Once again - I apologize for the unclear explanation in the video.

In bar 5, the very first strum is a downstroke - that is on the open D string only (root of the D chord). Let that ring out for a beat, then all the rest of the strums in bar 5 and 6, starting on the 2nd beat of bar 5 (2nd fret first string, and 3rd fret second string) are Down Ups.

Here's a way to zoom in and get your head and fingers around this guitar riff: The melody of that riff (which matches the vocal melody of the verse) is what you are trying to have pop out within the chord shapes. So it's helpful to focus on getting those notes rhythmically correct.

Some of those melody notes occur on a downstroke (right on the beat), and others occur on an upstroke (in between the beats). So, an idea might be to identify the single notes of the melody, slow down the video and watch me play it, combined with the tab, to figure out which notes are downstrokes and upstrokes. All the other strums are just ghost strums of the chords which are meant to keep your strumming groove going throughout the riff.

Unfortunately, the tab doesn't show you which strums are accented, and which are just ghost strums that keep the groove going. So, when you practice, I suggest you use the speed buttons on the side of the video, drop down to 75% or 50%, play along and try to match how I'm playing the riff.

I hope this helps - please let me know how it goes!!

Mike

Originally Posted by: o.dgebuadze

Hi Mike

Thanks! That helped, now bit confused on the progression (down/up strums) on bars 5 and 6, you don't really explain this much in the video saying it's similar to bars 1 and 2, but i guess some bits are muted here, so get confused on where it goes up and where down.

sorry, this may sound bit dull, big beatles fan and very beginner guitar player here :)

Originally Posted by: Mike Olekshy

Hey there - my apologies for the confusion.

The first strum (in question) is a very light downstroke on the open 6th and 5th strings. This ended up being more of a pickup strum, since the tempo is quick, so changing to that open G shape right on that strum is tough. Basically, I'm just keeping the strumming groove going in that spot with a light downstroke - which ends up being on those low open strings while I get my fingers onto the open G shape.

However, the very next strum, which is the upstroke on the open 4th, 3rd, and 2nd strings, is indeed part of the intended open G shape, and is much more crucial to the overall melody - and needs to be accented as such.

So really - it's just that first strum on the low 5th and 6th strings that I didn't really explain. The idea is that you are changing to the open G shape right at that spot in the bar.

Hopefully this makes sense - let me know how it goes!

Mike

Originally Posted by: o.dgebuadze

I also notice some misunderstanding between the tabs and video. In the intro part right at the end of the 2nd bar (middle section, line 1) tabs have open 6th and 5th strings, followed by open 4th, 3rd and 2nd strings - though these is not played in the video or mentioned :( can you advise please?