Playing “Counting Stars” on guitar is relatively straightforward. The song consists of a basic four-chord progression that repeats throughout the song. To play it, start by strumming a C major chord followed by an A minor chord, then move on to G major and F major. Repeat this pattern for the entirety of the song, making sure to switch between each chord in time with the beat. It may be helpful to practice slowly at first until you get the timing down before increasing your speed. You can use a capo on fret three if needed.
Contents:
Learning the Basic Chords
Guitar players of all levels will benefit from learning the chords necessary to play “Counting Stars” by OneRepublic. The opening four chords are G major, Cadd9, Dsus2 and Em7. All four chords require three fingers and utilize open strings. While they may seem daunting at first, these four basic shapes can easily be learned with some practice and repetition.
The G major chord should be positioned on the third fret of the low E string. This chord shape utilizes two open strings and a single finger placed on the fourth fret of the A string for stability. With the use of two open strings, this chord has an added resonance that is essential for getting a full sound in any song.
Next up is Cadd9 which can be found on the eighth fret of both low E and high E strings as well as at frets eight and ten for the B string respectively. The trickiest part about mastering this chord is pressing down each string evenly so that there is no muffling or buzzing sounds when you strum it hard. Take your time when practicing this one.
For Dsus2, put your second finger onto the sixth fret of both high E and B strings while holding down a pinky barre across frets seven through nine on the low E string to complete it’s unique texture. Although tricky to master due to its stretch across multiple frets, once you get it right you’ll have perfected one piece of this puzzle. Finally we have Em7 – a common chord found throughout many popular songs today. Begin by holding down your middle finger onto the fifth fret for both D and B strings simultaneously then place your pointer finger onto seventh fret for both high E & A strings before topping it off with a pinky barre at ninth fret along all six strings in order to secure its signature twang sound! With these foundational pieces in place, guitarists can go forth confidently ready to tackle “Counting Stars”.
Strumming Patterns for Counting Stars
When it comes to playing the song “Counting Stars” on guitar, a basic strumming pattern is essential. This specific pop rock tune consists of a 4/4 rhythm with many eighth notes and quarter notes. It is important to remember that all of these should be played as one strum per beat. To get started with this piece, begin by strumming downward with your pick eight times per bar. When alternating between chords in the verse sections, you will want to adjust your strumming technique slightly. Instead of playing every single note twice per beat, try out different patterns such as an up-down motion or down-up motion for each chord change.
For the chorus section, you can use a more driving 8th note feel like Down – Up – Down – Up for each bar in order to add energy and excitement to the track. This combined with the full chords will create a bigger sound and even better rhythm accompaniment when playing along with other instruments or singers. You may want to include some open strings into your chord changes during this part in order to thicken up your overall sound mix too.
One final aspect worth mentioning about strumming for “Counting Stars” is how well muted power chords fit within its structure. By holding down two notes at once but only striking them once (a muted pluck) during some of the transitions or chorus parts, you can achieve punchier sounding accents while keeping everything tight and rhythmic too.
Fingerpicking Techniques for Verses and Bridge
Fingerpicking is a great way to add texture and layers to a guitar piece, making it more dynamic and interesting. When playing “Counting Stars” on the guitar, your fingerpicking technique will depend on what part of the song you’re in. The verses require some precision as there are multiple notes played at once. To achieve this, use a basic arpeggio picking pattern where the thumb plucks each string one after another starting with the lowest string and moving up until all four strings have been plucked in order. At each step add an additional note from either your middle or index finger. Make sure that the notes are evenly spaced so that they blend into one sound rather than sounding choppy or broken up.
When transitioning into the bridge section of “Counting Stars”, it’s best to switch up your picking style for added contrast in dynamics and textures. For this section, alternate between strumming chords using downstrokes with your pick while also including individual notes picked out with just your fingers in between strums. This combination of techniques can help create both an energetic feel as well as provide melodic interest by allowing certain notes to ring out longer than others before switching back to strumming chords again.
When playing any kind of fingerpicking pattern it’s important to practice slow and steady with accuracy rather than attempting too much too soon and getting sloppy results – this applies especially for faster parts like during solos or bridges where accuracy really matters. With patience and practice you’ll be able to master any kind of fingerpicking pattern within no time!
Tips for Playing the Chorus Smoothly
Learning to play “Counting Stars” on the guitar can be quite a challenge, even for experienced musicians. The chorus of this song contains several chord changes that can be difficult to transition through. However, with some practice and a few tips, you’ll have no trouble mastering it in no time.
First off, focus on building up muscle memory when practicing the transitions between chords. It is important to feel out each move before focusing on speed. Begin playing slowly and try your best to make clean transitions without any audible pauses between them. Eventually increase the tempo until you reach the desired speed of the song’s chorus. This will ensure a smooth sounding performance every time you play it live or in rehearsals.
Another way to master this part of “Counting Stars” is by understanding how your fingers should move as you switch between chords during the chorus section of the song. Memorize where each finger should go for each chord change, so that your hands know where they are going before getting there – rather than having them fumble around looking for notes or positions after switching from one chord to another. With this method comes greater precision and accuracy which will lead towards more confident performances in front of an audience or fellow players alike.
Practice Methods to Master the Song
Practicing the song is essential to being able to master it. Start by playing it slowly and increasing the speed as you become more comfortable with the notes. Spend some time breaking down each part of the song, paying close attention to the rhythm and strumming patterns in each section. It can be helpful to use a metronome or drum beat app so that you can keep your timing accurate while practicing.
It can also help when learning new songs if you try playing them from multiple angles such as chords and arpeggios. Experimenting with different shapes for the same chord progression will make it easier for your fingers to move comfortably between them when performing “Counting Stars” on guitar. With enough practice, these shapes will eventually become second nature to you.
Don’t get discouraged if it takes a while before mastering this song on guitar. Once you gain enough experience, it should start coming together nicely with each practice session. In no time at all, you’ll have learned how to play “Counting Stars” on guitar!
Leave a Reply