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Guitar Music Theory

Ep163 Jack and Diane - How Does This Song Work?

Guitar Music Theory

Desi Serna

Musictheoryforguitar, Guitar, Guitarscales, Performing Arts, Guitarmusictheory, Music, Guitarlessons, Arts, Guitarchords, Guitartheory

4.6931 Ratings

🗓️ 30 May 2024

⏱️ 67 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

How does the song "Jack and Diane" work? Listen to episode 163 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast to hear how this John Mellencamp classic features memorable acoustic guitar riffs that make great use of different chord shapes and chord voicings.

🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do to play guitar better? Answer the questions about your playing at https://www.GuitarMusicTheory.com and get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level.

Transcript

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0:00.0

In episode 163 of the guitar music theory podcast I have another installment of how does this song work

0:07.2

featuring Jack and Diane by John Mellencamp. And then. So, Greetings guitar engineers. Welcome to the guitar

0:38.4

music podcast. If you're captivated by the magic of guitar music and eager to unravel the mysteries of music theory,

0:45.2

you're in the right place. I'm Desi Cerna, your host fellow guitar enthusiast,

0:50.1

and author of fretboard theory, guitar theory for dummies, guitar picking mechanics, and more.

0:56.3

In each episode of this podcast, I delve into the fascinating world of guitar and music theory,

1:01.7

demystifying complex concepts and providing practical insights to help you become a more informed and skilled guitarist.

1:08.0

Together, we'll explore chord progression, scales, improvisation techniques, and more, unlocking the secrets that make

1:15.5

guitar music and irresistible art.

1:18.7

Today, in episode 163, I have another installment of how does this song work featuring Jack and Diane by John Mellencamp.

1:27.0

This is a nostalgic rock song that tells the story of two American teenagers growing up in a small town.

1:34.0

released in 1982 on Melon Camp's album American Fool,

1:38.0

the song captures a snapshot of youthful romance

1:41.0

and the inevitable passage of time.

1:43.0

Musically, Jack and Diane features a distinctive blend of rock and folk elements,

1:49.0

characterized by its memorable acoustic guitar riffs.

1:52.0

The same few chords are used throughout the song,

1:55.2

yet each section sounds different because of the use of different chord inversions and

1:59.4

chord shapes. I reference this song when I teach caged Chord Forms because it's such a great example of how you can get a variety of sounds out of basic chords by changing how you voice them.

2:11.0

Today's podcast episode is going to be a great discussion, but before we get started, what

2:17.0

should you specifically be working on right now in order to become a better guitarist?

2:22.2

Go to my website, guitar music theory.com.

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