Cough Syrup is a popular song by the alternative rock band Young the Giant. It was released in 2011 as part of their debut, self-titled album. With its catchy guitar riffs and meaningful lyrics, Cough Syrup quickly became a fan favorite and helped launch Young the Giant into mainstream success.
In this comprehensive 5000 word guide, we will break down how to play Cough Syrup on guitar. We’ll look at the chords, strumming pattern, fingerpicking, tips and tricks, and more. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn your first Young the Giant song or a more advanced player hoping to perfect your rendition, this article will teach you everything you need to know. So grab your guitar and get ready to learn Cough Syrup!
Chords Needed
The first step to learning any song on guitar is knowing which chords are required. For Cough Syrup, there are five chords used throughout the whole song:
| E minor | 022222222 |
| C major | 03200010 |
| G major | 320003 |
| D major | xx0232 |
| A minor | x02210 |
Become familiar with these five chords and make sure you can switch between them smoothly before trying to play the full song. The E minor and C major chords are used the most throughout, so focus on those chord changes in particular.
Strumming Pattern
Cough Syrup follows a simple strumming pattern for the verses and choruses. It goes:
Down, down, up, up, down
On the “down” strums, hit all the strings together with your pick or fingernails. On the “up” strums, lightly pick the higher strings.
Let’s break down the timing with some numbers:
1 (down)
2 (down)
3 (up)
4 (up)
5 (down)
Practice this 1-2-3-4-5 strumming pattern until you can do it without thinking. Keep your strumming steady as you switch between the chords. Getting the pattern down is crucial!
Intro and Verse Pattern
Now that you know the chords and strumming, let’s look at how they fit together in the intro and verses:
E minor, 4 measures
C major, 2 measures
G major, 2 measures
D major, 4 measures
On each chord, maintain the 1-2-3-4-5 down-down-up-up-down strumming pattern.
For example, when playing the E minor chord, you will strum the pattern 8 times. When you get to the C major, strum 4 times. Keep following that same timing as you progress through the chords.
Really take your time to master the transitions between the chords while keeping the strumming steady. Going slow at first is key. Over time, you can speed the tempo up to match the recording.
Chorus Pattern
The chorus follows a similar chord progression but is slightly different:
C major, 4 measures
G major, 2 measures
E minor, 2 measures
D major, 4 measures
Again, maintain the 1-2-3-4-5 down-down-up-up-down strumming pattern throughout. Focus on nailing those chord changes from the C to G to E minor within the proper timing.
The choruses are big power moments in the song, so put some muscle into your strumming here. As you get more advanced, try adding slight accents on the first down strum of each measure.
Bridge Pattern
After the second chorus, we get to the bridge section which features a new chord:
A minor, 4 measures
E minor, 4 measures
C major, 4 measures
D major, 4 measures
By now you’ve got the strumming pattern and timing down. Keep up with that as you learn this bridge progression. Pay special attention to the changes between A minor, E minor and C major since they are new combinations.
Solo Pattern
Following the bridge is a guitar solo. For the solo section, use this progression:
E minor, 4 measures
C major, 4 measures
D major, 8 measures
You can play straight chords for the solo or spice it up with some single-note riffs on the top strings. Improvising here is totally fine too! However you approach it, make sure the timing stays intact.
Full Song Structure
Now that you know how to play all the individual sections, let’s look at the full song structure from top to bottom:
Intro (Verse progression)
Verse 1
Chorus
Verse 2
Chorus
Bridge
Solo (Verse progression)
Chorus
Outro
Practice transitioning between each part until you can play straight through the complete song. An important thing to remember is to keep your strumming steady even as you move into new progressions. That consistent 1-2-3-4-5 pattern holds the whole song together.
Tips and Tricks
Here are some additional tips to help master Cough Syrup on guitar:
– Use a metronome or drum beat to keep your tempo consistent, especially when first learning the song. Start slow and increase speed with precision.
– Pay attention to the slight variations and embellishments in the original recording. For example, sometimes an extra muted strum is added for accent. Listen closely and experiment with small additions to make your version more authentic.
– Nail the transitions between chord changes. Many beginners rush in their eagerness to get to the next chord, so be patient and really lock in each change.
– Beyond strumming, try incorporating fingerpicking patterns into verses for added flair. Mixing things up keeps it interesting.
– Have fun with it! Cough Syrup is an emotive song, so let your playing reflect the meaning and passion behind the lyrics. Spend time making it your own.
Common Problems and Solutions
When learning Cough Syrup on guitar, you may run into some common issues. Here are a few potential problems and ways to overcome them:
Problem: Strumming speed and rhythm are inconsistent
Solution: Use a metronome and be diligent about keeping steady time. Strum slowly until each chord change aligns perfectly with the beat. Then gradually increase speed. Tap your foot along with the metronome.
Problem: Making mistakes transitioning between chords
Solution: Isolate the chord changes that are giving you trouble. Practice just moving back and forth between those two chords until the transitions become seamless. Slow everything down and don’t speed up until you have it down perfect.
Problem: Forearm or hand getting sore/tired
Solution: Take regular breaks to give your arms a rest, especially when you first start practicing the song. Mark the chord progressions in your sheet music or guitar tabs to minimize looking back and forth. Proper technique and positioning will also help reduce strain.
Problem: Strumming sounds muddy
Solution: Make sure you are only striking the proper strings for each chord. For example don’t hit the low E string on a D or A minor chord. Using your fretting hand, lightly mute strings that shouldn’t ring out. Clean up your strumming accuracy.
Problem: Can’t switch chords fast enough
Solution: Speed comes with time and repetition. For now, it’s better to go slow and really master each chord before worrying about tempo. If you try to rush, your chord changes will be sloppy. Be patient and increase speed incrementally in practice sessions.
Mastering any new song on guitar takes dedication and repetition. Be kind to yourself throughout the learning process. With regular, focused practice sessions, you’ll be able to play Cough Syrup smoothly and confidently in no time!
Fingerpicking Pattern
Once you’ve perfected the strumming, try incorporating some fingerpicking patterns into your Cough Syrup rendition. Fingerpicking adds another dimension and improves your playing skills.
Here is a basic fingerpicking pattern you can use:
E String: Thumb pluck
A String: Index finger pluck
D String: Thumb pluck
G String: Middle finger pluck
Get comfortable with this alternating thumb-index-thumb-middle finger sequence. Go slowly plucking each note while maintaining the beat. The thumb hits the E and D strings on the 1 and 4. Index finger hits the A string on 2. Middle finger hits the G string on 3.
On the C chord, skip plucking the low E string since that note is not in the chord. So just focus on A string, D string, G string. Make adjustments depending on the chord shape.
You can play through the chord progressions from earlier using this fingerpicking pattern during the verses. Then strum the choruses for contrast. Mixing it up adds lots of dynamic interest. Have fun exploring different ways to incorporate fingerpicking as you advance your skills.
Playing the Intro Fingerstyle
The intro of Cough Syrup features a very distinctive fingerstyle riff. Here is one way to play that intro pattern:
E String: Pluck 8th notes for a bar
A String: On beat 3 of bar 1 hammer-on from open A to 2nd fret A and pull off back to open A. Repeat this on beat 1 of bar 2 and 3 of bar 2.
D String: Pluck quarter notes
For the first bar, just pluck steady 8th notes on the open low E string. On beat 3 of bar 1, hammer-on from open A string to 2nd fret and quickly pull off to get that distinctive riff sound. Repeat it again on beats 1 and 3 of bar 2. Meanwhile pluck quarter notes on the open D string.
The intro riff creates a call-and-response effect between the fast low E plucking, the hammer-on pull off A notes, and the ringing D string quarter notes. Make sure you lock in the timing. Go slow until each note sounds clean.
You can expand on this basic intro pattern by adding more flourishes and embellishments as you advance. But this will get you started! Use the fingerstyle intro to kick off your rendition with flair.
Playing the Bassline
Another way to add more depth when playing Cough Syrup is to incorporate the bassline that runs throughout much of the song. Here is one approach:
E string: Follow the chord changes, playing the root on the low E. So play E note over E minor chord, C note over C chord etc. Stick with quarter notes.
A string: Fill in on the “and” of beats 2 and 4 with the open A string. So you pluck the E string on beat 1, “and” of 2, and of 4. The open A string falls in between those E notes.
Maintain this steady bassline feel, keeping it simple and in the pocket. Having the solid low end provides a foundation while you strum the chords and add other flourishes on top. Make sure the bassline locks in tight with your strumming rhythm.
In the choruses, open up the bassline pattern. You canOutline Similar to warm up strumming patterns. Outline each chord with the root note on the E string then add color tones. For example, play E-G-B over the E minor chord. Have fun bringing the bassline to life!
Playing Percussive Slaps
To give your Cough Syrup rendition even more rhythmic texture, try incorporating percussive slaps and taps. Here are some ways to add these sounds:
– Slap the face of the guitar on beats 2 and 4
– Tap your thumb on the low E string on the “and” of 2 and 4
– Use your index or middle finger to slap the low E string on the “ands”
– Tap your strumming hand on the bridge or top of the guitar
Get creative with different tap, slap, knock or muted chunk sounds. Use these percussive effects to punctuate the groove and substitute for a full strum. They add a lot of feel and flair.
Focus on keeping the underlying beat steady as you add these flourishes on top. You can improvise percussive elements based on what feels good. Have fun making the song your own through creative rhythmic touches.
Playing with a Capo
Placing a capo on a particular fret can allow you to play Cough Syrup in different keys while still using the basic open chord shapes.
For example, putting the capo on the 2nd fret will raise the song to the key of F# minor. Now when you play the E minor chord shape, it actually sounds F# minor.
Capo on 4th fret will put the song in G# minor. Capo on 7th fret for A# minor, and so on. Experiment with different capo placements to find what key you prefer singing or playing in.
No matter what fret you capo on, maintain the same chord progression patterns and strumming rhythms outlined earlier. Transposing to a new key can help make the song fit your voice and overall comfort level better.
Playing Simplified Chord Shapes
If the full 6-string barre chord shapes are difficult, try using simplified 3 or 4 string voicings.
For E minor, you can play 04402 instead of barring all 6 strings with your index finger.
For C major, try x32010 or even just x3200 to imply the chord. Go with 3200x or 320003 for G major.
Doing this lightens the finger pressure needed and allows you to focus on changes and rhythm. You can also incorporate arpeggios by plucking across individual chord tones. Mix up combinations of simplified shapes along with open strings. Get creative finding adaptions that work as you build strength and improve!
Conclusion
That covers the essential techniques you need to start learning Cough Syrup on guitar! From chord shapes to strumming patterns, fingerpicking to percussive slaps, you now have all the tools to begin mastering this Young the Giant classic.
Remember to start slow and be patient with yourself. Regular practice is key, but be sure to take breaks to avoid tension or fatigue. Record yourself often to notice improvements over time. And above all else, have fun with the process!
Soon you’ll be jamming along to Cough Syrup and singing the meaningful lyrics with style. Not only will you impress your friends, but you’ll gain valuable skills that transfer over to many other songs on guitar. Apply what you’ve learned here to continue advancing as a well-rounded player.
So grab your guitar and get cracking on Cough Syrup. Feel free to reference or share this guide anytime you need a refresher. Cough Syrup is a guitar staple at this point, so make sure you can bust it out whenever the opportunity arises. Before long, you’ll have the entire campfire singalong joining in!
