5 Nursery Rhymes with 2 Chords & 1 Strum Pattern
GET THE CHORD CHART FOR THE 5 NURSERY RHYMES
DOWNLOAD CHORD CHARTIn this lesson, we're going to learn 5 children's nursery rhymes, all with only 2 chords and the same strum pattern. The 5 songs are:
- Row, Row, Row Your Boat
- Wheels On The Bus
- Mary Had A Little Lamb
- The Farmer and The Dell
- London Bridge
For all 5 songs we'll be using the G and D/F#m chords from the G chord family. I'll be using the capo on the 3rd fret for 2 of the songs, to make it easier for me to sing. This is completely optional.
If you'd like to learn the chords I used for this song, check out this tutorial:
STRUM PATTERN
The strum pattern for this song is super simple. All 4 songs are in 4/4 time, so the 4 beats can be broken down as follows:
D / D / D / D U
One down strum per beat with an upstrum at the end of the measure, between the 4th & 1st beats.
I hope you enjoy!
How To Change Guitar Strings
In this lesson, I'm going to show you how to change your guitar strings.
STRINGS
For strings, I recommend D'addario brand. If you're a beginner guitarist, then you'll want to go with the light or extra light gage, which are easier on your fingers. Also, if you can get them "coated", it'll make it that much easier to play.
TOOLS
For tools, you need something to unwind the tuners, pop out your pegs, and cut the access string. The "Jim Dunlop" winder does 2 out of 3, winding the tuners and popping the pegs. You can always use wire clippers from your toolbox to cut the string if you want to stay cheap. This winder's only about $1. You can also get a 3 in 1; winder, popper, and clipper, but the price will jump to around $15.
TIPS
Be sure you're using the right string! Follow the color coded guide on your string's packaging.
Be sure that the brass stub at the end of your string ends up pressing against the side of your peg and not underneath. If it's under, it'll push up on your peg as you tighten the string, causing it to go out of tune.
- Give your string 2 fingers worth of slack, to make sure you get a couple of loops around the tuning nut.
- Wind your strings so that they flow from the inside out of the guitar head.
- Be sure all new loops are underneath older ones.
Alrighty! Good luck to you. If you'd like to know how to get your guitar in tune once you change your strings, you can check out this tutorial:
Remember, if you have any questions, leave me a comment below, and I'd be happy to get back to you.
How To Tune a Guitar
In this lesson, I'm going to teach you how to tune a guitar.
Before you can tune however, you need to know the open tuning of the 6 strings.
ANOTHER DAY GOES BY
Remember that phrase. Memorize it! You'll always use it, I promise. It is the best way to remember the open tuning of the middle 4 strings, starting with the one closest to you when holding the guitar.
The outer two strings (the lowest and highest strings) are both E; easy enough to remember.
TUNING BY EAR
Learning to tune by ear is a great skill to have. You never know when the day will come that you want to play the guitar and there's no tuner around to help you. Or you're in the middle of playing and notice one string slightly out of tune. Instead of going through the hassle of pulling out a tuner, this method is much faster and more efficient.
The basic idea is that the 5th fret of one string is the same note as the next string in open position (without pressing down on it). That is, with the exception of the G string, which needs the 4th fret pressed in order to play the B for the next string. And it's really as simple as that. Memorize this pattern, and you'll be able to tune by ear.
That being said, keep in mind that there's no way to tune the low E string without some outside source. So though you can get your guitar in tune with itself, it may or may not be in the correct tune with the rest of the world.
USING A TUNER
To get your low E string in tune, or all of them if you rather, you'll need some type of tuner.
There are many great phone apps out there that will do the job. The one I recommend and that I use is "guitar tuna". It is very accurate and has a great user interface.
As far as hardware, I use the KORG pitch clip, which clips to the head of your guitar and uses a color gauge to indicate the pitch of your strings.
Regardless of what device you use to tune your guitar, all of them work relatively the same. The note being played will be shown, along with some type of gauge to let you know if the note is sharp # (too high) or flat b (too low). And you'll use this information to turn your tuning knobs accordingly. Once you understand the basics, you'll be able to read any tuner.
I hope that helps you out. Good luck, and let me know if you have any questions!
The First Four Chords You Should Learn On Guitar
In this lesson, we'll look at the first 4 chords you should learn on the guitar. They are G, C, D, and Em. Now, why these 4 chords in particular? Well, they're foundational chords that are easy, and give you a sizable library of songs to begin practicing right away.
Here are some song tutorials that use 3 of these 4 chords: