Master the Melody- A Step-by-Step Guide to Playing Arctic Monkeys’ ‘Mardy Bum’ on Guitar

How to Play Arctic Monkeys “Mardy Bum” on Guitar

Arctic Monkeys’ “Mardy Bum” is a catchy and energetic song that has captured the hearts of many guitar enthusiasts. If you’re looking to master this track on the guitar, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll guide you through the essential chords, strumming patterns, and techniques needed to play “Mardy Bum” like a pro.

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of playing “Mardy Bum,” it’s important to familiarize yourself with the song’s structure. “Mardy Bum” is a three-chord song with a straightforward structure that repeats throughout the song. The chords used are G, C, and D, making it a great song for beginners to tackle.

1. Chords and Fingerings

The first step in learning “Mardy Bum” is to get comfortable with the chords and their fingerings. Here’s a breakdown of the chords and their fingerings:

• G Chord: Use your first, second, and third fingers to press down on the third, second, and first strings, respectively, on the third fret.
• C Chord: Use your first, second, and third fingers to press down on the first, second, and third strings, respectively, on the third fret.
• D Chord: Use your first, second, and third fingers to press down on the second, first, and third strings, respectively, on the third fret.

2. Strumming Pattern

The strumming pattern for “Mardy Bum” is straightforward and easy to follow. Here’s a basic pattern you can use:

• Down strum on the first beat of each measure.
• Up strum on the second beat of each measure.
• Down strum on the third beat of each measure.
• Up strum on the fourth beat of each measure.

3. Practice and Tips

Now that you know the chords and strumming pattern, it’s time to practice. Here are a few tips to help you master “Mardy Bum”:

• Practice the chords separately before combining them.
• Focus on getting a clean sound by pressing down firmly on the strings.
• Experiment with different strumming patterns to add variation to your playing.
• Record yourself playing the song and compare it to the original to identify areas for improvement.

4. Song Structure

“Mardy Bum” follows a simple structure, with each chord change occurring on the first beat of each measure. Here’s the structure:

• Measure 1-4: G, C, D, G
• Measure 5-8: G, C, D, G
• Measure 9-12: G, C, D, G

By following these guidelines and practicing regularly, you’ll be well on your way to playing Arctic Monkeys’ “Mardy Bum” on guitar. Enjoy the process and have fun with your newfound skills!