measure. In the verse, the 'E' chord is played for four measures. That means you should be able to count to four, four times before the progression moves to the 'A' chord. Watch the video and follow along on the chord progression. When you feel comfortable following along it's onward to the next step: playing along.

Now, before your anxiety gets the best of you, I don't want you playing the exact strumming pattern that I am playing. We're going to ease into that in stages. The first step is playing only on the first beat of the first and third measures. For a visual representation of what I mean...

Chorus: Don't worry 'bout a thing...

| / / / | / / / / | / / / | / / / / |

| / / / | / / / / | / / / | / / / / |

and the Verse:

| / / / | / / / / | / / / | / / / / |

| / / / | / / / / | / / / | / / / / |

It is important that you count out loud to help develop your own sense of rhythm. This entire strumming pattern is based around a two measure pattern. Once you can play that pattern, you've got the strumming for the whole song down! When you can play that pattern along with my recording, try this one...

Chorus: Don't worry 'bout a thing...

| / / | / / / / | / / | / / / / |

| / / | / / / / | / / | / / / / |

and the Verse:

| / / | / / / / | / / | / / / / |

| / / | / / / / | / / | / / / / |

Now, I'm going to give you the final strum pattern. If it's too hard, just use the concept I posted above, take a couple strums out and try to play it. For sanity's sake, strum down on the down beat, and strum up on the up beat.

| + 2 + + 4 | 1 + |

Once you can play that strum pattern along with the chord progression, you've got it!

Hope this helps!

NickelNDime out!

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