Learn how to play "Sing" by Travis on the Guitar

In this lesson, we'll learn how to play Sing by Travis on the guitar. This fantastic tune was written by one of my favorite writers, Fran Healey, the lead singer of Travis. It's a cool tune with fairly simple chords. The strumming pattern is the key focus here when using open chords, but don't worry, we'll go through it step by step.

The Intro and Verses

First, let's talk about the intro sequence. It begins with E minor, followed by A minor, and then A minor seven, where you simply lift off your third finger. This pattern goes back to E minor, completing the intro.

This sequence is also the basis for the verses. The lyrics "Baby, you've been going" are played over A minor and A minor seven. "Nothing seems to be going" is played over E and E minor. The rest of the verse follows the same pattern.

The Chorus

Now, let's move on to the chorus. The phrase "for the love" is played over G for half a bar to D. Then, we're back to the verses. The chorus has half a bar of G, half a bar of D to a bar of A minor, another bar of A minor, and then back to G.

The Strumming Pattern

The strumming pattern for Sing uses 16th-note strumming, which might be a bit tricky for beginners, but it's not too difficult once you get the hang of it. The pattern is continuous strumming, relying on accent patterns to give it some flavor.

👉 Check out the lesson on 16th-note strumming if you haven't learned it yet!

The Banjo Part

Another interesting bit in this song is the banjo part. You can play this part if you've got a banjo or another guitar. The actual part is fairly simple: E minor, A minor, A minor seven, back to E minor. This rhythm pattern is done with fingerstyle.

👉 Here's an introduction to fingerstyle for beginners.

Wrapping Up

I hope you enjoy this lesson. Remember, practice is the key. Take your time, and don't be too hard on yourself. Learning an instrument is a journey—every small progress is a step forward.

Don't forget to watch the video for a more visual learning experience. Have fun with it and enjoy the process!

💡 Get verified chords, lyrics, and tabs for Sing and loads of other song lessons! Try out JustinGuitarTabs for free!