Baby One More Time

[pkboo3]

https://youtu.be/m_uMHqDp4Rw

I've been trying to memorize this. The 3rd verse is the hardest to remember. Also tips on how to improve strumming and dynamics would be welcome. Also any other constructive comments. Thanks for listening.


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[Dr Winterbourne]

I like your voice, and you changes are (mostly) fast enough. The hint to think about now is dynamics in your guitar playing. Identically played pumping 8s will get boring. Think about how to make the verses different from the chorus. It could be with your strumming hand - like, palm muting in the verses, then full strums for the chorus and climax. Or, power chords in the verses then full chords in the chorus. Or, pumping 8s in the verse, then 8th note strumming in the choruses.

Your base is coming on - think about how to tart it up.

[pkboo3]

Thanks Dr Winterbourne. Had to do a little research on power chords and 8th note strumming. When I did, I learned what the difference is between 8th and 16th nite strumming. I will give all of these a try. Thanks for helping me try new things.


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[DavidP]

Well done, Pam.

Keep on trying new things that stretch and challenge you.  The place of learning is just outside our comfort zone.

Nothing further to add in terms of improving ...

Cheers
David

[oldhead49]

I agree with Dr. W about the rhythm.  While I'm really not familiar with this song, the words lead me to believe someone is conflicted, and I feel tension in it.  Just playing along with your vid I felt the the attached rhythm pattern. (just an example)  Hit the bass note strum the chord, then abbreviate the ringing by touching the strings with your hand.  A pattern like this would also give room for your voice to come through.   I didn't do the chorus, but that would probably be a good place to play more openly and have some release in the feeling.   There are a number of different patterns and techniques you can use, most of which Dr. W. listed.  Experiment.  Have fun with it.

https://app.box.com/s/toac3v5ed3yir28n60wlnfeo3sosnn75

[redrhodie]

I just figured out what song this is! You're amazing, Pam. I love it! You have totally transformed it into a beautiful new song from the dance/pop version.

I think that you should just keep playing it as you are and let yourself discover the strumming pattern. It will happen if you let it. Or, you could REALLY transform it by working out a finger picking pattern. I know you're not at that stage yet, but when you start.

Once again, lovely voice. Well sung.

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[SiegeFrog]

Well played. For the dynamics, as Justin suggests, if you're pumping 8ths then try to put an accent on beats 2 and 4. Or, try to put an accent on all the downbeats and then just lightly brush the bass strings on the upbeats.

I think of this song as having 3 parts (verse, pre chorus and chorus, and bridge). The chord progression is the same for the first 2 parts and similar for the 3rd. To distinguish them you want each part to have a different feel. You can achieve that with volume, dynamics, and rhythm.


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[pkboo3]

DavidP thanks for commenting. Oldhead49, your link helps a lot on explaining what you mean. Very pretty. Redrhodie, that's good advice to discover a strumming pattern on my own. That should bring out a person's individual style. I'm just now working on my first finger-picking on a song. So much fun!


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[pkboo3]

Thanks SiegeFrog!  I have so many variations to try on this song now!  Going to try the light brush on the bass. I agree about the 3-parts variation. That 3rd part is the hardest for me. I will continue to try to improve this. 


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[tobyjenner]

Pam

Given where you are in the BC this is good stuff, solid rhythm and the fact your singing as well is brilliant. Now lots of folks are talking about dynamics and 1/8s 1/16s, all that stuff but don't sweat about that at all for now. Justin recommends sticking with those "simple" 1 down strum per beat until stage 8, its all about building a good solid foundation which most folk never get as they rush ahead trying to play fancy fast patterns. KISS sums up the BC and what you doing now and that GOOD.

As a die hard rocker it killed me to play this when doing my apprenticeship here but it taught me a lot to play outside my audible comfort zone.

Well done.

Toby
 

[pkboo3]

Thanks Tobyjenner. Good to know about the 1 down strumming until stage 8. I'm definitely taking it slow. Too slow maybe, but I make sure to practice each lesson 7 days and then move on. I've always liked that song. Was thrilled when I saw it in the lesson book. One of which I decided to commit to memory.


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[useDraW]

good singing and chord switching but a more sparse strumming would sound better and if possible more involved strumming patterns if they are improvised.

[batwoman]

Your voice is heaven Pam, you have a real asset there. You could get away with the simplest of guitar playing while you showcase your voice. Let is soar Pam.

[useDraW]

Pam

Given where you are in the BC this is good stuff, solid rhythm and the fact your singing as well is brilliant. Now lots of folks are talking about dynamics and 1/8s 1/16s, all that stuff but don't sweat about that at all for now. Justin recommends sticking with those "simple" 1 down strum per beat until stage 8, its all about building a good solid foundation which most folk never get as they rush ahead trying to play fancy fast patterns. KISS sums up the BC and what you doing now and that GOOD.

As a die hard rocker it killed me to play this when doing my apprenticeship here but it taught me a lot to play outside my audible comfort zone.

Well done.

Toby
 

"merging moon" and "children of bodom" covered this as a melodeath song from each band respectively, but the original version has interesting arranegement and production aspects for the die hard musician imo, it'd be fun to learn on bass imo too.