How to Play "The Sign" on an Acoustic Guitar
Tune your guitar., After the drum loop start of the song, the guitar riff chords are Gm(minor){see fig # 1}, Bb(flat){fig # 2}, C{fig # 3}, D{fig # 3} then Gm(minor) again, Eb(flat), D, C, and D again., Now, after playing the first 4 chords, this...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Tune your guitar.
(Note:
The last 5 chords Gm-Eb-D will be transcribed in Steps 3 and 4).
By playing the chords, strum the guitar strings in reggae style.
Downward to upward strokes.
Gm(minor) will be 4 strums, Bb(flat) will be 2 strums.
Then quickly shift to C, then slide shift to D (see fig. 3 on the illustration) , (Note:
The chords Gm-Bb-/Gm-Eb-D will be played 2 times.
After playing those chords, proceed to step #
4.) , This is also what is called a break before the beginning of the stanza.
Just play the chord C(1 strum){fig # 6} and D(1 strum){fig # 6}. ,, Although you won't repeat the chords G-Em-C-D-C on the last lyrics or endings of the 1st and 2nd stanzas.) , The same chords also apply on the lyrics "Life is dema-anding, without understanding" and so on.
But the last chord part of the lyrics will be on step # 8 ,"
play the chord C{fig # 17}(1 strum) on the lyric "But"
then the chord D{fig # 17}(1 strum) on the lyrics "where do you belong?"
And now, you're done. -
Step 2: After the drum loop start of the song
-
Step 3: the guitar riff chords are Gm(minor){see fig # 1}
-
Step 4: Bb(flat){fig # 2}
-
Step 5: C{fig # 3}
-
Step 6: D{fig # 3} then Gm(minor) again
-
Step 7: Eb(flat)
-
Step 8: and D again.
-
Step 9: after playing the first 4 chords
-
Step 10: this will be the part where you will sing and shout Pamparoom-paroom yeah
-
Step 11: and with that
-
Step 12: play the chord Gm(minor){fig # 4} in 3 strums
-
Step 13: Eb(flat){fig # 5} in 1 strum
-
Step 14: then quickly reverse slide shift to the chord D{fig # 5}.
-
Step 15: this is the last part of the very long intro after playing steps 2 and 3.
-
Step 16: On the first lyric "I
-
Step 17: I got a"
-
Step 18: play the chord G{fig # 7}
-
Step 19: then Em(minor){fig # 8} on the lyrics "new life
-
Step 20: you would"
-
Step 21: then C{fig # 9} on the lyrics "hardly recog"
-
Step 22: then D{fig # 9} on the lyrics "nize(recognize) me
-
Step 23: i'm so glad"
-
Step 24: on the lyrics "How
-
Step 25: how could a" play the chord G{fig # 10} again
-
Step 26: then Em(minor){fig # 11} on the lyric "person"
-
Step 27: then the chord C{fig # 12} on the lyrics "like me"
-
Step 28: then D{fig # 12} on the lyric "care"
-
Step 29: then the chord C{fig # 12} again on the lyrics "for you" (Note: The same chords
-
Step 30: G-Em-C-D also applies on the next lyrics and on the 2nd stanza.
-
Step 31: on the chorus
-
Step 32: on the lyrics "I saw the"
-
Step 33: play the chord G{fig # 13} on the 10th fret(in B chord fingering position)
-
Step 34: then Em(minor){fig # 14} on the 7th fret( in B minor fingering position) on the lyrics "sign
-
Step 35: and it"
-
Step 36: then the chord C{fig # 15} on the 8th fret(in G chord fingering position) on the lyrics "opened up my"
-
Step 37: then the chord D{fig # 16} on the 10th fret(in G chord fingering position) on the lyrics "eyes
-
Step 38: i saw the sign.
-
Step 39: On the last lyrics of the chorus "But where do you belong?
-
Step 40: Remember that all the chord steps here will be used until the very ending of the song.
Detailed Guide
(Note:
The last 5 chords Gm-Eb-D will be transcribed in Steps 3 and 4).
By playing the chords, strum the guitar strings in reggae style.
Downward to upward strokes.
Gm(minor) will be 4 strums, Bb(flat) will be 2 strums.
Then quickly shift to C, then slide shift to D (see fig. 3 on the illustration) , (Note:
The chords Gm-Bb-/Gm-Eb-D will be played 2 times.
After playing those chords, proceed to step #
4.) , This is also what is called a break before the beginning of the stanza.
Just play the chord C(1 strum){fig # 6} and D(1 strum){fig # 6}. ,, Although you won't repeat the chords G-Em-C-D-C on the last lyrics or endings of the 1st and 2nd stanzas.) , The same chords also apply on the lyrics "Life is dema-anding, without understanding" and so on.
But the last chord part of the lyrics will be on step # 8 ,"
play the chord C{fig # 17}(1 strum) on the lyric "But"
then the chord D{fig # 17}(1 strum) on the lyrics "where do you belong?"
And now, you're done.
About the Author
Betty Castillo
Creates helpful guides on cooking to inspire and educate readers.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: