This song was originally performed by Men at Work, who released it in 1982. The song was written by lead vocalist Colin Hay and Ronald Strykert. The guitar is played by Colin Hay, while the rhythm guitar part is played by Ron Strykert. The signature riff of the song is a combination of two distinct parts that are both performed on a 12-string acoustic guitar.
Contents:
- Section 1: The Basics of Playing “Who Can it Be Now?” on Guitar
- Section 2: Chords and Progressions Used in the Song
- Section 3: Tips for Achieving the Iconic Saxophone Riff on Guitar
- Section 4: Strumming Patterns to Emulate the Song’s Catchy Groove
- Section 5: Common Mistakes to Avoid When Learning “Who Can it Be Now?”
Section 1: The Basics of Playing “Who Can it Be Now?” on Guitar
To learn how to play “Who Can It Be Now?” On guitar, you must first familiarize yourself with the song structure and chords. This classic 1982 hit from Australian rock band Men at Work follows a basic two-chord progression throughout the entire song. The opening verse is played using a D major chord followed by an A minor chord, and both of these chords can be found in the key of D major. After that, there is a chorus section which also uses these two chords but in reverse order: A minor followed by D major. This same pattern repeats throughout the duration of the song until its end.
In addition to this two-chord progression, there are several other elements that make up this iconic track. These include a signature guitar riff played before each verse as well as instrumental fills between sections of lyrics and during pauses within certain lines or phrases. Some specific notes are picked out for emphasis during certain words or phrases to add additional texture and interest to the composition. Basic strumming techniques should be employed throughout playing to give it more groove and body – pay particular attention to emphasizing downstrokes on every beat for maximum impact.
Section 2: Chords and Progressions Used in the Song
“Who Can It Be Now?” By Men at Work was a massive hit in 1982, reaching the number one spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and even garnering a Grammy nomination. With its catchy chorus and driving beat, this classic tune has been played over radio waves ever since. To play “Who Can It Be Now?” Yourself on guitar, there are two main components to master: chords and progressions used in the song.
In terms of chords, you’ll need to practice the four basic shapes for C major (C Dm Em F) as well as an Am chord with the fourth string barred at the first fret. Though these may seem simple enough to execute, keep in mind that playing them consistently will require some muscle memory development. In addition to being able to fluidly move from chord to chord throughout each progression, you should also be sure not to miss any beats or chords as you transition from section to section within the song structure itself.
The progressions used in “Who Can It Be Now?” Rely heavily on I-V movement–the return back to the root note of a given key–in both 4/4 time and 6/8 time signatures throughout various sections of the song. As such, your practice should include strumming along with steady drum rhythms so that your ear can become more accustomed to hearing which notes correspond with each other harmonically as they repeat themselves cyclically through each progression pattern. After some practice and repetition of these patterns you’ll be ready jam out this 80s favorite like a pro.
Section 3: Tips for Achieving the Iconic Saxophone Riff on Guitar
Once the iconic saxophone riff of Men At Work’s classic song “Who Can It Be Now?” Is heard, it transports people back to the ’80s. Guitarists wishing to recreate this timeless tune can learn how to do so using some basic techniques.
The trick to getting the sound right starts with fretting two strings at once while hammering onto and off from another string at various positions on the fretboard. To execute this properly, a guitar player needs to become comfortable with executing chords in rapid succession and keeping time for when shifts are necessary. Players need to pay attention to muting certain notes within a chord as well as any open strings which may be ringing out for too long.
By incorporating string-bending into their playing style, guitarists can make their cover more faithful to its original form. Doing so requires practice and patience but it will allow players to effectively mimic the wailing tones of a saxophone that made this track so memorable. All these tips combined together should give an aspiring musician all they need in order to accurately reproduce this hit on six-strings.
Section 4: Strumming Patterns to Emulate the Song’s Catchy Groove
Many guitar players are familiar with the song “Who Can It Be Now” by Men At Work. As one of the band’s biggest hits, this song features an iconic and catchy rhythm on the guitar. To recreate this sound on your own instrument, it is important to focus on strumming patterns that make use of the right combination of tones and techniques.
Using a classic down-up or ‘downstroke-upstroke’ pattern can help capture some of the energy found in this tune. To start, strum two notes down and then follow it up with a single upstroke as you move from chord to chord. This technique creates an energetic flow between each individual phrase as well as making sure to accentuate every beat without ever becoming overly complex or exhausting for the player.
Adding ghost strokes can help further emphasize certain phrases throughout the verse sections of “Who Can It Be Now”. Using a slightly lighter touch when performing these ghost strokes will keep them from taking away from other parts of the melody but still give them enough presence to drive home those memorable vocal melodies even more effectively. With practice, any guitarist can have their version of this classic Men At Work song sounding just like it did when it was released all those years ago.
Section 5: Common Mistakes to Avoid When Learning “Who Can it Be Now?”
Learning how to play the guitar is no easy feat. Mastering a challenging song such as Men at Work’s 1982 classic, “Who Can It Be Now?” Can be particularly difficult for novice players. To help those struggling with the song, this section will discuss common mistakes to avoid when learning it on guitar.
One of the biggest errors made by beginner and intermediate guitarists is failing to get comfortable with the finger-picking pattern before adding in strumming techniques. This classic rock track utilizes a combination of alternating bass notes, which are played on open strings, along with subtle but intricate chord changes throughout the verse and chorus. If you attempt to add in a strummed rhythm or any embellishments before being able to comfortably play through the finger-picking parts, your timing will suffer greatly. Start simple and master each piece separately before attempting complex rhythms together; this approach will have you sounding like Colin Hay in no time.
A second mistake commonly made by aspiring guitarists is playing too fast from start. The track has two distinct tempos throughout: a mid-tempo during the verse and an upbeat tempo during the chorus sections. Rushing through either one won’t only sound sloppy, but might actually cause you to miss some of those critical chords changes that make up much of the song’s structure. Take your time and practice both tempos separately until you feel comfortable transitioning between them without worrying about speed or accuracy – after all, perfection doesn’t happen overnight.
Never underestimate how important muting technique can be when playing any style of music on electric or acoustic guitar – especially power chord progressions such as this one. Learning proper muting technique will give your riffs more dynamic range; plus allow you keep your sound consistent even if you accidentally hit adjacent strings while switching chords quickly or hammering out power cords at high volumes levels. Working on these technicalities may seem tedious at first but it pays off immensely in terms of improving overall tone quality and mastering challenging songs like “Who Can It Be Now?”.
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