Learn to Play "Wake Me Up" by Avicii on the Guitar

In this lesson, we'll learn how to play Wake Me Up by Avicii on the guitar. This catchy, cross-genre blend is a fantastic song that combines house rhythms with a folksy guitar part.

You'll need a capo on the second fret to play along with the original recording. The chord progression is quite simple, but there are interesting ways to hold the chords that work really well. The strumming is fairly intense and consistent throughout the song. This feature, combined with the blending of folk and house styles, gives you an opportunity to mix it up a bit. However, I wouldn't recommend starting off at full speed right away. It's better to start slow, get the hang of it, and gradually increase your tempo.

Chord Progression 101

The chord progression for Wake Me Up involves the chords A minor, F, C, G, and E. The sequence that gets used for the chorus is A minor, F, C, G, A minor, F, C, E. It's important to note that the G and E chords each last for only one beat, falling on beat four of their bars.

There's also a slightly simpler sequence for the verses: A minor, F, and C, each for four beats.

I highly recommend practicing the chord changes along with the original recording. Start slow, even slower than the original tempo, and gradually speed up as you become more comfortable.

Strumming Pattern

Strumming is a significant part of this song, and it can be a little tricky. While it's fast, the actual pattern itself is not difficult. It's essential to practice this pattern alone before applying it to the chord sequence.

Remember, it's a fast song and quite demanding. However, don't be discouraged if you find the strumming challenging. You can still enjoy playing this song with simpler rhythms.

Playing Along

When you're playing along with a full production like an original recording, it can be equally satisfying to play simple rhythms and be in sync with the music rather than struggling to keep up. Remember that you can slow down the original track using software like Transcribe. This software allows you to decrease the tempo while maintaining the same pitch, which can be a useful trick if you're struggling to play at the original speed.

Playing along with a metronome can be a bit monotonous and uninspiring, so playing along with the original recording and gradually speeding it up is a lot more fun.

Wrapping Up

I hope you enjoy learning and playing this song! It's a great tune and a fun challenge. Don't forget to check out the video for a more in-depth look at how to play this song.

So pick up your guitar, follow along with the video, and start practicing! I'm sure you'll be strumming along to Wake Me Up by Avicii in no time. And remember, it's all about enjoying the journey as you learn. Happy playing!

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