FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES

    One of my guitar students requested this Garth Brooks song.  I never learned it before now, but I always thought it was a catchy tune.  Hope you enjoy learning and playing it.  I'm including some notes on the song and playing techniques.

    The first thing I'd like to share is about the notes in parentheses.  It's noticable after listening to the song a few times that each verse has some slight differences in the lyrics and notes.   I've attempted to show these by indicating that some notes are used in one verse and not another.


     I tried something different this time-- which I've done on some other songs before.   I added a "rhythm (or beat) line" which gives you the precise rhythm pattern.   You can use this in playing notes to keep time and be sure that you play the notes in the right way.

NEW CHORD

     Here is a brand new chord that you've probably not seen before. The "diminished 7th" chords are built on the seventh note of the major scale and are similar (but different) from a seventh chord.  It has a unique sound. This particular pattern is a four-note chord (like the "D" or "D7"chords). 

       Use the pattern on the LEFT.   It is the easiest one.  Use your 2nd & 3rd fingers-- if possible.   When you move to the other chord patterns, you will have to use all four fingers (of course)... unless you play with your toes.

    You can move this up and down the guitar fretboard.   Every three frets, you encounter a new diminished 7th chord.  Try playing the four-finger diminished pattern (below) and play it fast, moving it up three frets at a time. This progression has been used in movies and cartoons to denote suspense-- as when a character is tied up on the railroad tracks with a train approaching.

     On the chorus, when there is a slur symbol-- it indicates that the note is HELD over from one measure (or bar) to the next.  SEE the rhythm (or beat) notations for more clarification.

     If you want to have some more fun with this song, put on your Garth Brooks CD or go to YouTube, and play along with the recording.   Don't forget to put on your capo to the 2nd fret (this song was originally recorded in "A", not "G").   For even more fun, go to YouTube's SETTINGS and change the speed to 1/2 (half).   This song, which mentions drinking whiskey, beer, and champagne, will sound even more lifelike when the singer's voice is slowed down considerably.