Noah Kahan is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter known for his heartfelt lyrics and soothing melodies. One of his popular songs, ‘Orange Juice’, has captivated audiences worldwide. If you’re a beginner wanting to learn how to play this beautiful song on your guitar, you’ve come to the right place! In this step-by-step guide, we’ll take you through the process of playing ‘Orange Juice’ on the guitar, breaking it down into easy-to-understand sections. So grab your guitar, and let’s get started!
Guitar Basics
Before we delve into learning ‘Orange Juice’, let’s go over some basic guitar knowledge for beginners. Familiarize yourself with the different parts of the instrument: the body, neck, fretboard, and strings. Get comfortable holding the guitar and positioning your fingers on the fretboard. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t get discouraged if you struggle at first. With perseverance, you’ll soon get the hang of it!
Chords Used in ‘Orange Juice’
To play ‘Orange Juice’ on the guitar, you’ll need to learn a few basic chords. Here are the chords used in the song:
1. G major (G): Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th (A) string, middle finger on the 3rd fret of the 6th (E) string, and ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st (high E) string.
2. D major (D): Position your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd (D) string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st (high E) string, and ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd (B) string.
3. C major (C): Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd (B) string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th (D) string, and ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. E minor (Em): Simply strum all the strings openly without pressing any down on the fretboard.
Strumming Patterns
Strumming patterns add rhythm and texture to a song. Here’s a beginner-friendly strumming pattern you can use for ‘Orange Juice’:
1. Down-Down-Up-Up-Down-Up: This pattern consists of six beats, with a combination of downstrokes and upstrokes. Practice it slowly at first, gradually increasing speed as you become more comfortable.
Verse Progression
Now that you have familiarized yourself with the chords and strumming pattern, let’s put them into practice. The verse progression of ‘Orange Juice’ is as follows:
[G] I felt a thrill [D] up in my spine
[C] The way your body shook [D] next to mine
[G] I could see it [D] coming without a warning
[C] We had the energy to spark the morning
For each chord, strum the pattern we discussed earlier. Take your time to switch between chords smoothly, ensuring that each note rings clear and true. Practice playing this progression repeatedly until you feel confident.
Pre-Chorus and Chorus
The pre-chorus and chorus sections of ‘Orange Juice’ share the same progression. Here’s how it goes:
[C] You took a t[D]umble through my freezer door
[Em] Spilled orange j[D]uice, painted signs
[C] On my sh[D]irt
Repeat the strumming pattern for these chords as well. It’s essential to maintain a steady rhythm and strumming pattern throughout the song to keep it flowing smoothly.
Adding Emotion and Dynamics
To truly capture the essence of ‘Orange Juice’, focus on adding emotion and dynamics to your playing. Experiment with variations in strumming intensity. Play softly during the verses to create a more intimate atmosphere, and strum with more power and energy during the pre-chorus and chorus sections. Pay attention to the song’s structure and make sure your playing reflects the mood of each section.
Practice and Repetition
Remember, learning to play a song takes time and practice. Don’t get discouraged if you stumble along the way. Keep practicing the chord progressions, strumming patterns, and transitions until you can play ‘Orange Juice’ smoothly from start to finish. Break down the song into smaller sections if necessary, and gradually piece them together as you improve. Regular practice, even just a few minutes a day, will yield great results over time.
Conclusion
Learning to play ‘Orange Juice’ by Noah Kahan may seem challenging at first, but with dedication and practice, you’ll be able to master this beautiful song. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the necessary chords and strumming patterns, paying attention to the dynamics and emotions needed to bring the song to life. Remember, enjoy the process and don’t rush. Soon enough, you’ll be strumming away and captivating others with your rendition of ‘Orange Juice’. Happy playing!