Introduction: How to Play 'Bubbly' by Colbie Caillat on the Acoustic Guitar
You have a basic knowledge of guitar chords, music, and guitar tabs and you would like to learn a new song. This will teach you how to play 'Bubbly' by Colbie Caillat.
Required Materials:
An Acoustic Guitar (either steel or nylon strings will work)
A tuner
A pick (any size you prefer)
(Note: This is an easy- intermediate level song, these instructions are built for those that already play basic guitar with tabs and know a little about music. Even so, I have created as simple of a version as I can for those willing to try something new or above their level.)
Step 1: Tune Your Guitar
You will need to be in Standard Tuning: E, A, D, G, B, E, from lowest to highest E.
Step 2: Chords
The first chord you need to know is A Major.
Step 3: Chords
The second chord is A Major 7.
Step 4: Chords
The third chord is D 7 suspended. (It sounds harder than it is, refer to the picture!)
Step 5: Chords
The fourth chord is C Sharp minor.
Note: This is a bar chord, but one of the easier versions of a bar chord.
You will be barring everything on the 4th fret, except for the lowest E string with your index finger.
If you have not yet learned bar chords, now is a good time! Or you can play the E Major chord in the next step in it's place, but it will not sound as good to the listener and it will not sound like the original song.
Step 6: Chords
The fifth chord is E major
Step 7: Chords
The sixth and final chord you will use in this song is D Major.
Step 8: Strumming Pattern
This step illustrates the general outline of the song and which strumming pattern you can use for each section.
This will be your guideline after you learn all the chords to play them in order and with their correct strumming pattern.
IMPORTANT: You will only use your lowest E string when playing your E Major chord. If you use it during other chords, they do not sound correct to the listener.
The song's structure and strumming patterns are as follows:
- Intro: *Strum down once starting on your A string, then strum only your G and B strings. Do this pattern with the chords A Major, AMaj7, D7sus, and end with it on A Major again. This will be called the Intro Pattern. (You will do this during every Verse.)
- Verse *Continue Intro Pattern
- Chorus *Strum: Down Down Up, Up Down Up (DDU UDU) Do this on the same chords as the intro (A, AMaj7. Dsus7, A) This will be called the Chorus Pattern.
- Verse 2 *Intro Pattern
- Chorus *Chorus Pattern
- Bridge *Chorus strumming pattern (DDU UDU) 2 times on each chord: C#min(or E), D, C#min(or E), Now the pattern 1 time on these chords: D, E, Strum down on D once and pause..
- Chorus *back to A major with chorus strum pattern
- Interlude *Intro Pattern
-Verse 3 *Continue Intro Pattern
-Chorus *Chorus Pattern
-Exit chords -Refer to picture. You will use the same chords as the Intro, but with a different picking pattern. This is where you will need to read a couple of short easy tabs.
Step 9: Play Along to the Song
Now you just try everything you've learned in order. The best way to do this, is to play along to the song itself. Step 8 will be the most helpful to watch while doing this, once you have learned the chord shapes. Happy Playing!
