To play “Rebel Rebel” on guitar, start by strumming a G chord followed by a D7 chord. Then switch to C, A minor and back to G. Repeat this progression 4 times. On the fifth time, add a quick hammer-on and pull-off on the B string with your third finger between the 10th fret and 8th fret as you strum an open E chord. Next switch to Am7 then quickly slide up two frets before shifting back down to G for the final four chords of the song – D7, C, A minor and G.
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Understanding the Chords and Progression of “Rebel Rebel”
To begin playing “Rebel Rebel”, it is important to understand the chord progression. The song starts off with an A minor, which then moves into a G major followed by a D major and finally back to A minor. It’s not just the chords that need to be mastered but also how they are strummed and switched between each other. This can take some time, however it will become second nature once you understand where you are moving from one chord to another in the song.
Aside from understanding the guitar chords of “Rebel Rebel”, it’s also beneficial to learn about their fingerings. For example, when using an open position A minor chord, your index finger should be on the fifth string (A), middle finger on fourth string (D), and ring finger on third string (G). Then for G major there would be a different pattern; middle finger on sixth string (E), ring finger on fifth string (A) and pinky on fourth string (D). Once these have been practiced separately and combined together with transitioning smoothly between them both this will bring about sounding like the original record of David Bowie’s “Rebel Rebel”.
Learning how play “Rebel Rebel” isn’t just limited to mastering chord progression and fingering techniques, but there are lead riffs as well that need exploring as well as studying bowie’s unique vocal melodies too. With some practice everything should come together naturally so don’t get discouraged if it feels daunting at first – keep practicing.
Mastering the Rhythm Guitar Part: Strumming Techniques
When it comes to learning how to play the iconic David Bowie song “Rebel Rebel”, mastering the rhythm guitar part is essential. The song uses a variety of strumming techniques that require practice and patience. To begin, figure out what type of downstrokes and upstrokes you want to use on the track. Generally speaking, when playing acoustic guitar with a pick or electric guitar with your fingers, alternating between an upstroke followed by a downstroke provides for a bouncy feel that fits perfectly in this rock classic.
If you’re looking for more specific advice, consider focusing on two main types of strums: 8th notes and 16th notes. Playing 8th notes entails picking each note twice as fast as normal while using both upstrokes and downstrokes in succession. With 16th notes, every note must be played four times as fast as normal while alternating between up-down-up-down strokes or vice versa – all depending on where you are in the beat cycle. This rhythmic pattern can take some time to perfect but will pay off once you get the hang of it.
Practice muting your strings when not strumming so that only one sound (the fretted notes) is heard during each chord change throughout “Rebel Rebel”. By striking chords with one hand and lightly touching/dampening them with your other hand near their base, you can create an extremely tight sound suitable for this tune’s driving bassline and psychedelic solo section.
How to Play the Iconic Intro Riff
Playing David Bowie’s iconic song “Rebel Rebel” on guitar starts with mastering the intro riff. This main part of the song sets up the whole piece and adds a lot of character to it. For those who are just starting out, understanding how to play this riff can be quite daunting; however, armed with a few tips and tricks, you’ll be playing the entire song in no time.
When tackling this difficult intro riff, it is important to focus on its two main parts. The first section features single notes played against open chords and requires precision when switching between each note for that classic staccato effect. As each note should have some space around them, make sure not to rush through this section as keeping good timing here will help your overall sound immensely.
The second part of the introduction is all about strumming power chords while using a distinct rhythm which then leads into the verse of the track. Since this passage is mainly focused on getting your right hand moving correctly in order to create energy and drive throughout the rest of the piece, practice counting out loud while playing so that you can get comfortable with tempo changes here too. Once both parts have been mastered separately it’s time to bring them together for one full run-through – make sure you can do at least 10 flawless takes before attempting any live performance. With enough practice and dedication anyone can master this classic Bowie tune from start to finish and give their own spin along the way.
Soloing Over the Song’s Chord Changes
When learning how to play a song on guitar, one of the most difficult elements can be mastering the solo. This is particularly true for the classic David Bowie track “Rebel Rebel,” as it contains a complex chord progression and some intense solos.
The first step to soloing over “Rebel Rebel” is to familiarize yourself with the chord changes in the verse. These chords are D7sus4, A7sus4/E, Cadd9/G and Gmaj7. To make these changes easier to remember, break them down into small chunks – D7sus4-A7sus4-Cadd9/G-Gmaj7 – and practice playing them at different speeds until they become second nature.
Next up is coming up with licks that fit over each of these chords. For example, if you’re soloing over D7sus4 then consider using notes from both Dorian mode (the b2nd) or Mixolydian mode (the 4th). A great way to come up with licks quickly is by focusing on two or three notes within these modes and stringing together ideas based off those notes. Once you’ve nailed down your individual licks, combine them into longer phrases while keeping an eye out for interesting transitions between chords that might add extra flair to your playing.
Practicing and perfecting a solo can take time but it’s well worth putting in the work if you want to recreate this classic rock song authentically when performing live or recording in a studio.
Tips for Bringing Your Own Style to “Rebel Rebel”
When learning how to play the classic Bowie song “Rebel Rebel” on guitar, it is important to make sure that you bring your own style to the piece. After all, this iconic track was written by a unique artist and guitarist whose original take on the genre made him stand out from the crowd. To help you create something truly special with this song, here are some helpful tips:
First of all, experiment with different types of distortion or overdrive pedals. You can add a subtle crunchy sound that will really enhance the rock elements in “Rebel Rebel”. Be sure to keep experimenting until you find a perfect balance between clean and dirty tones.
Another great tip is to use open tunings for parts of the solo sections. Open tunings allow you more creative freedom when playing because they allow notes outside of what would normally be playable in standard tuning. This opens up whole new possibilities for creating something truly unique with your version of this famous track.
Consider playing around with unusual chord voicings during some sections of “Rebel Rebel” as well. This technique involves using alternate fingerings which produce chords that have an unfamiliar sound compared to traditional ones – giving your performance its own distinct flavor. Just remember not to go overboard – too much dissonance could lead to an uncomfortable listening experience for those who are hearing your version!
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