In this lesson, we'll learn how to play Alison by the wonderful Elvis Costello on the guitar. This classic tune is not only a fantastic song but also a great opportunity to work on your barre chords and explore some interesting rhythm techniques.
Before we start, let me tell you why I love this song. Alison is one of my favorite Elvis Costello tunes, and it actually introduced me to his entire catalog. It's a beautiful piece that showcases Costello's songwriting prowess and offers us guitarists a chance to refine our skills.
While the original version features a lot of lead guitar work, we will focus on a more rhythmic approach in this lesson. We'll be adapting the piano part to the guitar, which gives us some flexibility in how we play it. We'll learn a way to play the rhythm that captures the song's groove, perfect for when you're playing alone. However, if you're playing in a band setting, you should explore those lead guitar parts on your own time.
Let's dive in!
Let's start by looking at the main chord progression. Alison primarily uses barre chords, making it an excellent workout for those looking to improve in this area. We'll use A, C, and E as our main chords, with some G# minor, C# minor, and B thrown in for good measure.
π If you need a refresher, we get into barre chords in my Intermediate Course.
The verse progression goes like this: A, C, E, then back to A. Then, we move to G# minor, C# minor, and B before returning to A. It's a bit of a workout, but don't worry - you'll get it down with practice!
In the chorus, we introduce a Bsus4 chord, which adds a nice touch of tension and release when resolving to the B chord. If you're not familiar with sus chords, think of them as a way to add a bit of flavor and movement to your playing.
Now, let's talk about the rhythm. The strumming pattern I recommend for this song is down, mute, down-down, mute. This pattern gives the song its characteristic groove. We're hitting on beats one and the "and" after two, with muted strums on beats two and four.
It might sound tricky at first, but start slow and gradually build up speed. Remember, keeping a steady rhythm is more important than playing fast. Once you've got this basic pattern down, you can start experimenting with adding some accents to match the song's energy.
When we get to the chorus, things get more interesting rhythmically. We introduce a "push"βwhere the chord changes happen slightly earlier than expected. Specifically, we're changing chords on the "and" counts, which gives the chorus its driving, urgent feel.
The chord progression in the chorus goes A to E to A to B, then G# minor, G# major (yes, major!), C# minor, and B. It's an unusual progression, especially that shift from G# minor to G# major, but it gives Alison its unique sound.
The intro to Alison is a bit special. The original recording has a lead guitar line playing over some chords. We're adapting this to be played as a single guitar part for our arrangement. We start with an E chord with a B in the bass (musicians call this E/B), then move to B, G# minor, A, C# minor, and finally B.
The intro's rhythm is crucial to nailing the feel of the song. It's syncopated, meaning the accents fall on unexpected beats. Getting this right might take some practice, but it's worth the effort!
The outro is relatively simple compared to the rest of the song. We just play D, B, and E. It's a nice, clean way to wrap up the tune.
Alison is a fantastic song to add to your repertoire. It is a beloved classic and offers a great opportunity to work on your barre chords, experiment with interesting chord progressions, and develop your sense of rhythm.
Watch the video to see and hear the techniques we've discussed. It will help you understand and apply them to your own playing.
Elvis Costello is a brilliant songwriter and performer, and Alison is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to his catalog. If you've never explored his music before, I highly encourage you to do so. Who knows? You might find your next favorite song to learn!
Keep practicing, stay patient with yourself, and most importantly, have fun with it. Music is a journey, and every song you learn is a step forward. I'll see you in the next lesson. Until then, happy playing!
Check out the original
