Mission: Chords For Beginners - Like A Hurricane Guitar Tutorial
Hey everyone, let's dive into learning the chords for "Like a Hurricane" by The Mission! This song is a great one for beginner guitarists because it uses a relatively simple set of chords, but it sounds absolutely epic. We'll break down the chords, strumming patterns, and overall structure of the song. So, grab your guitar, and let's get started. This guide is crafted to be super accessible, even if you're brand new to playing guitar. No prior experience is needed, just a little enthusiasm, and we'll have you playing along with the song in no time. We will cover the chords, their shapes, and how to transition between them smoothly, so you sound like a pro. This tutorial is perfect for anyone looking to learn a classic track and expand their chord vocabulary. Don't worry if you've never heard of the band or the song; it's a fantastic tune with a simple structure, perfect for a beginner. Let's start with the basics, shall we?
Understanding the Core Chords: The Building Blocks
Alright, guys, before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's look at the main chords you'll need for "Like a Hurricane". The beauty of this song is that it primarily uses a few easy chords, so you don't need to learn a ton of complex fingerings right off the bat. The main chords are: Am (A minor), G major, C major, and F major. These are some of the most common chords used in popular music, so getting comfortable with them will open up a whole world of songs you can play. Let's break down each one. The first chord we will look at is Am, which stands for A minor. It's a fundamental minor chord and a great starting point. Place your index finger on the first fret of the B string, your middle finger on the second fret of the D string, and your ring finger on the second fret of the G string. Strum all the strings except for the low E string, which we want to avoid. Next up, we have G major, one of the most versatile and beloved chords in the world of guitar. Place your index finger on the second fret of the A string, your middle finger on the third fret of the low E string, and your ring finger on the third fret of the high E string. Strum all six strings for that full, rich G sound. Now, let's move on to C major. This chord is as bright and cheerful as it sounds. Place your index finger on the first fret of the B string, your middle finger on the second fret of the D string, and your ring finger on the third fret of the A string. Strum all strings except for the low E string, as in the case of the A minor chord. Lastly, we have F major. It might seem tricky at first, but with practice, it's totally manageable. Place your index finger across the first fret, barring the entire fret, and then put your middle finger on the second fret of the G string, and your ring finger on the third fret of the D string. Strum all six strings, and you've got an F major chord. Don't worry if it feels awkward at first, it's just the way it goes! The more you practice, the easier it becomes.
The Chord Shapes and Finger Placement
Knowing where to place your fingers is half the battle, right? Here’s a detailed guide to help you nail those chord shapes. Remember, consistency is key! Start slow and focus on getting your fingers in the right places, and the speed will come naturally. Let's go through the finger placement for each chord and some tips to help you get the best sound possible. For the Am (A minor) chord, place your index finger on the first fret of the B string, your middle finger on the second fret of the D string, and your ring finger on the second fret of the G string. Make sure to avoid strumming the low E string. Next, we have G major. Place your index finger on the second fret of the A string, your middle finger on the third fret of the low E string, and your ring finger on the third fret of the high E string. Strum all six strings to enjoy the full sound. For C major, put your index finger on the first fret of the B string, your middle finger on the second fret of the D string, and your ring finger on the third fret of the A string. Avoid strumming the low E string. Finally, the trickier F major. This chord involves a barre, where your index finger presses down across all the strings at the first fret. Then, put your middle finger on the second fret of the G string, and your ring finger on the third fret of the D string. It might feel a bit awkward at first, but keep practicing. Make sure your fingers are close to the frets to avoid buzzing. Try to curve your fingers so that only the tips are pressing down on the strings. This will make it easier to get a clean sound. Also, make sure that you're not accidentally muting any of the strings with your other fingers. It's all about fine-tuning your technique. Practice slowly at first, and gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable with each chord. If you struggle with the F major chord, try using a simplified version (Fmaj7), where you don't barre the first fret. You can use your index finger to fret the first fret of the B string.
Practicing the Chord Transitions
Mastering the chord transitions is crucial to playing the song smoothly. Here’s a simple exercise to help you move between the chords. Transitioning between chords may seem daunting at first, but it is just a matter of practice. The more you switch between chords, the easier it will become. Begin by practicing the changes slowly. Start by strumming each chord once and then switching to the next chord. As you get more comfortable, increase the strumming and speed. Start by practicing the transitions between Am and G, then add C, and finally F. Try playing each of the main chord changes slowly, one after the other. For instance, start with Am, then switch to G, then C, and finally to F. Repeat this process, focusing on the smoothness of the transitions. Another approach is to isolate the toughest transitions. If you're struggling with the transition from Am to F, practice this change repeatedly until you feel comfortable. Once you're comfortable with the individual transitions, try stringing them together. Practice the chord progression of the song. The core progression for the main part of "Like a Hurricane" is Am – G – C – F. Strum each chord for four beats, or whatever rhythm you choose, depending on the arrangement. Do this slowly at first, making sure to hit each chord cleanly. As you gain confidence, increase the speed.
The Strumming Pattern: Get the Rhythm Right!
Alright, friends, let's talk about the strumming pattern for "Like a Hurricane". This is the rhythmic backbone of the song, and getting it right is key to making the song sound good. We will dive into a simple and effective strumming pattern that captures the essence of the song. You'll find that it's fairly easy to master. The song generally follows a basic down-down-up-up-down-up pattern. This means you strum down, down, up, up, down, up on each chord. Keep a steady beat and focus on keeping the rhythm consistent. Here's a breakdown. Start with a down strum. Then, another down strum. Then, two up strums. Finally, another down strum, followed by an up strum. The key to the pattern is to maintain a consistent beat. Try to keep a metronome running so you can maintain a consistent tempo. Count out loud while you strum. This helps you to stay on time and make it easier to maintain the rhythm. Count “one-and-two-and-three-and-four-and” as you strum. Make sure you're strumming the downstrokes with a bit more force than the upstrokes. This will give the song a nice, driving feel. Once you’re comfortable with the basic strumming pattern, you can add some variations to make the song more interesting. Experiment with muting the strings. Try slightly muting the strings during some of the strums for a percussive effect. This is usually done with the palm of your strumming hand. This can add a bit of dynamics and groove to your playing. Try different strumming speeds and find a speed that works for you. Start slow and gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable. Practice along with the original song to get the rhythm right. Start slowly, playing along with the original recording. This will help you get a feel for the song’s rhythm and timing. Gradually increase the speed as you become more confident. Use a metronome to keep the rhythm steady and consistent. Using a metronome helps with timing and keeping the song in rhythm.
Song Structure and Chord Progression: Putting It All Together!
Now, let's look at the song's structure and put all the elements together. Understanding the song's structure will help you follow along and play the song correctly. "Like a Hurricane" is a classic example of a song with a straightforward structure. By understanding the different sections and how the chords flow together, you can learn how to play the song. The song's structure usually follows a pattern of verses, chorus, and bridge. Let's break it down: The song typically starts with an intro, then goes into the verse, then the chorus, the verse again, and so on. The verse generally consists of the Am – G – C – F chord progression, repeated several times. This is the main driving force of the song and is where the bulk of the song's lyrics are sung. The chorus is usually louder and more energetic than the verses. The chorus is often a repetition of the same chord progression. The bridge section is where the song usually changes and introduces a new set of chords. The bridge usually provides a contrast to the verses and choruses, which helps to maintain interest. It might repeat the same chords or introduce new ones. This helps to provide some musical variety. In terms of the chord progression, the most common part of the song, the verse and chorus, uses the following progression: Am - G - C - F. This progression repeats throughout most of the song, with the exception of the bridge. The bridge can have a different chord progression that provides contrast. Listen to the original song to understand the different sections. Listening to the song will give you a better understanding of the song's structure and the order in which the different sections appear. Once you understand the song's structure and chord progression, you can start playing along with the song. First, listen to the song and identify the different sections, such as the verse, chorus, and bridge. Then, strum the chords in time with the song, using the strumming pattern you've learned. Start slowly and gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable. This is a very important step. Remember, practice makes perfect!
Tips for Playing Along with the Song
Here are some tips to help you play along with the song. Play along with the original recording. The best way to learn the song is to play along with the original recording. This will help you get a feel for the song's rhythm and timing. Start slowly and gradually increase the speed. Use a metronome. A metronome will help you keep the rhythm steady and consistent. It will also help you develop your timing and improve your playing. Take your time. Don't try to learn the song all at once. Break it down into smaller parts and practice each part separately. This will make it easier to learn and will help you avoid making mistakes. Practice regularly. The more you practice, the better you will become. Try to practice for at least 30 minutes each day. Be patient. Learning to play the guitar takes time and effort. Don't get discouraged if you don't get it right away. Just keep practicing and you will improve. Have fun. Playing guitar should be fun. If you're not enjoying it, you're less likely to stick with it. So, relax and enjoy the process. Experiment with different strumming patterns and fingerpicking techniques. This will help you to add your own personal touch to the song.
Troubleshooting Common Issues: Don't Give Up!
Let’s tackle some common issues guitar players face, and how to fix them. You're not alone! Everyone runs into challenges when learning new songs. The most common issues are:
Buzzing Strings
If your strings are buzzing, it's a sign that your fingers aren’t pressing down hard enough or are not in the correct position. Make sure your fingertips are pressing firmly behind the frets, not on the frets. Also, try to curve your fingers. If you're barring a chord (like F major), ensure your index finger is firmly pressing down across all the strings.
Difficulty with Chord Changes
Chord transitions can be tricky at first. Practice the transitions slowly and deliberately. Focus on the finger movement required to move from one chord to another. Speed will come with practice. Break down the transitions into smaller steps. Practice moving from one chord to the next slowly, focusing on finger placement and timing. If you're struggling with a particular transition, practice it repeatedly until you can do it smoothly. Try to minimize the movement between chords. If you find your fingers are moving too far, try adjusting your hand position. Get a good grip on the guitar. Make sure you have a comfortable grip on the guitar. If you're not comfortable, it will be hard to play the chords. Make sure your guitar is properly tuned. A well-tuned guitar is essential for playing the correct notes and chords.
Strumming Problems
Many struggle with keeping a steady rhythm. The best approach is to practice with a metronome to develop a consistent tempo. Start slowly and gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable. Counting aloud can also help you stay on track. If you're struggling with strumming, try practicing the strumming pattern slowly and deliberately. Focus on keeping a steady beat. Start by strumming the strings with a pick, then try strumming with your fingers. Experiment with different strumming patterns to see what works best for you. Practice in front of a mirror to observe your technique and make any adjustments needed.
Conclusion: Keep Practicing! You've Got This!
Congrats, everyone! You've made it through this guide on how to play "Like a Hurricane" on guitar. Remember, learning takes time and practice, so be patient with yourself. This song is a great starting point for beginners, and it will set you up with the basics. Keep practicing, and you'll be playing this song with confidence in no time! Keep experimenting with different strumming patterns and adding your personal style. Remember to have fun and enjoy the process of learning. And most importantly, keep playing and keep enjoying the journey. Playing guitar should be fun. If you're not enjoying it, you're less likely to stick with it. So, relax, enjoy the process, and let the music flow. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Keep strumming and keep rocking!
