ST-604 • Times Like These (Foo Fighters)

[justinguitar]

Questions...

[PetefromFinland]

Wow, just joined! Ok, I´ve been practising this song and checking out a few different performances on youtube and I have a question. This may all be my imagination, but I have to ask. You showed the fancy "D thingy" and said that other option is to plain regular D- chord. But after listening to thishttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVm8jPBhmMU version (hope you don´t have any legal issues with youtube links..) it´s clear that he plays the D- chord, but it always sounds to be that he´s doing the same kinda "finger on, finger off" thing on it on the 3th string (also I tink I can see it on the vid, even though it´s not in sync..). If I´m way off, I´d just like to know and if so, is he doing the same thing on the chorus too??

Haha, hope I was (un)clear enough, made a short story long. I´m a noob, so..

Thanks, what a great site this is!

[Clypzy]

In the video Justin teaches us to play the D-13 chord on the fifth fret, but chords can be played on different frets with different fingerings.
And you are very correct, he does play the open third string on the D chord sometimes, and it creates the same effect as the D13 on the fifth fret.

[DeadlyChicken]

Basically teh origional has the chord Justin talks about, and when Dave Grohl started playing it acoustically, he used the same chord.

After some time he changed it to using a regular D open chord and removing his finger from the G string to get that sound.The way Justin teaches is the way the origional was played.

You can do either,/  But the normal D open shape way is easier.

[PetefromFinland]

Right, cool, thanks, Just wanted to clear that one up for me. I quess it´s never quite the same then live.

[Izzo]

Hi! I need some help with the strumming pattern for the Verse bit. The chorus is D D UU D D I think, but even then I'm not too sure. 
If anyone could lend a hand, I'd be very VERY grateful.

Thanks!
Izzo

[flyhead]

It would be great if you could figure this yourself (no, I'm not being ironic or lazy!).
The beat is 4/4, and the beats are all down-strokes, either played or missed.
Listen to the track with this in mind and see if you can figure it out; if not then come back for a more detailed answer.

[kurtkendall]

So I'm new to the site and pretty much new to the guitar.  I'm picking up most things pretty quick, but really seem to struggle figuring out strumming patters on my own.  So I'll ask again even though I know it is best to figure it out myself.  Just struggling with that now.  Thanks.

[crguitar411]

So I'm new to the site and pretty much new to the guitar.  I'm picking up most things pretty quick, but really seem to struggle figuring out strumming patters on my own.  So I'll ask again even though I know it is best to figure it out myself.  Just struggling with that now.  Thanks.

I play it with a DDU UDU.  Is this exactly How Mr. Grohl plays it? perhaps.. perhaps not.  When I play this song live at an open mic, do other twangers approach me and say... "I think the strum pattern is off".. NO!  My point is ..you do not have to get it exact... its more impotant that you know its in 4/4 time and what the chords are.. .listen and experiment with what sounds good to your ears....Many musicians change strum patterns to mix it up.  I always encourage people to give "Knocking on Heavens door" a go.  Why.. its been played to death by so many that any old strum patten is acceptable.. even a reggae rythm works  cause thats what Clapton did.  Get the the correct chords and timing and experiment... no matter what the strum.. people will say.. Hey.. thats "Knocking...

Cheers and happy strumming
... now if I could just get that strum pattern to "The Wrestler" by Springsteen 

[Surso]

Questions...

im having a little trouble with the strumming on times like these by the foo fighters on the verse part...can u give me a strumming pattern please?

[mjc1]

Hi - I'm new to the site and new to playing the guitar (about 4 months).  I've managed to get a few chords together and now simple songs. Thought i would have a go at Times Like These which i love, both original and acoustic. My question is about the tab for the intro as ive decided to play it as Justin has shown on the 5th fret. The vid shows the finger on the a string on and off the string timed in with the strum pattern. The tab shows the finger on for all strum up or down. I think i'm understanding it correctly  Apologies if i haven't Any help would be appreciated.

I've been following the version on Radio One Live Lounge Vol 2 disc1 for rhythm etc......but its hard. I'm doing a DDU UDU. It must sound sort of right as my wife recognised the song 

Many thanks!

Mark

[Simonovski]

Here is how I play it. Top row is the strumming; I keep my hand constantly moving up and down in time with the beat. Where I've written .. you keep your hand moving but don't hit the strings. 0 or 5 refers to the 5th string and whether you fret it or not.

D U D U D .. D U .. U D .. D U D .. (and repeat)
0  5 5 0  5     0 5     0 5     0  5 5

Sometimes he plays it like this too (like in the live lounge version you have). Just add an extra strum.

D U D U D .. D U D U D .. D U D .. (and repeat)
0  5 5 0  5     0 5  5 0 5     0  5 5

This is an awesome song, it was the first one I ever learnt to play

[mjc1]

Many thanks for your help. It does look quite tricky but i guess take it slow and build the speed up, it will come together in time.

Thanks again 

[mjc1]

Well i have spent some time this afternoon and this evening trying to get the intro hammer on thing right.....it really is difficult. In my frustration i've just played the chord with all fingers on 5th fret just to complete the whole song. It didn't sound too bad actually. Not sure if anyone has any tips on perfecting the hammer on thing? Maybe i shouldn't really be cutting corners like this? Any comments or thoughts are welcome. Many thanks in advance.

Mark

[Simonovski]

There's nothing wrong with practicing without taking your finger on and off. You could get the strumming down like that first, and then think about it. Sounds like a good way to do it to me. That way you can get through the entire song, which is fun

Oh and when you're practicing it, play as slowly as possible! There's no point trying to do it at the same speed as the record until you can do it properly at slow speeds.