Mastering the Price Tag on Guitar: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you a fan of the iconic pop hit 'Price Tag' by Sara Bareilles and looking to play it on your guitar? This guide will walk you through the necessary steps and techniques to master this song, from understanding the basic chords and riff structure to tips on how to use a plectrum for optimal performance. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced guitarist, you'll find valuable insights here.

Understanding the Song Structure

'Price Tag' by Sara Bareilles is a popular pop ballad known for its emotional and catchy melody. To effectively play this song on guitar, it's essential to break down the song structure into its core components.

Key Sections

Intro: A simple and melodic part that sets the mood for the song. Verse: Contains lyrics and a repetitive pattern of chords. Chorus: Provides the main melody and features catchy and repetitive riffs. Bridge: A transition section with a different chord progression and melody. Outro: Concludes the song with a recapitulation of the intro or a final verse.

The Essential Guitar Setup

To get started, you'll need a few essential tools and equipment:

A guitar: Any acoustic or electric guitar will work, but adjust your fingers accordingly based on the thickness of the strings. A guitar plectrum: A guitar pick is a small, flat, pointed tool used to strum or pick individual strings. Unlike a price tag, a plectrum is specifically designed for guitar playing and offers better durability and control.

Choosing the Right Pick

Various thicknesses of plectrums are available, and the choice depends on your personal playing style and the specific guitar you are using. Thinner picks (0.5mm - 0.7mm) are more sensitive and easier to control, while thicker picks (0.8mm - 1.2mm) provide more attack and volume.

Chords and Riffs

Mastering the chords and riffs in 'Price Tag' is crucial for a convincing performance. Here are the chords you'll need:

Chords

A C D E F G

And here is an example of the chord progression:

[A]   [F]   [D]   [E]   [F]   [E]   [D]   [C][Verse] [Chorus] [Verse] [Chorus] [Verse] [Chorus]

Additionally, you will need to learn a few riffs. The famous opening riff on the electric guitar is particularly memorable. It starts with:

[D]   [A]   [D]   [A]

Another important riff to learn is the one used in the chorus, which goes:

[A]   [E]   [D]   [C]

Tips for Playing the Guitar

Practice Fingering: Get familiar with the chord changes by practicing them slowly and progressively increasing your speed. Develop a Technique: Mastering strumming patterns will help you play more convincingly. Try playing the chord and then strumming each string lightly to get the sound. Using a Plectrum: Using a guitar plectrum can improve both accuracy and consistency in your playing. Experiment with different thicknesses to find one that feels right for your playing style.

Performance Tips

To enhance your performance of 'Price Tag,' consider the following tips:

Vocal Intonation: When singing along, try to match Sara Bareilles' pitch as closely as possible, and vary your tone to match the emotions in the song. Practice with Others: Playing with other musicians can help you improve your timing and sync with the song better. Record and Analyze: Recording yourself can help you identify areas that need improvement and track your progress over time.

Conclusion

By the time you've mastered the chords, riffs, and practice techniques outlined in this guide, you'll be well on your way to adding 'Price Tag' to your repertoire. Remember, consistent practice and a bit of patience will go a long way in improving your skills.

Further Reading

For more guitar tutorials and resources, check out the following articles:

Advanced Guitar Tutorials Guitar Chords and Riffs Guide Guitar Methods and Techniques