Hi, I was wondering if any of you play Heather's songs with an intrument. As a beginner guitar player I like to play her songs, but I am a bit struggling. The TAB-section on this website is great and I can strum most of the chords. It's just that I find it difficult to find the right strumming pattern. I hope someone can help me with that, for example for "Thruth & Bone".

Hi,
If you find some difficulties to strum your guitar at the right rythm, I would suggest that you play the CD, and play along the music.

Or maybe it's just that you aren't confortable with playong the chords yet. In this case, it's improve with the time.

Feel free to ask more questions.

If you feel uncomfortable to try the chords and the rythm of the chords are the same time, block the strings softly with the left hand (to stop the sound, and just focus on strumming the good rythm). Along with heather's versions if needed).

Thanks. She seems to play a pretty high rythm. At least higher than other songs from other artists that I am practising.
Also a lot of fingerpicking what I am not familiar with anyway. I keep trying.

Hi Martin,

when I started, I too, found truth and bone a bit tricky, especially to sing along to. (Do you?)
I always like to start with a live version from the "just Heather and Arnulf"-Recordings (2009 & 2010 Tour). It's a good example of what is achievable with very little instrumentation, and I need to have a song in my ear, before I can play it.

I use the following pattern for this song:
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
v - - ^ - ^ v -
v beeing: strum down
^ beeing: strum up
- beeing: move without strumming

I also strum all through the song first, and change to fingerpicking once I'm able to bring together the strumming with the singing.

Enjoy!

Thanks! I also found a cover on youtube that helps me. Although I am still a bit struggling when to switch chords.

I do sing a little bit, to learn the song and because a song is not complete without a voice.
Besides Heather's songs, I am learning songs from other artist, because they are explained step by step on youtube.

There are mistakes with the chords used.
And matters with the rythm.

You'rather use a Heather version.

Hi there, I was reading your post and responces and I wanted to offer a thought. While you are playing a nice soft song like Truth and Bone often the space between notes are just as important as the notes themselves.

Meaning a nice pause in the strumming directly after "stripping down" (let chord ring) "to truth and bone" and then continue to strum. The silence adds to the feel and emotion a great deal. I enjoy playing Heathers music as well. She is really a special song writer. As far as finger picking, I wouldnt worry about that until you "feel" you are capable.

Anyway, I wanted to offer my two cents. Happy playing friend!

Thank you for your advise!