“Where Rainbows Never Die” is a classic bluegrass tune that has captivated audiences for generations. If you’re a fan of bluegrass or country music, you’ve likely encountered this beautiful melody at some point. However, learning to play this song on guitar can be a daunting task, especially if you’re new to the world of music. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about playing “Where Rainbows Never Die” on guitar, from the chords to the picking patterns and more. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced guitarist, we’ve got you covered. So grab your guitar, tune your strings, and let’s get started!
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through each step necessary to master “Where Rainbows Never Die” on guitar. We’ll cover all the basics, including the chords you need to know, the picking patterns used in the song, and how to put it all together. As you progress through the guide, you’ll learn essential tips and tricks that will help you become a master at playing this amazing song. So whether you want to perform this song on stage or just play it for your own enjoyment, this guide will help you achieve your goal.As you embark on this exciting journey of learning how to play “Where Rainbows Never Die” on guitar, remember that practice is crucial. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become with the chords and picking patterns, and the more confident and relaxed you’ll feel when playing. With that in mind, let’s dive into the specifics of playing this classic tune on guitar.As a quick reminder, we’re exploring everything from chords to picking patterns, so there’s a lot of material to cover. Don’t worry if you’re having any trouble because we’ve got you covered. Let’s start by delving into the chords you’ll need to know, which is crucial to playing this song correctly.Once you’re comfortable with the chords, it’s time to move on to the picking patterns that give “Where Rainbows Never Die” its signature sound. This is where things get exciting, and you can start experimenting with your rhythm and style. With time, you’ll develop your playing style that will take this song to an even higher level. Keep practicing, and you’ll be playing this beautiful tune like a pro in no time.
The Chords
To play “Where Rainbows Never Die” on guitar, you’ll need to know four basic chords: G, C, D, and Em. These are all fundamental chords that are commonly used in bluegrass and country music, and it’s worth taking the time to learn them if you aren’t already familiar with them. The good news is that these chords are all fairly simple to learn, so even if you’re a beginner, you should be able to pick them up with a bit of practice. In the following section, we’ll go over each chord in detail and discuss how to play them on the guitar.
Let’s start with the G chord. This is an essential chord in the key of G and is used in many bluegrass and country songs. To play the G chord, place your second finger on the third fret of the low E string, your third finger on the third fret of the high E string, and your fourth finger on the third fret of the B string. Your first finger should be left open. Strum all of the strings except for the sixth string, and you’ve got a G chord!Now that you know how to play the G chord, let’s move on to the C chord. To play the C chord, put your third finger on the third fret of the A string, your second finger on the second fret of the D string, and leave the rest of the strings open. Strum only the five middle strings for a beautiful, full sound. The C chord is often used in combination with the G chord in many bluegrass and country songs. Practice transitioning smoothly between these two chords, as they are often played one after the other in “Where Rainbows Never Die.”Moving on to the D chord, we start by placing our first finger on the second fret of the G string, our third finger on the third fret of the B string, and our second finger on the second fret of the high E string. Strum only the top four strings (the D, G, B, and high E strings) for this chord. The D chord is also commonly used in bluegrass and country music and is often played with the G and C chords. Practice transitioning smoothly between all three chords to get used to the finger positions and the sound of each chord.
The Picking Patterns
To start playing the picking patterns in “Where Rainbows Never Die” on guitar, it’s important to begin by understanding the finger placement. With your thumb on the low E string and your first three fingers on the next three strings up, you can begin learning the picking patterns that make this song so unique.In addition to finger placement, it’s important to understand the concept of string skipping. String skipping is when you skip over one or more strings while picking, creating a unique sound and rhythm. In some parts of the song, you’ll need to skip over strings to create the picking pattern, so understanding this concept is crucial to mastering the song. Once you feel comfortable with finger placement and string skipping, you’re ready to move on to the specific picking patterns used throughout the song.
Each section of “Where Rainbows Never Die” on guitar features a different picking pattern. In the intro, you’ll use a simple fingerpicking pattern that involves plucking the G and B strings at the same time with your index and middle fingers. From there, you’ll move to the verse, which features a more complex pattern involving fingerpicking on the G and D strings and skipping over the B and high E strings. During the chorus, you’ll use a similar pattern to the verse, but with a few variations to match the melody of the song. To become comfortable with these patterns, it’s important to practice each section slowly and correctly, gradually increasing your speed until you can play them at the same tempo as the song.To ensure that you’re picking with precision, it’s a good idea to use a metronome or drum machine to keep time while playing “Where Rainbows Never Die” on guitar. This will help you stay in time with the song and ensure that your picking is consistent. It’s also important to pay attention to dynamics while playing, especially during the chorus, where the song builds to a crescendo. In addition, experimenting with different fingerpicking styles, such as alternating your fingers or using a thumbpick, can help create different sounds and textures in the song. So keep practicing, and don’t be afraid to experiment to find what works best for you!
Putting It All Together
To start playing “Where Rainbows Never Die” on guitar, you’ll need to get comfortable with the song structure. The song is divided into several sections, each with its own set of chords and picking patterns. The verse, chorus, and bridge sections all have their unique sound and feel, and it’s essential to master each section to play the song accurately. In this section, we’ll take you through each section of the song, highlighting the chords and the picking patterns used in each one.Continuing from the previous paragraph, let’s start with the verse section. The verse section features a simple progression of G, C, D, and Em chords. The picking pattern used during this section is also fairly straightforward, with a mix of fingerpicking and strumming. You’ll want to pay attention to your finger placement and keep your strumming hand steady to maintain a consistent rhythm throughout the section. Pro tip: Use a metronome to help you keep time and play the section at a slower tempo before gradually picking up speed.
Moving on to the chorus section, the chords used are G, D, C, and G. This section features a more intense strumming pattern, with a focus on a strong downstroke on each chord. This section is all about building up energy and moving into the next verse section. Again, start slow with this section and gradually increase your tempo as you get more comfortable with the pattern.
Finally, there’s the bridge section, which adds a bit of variation to the song. The chords used in the bridge are Em, C, G, D. The picking pattern used during this section is more complex than the verse and chorus sections, but don’t worry, we’ll break it down for you step-by-step. You’ll want to pay close attention to your finger placement during this section and make sure that you’re picking each note cleanly.
By the time you’ve mastered all of the sections of “Where Rainbows Never Die” on the guitar, you’ll have a beautiful song to add to your repertoire. Keep practicing and experimenting with different picking patterns and strumming techniques to put your spin on this classic tune.Moving on to the bridge section, it adds a bit of variation to the song. To play the bridge section, start by placing your fingers in the Em position and picking the 6th, 4th, and 3rd strings in quick succession. Then move to the C chord, strumming with a downstroke followed by a quick upstroke. Next, move to the G chord and repeat the same picking pattern as the Em chord. Finally, move to the D chord and strum once again with a downstroke followed by a quick upstroke. Keep practicing this pattern until you feel comfortable with it at a slow tempo before gradually increasing your speed.
Conclusion
If you’re finding it challenging to play each section of the song separately, try playing through the song as a whole, repeating each section as many times as necessary until you feel comfortable with it. This will also give you a chance to work on transitioning between each section smoothly.
Remember to pay close attention to your finger placement, your strumming technique, and your timing. Use a metronome to develop a consistent rhythm, and experiment with different fingerpicking and strumming patterns to find what works best for you.
It’s also essential to listen to different versions of the song to get a sense of how other guitarists approach it. You might find inspiration in their playing or discover new techniques that you want to try out for yourself. Don’t limit yourself to one version of the song – there are plenty of talented musicians out there who have put their spin on “Where Rainbows Never Die.”
Keep practicing, experimenting, and listening, and before you know it, you’ll be playing “Where Rainbows Never Die” like a pro.
As you become more comfortable with the song, consider adding your spin to the song. After all, one of the beautiful things about playing music is that it allows you to express your creativity and personality. Once you feel confident playing the song accurately, try experimenting with different chord voicings, strumming or fingerpicking patterns, or adding a solo section to spice things up.
Remember that the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the process of learning and playing “Where Rainbows Never Die” on guitar. So take your time, practice regularly, and keep pushing yourself to improve. With a bit of dedication and patience, you’ll be wowing audiences with your guitar skills in no time.When adding your spin to the song, there are endless possibilities. Try adding a little bit of vibrato to certain notes or adding fills in between chords to create a more interesting sound. You could also experiment with different strumming patterns, such as palm-muted strums or using a thumb pick to get a more pronounced bass note.
Another option would be to add a solo section to the song. For example, you could take the chords from the verse or chorus section and play them in a different order while adding your unique flair with licks and riffs.
Overall, the sky is the limit when it comes to adding your spin to the song. Just remember to keep things tasteful and exciting!When adding your spin to the song, feel free to experiment with different chord voicings and inversions to create a unique sound. For example, you could try playing the G chord in the second inversion or try using the Cadd9 chord instead of the typical C chord.
Try playing around with alternate tunings, like the popular Open G tuning that is commonly used in bluegrass and country music. This tuning can make it easier to play certain chords and also produces a brighter, more lively sound.
You could also try incorporating percussive elements into your playing, such as tapping the body of the guitar or using a stompbox. These techniques can add a new dimension to your playing and make your performance even more engaging.
Ultimately, the key to adding your spin to the song is to have fun and experiment. Don’t be afraid to try new things and push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Who knows, you might end up discovering a style or technique that becomes your signature sound.
Hi there! I’m Casey Marshall, a guitar enthusiast and repair specialist. With years of experience playing and repairing guitars, I’ve developed a deep understanding of the instrument. Through this blog, I share tips and advice on guitar repair and maintenance, as well as insights into the world of guitar playing.