UCL2 - WEEK 2
"COMMON PEOPLE"

This week you will explore a finger picking pattern known as an "Arpegio" which simply means to pick out the notes of a chord individually instead of strumming them all together. You will also explore how to change strumming patterns within a song and to simulate a drum beat for the middle 8 section of COMMON PEOPLE by 

FINGER GYM EXERCISE @ 70BPM

HOW TO PLAY AN ARPEGGIO

The best way to start is by just playing the strings open without any chords. Once you get used to the picking pattern, then you can add the chord shapes in and let the magic happen. 
  • Alternate plucking the C & G strings with your thumb
  • Pick the E string with your index
  • Pick the A stering with your middle finger

Here are some 4/4 arpeggio exercises to practice. Click the audio below to hear what they sound like. Have a listen to each of the audio files then download the MP3 & PDF sheet with all 3 exercises on to practice offline.
Exercise 1. QUARTER NOTE ARPEGGIO
Exercise 2. 8th NOTE ARPEGGIO
Exercise 3. 8th NOTE TRIPLET ARPEGGIO

COMMON PEOPLE STRUMMING

This song alternates strumming patterns throughout the arrangement. It begins with an arpeggiated intro and first verse then continues with an 8th note strumming pattern for all other verses and the calypso strum for all Chorus sections. The middle 8 section ends with down beats emulating the drum hits to bring you back into the chorus. The outro is played with a C chord only and starts with the 8th note strum but ends with calypso. 

8th Note STRUm

The trick here is to alternate dynamically between soft half strums on beats 1+ and 3+ and full, hard strums on beats 2 + and 4 +.
​EXERCISE: Watch the video below to see how to play the 8th note strum effectively. 

COMMON PEOPLE

COMMON PEOPLE is a written and sang by PULP who got their UK chart hit with it in 1995, reaching no 2 in the charts, almost 20 years after the band originally formed in 1978 when Jarvis Cocker was just 15. It was Robson & Gerome who prevented them hitting the top spot with their version of Unchained Melody that year and probably one of Pulp's most iconic hits. ​
Have a listen to your part with just vocals and ukulele. 
NOW OPEN