Fast Car Guitar Lesson

Learn how to play Fast Car by Tracy Chapman!

The finger style pattern of Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car should be as consistent as possible.

In order to achieve the “loop effect” that the verse need you shouldn’t vary this type of pattern at all.

Instead focus on playing it with feel, but without varying it.

To understand this type of playing, compare to drummers who play a steady beat with no fills. Possibly the best example of this type of playing is the drum beat of Billie Jean by Michael Jackson.

When practicing this type of playing it’s all about stamina, time yourself to see how long you can keep going.

To get even better at this type of stuff, slow down the BPM.

Fast Car Chorus Strumming

The chorus strumming might be difficult to get along with at first.

A combination of index finger strumming, thumb picking bass notes and using several fingers to strum you can achieve many dynamic effects.

Don’t pay attention to what I do exactly in the video, instead use a strumming that feels natural to your hand.

I would strum this slightly different every time I play it.

Not necessarily with a different rhythm, but definitely with different fingers and rhythm.

When strumming, keep it organic, don’t over think, focus on following the vocal.

The use of a pick might be very tempting, but how do you go from finger picking to strumming with a pick?