You're Ready to Become a Detective!

Unleash your ears as you approach the Intermediate stages. :)

In this lesson, we'll look into some song suggestions that you should transcribe at this stage of your guitar journey!

💡 This lesson is part two of my Transcribing Power Chords little series. Before you start it, ensure you've completed the Transcribing Power Chords - Part 1. In that lesson, we started with easier songs and learned 4 very easy steps to transcribing.

5 Power Chord Songs to Transcribe

Now, we'll explore 5 songs you should try to work out. These songs are based on Power Chords, and each has something particular. It's normal to feel a bit overwhelmed when you start transcribing songs, so I've been scouring Spotify to find songs the ones that work great for you at this stage!

You'll find some extra tips at the bottom of this text, but don't read them unless you're totally stuck. Now let's look at 5 Power Chords songs you can transcribe today. If you're new to JustinGuitar and aren't following my Beginner Guitar Course - Grade 3, you might want to consider checking that out for some extra skillset. ;)

Song #1 - When I Come Around by Green Day

This Pop Punk classic is relatively easy to transcribe on the guitar. It's only got five chords and a very obvious rhythm. The interesting thing about it and that you need to observe is the tuning!

💡 It's time to become a detective and look further under the surface to determine how the songs were played. :)

When I Come Around was originally played on Eb Tuning, meaning each string would have been tuned down one semitone.

But that doesn't matter for now. Try to work it out in regular tuning first and see what happens. You already know you're looking for Power Chords, and the original guitar was tuned down a semitone.

If you can't sort it out, come back for extra tips. But before that, try listening to the original recording a lot, even before you try to pick it up on the guitar. And remember that if you're playing on standard tuning, you'll sound slightly different from the record.

Song #2 - Hate to Say I Told You So by The Hives

This killer tune brings back many fun memories and is relatively easy to transcribe! All the chords are played with a fifth string root, so Power Chords. Listen to the original record and try to understand how the chord on the thickest string sounds different.

💡 This little detail you want to get used to is the sound of a chord played on the fifth string root and the sound of a chord with a sixth string root. You can play the same chord in different places. Which one sounds better, and what's different about it?

Song #3 - Smokin' in The Boys Room by Motley Crue

This classic 50s Rock is an obscure song but a really cool one. :) It's Power Chords all the way through, using side-stepping, which means that the chords go from a semitone below to the main chord. It's a very common trick; you should get used to it. :)

You'll find a Rock and Roll Shuffle Pattern in this song, but you don't have to play it for now - that's pretty difficult! Pay attention to it, and focus on playing the regular Power Chords.

Song # 4 - Fell in Love With a Girl by The White Stripes

Activate your detective ears because this song requires you to hear whether the chords are a 5-string or 6-string root Power Chord. It should be very obvious because there's no bass in this song. It's guitar, drums, and voice.

💡Sometimes, we rely on that bass sound to tell us where the chord's root note is, which can be quite helpful. Taking it away makes transcribing more difficult but a great exercise.

Many of The White Stripe songs are great to transcribe! They use a lot of Power Chords, but you'll also encounter barre chords.

Remember that you can play any Barre Chord as a Power Chord. So, if you're working on a song full of Barre Chords, you can play it using Power Chords - it'll sound okay, and it's great for the acoustic guitar!

🎶 Polly by Nirvana is an obvious example. Try to transcribe it as well!

Song # 5 - Self Esteem by The Offspring

The Offspring has incredible songs you can transcribe, but it can be pretty tricky. Some songs use a lot of chords and movement, like riffs using Power Chords.

🚨You've got to work out whether it's a 6-string root or a 5-string root Power Chords. Again, that can make a difference!

Transcribing bands like The Offspring can be challenging for the rhythm because they don't simply use straight 8th notes. You can write it down using your current knowledge, but we'll get deeper into writing rhythm in Grade 4.

Train Your Ears!

Train your ears to be a detective when you're working out songs! The more you practice, the more accurate the songs will be and the faster you'll transcribe.

Don't forget that transcribing is a skill you can learn, but it takes time and might be frustrating sometimes. Just stick with it, and you'll soon get all the benefits from transcribing.

Hints

Please, only use the following tips if you can't work a song on your own, ok? Don't cheat yourself!

Song #1 - When I Come Around

Hint 1

Hint 2

Song #2 - Hate To Say I Told You So

Hint 1

Hint 2

Song #3 - Smokin' In The Boss Room

Hint 1

Hint 2

Song #4 - Fell In Love With a Girl

Hint 1

Song #5 - Self Esteem

Hint 1

Hint 2

👉 So, how did you go? Leave your comment and any feedback on this Community topic!