This is a lesson for students to practice a simple fingerstyle pattern (with a small variation just before the chorus) using the song Everybody Hurts by REM. The song uses both open chords and bar chords. For more detailed chord charts of all the open chords used in this song, click here.
Intro and Verses
In the intro and majority of the verses, the chords played are D and G. The fingerstyle pattern to use is p i m a m i. Learn more about fingerstyle guitar technique here.
Last 4 Bars of the Verse
Below are the last 4 bars before the chorus. Notice a variation in the right hand fingering pattern. As there are two chords played in that bar, play p i m for each chord as indicated.
Chorus
The fingerpicking pattern in the chorus is the same as in the verses. That is p i m a m i. However the chords are E minor and A. After repeating the two chords 3 times, play A note (5th string open) and immediately after touch the string to create the rests that follow.
Bridge
Intro]
D | D | G | G | (2x)
[Verse 1]
D | D | G | G | (3x)
D | D | G | G G/F# |
[Chorus]
Em | Em | A | A | (2x)
Em | Em | A | A (pause) |
D | D | G | G | (2x)
[Verse 2]
D | D | G | G | (3x)
D | D | G | G G/F# |
[Chorus]
Em | Em | A | A | (3x)
[Bridge]
F# | F# | Bm | Bm | (3x)
C | C | G | G | C | C | Am | Am (pause) |
[Verse 3]
D | D | G | G | (3x)
D | D | G | G G/F# |
[Chorus]
Em | Em | A | A | (2x)
Em | Em | A | A (pause) | N.C. |
[Outro]
D | D | G | G | (repeat and fade)
Hope you enjoyed learning Everybody Hurts fingerstyle. Contact us at Do Re Mi Studios for lessons to further develop your fingerstyle guitar technique. Besides guitar, we also teach drums, bass, singing and piano. Find out more about our lessons here.