Rhythm Charts, pt. VI – Follow the Chart

This month I’ll wrap up the series of posts on rhythm charts by looking at a full blown chart for the song I’m a Believer. The song was originally written and recorded by Neil Diamond before being covered by The Monkees and later by numerous other artists including Smash Mouth for the 2001 film Shrek.

The downloadable rhythm chart is meant to simply follow the chord changes for the song – I did not put in the riff to be played as it is beyond the scope of what I have been discussing. If you have difficulty navigating the chart follow the directions below.

1. Chord changes begin in m.4 – note repeat signs in

    m.4 and m.33. Play m. 4 – 33 and repeat again.

2. After repeating continue through to m. 41 – note

    the D.S. al Coda at the end of m. 41.

3. Take the D.S. al Coda and ‘jump’ its’ sign in 

    m. 12. Play m. 12 – 33.

4. Notice the Coda sign at the end of m. 33. When 

    m. 33 is completed ‘jump’ to the matching Coda

    sign in m. 42. Repeat m. 42 – 43 six times as the

    song fades out.

I hope you enjoy the transcription and now have a better understanding of how to navigate rhythm charts!