{"id":6849,"date":"2023-08-29T07:33:38","date_gmt":"2023-08-29T12:33:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theguitarstand.net\/?p=6849"},"modified":"2023-08-30T10:31:49","modified_gmt":"2023-08-30T15:31:49","slug":"how-to-play-iris-on-guitar-with-chords","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theguitarstand.net\/how-to-play-iris-on-guitar-with-chords\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Play Iris On Guitar With Chords"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Every wanted to learn how to play Iris on Guitar with chords?\u00a0 You are not alone!\u00a0 &#8216;Iris&#8217; by the Goo Goo Dolls is their most successful single, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and selling over 30 million copies.\u00a0 So it&#8217;s no surprise that many guitarists want to learn to play this cool song.<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s explore this captivating piece and unravel the secrets behind its enchanting melody while ensuring that both beginners and advanced players can join in the musical journey.<\/p>\n<h2>What We&#8217;ll Learn<\/h2>\n<p>To begin, we&#8217;ll delve into the intriguing world of alternate tunings, specifically tuning your guitar to D, which adds a unique flavor to the song.<\/p>\n<p>From there, we&#8217;ll explore the chord progression and how to add extra flair.\u00a0 We&#8217;ll also go over strumming techniques and the elusive boom-chick style that gives &#8216;Iris&#8217; its distinct sound.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ll also touch upon the importance of experimenting to find the perfect sound for the chords and how to create a chorus-like effect that enhances the song&#8217;s beauty.<\/p>\n<h2>Tuning the Guitar<\/h2>\n<p>To really capture the ethereal essence of Iris on acoustic guitar, you&#8217;ll want to start by tuning your guitar to D. This creates a unique and mesmerizing sound that will transport you straight into the heart of the song. Tuning your guitar to D is essential for playing Iris accurately and achieving the desired effect.<\/p>\n<p>To tune your guitar to D, you&#8217;ll need to adjust the pitch of each string.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Low E string is tuned down to B<\/li>\n<li>All other strings are tuned to D<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>By tuning your guitar to D, you create a chorus-like effect that enhances the overall sound of Iris. It adds depth and richness to the chords and melodies, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the song.<\/p>\n<p>Experimentation is encouraged to find the perfect sound for Iris chords, as each guitarist may have their own preference.<\/p>\n<p>Video Guide for playing<\/p>\n<p>If you prefer to learn via video, then I highly recommend Marty Schwartz&#8217;s video lesson.\u00a0 There&#8217;s a reason he&#8217;s one of the most popular guitar teachers on YouTube.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Goo Goo Dolls Iris Guitar Lesson + Tutorial\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JOJ6vLmcqm8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Adding Extra Flair<\/h2>\n<p>To enhance the overall sound and complexity of the piece, additional embellishments can be incorporated into the chords and melodies. These extra flourishes add a layer of interest and depth to the song.<\/p>\n<p>Marty demonstrates various ways to add flair to the chords. For example, he suggests adding hammer-ons and pull-offs to create a more dynamic sound. By utilizing these techniques, the guitarist can create a sense of movement and fluidity within the chords.<\/p>\n<p>Marty also encourages experimentation with different strumming patterns and rhythms to further enhance the song. These extra embellishments not only showcase the player&#8217;s individual style and creativity but also contribute to the overall beauty and impact of this iconic song.<\/p>\n<h2>Strumming Technique: The Boom-Chick<\/h2>\n<p>The strumming technique used in Iris, known as the boom-chick technique, creates a rhythmic and melodic pattern that perfectly complements the song&#8217;s emotional depth.<\/p>\n<p>To achieve this technique, start by positioning your hand comfortably on the guitar&#8217;s soundboard. Begin by striking the bass note of the chord with a downward strum using the fleshy part of your thumb. Then, lightly brush the higher strings with your fingers in an upward motion, creating a gentle &#8216;chick&#8217; sound.<\/p>\n<p>This alternating pattern between the bass note and the higher strings gives Iris its unique sound.\u00a0 It&#8217;s important to maintain a steady rhythm and a relaxed hand to achieve the desired effect.<\/p>\n<p>As you practice the strumming technique, pay attention to the dynamics and timing of each strum, allowing the song to ebb and flow naturally.<\/p>\n<p>Here is a good beginner video on learning the Boom-Chick strumming technique.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Beginner Guitar Lesson \u279c  How to Play the &quot;boom chick-a&quot; Rhythm (5.3)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7ueeFKUO97g?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Exploring Different Sections<\/h2>\n<p>The song transitions seamlessly between different sections, each with its own distinct feel and character.<\/p>\n<p>The verse section, for example, features a series of chord progressions played on the low strings, creating a somber and introspective atmosphere.<\/p>\n<p>In contrast, the chorus section reverts back to the original chords with a renewed energy and enthusiasm. The bridge section introduces open strings and incorporates a series of hits based on the original chords, adding a dynamic element to the song.<\/p>\n<p>Through these different sections, &#8216;Iris&#8217; showcases its complexity and depth, captivating listeners with its unconventional tuning and evocative melodies.<\/p>\n<h2>Finding the Perfect Sound<\/h2>\n<p>Achieving the perfect sound in Iris on acoustic guitar is all about exploring different techniques and experimenting with your guitar&#8217;s tuning.<\/p>\n<p>I prefer using the D tuning but there are other types of tunings and you can still play this song using standard tuning.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, utilizing guitar tabs can help with timing and rhythm, ensuring that you&#8217;re playing the song accurately.<\/p>\n<p>Lastly, don&#8217;t be afraid to experiment and make the song your own. Try different fingerpicking patterns or add embellishments to the chords to create a chorus-like effect, just like in the original recording.<\/p>\n<h2>In Conclusion&#8230;<\/h2>\n<p>Learning how to play &#8216;Iris&#8217; on the guitar with chords is a rewarding experience for both beginners and advanced guitarists. By tuning your guitar to D and using the boom-chick strumming technique, you can achieve the signature sound of the song.<\/p>\n<p>However, experimentation is encouraged to find the perfect sound for the chords, and guitar tabs are available to guide you. The emotional lyrics and relaxing melody of &#8216;Iris&#8217; make it a great choice for the pensive player.<\/p>\n<p>So grab your guitar and start playing this iconic song today!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every wanted to learn how to play Iris on Guitar with chords?\u00a0 You are not alone!\u00a0 &#8216;Iris&#8217; by the Goo Goo Dolls is their most successful single, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and selling over 30 million copies.\u00a0 So it&#8217;s no surprise that many guitarists want to learn to play&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6856,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theguitarstand.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6849"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theguitarstand.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theguitarstand.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theguitarstand.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theguitarstand.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6849"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/theguitarstand.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6849\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7042,"href":"https:\/\/theguitarstand.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6849\/revisions\/7042"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theguitarstand.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6856"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theguitarstand.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6849"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theguitarstand.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6849"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theguitarstand.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6849"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theguitarstand.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=6849"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}