In "Garden Party" by Rick Nelson, you can use a simple strumming pattern suitable for beginners. A common pattern for this song is down-down-up-up-down-up. This pattern should be repeated for each chord throughout the song.
Chord Transitions
The song primarily centers around the chords of D, A, G, and Bm. As a beginner, the transition from G to Bm might be a bit tricky as it involves a bar chord. Practice shifting between these chords to minimize buzzing or muted strings.
Techniques
For the Intro and Bridge parts, try to emphasize the first down strum of each chord to capture the rhythm of the original track.
Song Structure
The song follows a typical structure of Verse - Chorus - Verse - Chorus - Bridge - Verse - Chorus - Outro. Pay attention to the chord changes between sections, especially from the Chorus to the Bridge and from the Bridge to the Verse.
Remember, practicing slow and steady will help you nail the chord transitions and strumming pattern. Once you’re comfortable, try playing along with the track to get a feel for the timing and rhythm.
IntroD A G Bm D
Verse 1I went to a gardenG party, to reminD isce with my oldG friends
And aD chance toA share oldD memorG ies,A and play our songs aD gain
When I got to the gardenG party,D they all knew myG name
ButD no oneA recognizedG me,A I didn't look theD same
ChorusBut it'sG allA rightD now, IG learned myA lessonD well
You see youG can't pleaseD everyone so yaG got toA please yourD self
Verse 2People came fromA miles aG round,D everyone wasG there
D YokoA brought her walG rus, there wasA magic in theD air
And over in the corG ner,D much to my surG prise
D MrA Hughes hid inD Dylan'sG shoes, wearingA his disD guise
ChorusBut it'sG allA rightD now, IG learned myA lessonD well
You see youG can't pleaseD everyone so yaG got toA please yourD self
BridgeG A D Bm G A D G D G A D
Verse 3Played them all the oldG songs,D thought that's why theyG came
D No oneA heard the muG sic,A we didn't look theD same
I said hello to MaryG Lou,D she belongs toG me
When ID sang aA song about aD honkyG tonk,A it was time toD leave
ChorusBut it'sG allA rightD now, IG learned myA lessonD well
You see youG can't pleaseD everyone so yaG got toA please yourD self
BridgeG A D Bm G A D G D G A D
Verse 4Someone openedA up theD closetG door, andD out stepped Johnny BG Goode
D Playin' guiA tar like aD ringin' aG bell,A andG lookin'A like heD should
If you gotta play at gardenG parties, ID wish you a lottaG luck
But ifD memorA ies wereD all IG sang,A I'd rather drive aD truck
ChorusBut it'sG allA rightD now, IG learned myA lessonD well
You see youG can't pleaseD everyone so yaG got toA please yourD self
OutroG A D Bm G A D G D G A D
And it'sG allA rightD now, IG learned myA lessonD well
You see youG can't pleaseD everyone so yaG got toA please yourD self