Strumming Pattern for Somewhere Only We Know (Keane) CHORDS Guitar Lesson

In this guitar lesson we are going to learn how to play Somewhere Only We Know, the Keane's song.

Somewhere Only We Know Strumming Pattern

The basic strumming pattern is:

1. All the strums are down strums: "one and two and three and four and".
2. After the last "and" (on the "four and"), there is an upstroke as an embellishment: "one and two and three and four and ah".

To summarize, the pattern is:

• Down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down-up (with the "up" being the upstroke after "four and").

Here’s the pattern written out more clearly:

• 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and ah

Key points to remember:

• The down strums are the main beats.
• The upstroke is an embellishment and occurs after "four and", often during chord transitions, usually with open strings.

In this video, instructor JustinGuitar will guide us through playing "Somewhere Only We Know" by Keane on the guitar. The song is originally a beautiful piano melody, but Justin has created an adaptation so that we can enjoy it on the guitar as well. Throughout the video, he will teach us the chords, progressions, and some special embellishments to capture the essence of the piano and achieve an exciting performance.

00:00 Song Cover

02:13 Lesson Welcome

02:53 How to Play Intro

05:27 Slow Intro Demo

06:12 Strumming for Intro

07:14 How to Play Verse

08:17 Pre-Chorus

10:45 Song Structure 1 

11:08 How to Play Chorus

12:24 Chorus Embellishments

15:03 Song Structure 2

15:53 Explore!

16:39 Wrap-up

Now, let's delve into the key elements we need to know to play this song on the guitar.

1. Basic Chords

The song "Somewhere Only We Know" is based on some basic chords that are fundamental to capturing its essence. The main chords include G5, G with F# bass, A Minor, D Sus4, E Minor, and C. These chords form the foundation of the song's harmonic progression and are essential for maintaining the right rhythm and atmosphere.

2. Embellishments to Emulate the Piano

The uniqueness of this song lies in the specific embellishments and movements found in the piano version. To transfer this feeling to the guitar, Justin shows us some tricks, such as playing a G with F# bass to emulate the piano sound, and how to add small melodies between chords to capture the essence of the song.

3. Progressions and Song Structure

The song follows a specific chord progression during the verse, pre-chorus, and chorus. Justin demonstrates how to alternate between the chords and when to apply the embellishments to create the desired ambiance. He also discusses the overall structure of the song, which is unusual but effective in its musical development.

4. Exploring Your Own Style

Although Justin provides us with an adapted version of the song, he encourages us to explore and personalize our interpretation. As guitarists, we can experiment with different transitional chords, embellishment variations, and rhythms to give our unique touch to the song. Don't be afraid to explore and make it your own!

With Justin's guidance and consistent practice, you will master "Somewhere Only We Know" on the guitar. Enjoy the musical journey and have fun playing this beautiful song!