So You Wanna Be a Big Apple Strummer? A (Mostly) Painless Guide to Conquering "Moving to New York" on Guitar
Disclaimer: This is not your typical guitar tutorial. Expect sass, self-deprecation, and enough pop culture references to make Taylor Swift jealous. Think of it as the CliffsNotes of "Moving to New York" with extra sprinkles of sarcasm. Ready? Let's dive into the concrete jungle where dreams are made of (and strings snap under the pressure).
1. Chords: Your Keys to the City (But Not a Real Apartment, Those Are Still Expensive)
- D minor, A minor, D minor, G: Repeat on loop until your fingers rebel and form their own union. This is the song's bread and butter, the peanut butter and jelly to your musical sandwich. Master these, and you've basically got the whole bakery down.
- Bonus Round: Sprinkle in some C major and G major for that extra "oh hey, I actually know more than three chords" flair. But don't go overboard. Remember, subtlety is key (unless you're rocking a full-blown glam rock outfit, then go nuts).
2. The Intro: That Part That Makes You Sound Like a Rockstar (Even If You Can't Tell Your E String from Your Elbow)
- Muted palm muting: It's not a typo, it's a superpower. Lightly rest your picking hand near the bridge to silence those pesky unwanted strings. Think of it as building a sonic moat around your desired notes. BAM! Instant badassery.
- The bendy slidey thingy: Remember that part that sounds like a cat stuck in a blender? That's the bend. Grab that 12th fret on the D string and pull it up a couple of notches like you're trying to impress your guitar with your noodle-y skills. Slide it back down for good measure. Voila! You're officially a blues bender (not to be confused with a breadwinner, which you definitely won't be in New York with this song as your sole income).
3. The Chorus: Where the Party's At (Unless You Live in a Shoebox Apartment)
- Strumming: It's not rocket science, but it's not braiding your hair in the dark either. Down, down, down, up, down, down. Feel the rhythm, be one with the pulse of the city. Just don't break any windows with your overzealous strums. Angry New Yorkers are scarier than a capo malfunction on stage.
- Sing along (if you dare): "Moving to New York, yeah, gonna chase my dreams..." Belt it out with the confidence of a Broadway star auditioning for Cats. Who cares if you sound like a dying walrus? You're in New York, baby! Everyone here sounds like a dying walrus in some way.
4. The Bridge: That Confusing Middle Bit That Makes You Question Your Life Choices (and Your Chord Knowledge)
- Power chords? Bar chords? What are those things?: Don't worry, you can skip this part. Just pretend you're lost in the subway tunnels, wandering aimlessly until you stumble back into the familiar chorus. We've all been there.
- Alternatively, improvise! Unleash your inner Hendrix, your hidden Django Reinhardt. Go wild, let the strings tell your story of subway delays and overpriced lattes. Just remember, if it sounds bad, blame the city, not your musical prowess.
5. The Outro: Fade Out Like a Hipster Leaving a Coffee Shop (With a Hint of Regret)
- Repeat the intro, but slower, sadder, like you're realizing reality might not be as glamorous as the song lyrics. Wink at the audience, throw in a dramatic guitar flourish. Boom! You've just channeled your inner indie darling, ready to conquer the open mic night at that dive bar down the street.
Bonus Tip: Wear ironic sunglasses indoors. It'll make you look cool and hide the tears as you realize you just spent an hour learning a song about chasing dreams in a city where rent is measured in organs.
And there you have it, folks! Your crash course in conquering "Moving to New York" on guitar. Remember, it's not about technical perfection, it's about the journey, the struggle, the spilled coffee on your sheet music that perfectly reflects the chaos of your new life. So grab your axe, crank up the amp, and let the concrete jungle hear your voice (even if it's slightly off-key). Just one more dreamer chasing the melody of hope in the symphony of sirens. Rock on, you beautiful, broke bastard.
