Topic: how to strum coconut skins

Hello,

How does the strumming pattern for Damien Rice's coconut Skins go?
I am beginner, got the chords and the bass thingy down, but the strumming pattern still sounds horrible! I am getting really frustrated. Found somewhere: ddududd - ddududd but it just doesn't make any sense (it also counts to 7-?). Looked carefully at all the covers on youtube but still can't do it. It's a fast song so it's too difficult to see or hear.
help very much appreciated

I use this tab: http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/d/d … ns_tab.htm

Re: how to strum coconut skins

Welcome to the forums!!

Here's a good version of him playing it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCalN6fjP5c

I'm on the road at the moment but when I get home this evening I'll see if I can work the strumming out for ya and maybe even throw a quick vid together to help you out with it. I like Damien's music and am surprised I'd never heard this one before, Thanks smile -Pix

[b][color=#FF0000]If your brain is part of the process, you're missing it. You should play like a drowning man, struggling to reach shore. If you can trap that feeling, then you have something.
[/color][/b]         [b]Peace of mind. That's my piece of mind...[/b]

Re: how to strum coconut skins

oh! that'll be great! This song is actually one of the reasons/incentives (maybe at better word) for wanting to learn to play the guitar. Add the fact that everyone keeps saying it's a perfect song for a beginnner and you understand my frustration.... thanx for the reply (been snooping around the forums, looks like a great site!)

4 (edited by Guitarpix 2009-11-02 22:13:54)

Re: how to strum coconut skins

Maybe this will help for now...

                                           E A D G B e
                                            - - - - - - -
                                  G       3 2 0 0 3 3  Play most of the time
                                 G*      3 0 0 0 3 3  Altered chord, on down stroke beats 2 & 4
                              Dsus/F# 2 0 0 0 3 3  On beat 4 during transition G-->Em7 or Em7-->G
                                Em7     0 2 2 0 3 3  Play most of the time
                                 Em*    0 0 0 0 3 3  Altered chord, on down stroke beats 2 & 4

     Strumming pattern:
                         
                     1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +     
                     D .  D . D U .  U .  U D .  D U D .         
                                 *                      * 

The * marks the altered chords listed above...

Try to strum that pattern (ddduuuddud ) over and over very slowly at first... Keep your arm going in a steady up and down motion to keep you on time and just try to hit the proper up or down strum. Remember start as slow as you need to in order to get it right and then gradually step up the tempo. Once you have the strum pattern down to were it feels natural and you're not having to think about it, you can add in the slight chord variations... They are only picking up one or 2 fingers (1 during the G and 2 on the Em7) on beats 2 & 4 ( 3rd and 5th down stroke) and leaving the b & e strings fretted. Once you have that down and can change between the chords easily you can add the little transitional walk-in (the Dsus/F#) between the G and Em7...  Hope that helps you get it.

You really start hearing the song come out once you add in the chord variations... and remember it helps sometimes to play along with the song... -Pix

[b][color=#FF0000]If your brain is part of the process, you're missing it. You should play like a drowning man, struggling to reach shore. If you can trap that feeling, then you have something.
[/color][/b]         [b]Peace of mind. That's my piece of mind...[/b]

Re: how to strum coconut skins

Dear mr. Guitarpix, thank you very much. It feels so good to finally be able to play the song. Made me very happy.