Unleash Your Inner Hairy Rocker: How to Play "Werewolves of London" on Guitar (Without Turning into One Yourself)
Have you ever been captivated by the haunting melody of "Werewolves of London" and thought, "Man, I wish I could play that on guitar?" Well, fret no more (pun intended)! This guide will take you from timid tunesmith to full-fledged werewolf wrangler, all through the power of six strings and a little bit of practice.
Step 1: Gather Your Howlin' Gear
- Your trusty guitar: Doesn't matter if it's a beat-up acoustic or a sleek electric, as long as it's in tune (unless you're going for that authentic werewolf howl sound).
- A pick (or your fingers, if you're feeling fancy): Picks offer more control, but fingers can add a warmer tone. Just don't accidentally pick your nose while strumming.
- A healthy dose of enthusiasm: This song is all about having fun, so crank up the air guitar if you need to loosen up!
Step 2: Learn the Lingo (No Full Moon Required)
- Chords: These are the basic building blocks of the song. For "Werewolves of London," you'll only need three: D major (D), C major (C), and G major (G). Don't worry, they're beginner-friendly!
- Strumming: This is how you pluck the strings to create rhythm. A simple down-down-up-down pattern works great for this song. Think of it as your werewolf hunting heartbeat.
Step 3: Howl at the Moon (Metaphorically, of Course): The Main Course
Here comes the fun part! We'll break down the iconic riff and chord progression:
- The Riff: It's all about that descending bass line. Use your pinky finger (or another finger, if your pinky is camera-shy) to hit the D string on the 4th fret, then quickly lift it off for a cool, spooky effect.
- The Chords: The song mainly uses a D-C-G pattern, with some variations thrown in for good measure. Focus on switching smoothly between chords and keeping a steady strum. Don't worry about speed; accuracy is key!
Remember: Practice makes perfect (and hopefully keeps the werewolves at bay). There are plenty of online resources like [YouTube videos]([YouTube]( grunbaum how to play werewolves of london ON YouTube youtube.com)) to help you visualize the technique.
Step 4: Unleash Your Inner Rock Star (Just Keep the Volume Reasonable)
Once you're comfortable with the basics, it's time to experiment! Try adding your own personal touches:
- Strumming variations: Try different strumming patterns to create a more dynamic feel.
- Fills: Add some short melodic flourishes between chords to spice things up. Think of them as your werewolf battle cries!
Bonus Tip: Learn the lyrics and sing along! It'll make the whole experience even more enjoyable (and maybe scare away any lingering werewolves).
FAQ: Unleashing Your Inner Werewolf Slayer (Guitar Edition)
- How do I tune my guitar? There are electronic tuners available, or you can use tuning forks or online tuning apps.
- My fingers hurt! What can I do? Take breaks and build up your finger calluses gradually. Playing is supposed to be fun, not painful!
- I can't seem to switch chords smoothly. Any tips? Practice slowly and focus on forming the chords cleanly before strumming. Muscle memory is your friend.
- The song sounds too slow! Once you're comfortable, gradually increase the tempo. But remember, speed isn't everything!
- I still sound terrible! What do I do? Don't get discouraged! Learning guitar takes time and practice. Keep at it, and you'll be howling at the moon (musically, of course) in no time.
So grab your guitar, unleash your inner werewolf slayer, and get ready to rock out to "Werewolves of London." Just remember, with great power comes great responsibility...the responsibility to keep the streets safe from those pesky nocturnal creatures. Now go forth and conquer!
