UCL2 - WEEK 6
"7 NATION ARMY"
This week you we will be exploring 7 Nation Army by the WHITE STRIPES, the title came from Jack’s childhood mispronunciation of "Salvation Army" - a similar story to what happened in class!!! ;)
The iconic, bass-sounding guitar riff created by playing a semi-acoustic guitar through an octave pedal. The band consists of just two people Meg on Drums and Jack on Guitar!! What a sound!
The iconic, bass-sounding guitar riff created by playing a semi-acoustic guitar through an octave pedal. The band consists of just two people Meg on Drums and Jack on Guitar!! What a sound!
PDF DOWNLOADS
This song is built around a central riff that drives the rhythm and feel from beginning to end. However, you also have the option to approach it harmonically by strumming an Em on the first beat of each bar, which provides a strong, grounded pulse. During the instrumental section, you can transition to a G–A progression to create lift and contrast.
As part of the arrangement, you’ll be introduced to a new voicing of Em at the 7th fret. Alternating between the open position Em and the higher voicing adds tonal variation and helps shape the dynamics of the piece, giving the song more depth and movement.
You’ll also have the opportunity to learn and play the riff itself. Although it can be played on a single string and may initially seem straightforward, the real challenge lies in maintaining consistency, timing, and tone throughout the entire song. At this level, you can decide whether to focus on strumming the chord progression or to challenge yourself by incorporating the riff for a more textured performance.
As part of the arrangement, you’ll be introduced to a new voicing of Em at the 7th fret. Alternating between the open position Em and the higher voicing adds tonal variation and helps shape the dynamics of the piece, giving the song more depth and movement.
You’ll also have the opportunity to learn and play the riff itself. Although it can be played on a single string and may initially seem straightforward, the real challenge lies in maintaining consistency, timing, and tone throughout the entire song. At this level, you can decide whether to focus on strumming the chord progression or to challenge yourself by incorporating the riff for a more textured performance.
AUDIO
Have a listen to the audio track below with the Level 2 part with vocals, bass & drums. The riff that the bass is playing is exactly the same as what the ukes will play - except a few octaves higher! So have a go playing along to the riff too if you wish.
MP3 DOWNLOAD
This Mp3 track contains the full club arrangement.
CHORDS
For Level 2, the structure is intentionally straightforward. During the verse sections, simply strum Em on the first beat of each bar. If you’re feeling confident, you can choose to sustain the riff throughout instead — but that’s entirely optional.
To add interest, alternate between two Em voicings each time you play it:
In the instrumental section, G and A follow the energy of the drum fill. Strum steady downstrokes on each beat for one bar per chord, adding light upstrokes in between to keep the rhythm flowing.
To add interest, alternate between two Em voicings each time you play it:
- The open position shape (frets 2, 3 and 4)
- A barre shape at fret 7 across the A, E and C strings
In the instrumental section, G and A follow the energy of the drum fill. Strum steady downstrokes on each beat for one bar per chord, adding light upstrokes in between to keep the rhythm flowing.
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THE RIFF
This is the riff that can be played through each verse section repeatedly. The instrumental section changes slightly so we will leave that for the L2.2's for now. As mentioned above - you can decide whether the chords or riff are your jam for this song - no pressure!
STRUMMING PATTERNS
This song contains 3 different strumming patterns including single strums, which fall on beat 1 of each bar, the calypso strum and a DOWN-UP strum for the bridge sections.
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VIDEO TUTORIALS
Song Structure Breakdown Video
This video explains how to play the chords and each of the strumming patterns for the various sections.
VIDEO PLAY ALONG
Try playing along with the full song at a speed of 120BPM once you have masted the chord changes and strumming techniques.
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