TMBG In 4 Chords

From This Might Be A Wiki

Introduction

If you're here that means you want to learn how to play TMBG songs on the guitar, but you can't play the guitar. If you have:

  • A guitar (EADGBE)
  • This page up

You have all you need to play dozens of TMBG songs, even if you have no experience playing guitar at all. The only information your need is 4 very simple chords (plus 1 or 2 extra depending on the song)

The 4 Chords

To read my k-razy chord diagrams:

  • Imagine the lettering at the top is the neck (tall skinny part) of your guitar, as you face it. *Each line is a different fret (the sections going up and down the neck).
    • Each space is the corresponding fret on the corresponding space
  • If the space is blank, don't put any fingers at the space.
  • If the space has a number in it, hold down the string in the indicated fret with the finger
    • (1=Index Finger 2=Middle Finger 3=Ring Finger 4=Pinky).

G

 E|A|D|G|B|E
  | | | | |
  |1| | | | 
 2| | | | |3

C

 E|A|D|G|B|E
  | | | |1|
  | |2| | |
  |3| | | |

D

With a D chord, try to only hit the last four strings while strumming (D, G, B, E) to avoid a distorted-sounding chord. 

 E|A|D|G|B|E
  | | | | | 
  | | |1| |2
  | | | |3|

Em

 E|A|D|G|B|E
  | | | | |
  |1|2| | |

Practice Makes Perfect

Practice these 4 chords over and over again, especially changing between them. If you do this 3 times for a half hour, you should feel pretty comfortable with them in no time.

A lot of They Might Be Giants song, as well as songs in general are based on chord pattern with these 4 chords (for you musicians: base, 4th, 5th, and Minor 6th). Let's look at the songs you can play with these chords:

Songs

  • LA House of Blues
    • LA House of Blues uses only the 4 Chords discussed above, with no key change. You can play it right away.
  • End of the Tour
    • End of the Tour uses only the 4 Chords discussed above. You can play it right away.
  • New York City
    • New York City uses only the 4 Chords discussed above. You can play it right away.
  • Meet James Ensor
    • Meet James Ensor uses only the 4 Chords discussed above. You can play it right away.
  • We're The Replacements
    • We're The Replacements uses only the 4 Chords discussed above. You can play it right away.
  • Why Does The Sun Shine?
    • Why Does The Sun Shine? uses only the 4 Chords discussed above. You can play it right away.

A7

 E|A|D|G|B|E
  | | | | |
  | |1| |2|
  • Number Three
    • All you need to play this songs is the 4 chords plus the A7 chord discussed above.
  • Ana Ng
    • To Play this you just need E Major and A Minor:

E

 E|A|D|G|B|E
  | | |1| |
  |2|3| | |

Am

 E|A|D|G|B|E
  | | | |1|
  | |2|3| |
  • Tiny Doctors
    • To play this song, you just need the A Minor Chord discussed above
  • I've Got A Match
    • To play this song, you just need the A Minor Chord discussed above
  • Experimental Film
    • NOTE: The extra chords are only in the key change bridge. It is possible to play the song without the extra chords as well.
    • For this song, you need the E Major chord discussed above as well as A Major:
  • Montana
    • NOTE: You need to capo your guitar on the fourth fret to match the original key of the recording.
    • To play this song, you just need the A Minor Chord discussed above

A

  E|A|D|G|B|E
  x| | | | |
   | |1|2|3|


  • James K. Polk
    • To play this song, you just need the 4 chords plus the A major chord discussed above

F

 E|A|D|G|B|E
  x| | | |1|1
   | | |2| | 
   |3|4| | |

(Hold down both end stings with your 1st finger)
  • The Cap'm
    • To play this song, you just need G, C, D, Am, A, and F. Not very hard chords compared to the original key.

Bm

  E|A|D|G|B|E
  x|x| | | |
   | | | | |1
   | | | |2|
   | |3|4| |

(Don't use the low E, or A strings)
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