Hey there! In this video you're going to learn two versions of Edelweiss. I'll let you pick which one seems best for you. We'll start with an easier version and then move on to a more complex version.
I'm doing a very simple version with a simple strum. The song is in 3/4 (pronounced “three-four"). That means there are 3 beats per measure, instead of 4.
The basic strum is down on every beat, and up on the “and” of the second and third beat. If you’re counting, it would sound like this:
One, two-and-three-and, One, two-and-three-and (the video has this strum starting at 0:14).
I'll do a more complex version after this, but let's start with this version. Here are the chords we’ll use in the first part, each chord will be played for one measure (three beats per measure):
G - D - G - C
You can use a three finger or a four finger G chord. If you use the three finger G, try using your pinky on the high string, ring finger on the low string, and middle finger on the 5th string second fret. This version of the G will transition to the D and C chords much easier.
The D is a standard open D chord. The C will be a folk style C, your standard open C chord. Using the three finger G chord I mentioned earlier makes the transition to C much cleaner.
For the second part, we’re using a very common pattern (again, one chord per measure):
G - Em - C - D7
This is a very common pattern in music. The D7 chord is like the D chord, but fretted a little different.
First String: Second fret (ring finger)
Second String: First fret (Index finger)
Third String: Second fret (middle finger)
Fourth String: Open
Using the three finger G is also a good idea here. You’ll notice your ring finger stays on the same fret for the G and Em chords. Use this as a “pivot point” for the chord. It makes the change a lot quicker. After this part, you’ll play the first part over.
The last part of the chorus is just G to D, back to G twice.
By the way, you don’t have to worry about the more complex strum for right now. Try one down strum per beat if that’s easier (one-two-three, one-two-three).
So here’s the full chorus with all three parts, three beats per chord:
G - D - G - C
G - Em - C - D7
G - D - G - C
G - D - G - G
Okay let's start the verse now. Were gonna start the verse with the D chord and it's gonna hold there for two measures. Then two measures of G. Then we’re going to have a curve ball in the A7 chord.
Using the three finger G also makes the G to A7 change easier. Here’s how to plan an open A7:
First String: Open
Second String: Second fret (ring finger)
Third String: Open
Fourth String: Second fret (middle finger)
Fifth String: Open
For the first part of the verse every chord in the verse gets two measures. It makes everything feel even and drawn out compared to the chorus. Here is the chord pattern (each chord played for a measure):
D - D - G - G
A7 - A7 - D - D
The last two lines are very much like the second half of the chorus:
G - D - G - C
G - D - G - G
The whole verse looks like this:
D - D - G - G
A7 - A7 - D - D
G - D - G - C
G - D - G - G
And again, you can use one strum per beat if that’s easier for now. This will help you get comfortable with the chord changes.
Or you can use the more complex strum, where you do an up strum on the “and” of the two and three beats.
One, two-and-three-and, One, two-and-three-and
The strums look like this:
Down, Down-up-down-up, Down, down-up-down-up
(Note: You can also finger pick this song by playing arpeggios. Arpeggios are just chords that are played one note at a time. This is a little hard to describe without seeing it, so check out 9:30 in the video if you want to try this! You can always come back after you get the strumming down too.)
Okay let's go ahead and play it as a whole tune. You can use either of the strums, or finger picking. You have options! To play along with me, go to 15:03 of the video
Here are the chords again for every part:
Chorus:
G - D - G - C
G - Em - C - D7
G - D - G - C
G - D - G - G
Verse:
D - D - G - G
A7 - A7 - D - D
G - D - G - C
G - D - G - G
Good job, that was fun! Thanks for joining me. I look forward to seeing you again soon!