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...

40 Steps 1 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. 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.
  2. Step 2: After the drum loop start of the song

  3. Step 3: the guitar riff chords are Gm(minor){see fig # 1}

  4. Step 4: Bb(flat){fig # 2}

  5. Step 5: C{fig # 3}

  6. Step 6: D{fig # 3} then Gm(minor) again

  7. Step 7: Eb(flat)

  8. Step 8: and D again.

  9. Step 9: after playing the first 4 chords

  10. Step 10: this will be the part where you will sing and shout Pamparoom-paroom yeah

  11. Step 11: and with that

  12. Step 12: play the chord Gm(minor){fig # 4} in 3 strums

  13. Step 13: Eb(flat){fig # 5} in 1 strum

  14. Step 14: then quickly reverse slide shift to the chord D{fig # 5}.

  15. Step 15: this is the last part of the very long intro after playing steps 2 and 3.

  16. Step 16: On the first lyric "I

  17. Step 17: I got a"

  18. Step 18: play the chord G{fig # 7}

  19. Step 19: then Em(minor){fig # 8} on the lyrics "new life

  20. Step 20: you would"

  21. Step 21: then C{fig # 9} on the lyrics "hardly recog"

  22. Step 22: then D{fig # 9} on the lyrics "nize(recognize) me

  23. Step 23: i'm so glad"

  24. Step 24: on the lyrics "How

  25. Step 25: how could a" play the chord G{fig # 10} again

  26. Step 26: then Em(minor){fig # 11} on the lyric "person"

  27. Step 27: then the chord C{fig # 12} on the lyrics "like me"

  28. Step 28: then D{fig # 12} on the lyric "care"

  29. Step 29: then the chord C{fig # 12} again on the lyrics "for you" (Note: The same chords

  30. Step 30: G-Em-C-D also applies on the next lyrics and on the 2nd stanza.

  31. Step 31: on the chorus

  32. Step 32: on the lyrics "I saw the"

  33. Step 33: play the chord G{fig # 13} on the 10th fret(in B chord fingering position)

  34. Step 34: then Em(minor){fig # 14} on the 7th fret( in B minor fingering position) on the lyrics "sign

  35. Step 35: and it"

  36. Step 36: then the chord C{fig # 15} on the 8th fret(in G chord fingering position) on the lyrics "opened up my"

  37. Step 37: then the chord D{fig # 16} on the 10th fret(in G chord fingering position) on the lyrics "eyes

  38. Step 38: i saw the sign.

  39. Step 39: On the last lyrics of the chorus "But where do you belong?

  40. 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.

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Betty Castillo

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