“A Thousand Years” is a hauntingly beautiful song performed by Christina Perri, which was released in 2011 and became widely popular as part of the “Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn-Part 1” soundtrack. The song, with its tender lyrics and captivating melody, has captured the hearts of millions around the world. Its popularity has also extended to the realm of guitar playing, making it a sought-after piece for both beginners and intermediate guitarists.The song is in the key of B-flat major, which gives it a warm and rich sound. The chord progressions and strumming patterns are not overly complex, making it accessible for those looking to expand their musical repertoire. Playing “A Thousand Years” on the guitar allows you to recreate the magic of the original song and add your own personal touch. Whether you’re performing for an audience, playing for your own enjoyment, or using it as a learning experience to improve your guitar skills, this song offers a fulfilling musical journey.
Choosing the Right Guitar
The type of guitar you use can significantly impact how “A Thousand Years” sounds.
Acoustic Guitars
Dreadnought: This large-bodied acoustic guitar produces a full, rich sound with strong bass notes. For “A Thousand Years”, the dreadnought can add a sense of grandeur to the song, especially during the more emotional parts. Its size allows for a louder projection, which is great if you’re playing in a larger space or want a more powerful sound.
Concert or Parlour: These smaller-bodied acoustics offer a sweeter, more delicate tone. They are well-suited for the gentle and intimate nature of “A Thousand Years”. The smaller size also makes them more comfortable for some players, especially those with smaller hands, and they can be easier to handle when playing the intricate fingerpicking or strumming patterns in the song.
Electric Guitars
Single-Coil Pickups: Guitars with single-coil pickups, like the Fender Stratocaster, produce a bright and clear sound. This can give “A Thousand Years” a more twangy and lively feel, which can be interesting for a different interpretation of the song. However, you may need to use some effects, like reverb or delay, to add a bit more warmth to match the original’s mood.
Humbucker Pickups: Guitars with humbucker pickups, such as the Gibson Les Paul, offer a thicker and more saturated sound. This can bring out the richness in the chords of “A Thousand Years”, making them sound more full-bodied. Humbuckers are also great at reducing noise, which can be beneficial if you’re playing in a noisy environment or using a lot of gain.
Understanding the Chords
There are several chords used in “A Thousand Years”, and mastering them is crucial for playing the song.
B-flat (Bb) Chord
Barre Chord Version: Barre the 1st fret across all strings with your index finger. Then, place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the A string, your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the D string, and your pinky on the 3rd fret of the G string. This chord gives the song a solid foundation and is used frequently throughout.
Open Chord Version (with Capo): If you find the barre chord challenging, you can use an open chord alternative. Place a capo on the 3rd fret. Then play an F chord, which will sound like a Bb chord in this context. The open chord version is easier on the fingers for beginners and can still produce a good sound for the song.
A-flat (Ab) Chord
Barre the 1st fret across all strings with your index finger. Similar to the Bb chord, place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the A string, your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the D string, and your pinky on the 3rd fret of the G string. The Ab chord adds a sense of depth and complexity to the chord progression.
D-flat (Db) Chord
Barre the 1st fret across all strings with your index finger. Use your other fingers to press down on the 3rd fret of the A, D, and G strings as you did with the Bb and Ab chords. The Db chord contributes to the overall harmonic structure of the song, creating smooth transitions between other chords.
F Chord
Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the B string, your middle finger on the 1st fret of the high E string, and your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the G string. The F chord is an essential part of the chord progression in “A Thousand Years”, often used in combination with the other chords to create the melody.
Mastering the Strumming Pattern
The strumming pattern in “A Thousand Years” is relatively simple but requires practice to get the rhythm right.
The Basic Pattern: The main strumming pattern for the song is a down-down-up-up-down-up pattern. This can be written as ↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑, where ↓ represents a downstroke and ↑ represents an upstroke.
Verse Strumming: During the verses, you can play the strumming pattern in a more gentle and subdued manner. This helps to create a soft and flowing feel, which matches the lyrics and the mood of the verses. Try to keep the strums evenly spaced and not too forceful.
Chorus Strumming: In the chorus, you can add a bit more emphasis to the strums. The chorus is the more energetic part of the song, so a slightly stronger strumming can bring out the emotion. You can also experiment with using a pick for a brighter and more defined sound during the chorus.
Adding Variations
Accents: You can add accents to certain strums to give the pattern more character. For example, accentuating the first downstroke in each measure can make the rhythm more prominent. You can do this by strumming a bit harder on that particular downstroke.
Rest Strums: Another variation is to add rest strums. Instead of strumming every beat, you can skip a strum on occasion to create a syncopated rhythm. This can add an interesting twist to the otherwise straightforward strumming pattern.
Fingerpicking Options
In addition to strumming, fingerpicking can also be used to play “A Thousand Years”, adding a more intricate and delicate touch.
Verse Fingerpicking
A common fingerpicking pattern for the verses starts with the thumb hitting the low E string on the first beat, followed by the index finger on the high E string, the middle finger on the B string, and the ring finger on the G string. For example, on the first chord (let’s say Bb), you can play the following pattern: thumb on the low E string, index finger on the high E string, middle finger on the B string, ring finger on the G string, then repeat. This creates a flowing and melodic sound that complements the lyrics of the verses.
You can also vary the fingerpicking pattern by changing the order of the strings you play. For instance, start with the middle finger on the B string, then the index finger on the high E string, followed by the ring finger on the G string and the thumb on the low E string. Experimenting with different combinations can help you find a pattern that suits your style.
Chorus Fingerpicking
During the chorus, you can use a more energetic fingerpicking pattern. One option is to use a Travis picking-style pattern, where the thumb alternates between the bass notes (low E and A strings) while the other fingers play the melody on the higher strings. This can add a sense of movement and energy to the chorus, making it stand out from the verses.
Another approach is to use a more arpeggiated fingerpicking pattern, where you play the notes of the chord in a flowing, broken-chord style. For example, on a Bb chord, you can play the notes in the order of the root note (Bb on the A string), then the third (D on the G string), the fifth (F on the D string), and back to the root note on the low E string, using your thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers respectively.
Putting It All Together
Once you’ve practiced the chords, strumming pattern, and fingerpicking options, it’s time to put everything together.
Start Slowly: Begin by playing the song at a slow tempo. Focus on getting the transitions between chords smooth and the strumming or fingerpicking pattern consistent. Don’t worry about speed at first; accuracy and rhythm are more important.
Build Up Speed: As you become more comfortable with the song at a slow pace, gradually increase the speed. You can use a metronome to help you keep a steady beat and ensure that you’re increasing the speed in a controlled manner.
Add Dynamics: Pay attention to the dynamics of the song. The verses are generally softer and more subdued, while the chorus is more energetic. Use your volume control (if playing an electric guitar) or vary the strength of your strums and fingerpicks (if playing an acoustic guitar) to create this contrast.
Practice with the Original Song: Listen to the original recording of “A Thousand Years” while you play. This can help you get a better sense of the timing, rhythm, and overall feel of the song. Try to match your playing to the tempo and style of the original as closely as possible.
Conclusion
Playing “A Thousand Years” on the guitar is a rewarding experience that allows you to bring this beautiful song to life. By choosing the right guitar, mastering the chords, perfecting the strumming and fingerpicking patterns, and putting it all together with attention to detail, you can create a wonderful rendition of the song. Remember, practice is key, and don’t be afraid to add your own personal touch to make the song your own. Whether you’re playing for yourself or for others, “A Thousand Years” on the guitar is sure to captivate and delight.
