Key Strumming Pattern in Dead Flowers

In classical music there are pieces called Etudes, which embody a specific technique within a musical framework. I like to use that approach in teaching techniques that are used in rock, folk and other styles. The song Dead Flowers, by the Rolling Stones, is a perfect vehicle to learn one of the most important strumming patterns. I used to call it the ‘back beat rhythm,’ because of the two upstrokes that come right in the middle of the pattern, but a more appropriate (but less catchy and fun) name might be, ‘basic syncopated strum.’

  

 The pattern consists of five strums – two downstrokes, two upstrokes and one more downstroke or Down-Down-Up-Up-Down. This can also be sung as Long-Short-Long-Short-Long. You can see it written out on the first line of the chart below and in Example 1. 

Example 1

One thing that you will notice is that there is no strum on beat three. This is where the syncopation comes in, as the note that is begun on beat 2 & ½ is held over through the first half of beat three. No need to get all technical though, take a look at the video. You may also notice that the downstrokes focus more on the bass notes while the upstrokes hit more of the upper strings.

I like to point out that the right hand is always moving, what I call the ‘Constant Motion Principle.’ For instance, in between the two upstrokes, there is a downward motion to get back into position to play the second upstroke. None of the strings are struck. Sometimes, it’s about what you don’t play instead of what you play. Here there is space or, a continuation of the previous chord. The hand moves down, up on each beat of the 4/4 time – eight movements in all. But only five chords are struck.

Why is this strum used? It fits in with the melody of the song. Many of the notes that Jagger sings fall neatly into the rhythm pattern of the strum. This strum is often used for brisk tempos where quarter and eighth notes dominate and there is little room for sixteenth note activity.

The chart below represents two full verse/pre-chorus/chorus repetitions. Note the repeat signs at the beginning and at the end of the second line. Then, the entire page is repeated with the second ending at the bottom of the page. I heard the Stones use this ending on a great bootleg called “Leed Stones,” from one of their gigs at Leeds University in England. It’s very simple, utilizing a Dsus2 chord to add a melodic element to the last three chords. Another detail is the D7 chord before the chorus. I added that in to give it a little extra push into the chorus. It also makes it a tiny bit harder and illustrates a basic function of seventh chords. Check out the audio to hear how the whole piece works together (link is at the bottom of the page). 

Download DEADFLO

 

Comments

[KB]

Nice post!
Very clear explanation. Short & to the point.
Basics like this are such an important part of playing, no matter what your level.
Please post more like this.

[On Practicing Guitar]

Thank you very much, KB. I'm planning another post in a similar vein for the near future. BTW, there is also a secret message (no longer secret now) in the YouTube video. If you look closely at the very beginning, in the lower right hand corner, you'll see a copy of The Gilded Palace of Sin, by the Flying Burrito Brothers. Now, what does that mean?
-Chris