Taylor Swift’s song Invisible String from her critically acclaimed 2020 album Folklore quickly became a fan favorite. The song combines intimate lyrics with a simple, warm melody, making it a great piece to play on guitar. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know to play Invisible String on guitar, covering the song’s background, chord progressions, strumming and picking patterns, and tips for practicing.
Background
Taylor Swift released Invisible String as part of her eighth studio album, Folklore, which marked a significant shift from her previous pop-centric work. Released during the pandemic, Folklore has a more acoustic, indie-folk vibe, with Invisible String being one of its standout tracks. The song reflects on destiny, love, and the invisible forces that connect people. Produced by Aaron Dessner of The National, Invisible String incorporates stripped-back instrumentation, primarily driven by acoustic guitar, which lends itself well to intermediate guitar players.
Difficulty Level: While the song may seem simple, Invisible String is best suited for intermediate guitar players. It requires a good understanding of chord transitions, some fingerpicking skills, and the ability to maintain rhythm while moving between chords. Beginners can still attempt it, but they may find the need to slow down and practice each part individually.
Chords Used
Invisible String relies on a straightforward but elegant chord progression that repeats throughout the song. Let’s look at the specific chords you’ll need and how to play them.
The main chords in Invisible String include G, D/F#, Em, C, Am7, and Bm. Here’s a breakdown of each chord and how to play it:
G: [320003]
D/F#: [200232]
Em: [022000]
C: [032010]
Am7: [X02010]
Bm: [X24432]
These chords form the harmonic foundation of the song, with minor variations between the verse, chorus, and bridge. If you’re new to any of these chords, spend time mastering their finger positioning and transitions before moving on.
Strumming and Picking Patterns
The rhythm and picking style in Invisible String are essential to creating the song’s signature vibe. Let’s look at both the strumming and picking patterns for an accurate rendition.
Strumming Pattern
The strumming pattern for Invisible String follows a down-down-up-down-up pattern that is soft and steady, capturing the mellow essence of the song. For intermediate guitar players, focus on the evenness of the strumming to maintain a consistent sound. Here’s a common strumming pattern used in the song:
D – D – U – D – U
For the bridge, you can add more dynamic strumming, incorporating slight accents to emphasize specific beats. This pattern will help you maintain the flow of the song and prevent it from sounding monotonous.
Picking Pattern
For those who prefer a fingerstyle approach, Invisible String is well-suited to fingerpicking. The fingerpicking pattern involves alternating between the bass and treble strings to create a flowing, melodic line.
Picking Pattern for the Verse and Chorus:
Begin with the bass note of each chord (typically the low E or A string).
Use your thumb for the bass strings and your index and middle fingers for the G and B strings, respectively.
A sample pattern for the G chord: Thumb (E string) – Index (G string) – Middle (B string) – Index (G string)
This pattern emphasizes the melody without overwhelming the soft tone of the song. Practicing this fingerstyle approach will also help develop your picking accuracy and rhythm.
Verse, Chorus, and Bridge
Each section of Invisible String has a unique structure. Let’s break down the chords and timing for the verse, chorus, and bridge.
Verse Structure
The verse of Invisible String primarily follows a G – D/F# – Em – C progression. Each chord is played for one bar, and the transition between chords is smooth and relaxed.
Verse Chord Progression:
- G
- D/F#
- Em
- C
Focus on even timing, and let each chord ring out fully before moving to the next. For the fingerstyle picking approach, use the previously mentioned picking pattern.
Chorus Structure
The chorus follows a slightly different progression, adding an emotional lift to the song. The chords are G – D/F# – C – Am7. The C and Am7 chords provide a warm, uplifting tone that complements the lyrics.
Chorus Chord Progression:
- G
- D/F#
- C
- Am7
If you’re using the strumming pattern, maintain a steady down-down-up-down-up pattern but increase the dynamics to add intensity to the chorus. Alternatively, continue with fingerpicking for a more delicate approach.
Bridge Structure
The bridge of Invisible String introduces a slight variation, adding Bm to the chord progression. This creates a moment of tension that is later resolved in the chorus. The progression for the bridge is Em – Bm – C – D.
Bridge Chord Progression:
- Em
- Bm
- C
- D
This section is slightly more complex due to the introduction of Bm, a barre chord. For intermediate players, this is a great opportunity to practice playing barre chords smoothly. Take your time with this section, as the Bm can be challenging if you’re new to barre chords.
Practice Tips
Playing Invisible String on guitar requires a balance of patience, rhythm, and practice. Here are some practical tips to help you master the song.
Slow Practice: Start by practicing at a slower tempo. This allows you to focus on accuracy with chord transitions, especially for chords like D/F# and Bm. Working at a slower speed will also help you memorize the song’s structure.
Metronome Use: A metronome is a valuable tool for maintaining a consistent tempo. Set your metronome to a comfortable speed, then gradually increase it as you become more familiar with the chords and rhythm.
Section Practice: Break down the song into sections: verse, chorus, and bridge. Practice each section individually until you feel comfortable, then gradually combine them. This approach will make it easier to memorize the song and improve your overall timing.
Additional Resources: For additional help, you can find Invisible String tutorials on YouTube, where professional guitarists walk through the chords, strumming patterns, and picking technique. You can also download tablature or chord charts to keep on hand while practicing.
Conclusion
Playing Invisible String on guitar is a rewarding experience that allows you to connect with Taylor Swift’s storytelling through music. With its mix of simple chords and a gentle picking pattern, the song provides both an emotional and technical challenge for intermediate players. Focus on the fundamentals—chord transitions, strumming consistency, and fingerpicking accuracy—to capture the song’s essence. With practice, you’ll be able to play Invisible String smoothly and bring its beautiful melody to life on your guitar.
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