The Drugs Don't Work Guitar Lesson

Learn how to play The Drugs Don't Work by The Verve!

'The Drugs Don't Work' use very common open position chords, but the order of them, and how some key chords are held back is what keeps it interesting.

Make sure you can predict the chord progression by just "following to the melody", don't memorize it.

Every time you move to a chord, think of if it sounds like a I chord or a IV chord.

Your goal should be to think of all chords as numbers rather than chord names, aim to connect the number with a sound.

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Once you can hear which chord is about to be played you should look for different patterns in the progression.

Notice how the V chord is almost always followed by the I chord.

When the M8 arrives we stay away from the I chord and because of this draw out the tension.

Harmonic tricks like these are great for keeping the listeners attention.

As you work out how to play 'The Drugs Don't Work', use the Chordacus images below and the SWS to see the connection between chords and numbers.

This approach will change the way you experience music, both as a listener and player! 

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Am, Am shape

C, C shape

Em, Em shape

F, E shape

G, G shape