https://guitarnoise.forum/easy-songs/elp-lucky-man/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Thu, 04 Jun 2026 09:23:58 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/easy-songs/elp-lucky-man/#post-147295 Wed, 28 Dec 2005 23:05:00 +0000 thought I had pretty good timing/rhythym until I bought a metronome.]]> Easy Songs chalkoutline https://guitarnoise.forum/easy-songs/elp-lucky-man/#post-147295 https://guitarnoise.forum/easy-songs/elp-lucky-man/#post-147202 Wed, 28 Dec 2005 17:09:13 +0000
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 One and Two and Three and One and Two and Three and / / / / / / / / / / D U 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.]]> Easy Songs Wes Inman https://guitarnoise.forum/easy-songs/elp-lucky-man/#post-147202 https://guitarnoise.forum/easy-songs/elp-lucky-man/#post-147119 Wed, 28 Dec 2005 04:45:19 +0000 Easy Songs rparker https://guitarnoise.forum/easy-songs/elp-lucky-man/#post-147119 https://guitarnoise.forum/easy-songs/elp-lucky-man/#post-147052 Tue, 27 Dec 2005 21:36:56 +0000
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 Suggested strum during verses G Major chord e------3-3-3-3------3-3-3-3--- b------0-0-0-0------0-0-0-0--- g------0-0-0-0------0-0-0-0--- d----------------0------------ a----------------------------- e---3------------------------- D Major chord e------2-2-2-2------2-2-2-2--- b------3-3-3-3------3-3-3-3--- g------2-2-2-2------2-2-2-2--- d---0------------------------- a----------------0------------ e----------------------------- Arpeggio style (flatpicked or fingerpicked) G Major chord e------3-----------3------- b--------0---0-------0---0- g----------0-----------0--- d----------------0--------- a-------------------------- e---3---------------------- D Major chord 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.
Dsus4 Dadd9sus4 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 e--------2-2-2-3-2---2-2-2-0-2---2-2-2-3-2- b--------3-3-3-3-3---3-3-3-3-3---3-3-3-3-3- g--------2-2-2-2-2---2-2-2-0-2---2-2-2-2-2- d---0----------0-----------0-----------0--- a------------------------------------------ e------------------------------------------ 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.]]> Easy Songs Wes Inman https://guitarnoise.forum/easy-songs/elp-lucky-man/#post-147052 https://guitarnoise.forum/easy-songs/elp-lucky-man/#post-146974 Tue, 27 Dec 2005 15:51:26 +0000
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]]> Easy Songs Vic Lewis VL https://guitarnoise.forum/easy-songs/elp-lucky-man/#post-146974 https://guitarnoise.forum/easy-songs/elp-lucky-man/#post-14026 Tue, 27 Dec 2005 14:56:57 +0000 G D He had white horses G D And ladies by the score G D All dressed in satin G D And waiting by the door Am G D* Oooh, what a lucky man he was (2 times) G D White lace and feathers G D They made up his bed G D A gold covered mattress G D On which he was laid Am G D* Oooh, what a lucky man he was (2 times) G D | Am G D (One verse & chorus of Aaaahs) G D He went to fight wars G D For his country and his king G D Of his honor and his glory G D The people would sing Am G D* Oooh, what a lucky man he was (2 times) G D A bullet had found him G D His blood ran as he cried G D No money could save him G D So he laid down and he died Am G D* Oooh, what a lucky man he was (2 times) Am G D* Oooh, what a lucky man he was (2 times) Am G D* (2 1/2 times with Aaaahs) ]]> Easy Songs rparker https://guitarnoise.forum/easy-songs/elp-lucky-man/#post-14026