Absolutely! Let's dive into mastering "What You Give" by Tesla on your acoustic guitar. This is a fantastic song to learn, with its great blend of melody and rhythm. Are you ready to embark on this musical journey with me? Grab your guitar, and let's get started!
How to Play "What You Give" by Tesla on Acoustic Guitar: A Comprehensive Guide
Learning "What You Give" by Tesla on the acoustic guitar is a rewarding experience. This guide will break down the song into manageable steps, covering everything from basic chords to the finer nuances of the song.
Step 1: Gear Up and Tune Your Axe!
Before we even think about strumming, we need to make sure your guitar is ready.
1.1 Get Your Guitar in Hand: First things first, make sure your acoustic guitar is comfortable to hold. Whether it's a dreadnought, an OM, or a parlor guitar, the principles remain the same.
1.2 Essential Accessories:
Picks: You'll likely want a medium to heavy gauge pick for this song, as it involves some strumming and individual note picking. Experiment to find what feels best for you.
Tuner: This is non-negotiable. A clip-on tuner is highly recommended for its convenience. You can also use a tuning app on your phone, but a physical tuner is often more accurate in noisy environments.
Capo (Optional, but Recommended): While you can play this song without a capo, using one simplifies some chord shapes and puts you in the same key as the original recording. We'll explore options with and without a capo.
1.3 Tune Your Guitar to Standard E: Crucially, ensure your guitar is in standard E tuning: E-A-D-G-B-e (from thickest to thinnest string). Take your time with this. A well-tuned guitar sounds infinitely better and makes learning much easier.
Step 2: Master the Core Chords
"What You Give" primarily uses open chords, making it accessible for intermediate players. Let's get these down pat.
2.1 Chord Refresher (If Needed):
If you're new to guitar, take a moment to refresh your memory on basic open chords. Focus on clean sound and proper finger placement.
2.2 The Main Chords You'll Need:
G Major: (3-2-0-0-0-3) - This will be a foundational chord.
C Major: (x-3-2-0-1-0) - Another frequently used chord.
D Major: (x-x-0-2-3-2) - Essential for the chorus.
Em (E Minor): (0-2-2-0-0-0) - Used in various sections.
Am (A Minor): (x-0-2-2-1-0) - Appears in some transitions.
B7 (B Seventh): (x-2-1-2-0-2) - A bit trickier, but vital for a specific section.
2.3 Practice Smooth Chord Changes: The key to sounding good is to transition between chords smoothly. Practice switching between the main chords (G to C, C to D, D to Em, etc.) until it feels natural. Don't rush this step! Speed will come with accuracy.
Step 3: Understanding the Song Structure
"What You Give" has a clear and repetitive structure, which makes it easier to learn.
3.1 Common Song Sections: Like many rock songs, "What You Give" features:
Intro
Verse
Pre-Chorus
Chorus
Bridge
Guitar Solo (often a variation of a verse/chorus progression)
Outro
3.2 Listen Actively: Before you even pick up your guitar to play along, listen to the song multiple times. Pay close attention to:
The overall feel and tempo.
Where the chord changes occur.
The rhythm of the acoustic guitar part.
Any distinctive riffs or fills.
Step 4: The Intro and Verse - Building the Foundation
The intro sets the mood and leads directly into the verse. Both share similar chord progressions.
4.1 The Intro Progression: The intro is a gentle strumming pattern that often uses a G - C - D - G progression.
Strumming Pattern Suggestion: Down-Down-Up-Up-Down-Up. Start slow and focus on hitting all the notes cleanly.
Fingerpicking Option: For a more authentic feel, try a subtle fingerpicking pattern in the intro. For G, you might pluck the low E string, then the G, B, and high E strings. Experiment!
4.2 The Verse Progression: The verse generally follows a G - C - D - G or G - C - D - Em pattern.
Lyrical Cues: Pay attention to the lyrics to anticipate chord changes. For example, the change from G to C often happens on a specific word.
Rhythm: The verse has a steady, slightly understated strum. Think about the acoustic guitar's role as a rhythmic and harmonic backbone. Don't overplay it here.
Step 5: The Pre-Chorus - Building Anticipation
The pre-chorus is where the energy starts to build, leading into the main hook.
5.1 Pre-Chorus Chords: A common progression for the pre-chorus is C - G - D - Em followed by C - G - D.
Dynamic Shift: You'll notice the strumming often becomes a little more energetic here. Try increasing the intensity of your downstrokes.
5.2 Listen for the Build-Up: The pre-chorus is all about creating tension and release. Notice how the chords and strumming lead directly into the powerful chorus.
Step 6: The Chorus - The Heart of the Song
This is where the song truly comes alive! The chorus is catchy and memorable.
6.1 Chorus Chord Progression: The chorus typically uses G - C - D - Em or G - C - D - G.
Strumming for Impact: This is where you can really dig in with your strumming. A strong Down-Down-Up-Up-Down-Up or even a more aggressive Down-Down-Up-Down-Up-Down-Up pattern will work well.
Accent the Downbeats: Emphasize the first beat of each measure to give the chorus a powerful, driving feel.
6.2 The Lick/Fill (Optional but Recommended): In the original song, there's often a little melodic fill played on the higher strings during the chorus. This might involve a quick hammer-on/pull-off or a simple arpeggio. If you're feeling adventurous, try to pick it out by ear or look for guitar tablature online. It adds a lot to the authenticity!
Step 7: The Bridge - A Change of Pace
The bridge offers a slight departure from the main progressions, providing variety.
7.1 Bridge Chord Progressions: The bridge often introduces chords like Am, B7, and C, before returning to a familiar progression. A common bridge might be Am - Em - C - G - D.
Think Melodically: The bridge often has a more melodic feel. You might want to lighten up your strumming or even switch to a fingerpicking approach for part of this section.
7.2 Building Back Up: After the bridge, the song usually builds back into a chorus or another verse, so be ready to increase your intensity again.
Step 8: The Solo Section (Approximation)
While the original has an electric guitar solo, you can adapt it for acoustic or simply play the underlying rhythm.
8.1 Rhythm Underneath the Solo: The rhythm section during the solo often mirrors the verse or chorus progression. For "What You Give," it's often a G - C - D - G or G - C - D - Em progression.
Maintain the Groove: Your job as the acoustic guitarist here is to keep the rhythm steady and provide a strong harmonic foundation.
8.2 Adapting the Solo (Advanced): If you're an advanced player, you could try to learn a simplified version of the melody of the guitar solo. It's often based on the pentatonic scale in the key of G.
Step 9: The Outro - Bringing It to a Close
The outro is usually a fade-out or a final, strong strum.
9.1 Outro Progression: The outro typically repeats a familiar chord progression, often the chorus progression (G - C - D - G or G - C - D - Em).
9.2 Dynamics and Ending: You might gradually decrease your strumming volume (fade out) or end with a strong, sustained G chord. Listen to the original for the exact ending.
Step 10: Practice Strategies for Success
Consistency and smart practice are key to mastering any song.
10.1 Start Slow, Be Patient: This cannot be stressed enough. Playing slowly with accuracy will lead to speed much faster than trying to play fast and making mistakes.
10.2 Use a Metronome: A metronome is your best friend for developing consistent rhythm and timing. Start at a slow tempo and gradually increase it.
10.3 Play Along with the Original: Once you're comfortable with the chord changes and basic strumming, try playing along with the actual song. This helps with timing and feel.
10.4 Break It Down: If a section is challenging, isolate it. Practice the difficult chord change or strumming pattern repeatedly until it feels natural.
10.5 Record Yourself: Recording your playing can be incredibly insightful. You'll hear things you might not notice while playing, helping you identify areas for improvement.
10.6 Have Fun! Remember why you started playing guitar. Enjoy the process of learning and the satisfaction of playing one of Tesla's great tunes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Playing "What You Give" by Tesla on Acoustic Guitar
How to tune my acoustic guitar for "What You Give"?
You need to tune your guitar to standard E tuning: E-A-D-G-B-e (from thickest to thinnest string). Use a tuner for accuracy.
How to make my chord changes smoother?
Practice switching between chords very slowly, focusing on minimal finger movement and clean sound. Gradually increase your speed only when the changes are clean.
How to get the right strumming pattern for "What You Give"?
A common pattern for many sections is Down-Down-Up-Up-Down-Up. Experiment with variations and listen to the original song to match the feel.
How to play "What You Give" if I don't have a capo?
You can still play it without a capo! The chord shapes remain the same, but the song will be in a different key. The original recording sounds best with the capo at the 2nd fret for standard tuning.
How to improve my rhythm for this song?
Use a metronome for all your practice sessions. Start at a very slow tempo and gradually increase it as your rhythm becomes more consistent.
How to make the chorus sound more powerful?
Increase the intensity of your strumming, particularly on the downstrokes. You can also slightly emphasize the first beat of each measure.
How to learn the little melodic fills in the song?
Listen very carefully to the original recording and try to pick out the notes by ear. Alternatively, look for guitar tablature online that includes these fills.
How to play the guitar solo on acoustic?
You can play the underlying chord progression during the solo. If you're advanced, try to learn a simplified melodic version of the solo, often based on the G major pentatonic scale.
How to know when to change chords?
Listen to the original song repeatedly and pay attention to the lyrics. Chord changes often coincide with specific words or phrases in the vocal melody.
How to practice "What You Give" efficiently?
Break the song into smaller sections (intro, verse, chorus, etc.). Master each section individually before putting them all together. Practice slowly with a metronome and record yourself.
