ELP - Lucky Man

Just tried it, sounds nice on 12-string - when the D chord comes in for the "Lucky man" line, you might want to throw in a Dsus4, D, Dsus2 run in before going back to the Am.....

strum pattern, try D DUDU D DUDU....seems to work....
(as if you're picking the bass note on the first D strum, but play the full chord....)

:D :D :D

Vic

Vic has the strum correct. You really divide each note into six. So you count one, two, three, four, five, six, one, two, three, four, five, six.........

When you strum or fingerpick this count one,.. three, four, five, six, one,...three, four, five, six..... So you hold the first note or strum for a duration of two.

Confusing?? I hope not. This is really very simple. Remember, the tempo is extremely slow on this song. So this is not playing or strumming fast at all.


1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
/ / / / / / / / / /
D D U D U D D U D U

e------2-----------2-------
b--------3---3-------3---3-
g----------2-----------2---
d---0----------------------
a----------------0---------
e--------------------------


Now, on the chorus the strum is a little different. You still count to six on each note. And you play the rhythm exactly as Vic pointed out except on the D chord.

On the D chord, try this slightly different rhythm.


1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
D D U D U D U U D U D U U D U D U U D U

So here, you count one, two,... four, five, six, one, two,... four, five, six. So you sustain the second note here.

And Vic is right about using the Dsus4 chord as well. Simply place your pinky down on the G note on the high E string while still leaving your middle finger on the F# note on the high E string.

But also, you can raise your index and middle fingers on the D chord while still leaving your ring finger on the D note on the B string. This is a very common trick used with the D chord to add color. This is a Dadd9sus4 chord I believe.



e---3p---------0----
b---3r---------3r---
g---2i---------0----
d---0----------0----
a-------------------
e-------------------


This is used in many songs where the D chord is strummed.

So, with this new rhythm and new chords you get a strum like this:

D Dsus4 D Dadd9sus4 Dsus4

And, if I haven't caused enough confusion, on the chorus only, I like to use a Gadd9 chord.
This is just a G where you mute the A string, and play an A note on the G string. To my ears, this has always been the correct chord used in the chorus. I could be wrong.


Gadd9

e---3p-----
b---0------
g---2i-----
d---0------
a---X------
e---3r-----


Using the Gadd9 gives a very hypnotic and psychedelic feel to the chorus because of the droning A note used in each chord. This was a popular technique used in the "Acid Rock" of the late 60's and early 70's.

Oh well, I know you just wanted a simple strum and Vic nailed it. But try these little tricks. They are really very simple and easy to play.

Man, that's a wealth of information. It might have inspired me to go buy a metronome. Sounds like a great starter to timing learning.

I made the song look more difficult than it is. Vic had the correct strum.

This song is either 3/4 or 6/8 time. So instead of counting to six, it really should be:

One and Two and Three and One and Two and Three and........

So the strum that Vic pointed out is really


One and Two and Three and One and Two and Three and
/ / / / / / / / / /
D D U D U D D U D U


The strum changes on the D chord in the chorus. Here it is

One and Two and Three and One and Two and Three and
/ / / / / / / / / /
D D U D U D U U D U

Don't worry about necessarily picking the bass note and then strumming the bottom three strings. That was just a suggestion. You can strum full chords throughout the song.

The drums in this song give a good pattern to follow for the rhythm strum. Just follow the drums and you will be good.

Man, that's a wealth of information. It might have inspired me to go buy a metronome. Sounds like a great starter to timing learning.

Yea I thought I had pretty good timing/rhythym until I bought a metronome.