Learn to Play "The Past Recedes" by John Frusciante on the Guitar

In this lesson, we'll learn how to play The Past Recedes on the guitar. This song is by John Frusciante, one of my all-time favorite guitar players and a true musical genius. He never fails to impress, especially with this track, which has some interesting things happening rhythmically in the verses.

The Verse and Rhythm

We're going to kick off with the verse. The chord progression for the verses is a sequence of G, D, A minor, and E minor. It might seem like a simple chord sequence, but John Frusciante is a master at taking something straightforward and adding just enough spice to keep it interesting. He puts his unique spin on it and keeps it really musical, which is part of his genius.

The rhythm might initially seem odd because it shifts between four-four and three-four bars. This gives the song a unique feel, but it works so well that it doesn't feel disjointed. Odd times can sometimes feel a bit jerky, but in this case, it feels musical and natural, which is quite an achievement.

Understanding the count is crucial to mastering the rhythm. I'll guide you through it, but remember, listening to the song many times is just as important as counting. It helps to get the rhythm in your ears.

Chords

Once you feel confident with the rhythm, we'll add the chords. The G chord goes with the down-up-down, then the D with down-up-down, then the A minor with down-down-up-down. This pattern moves between four beats and three beats in the bar. If you're struggling with any part of this, don't worry. Just keep practicing, and you'll get it.

The pre-chorus throws in a twist with a change in rhythm. It's still the same verse progression for the first bar, but it stays on A minor in the second bar and the rhythm changes. We then move the standard open acoustic grip of a B7 chord.

The chorus is a sequence of C, D sharp diminished, E minor, and D. This is followed by C, B minor, A minor, and B7. The chorus' rhythm is simpler than the song's other parts.

Wrapping Up

This song is a bit complicated because there are a lot of different rhythms going on, but with practice, you'll get it. The key is to break it down bar by bar, listen to the original recording, and practice playing along slowly. This will help you understand the song and get a feel for it.

Remember, if you're still having trouble changing chords while doing the rhythm, focus on getting the rhythm solid first and then apply the chords. That makes it easier to master both.

This lesson is just the beginning. There are many other elements in the song that you can explore, like the solo. The solo is genius and is a good lesson in playing over odd times. It's definitely worth checking out.

I hope you've found this lesson helpful and enjoyable. Now that we've gone over the basics, I invite you to watch the video, where we'll go through everything in detail. Let's dive in and start playing The Past Recedes by John Frusciante on the guitar. I can't wait to see how you progress!