Level 5
some chords were just made to be together
try out each of these chords; note how some of the shapes are similar!
"Boston" by Augustana
Verse 1: C (2) C/B (2) Am (4) F (2) C (2) In the light of the sun, is there anyone? F (2) G (2) Oh it has begun C C/B Am F C Oh dear you look so lost, eyes are red and tears are shed, F G This world you must've crossed, you said Chorus: C (4) G (4) F (4) G (4) You don't know me, you don't even care - oh yeah C G F G You don't know me, you don't wear my chains - oh yeah C C/B | Am | F C | F G Verse 2: C C/B Am F C Essential and appealed, carry all your thoughts F G Across an open field, C C/B Am F C When flowers gaze at you, they're not the only ones F G Who cry when they see you, you said (chorus)
Bridge/outro: C G She said I think I'll go to Boston, I think I'll start a new life, F G I think I'll start it over, where no one knows my name, C G I'll get out of California, I'm tired of the weather, F G I think I'll get a lover and fly him out to Spain C G Oh yeah I think I'll go to Boston, I think that I'm just tired F G I think I need a new town, to leave this all behind C G I think I need a sunrise; I'm tired of the sunset, F G I hear it's nice in the summer; some snow would be nice C G F G You don't know me, you don't even care - oh yeah C G F G (repeated through outro)
There are really only two chord patterns in this song. Each section has four counts:
Verse: | C C/B | Am | F C | F G
Chorus: | C | G | F | G |
I've also included the number of counts per chord in each section of the song.
G major
many students find the 4th finger difficult. try starting with the 4 on the small e string, then "reaching" up to the other two strings.
4
3
2
o
o
o
F major
lay your 1st finger flat across the B and little e strings to get both notes.
this might mean changing the position of your thumb.
1
3
2
x
x
1
did you notice?
The 2nd and 3rd fingers make a "stair" pattern on the C major, G major, and F major chords
A minor
1
3
2
x
o
same shape as
E major
but shifted down
one string
the "natural"
downstrum
rhythm
1
&
&
&
&
2
3
4
try these out!
"one and two, three and four and one and two and three and four"
"one, two and ... four and one, two and three and ..."
More 8th note exercises!