Sunday, April 13, 2008

How to play Five Years Time by Noah and the Whale

First off, many thanks to youtuber marcthaine for introducing me to this song a few weeks ago. It's a fun, simple, cute song, and a good video too.

Check out the original song here: Five Years Time by Noah and the Whale.
And the chords and lyrics from ukulelehunt.com here.

And my tutorial video here:



Video breakdown:
0:00 - Intro
0:08 - Tuning (GCEA)
0:14 - Chords (C, F, and G)
1:42 - Chorder
2:05 - Strumming pattern (down - up - hit - up, switch and repeat)
2:53 - Tricky part in strumming (hiccup on the C only)
3:33 - Demonstration (starts slow, speeds up)

The song itself has only three chords: C, F, and G. The video goes over two possible options for which G to play. I think it's easier to play the standard G, but if you bar the second fret and put your fingers in the F position, you'll get the exact G he plays in the video, which might be worth it if you can do it well.

The chorder just repeats: C, F, G, F over and ver and voeover and over and voer anbdnvoer.....etc

The strumming pattern is
1) down
2) up
3) hit
4) up
(switch chords and repeat)

13 Comments:

Anonymous said...

This is the greatest strumming lesson ever, it is the greatest chord changing lesson ever, it provides instant satifaction, before this lesson I couldn't get no satisfaction, ah no no no, I couldn't get me no satisfaction, no... no... no. Ok so i'm no comedian, but this lesson is a true blessing, I learned a little about chord progression 1st, followed by this and now I'm a Uke-Rocker.

Thanks

"Uke til ya Puke"

Ken

Paz said...

Ken, !!!!

Thank you for one of the most double-plus good comments ever! I realize there may be some hyperbole in there somewhere, but I sure as hell can't find it. Especially the part about the blessing.

Go forth and uke, my son.

Robert said...

Hey ,

I really appreciate your ukulele lessons , your song choice is great!

I can't seem to get the "hit" right in the strumming pattern. Any ideas besides practice ?

Thanks

Robert

Paz said...

Hi Robert,

This is a question I've got a lot so far. I tried to answer it in Ask Ukulala Vol. 2, but I think it's tough to explain without a video or something to go along with it.

I found this online:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGIbRetO12w

which seems to be a good little lesson. I think it still takes a lot practice to make it smooth, but at least you know you'll be practicing the right thing!

Like a wise coach once told me: "Practice doesn't make perfect--practice makes permanent."

Anonymous said...

I was playing this like they suggested on Ukehunt, but it was wrong, and my friend kept telling me it was wrong, but we couldn't figure it out. Awesome lesson, your strumming pattern is what fixed it. Thanks!

Paz said...

Thanks, glad to hear that helped! Strumming pattern problems are no joke...

Mi said...

Paz
This is a true revelation, your style is really clear and to the point very useful and supportive! Thanks so much - have been trying to play this for months! I may now eventually succeed :)
Mi

cialis online said...

This is a an excellent way to play Five Years Time by Noah and the Whale, what I liked the most was the man play it step by step in order we can play it too, I'm a beginner and it was so easy for me thanks to this man.m10m

leander said...

Hi,

I saw your T-shirt and was wondering if you are a resident of Detroit. I recently moved downtown and was hoping to find a ukulele teacher, I have been playing for about a year.

Let me know if you teach: filmproject33@gmail.com

best,
leander

carry matheson said...

If you are a good looking and want to grow yourself with good wealth in the term of money work as a Female Escorts Job in Delhi, then you are welcome in our Call Girls job in Delhi agency, to start your work as Female escorts. We are now hiring a good and decent Charming Call Girls for Escorts Girl Job in Delhi,

Part time or Full time Escorts Job in Delhi, first of all u have to send your profile. We are the oldest and genuine Female escort’s agency who provide and hiring girls for Female Escorts Job in Delhi in all over India and we never disclose your identity and your protection is our responsibility so just go ahead and join us for the splendid time work as a Call Girls job in Delhi. we have also Escorts Girl Job in Delhi openings.

Ben anderson said...

Thanks for your marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you could be a great author. I will be sure to bookmark your blog and definitely will come back in the foreseeable future. I want to encourage you to continue your great posts, have a nice afternoon! We live in a period when decisions are made on the spur of the moment. This has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. There are occasions when you must adapt or modify your trip plans. United Airlines Manage Booking helps their customers to manage their flight ticket according to their needs.

Anonymous said...

kobe
kd 15
goyard handbags
100% real jordans for cheap
supreme clothing
off white outlet
bape hoodie
yeezy 380
nike sb
bape hoodie

Anonymous said...

jordan outlet
jordan outlet
kd 13
hermes handbags outlet
birkin bag outlet
jordan outlet
hermes birkin bag
off white shoes outlet
off white hoodie
kyrie 5 spongebob