Struggle to replace keys with guitar when doing covers (Happy, All of Me, etc)

brykupono · 08-10-2014, 05:00 AM

When doing my own arrangements of covers, I always struggle to find ways to replace piano/keys with just my guitar. On my version of "All of Me", I feel like I did alright... but for "Happy", I'm not sure. If you have a moment, check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAxaYi1dG-0 and let me know what you think I could improve.

Thanks!
Bryan

Zack · 09-21-2014, 09:50 AM

How are your music transcription and writing (on paper) skills?

Pianos don't strum, generally speaking, so if you could figure out the piano part, and then try to play it more literally on the guitar, probably finger-style (can you finger pick decently?), you could much more closely approximate the original.

That said, your version sounds fine, do you WANT it to be closer to the original?

Zack · 09-21-2014, 09:57 AM

Ok, went back an listened to the original, which I haven't heard in probably six months or so.

It seems to be, in general terms, mainly rhythm with a single instance of each chord held throughout the bar.

If your coordination up for it, you could likely get a pretty cool tune going with a single strum of each chord on "1," followed by some basic slapping and drumming on the body, until the next bar.

Juzda thot.

08-10-2014, 05:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
brykupono Groupie Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 22	Struggle to replace keys with guitar when doing covers (Happy, All of Me, etc) When doing my own arrangements of covers, I always struggle to find ways to replace piano/keys with just my guitar. On my version of "All of Me", I feel like I did alright... but for "Happy", I'm not sure. If you have a moment, check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAxaYi1dG-0 and let me know what you think I could improve. Thanks! Bryan

09-21-2014, 09:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
Zack Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Brunswick, Maine Posts: 79	How are your music transcription and writing (on paper) skills? Pianos don't strum, generally speaking, so if you could figure out the piano part, and then try to play it more literally on the guitar, probably finger-style (can you finger pick decently?), you could much more closely approximate the original. That said, your version sounds fine, do you WANT it to be closer to the original? __________________ The Passage of... ------- (Classical Synth) Danceables ------- (Dance Synth with a Latin Flair) Meanderings ------- (Classical Synth) Raven ------- (Rock Opera)

09-21-2014, 09:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
Zack Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Brunswick, Maine Posts: 79	Ok, went back an listened to the original, which I haven't heard in probably six months or so. It seems to be, in general terms, mainly rhythm with a single instance of each chord held throughout the bar. If your coordination up for it, you could likely get a pretty cool tune going with a single strum of each chord on "1," followed by some basic slapping and drumming on the body, until the next bar. Juzda thot. __________________ The Passage of... ------- (Classical Synth) Danceables ------- (Dance Synth with a Latin Flair) Meanderings ------- (Classical Synth) Raven ------- (Rock Opera)