BS-101 • Three Little Birds - Bob Marley

[stuartw]

Also find that I can't concentrate on strumming at the same time as trying to play the chords. So it's just one strum per bar, as doing anymore is just off putting!!

[joueur de guitare]

Also find that I can't concentrate on strumming at the same time as trying to play the chords. So it's just one strum per bar, as doing anymore is just off putting!!

You're not expected to play every song at the right tempo from the off.

If you haven't got one already, get a metronome.

Play 4 strums a bar at a tempo you're comfortable with in time with the metronome. Increase the tempo gradually.

[stuartw]

At the moment it just seems like a bunch of chords which without the backing track from the video nobody would have a clue what I was attempting to play.

[stuartw]

You're not expected to play every song at the right tempo from the off.

If you haven't got one already, get a metronome.

Play 4 strums a bar at a tempo you're comfortable with in time with the metronome. Increase the tempo gradually.

I can use the metronome from JG's site but was attempting this to match the video.

Have bought JG's Beginners Songbook but not really sure how to use it as it doesn't tell you what speed to play things at.

[joueur de guitare]

At the moment it just seems like a bunch of chords which without the backing track from the video nobody would have a clue what I was attempting to play.

I don't know how long you've been playing, so take this at face value.

Yep, it will sound rubbish played slow, it isn't fantastic unaccompanied at the 'right' speed. A lot of Justin's beginner's songs are simplified anyway, so don't get too hung up on that.

The object is to build your skills, not jump straight in and be accomplished.

[joueur de guitare]

Have bought JG's Beginners Songbook but not really sure how to use it as it doesn't tell you what speed to play things at.

Yeah the lack of tempi in BS1 is a bit of an important omission, and it would have been good if Justin could have given them in his new videos. BS2 has them, but some of the songs are a bit more difficult.

As I said, play at a speed you're comfortable with, and gradually increase it. You're at the start of your guitar journey, have patience. And perseverance

[stuartw]

I don't know how long you've been playing, so take this at face value.

6 months since first picking up a guitar, and probably 3 months since using JG's site.

The object is to build your skills, not jump straight in and be accomplished.

I understand that but find when trying to change chords whatever skills I might have go out the window as I fumble to get my fingers in the right place. I can play the chords individually when doing my practice, but still struggling with the one minute changes ( and not quick enough to move on to another lesson).

Had a go using the metronome at 60 BPM & the Beginners Songbook but kept losing my place. can't look at three things at a time - right hand, left hand and book!

This is going to be a long struggle just to get this one song anywhere close.

[stuartw]

You're at the start of your guitar journey, have patience. And perseverance

You are right and I do understand!! Will keep going.

This reminds me of when I did my original CAD training back in the '90's, where I had to put a circle in a square so that the sides of the circle touch the sides of the square. Couldn't do it for weeks but now don't even think when doing it. Just comes natural!! Same with the guitar I guess. Time will tell.

[DarrellW]

Had a go using the metronome at 60 BPM & the Beginners Songbook but kept losing my place. can't look at three things at a time - right hand, left hand and book!
This is going to be a long struggle just to get this one song anywhere close.

That’s not the way to learn a song, learn a few bars at a time until you’ve got them then add a few more, learn them and repeat until you’ve got the verse and chorus and that’s it just repeat. Playing from tab will not teach you how to play the song through, it’s there to tell you what it is that’s all.

[GregB]

6 months since first picking up a guitar, and probably 3 months since using JG's site.
I understand that but find when trying to change chords whatever skills I might have go out the window as I fumble to get my fingers in the right place. I can play the chords individually when doing my practice, but still struggling with the one minute changes ( and not quick enough to move on to another lesson).

Had a go using the metronome at 60 BPM & the Beginners Songbook but kept losing my place. can't look at three things at a time - right hand, left hand and book!

This is going to be a long struggle just to get this one song anywhere close.

Watch Justin’s video on the song, he explains the issue your having, I’ve been there and sense your frustration but practising one minute changes is the answer, are you using your first finger as an anchor finger for all three chords.

If 60 bpm is too fast fight now try it at 40 bpm.

You will crack it if you perservere 

[stuartw]

Ziggy Marley can give you some good ideas on the strumming. He's not a reggae as Bob but still keeps the groove.
Three Little Birds starts at 5:00 He's playing it in G
https://youtu.be/XX5S2gXy3ps

Just had a look at this. He doesn't seem to be playing the same chords as Justin's video!

[joueur de guitare]

Just had a look at this. He doesn't seem to be playing the same chords as Justin's video!

A lot of Justin's beginner's songs are simplified anyway, so don't get too hung up on that.

[DarrellW]

Just had a look at this. He doesn't seem to be playing the same chords as Justin's video!

True, Stitch said he was playing it in G which is to suit his vocal range. It was just for reference to the strumming pattern.
He’s playing barre chords E shape - G on the 3rd fret, C on the 8th fret and F on the 13th fret.

[sairfingers]

True, Stitch said he was playing it in G which is to suit his vocal range. It was just for reference to the strumming pattern.
He’s playing barre chords E shape - G on the 3rd fret, C on the 8th fret and F on the 13th fret.

And this is the whole point of many of Justin’s song versions in his books and videos. Many are simplified but later on as your skills improve you can revisit them and put a whole new interpretation and dynamic into them with different chord voices, keys etc.

[stuartw]

That’s not the way to learn a song, learn a few bars at a time until you’ve got them then add a few more, learn them and repeat until you’ve got the verse and chorus and that’s it just repeat.

Thanks for that, as this is what I have been doing on and off all day & can now play the correct chords at the speed in the video. Strumming is still a problem but one thing at a time!!

[DarrellW]

And this is the whole point of many of Justin’s song versions in his books and videos. Many are simplified but later on as your skills improve you can revisit them and put a whole new interpretation and dynamic into them with different chord voices, keys etc.

Yes, I usually play this using the original chords but E = A shape barre on 7th fret, A = E shape barre on 5th fret and D = A shape barre on 5th fret. To see this in action my favourite cover of it by Sarah Smith:

[stuartw]

Yes, I usually play this using the original chords but E = A shape barre on 7th fret, A = E shape barre on 5th fret and D = A shape barre on 5th fret.

I don't even know what that means!! Having checked this is part of the IM course, which is way in the distance for me.

[DarrellW]

I don't even know what that means!! Having checked this is part of the IM course, which is way in the distance for me.

I agree, but it’s useful to know about it. There’s other ways it can be done as well but theory of triads and inversions are needed. Stick to the original lesson and work on it; I still play 3 little birds because it’s a great song but I play it more like Sarah Smith.

[stuartw]

Been having another go at this one. I can play the chords and even use a DDDUD strum but it just doesn't sound anywhere close to the song. Trying to sing along with this (in my head) I can't work out where the words should be in relation to the chord changes. The Beginners songbook doesn't really help and in the video Justin seems to miss out some strums to get the words in the right place, unless I'm not counting correctly. And this is supposed to be an easy song!!

[stuartw]

Also trying to count 1,2,3,4 and sing the words is really difficult!!

[close2u]

@stuartw

The original is a reggae rhythm which really doesn't fall neatly into the beginner repertoire of simple, basic strum patterns as it is an off-beat down strum style.
So you have to feel a song like this much more.
Can I recommend you move your attention to The Tide Is High.
This also uses just A, D and E chords (although for the original to play along with you need to capo at fret 2 iirc) and follows a reggae-ish style but you may find it easier to grab on to the groove.
https://www.justinguitar.com/songs/blondie-tide-is-high-chords-tabs-guitar-lesson-bs-128

[DavidP]

Been having another go at this one. I can play the chords and even use a DDDUD strum but it just doesn't sound anywhere close to the song. Trying to sing along with this (in my head) I can't work out where the words should be in relation to the chord changes. The Beginners songbook doesn't really help and in the video Justin seems to miss out some strums to get the words in the right place, unless I'm not counting correctly. And this is supposed to be an easy song!!

Have you tried playing along with Justin as teaches how to play the song in his lesson. I did that and it helped me. I began following along when he played the 4 down strums slowed way down and eventually was able to play along as he performs the song at the start of the lesson.

That said, I have recorded my playing and singing it and am still not getting the words and the strumming on the off-beat correct. So may be simple in terms of chords used, simple lyrics, but is not nearly as simple as it may seem to play and sing it with that reggae feel.

[stuartw]

@stuartw

The original is a reggae rhythm which really doesn't fall neatly into the beginner repertoire of simple, basic strum patterns as it is an off-beat down strum style.
So you have to feel a song like this much more.

Noted. Kind of begs the question why it is listed in the beginners section though!!

@stuartw
Can I recommend you move your attention to The Tide Is High.
This also uses just A, D and E chords (although for the original to play along with you need to capo at fret 2 iirc) and follows a reggae-ish style but you may find it easier to grab on to the groove.
https://www.justinguitar.com/songs/blondie-tide-is-high-chords-tabs-guitar-lesson-bs-128

Thanks for the heads up with this one. I'll give it a go. I remember when this originally was released :-)

[dan71]

Not a question, but I couldn't find a place for random observations / good news that doesn't need a thread of it's own...

Three Little Birds suddenly felt like it clicked for me last night. I've had maybe a week of strumming on the beat, but it never felt right doing that while playing along. Having had a go at the mute-off-beat pattern on Tide is High, that fell into place for playing along to Three Little Birds. It isn't "done" but it was a step change from the day before. 

[sairfingers]

Well done Dan. Isn’t it a great feeling when something finally clicks. It’s practice, practice, practice!
Have some vibes from me.