Let's learn how to play "Signs" by Tesla!
This guide will walk you through playing "Signs" by Tesla, whether you're a complete beginner or have some experience. It's a fantastic song for practicing basic chords and strumming.
Step 1: Ready to Rock? Let's Get Started!
Before we dive into the song, let's make sure you're properly set up and ready to learn. Have you ever tried playing a guitar before? Even if you haven't, that's perfectly fine! We'll start with the absolute basics.
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| How To Play Signs By Tesla |
1.1 Essential Gear Checklist
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Acoustic Guitar: While you can play this on an electric, an acoustic will give you that classic, campfire sing-along feel that suits "Signs" perfectly.
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Picks: Start with a medium-gauge pick. It offers a good balance of flexibility and control.
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Tuner: Absolutely crucial! Your guitar needs to be in tune for the song to sound right. You can use a clip-on tuner, a pedal tuner, or even a free smartphone app.
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Capo: This is a small device that clamps onto the neck of your guitar, allowing you to change the key. For "Signs," you'll need one.
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Enthusiasm! The most important ingredient!
1.2 Tuning Your Guitar
This is where your tuner comes in. The standard tuning for a guitar from the thickest (lowest) string to the thinnest (highest) string is:
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E (Low E)
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A
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D
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G
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B
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E (High E)
If you're using a clip-on tuner, simply attach it to the headstock, pluck each string individually, and adjust the tuning pegs until the tuner shows the correct note and indicates it's in tune.
Step 2: Understanding the Chords and Capo Placement
"Signs" uses a relatively simple set of chords, but the capo is key to playing it in the correct key as Tesla.
2.1 Capo Placement
Place your capo on the 2nd fret. This means all your chord shapes will be relative to the capo, effectively shifting the pitch up two semitones. When we say "1st fret," we mean the first fret after the capo.
2.2 The Main Chords You'll Need
Here are the four essential chords for "Signs" when played with the capo on the 2nd fret:
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G Major (G):
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Place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the low E string.
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Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string.
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Leave the D and G strings open.
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Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B string.
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Place your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the high E string.
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Alternative G (simpler): You can also just use your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the low E, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A, and your pinky or ring finger on the 3rd fret of the high E, muting the B string. Experiment to find what's comfortable.
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C Add 9 (Cadd9): This is a very common variation of C that sounds great in many songs, including "Signs."
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Place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the A string.
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Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the D string.
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Leave the G string open.
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Place your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the B string.
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Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the high E string.
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Note: The low E string is generally muted or not played for this chord.
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D Major (D):
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Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the G string.
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Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the high E string.
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Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B string.
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Note: Do not play the low E or A strings. Start your strum from the D string.
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E Minor (Em):
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Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A string.
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Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the D string.
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Leave all other strings open.
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This is one of the easiest chords!
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2.3 Practicing Chord Changes
Tip: Look out for transitions like ‘however’ or ‘but’.
The most challenging part for beginners is often transitioning smoothly between chords. Practice the following transitions until they feel comfortable:
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G to Cadd9
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Cadd9 to G
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G to D
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D to Em
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Em to Cadd9
Tip: When changing chords, try to move your fingers simultaneously rather than one by one. This will make your transitions much cleaner.
Step 3: The Strumming Pattern – Getting the Rhythm Right
The strumming pattern for "Signs" is fairly consistent and has a nice, flowing feel.
3.1 The Basic Strumming Pattern
The core pattern for most of the song is:
Down - Down-Up - Up-Down-Up
Let's break that down:
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Down: A single downward strum.
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Down-Up: A quick downward strum followed immediately by an upward strum.
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Up-Down-Up: An upward strum, then a downward strum, then another upward strum.
Practice this pattern slowly with a single chord (like G) until you feel the rhythm. Try counting it out loud: "1 - 2-and - and-3-and".
3.2 Applying the Pattern to the Chords
The verse and chorus generally follow a similar progression and strumming pattern. Here's a simplified example of how the chords flow:
(G) Down - Down-Up - Up-Down-Up (Cadd9) Down - Down-Up - Up-Down-Up (G) Down - Down-Up - Up-Down-Up (D) Down - Down-Up - Up-Down-Up
Feel free to listen to the song and try to strum along once you're comfortable with the chord changes and the basic rhythm. Pay attention to the song's dynamics; sometimes it's softer, sometimes louder.
Step 4: Song Structure and Putting It All Together
"Signs" is a relatively straightforward song in terms of its structure, which makes it great for learning.
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4.1 Verse Progression
Tip: Reread key phrases to strengthen memory.
The main chord progression for the verses is:
G - Cadd9 - G - D
You'll repeat this progression for each verse. Remember to apply the strumming pattern you've learned.
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"Signs, signs, everywhere a sign..." (G)
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"...blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind." (Cadd9)
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"Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?" (G)
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"And the sign said, 'Long haired freaky people need not apply!'" (D)
4.2 Chorus Progression
The chorus uses a slightly different but still simple progression:
Em - Cadd9 - G - D
This progression gives the chorus a distinct feel.
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"So I took a trip to the city..." (Em)
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"...to see the world and all its wonders." (Cadd9)
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"But everywhere I looked, there were signs!" (G)
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"Saying 'No loitering,' 'No parking,' 'No smoking.'" (D)
4.3 Bridge and Outro
The song typically doesn't have a complex bridge section, often repeating a variation of the verse or chorus progression. The outro usually fades out on the main verse progression, often with some lead guitar improvisation.
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Don't worry about lead guitar for now. Focus on getting the rhythm and chord changes solid. Once you're comfortable, you can always explore the iconic harmonica and guitar solos later!
4.4 Playing Along with the Song
Once you feel confident with the individual chords, the transitions, and the strumming pattern, try playing along with the actual song!
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Start by listening to the song a few times to get the feel for the tempo and dynamics.
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Play along slowly at first, even if it means missing some strums.
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Gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable.
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Don't be afraid to make mistakes! They are part of the learning process.
Step 5: ✨ Tips for Success and Continued Practice
Learning an instrument takes time and patience. Here are some tips to help you on your journey:
5.1 Practice Regularly
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Consistency is key! Even 15-20 minutes of practice every day is more effective than one long session once a week.
5.2 Listen Actively
Tip: Don’t rush — enjoy the read.
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Listen to "Signs" frequently. Pay attention to the rhythm guitar, how the chords change, and the overall feel of the song.
5.3 Use a Metronome
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A metronome will help you keep steady time and improve your rhythm. Start slow and gradually increase the tempo.
5.4 Be Patient with Yourself
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You won't master it overnight. Celebrate small victories and don't get discouraged by setbacks.
5.5 Take Care of Your Fingers
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Your fingertips might get sore at first. That's normal! They will toughen up over time. Short, frequent practice sessions are better than long ones that cause too much pain.
5.6 Have Fun!
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Remember why you started playing. Enjoy the process of making music!
You're now well on your way to playing "Signs" by Tesla. Keep practicing, and you'll be strumming along in no time!
Related FAQ Questions
How to tune my guitar without a physical tuner?
You can use a variety of free smartphone apps like "GuitarTuna" or "Fender Tune" which utilize your phone's microphone to help you tune each string.
How to hold a guitar pick correctly?
Hold the pick between your thumb and the side of your index finger, allowing just the tip to extend. Relax your grip; don't squeeze it too hard.
How to make chord changes smoother?
Practice slowly and focus on placing all fingers down simultaneously. Also, try to lift your fingers just enough to clear the strings, minimizing unnecessary movement.
QuickTip: Keep a notepad handy.
How to know if my guitar is in tune?
When using a tuner, it will typically show the note and indicate if it's flat (too low), sharp (too high), or perfectly in tune (usually with a green light or a central indicator).
How to strum without hitting unwanted strings?
For chords like D, try to angle your pick slightly so it primarily strikes the intended strings (D, G, B, high E for D major) and avoids the lower ones. Practice aiming your strum.
How to read chord diagrams?
Chord diagrams usually represent the fretboard vertically. The vertical lines are strings (low E on the left, high E on the right), and horizontal lines are frets. Dots indicate where to place your fingers, and numbers on the dots might indicate which finger to use.
How to overcome finger pain from pressing strings?
Start with shorter practice sessions, and take breaks. Your fingertips will develop calluses over time, which will reduce discomfort. Using lighter gauge strings can also help.
How to strum faster?
Practice the basic pattern slowly with a metronome, gradually increasing the tempo. Focus on a relaxed wrist motion rather than arm movement.
How to adjust strumming dynamics?
To strum louder, apply slightly more pressure and use a fuller sweep of your arm. For softer strums, relax your wrist more and use a lighter touch.
How to learn other songs by Tesla on guitar?
Once you're comfortable with "Signs," look for tabs or chord charts for other Tesla songs. Many use similar open chords, making them accessible for continued learning.
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