Chord Progression and Rhythm
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Introduction
Tune in to a detailed guitar song lesson on What It’s Like, a single by the American musician, Everlast. This 1998’s release was the lead single from his second studio album called Whitey Ford Sings the Blues.
This guitar song lesson is taught by Mike Walker, an experienced musician and instructor at Torrins. He breaks the lesson down into sections: Introduction, Intro Chord Progression, Verse & Chorus, Arrangement, Interlude, and Outro.
Mike Walker teaches the What It’s Like Song guitar lesson using just 3 chords, two of which are Dm and C. No capo is needed!
Chords Used in What It's Like Guitar Lesson
- This song primarily revolves around three simple chords, making it accessible for players of all levels.
- The strumming pattern follows a DDU rhythm, adding a steady groove.
Strumming & Picking Techniques
The song subtly blends strumming and arpeggiation, giving it a dynamic and textured feel. The intro is centered around a D minor chord, with the occasional addition of Dsus4 to introduce subtle variation. Arpeggiated picking is used here to create a melodic and flowing texture, setting the tone for the rest of the song.
In the verse, the D minor chord continues to anchor the progression, while an arpeggiated riff adds depth and makes it more rhythmic.
Moving into the chorus, the strumming follows a consistent DDU (Down-Down-Up) pattern, repeated four times. On the fourth repetition, however, there’s a variation introduced at the end which is a distinctive 8-note strum pattern that adds energy and creates a pumping, driving effect.
Song Structure & Arrangement
The song builds gradually, with familiar sections repeating and subtle changes keeping things interesting. Here's a simple breakdown of how the song flows:
- Intro: A catchy opening riff sets the mood and is played four times.
- Verse 1: The main melody kicks in and repeats six times, helping you settle into the groove.
- Chorus: This part brings in energy. It’s played four times, with a twist added on the fourth round to keep things fresh.
- Interlude: A gentle picking section gives you a short breather before heading back into the main theme.
- Verse 2: Similar to the first verse, but extended — this time it's played eight times.
- Chorus: Returns with the same pattern, repeated four times.
- Bridge: Feels like a throwback to the intro, but with a longer run — played six times.
- Verse 3: Back again for eight repetitions.
- Final Chorus: Played three times as the song winds down.
- Outro: The song gradually fades out, giving it a smooth ending.
Mike shares a tip for those struggling with Fmaj7? Try leading with your third finger—this helps you get the note covered first, giving you an extra split second to position the rest of your fingers.
Why Learn What It’s Like?
- This lesson covers both strumming and fingerpicking, making it great for building dexterity.
- The song’s structure teaches you how to transition smoothly between sections and add dynamics to your playing.
- This song is a fantastic example of storytelling through music, giving you a chance to add emotion to your performance.
FAQs – What It’s Like Guitar Lesson
- Q1: Is this song beginner-friendly?
- Yes! While the Fmaj7 chord can be tricky, the slow tempo and repetitive structure make it easier to master.
- Q2: How can I improve my arpeggiation?
- Start slow, focus on even picking, and gradually increase speed.
- Q3: Do I need a capo?
- No capo is required for this version.
Fun Fact: The song became Everlast’s biggest solo hit after he left the trio House of Pain and transitioned from rap to a bluesy, acoustic hip-hop style, which was a bold and unexpected move at the time!
Similar Rock Songs
Introduction
Torrins brings you a detailed guitar lesson on another late-1990s rock hit, Jumper, by the American rock band Third Eye Blind. In this tutorial, our expert instructor, Steve Luciano, breaks down this acoustic power pop song, sharing valuable insights to help you master it on guitar.
This guitar song tutorial covers Intro, Chords, Rhythm, and comes with Tabs and Lyrics for an all-rounded playing and learning experience.
Chords Used in Jumper Guitar Lesson
This song features a mix of open and extended chords, creating a rich and dynamic sound.
The song is originally written in the key of C major and has a time signature of common time and a tempo of 88 beats per minute.
Steve Luciano teaches this song using 5 chords two of which are Fmaj7/C and D4add9. Check out the complete lesson to know the rest.
Chords used: Fmaj7/C and D4 add 9
Steve shares a simple hack to play D4add9, making it easier to transition smoothly between chords. He also covers detailed finger positioning to ensure clarity in each chord change.
Strumming Pattern
Pattern: DDDUDUUD
The song follows a 4/4 time signature, but what makes it unique is the 16th note rhythm in the intro. Your right hand moves four times as fast, but you don’t have to hit the strings every time—just keeping your hand moving at that pace gives the desired groove. Steve breaks down this technique in the lesson to help you nail the feel of the song.
Song Structure
This song follows a verse-chorus format, with rhythmic variations adding energy to different sections.
- Verse: The first measure contains two chords, while the next measure is a full measure of one chord.
- Chorus: Features a groovier and faster rhythm, helping you develop better control in your right hand.
- Muting Technique: In parts of the song, Steve demonstrates how to mute the strings while playing Fmaj7/C, creating a percussive effect. If you struggle with this, he also teaches an alternative approach.
Why Learn the Jumper song on guitar?
- Improves right-hand independence and left-right hand coordination for smoother transitions.
- Teaches unique strumming techniques that add groove and freshness to your playing.
- Helps develop speed and precision, making your playing sound more natural and effortless.
Tips for Playing the Jumper Song Smoothly on Guitar
- Practice chord transitions first before focusing on strumming.
- Loosen your grip to achieve proper string muting in certain sections.
- Focus on feeling the rhythm, especially during faster, groove-heavy parts.
FAQs – Jumper Guitar Lesson
Q1. Is this song beginner-friendly?
A: The Jumper song on guitar is best suited for intermediate players due to its faster rhythm and complex strumming patterns.
Q2. What if I struggle with the faster rhythm?
A: In that case, practice the strumming motion slowly first before speeding up. The key is keeping your right hand moving consistently.
Recording Fun Fact: For Jumper, Stephan Jenkins wanted a deep, thudding drum sound, so they recorded in a small room with the doors open for a natural "breathing" effect. He even had drummer Brad Hargreaves switch to smaller sticks for a more controlled feel, kind of like a Beatles-style recording trick!
