Learn to Play “Can't Help Falling In Love” by Elvis on Guitar
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Chords for the Verses
2.1. D Major Chord
2.2. Inversions of D Major Chord
2.3. F# Minor Chord
2.4. B Minor Chord
2.5. G Major Chord
2.6. A Major Chord
2.7. Rhythm for the Verses
- Left-Hand Bass Notes
- Chords for the Chorus
4.1. F# Minor Chord
4.2. C#7 Chord
4.3. B7 Chord
4.4. E Minor Chord
4.5. A7 Chord
4.6. Rhythm for the Chorus
- The Arpeggio
- Intro and Outro
- The Final Verse
- Conclusion
Chords for "Can't Help Falling in Love"
"Can't Help Falling in Love" is a classic tune originally recorded by Elvis Presley in 1961. It has since become a timeless song, covered by numerous artists over the years. In this tutorial, we will go through the chords and strumming patterns for playing this beautiful song on the guitar.
1. Introduction
"Can't Help Falling in Love" is a song that holds a special place in the hearts of many. Its soothing melody and heartfelt lyrics have made it a favorite for romantic occasions and weddings. In this tutorial, we will break down the chords and strumming patterns for the verses and chorus, as well as learn some additional embellishments to add to your playing. So grab your guitar and let's get started!
2. Chords for the Verses
Let's begin by learning the chords for the verses of "Can't Help Falling in Love." The song is primarily played in the key of D major, and we will be using a few inversions of the D major chord.
2.1. D Major Chord
The first chord we need to talk about is the D major chord. It consists of the notes D, F#, and A. You can play this chord in its root position, which means the D note is on the bottom. However, throughout the song, we will be using different inversions of this chord to create a flowing and melodic sound.
2.2. Inversions of D Major Chord
An inversion of a chord means changing the order of the notes without changing the identity of the chord. Let's explore the different inversions of the D major chord:
- Root Position: D, F#, A (D on the bottom)
- First Inversion: F#, A, D (F# on the bottom)
- Second Inversion: A, D, F# (A on the bottom)
Practice playing these inversions of the D major chord to get comfortable with the different hand positions.
2.3. F# Minor Chord
The next chord we will encounter in the verses is the F# minor chord. It consists of the notes F#, A, and C#. In this song, we will be using the second inversion of the F# minor chord, which means the C# note is on the bottom.
2.4. B Minor Chord
Another important chord in the verses is the B minor chord. It consists of the notes B, D, and F#. For this chord, we will be using the root position, which means the B note is on the bottom.
2.5. G Major Chord
The G major chord is another chord we will use in the verses. For this chord, we will be using an inversion where the G note is played higher up the neck. The notes for this inversion are B, D, and G.
2.6. A Major Chord
Lastly, we will use the A major chord in the verses. This chord consists of the notes A, C#, and E. You can play this chord in its root position, with the A note on the bottom.
2.7. Rhythm for the Verses
In terms of rhythm, "Can't Help Falling in Love" is typically played in 6/8 time, which means there are six beats per measure. Each chord in the verses is held for one measure, except for the B minor chord, which is held for two measures. It's important to count the beats and stay in time with the song.
3. Left-Hand Bass Notes
In addition to playing the chords, adding a left-hand bass note can give the song more depth and richness. Here are the bass notes for each chord in the verses:
- D Major: Low D
- F# Minor: Low F#
- B Minor: Low B
- G Major: Low G
- A Major: Low A
By incorporating these bass notes into your playing, you'll create a fuller sound that complements the chords.
4. Chords for the Chorus
Now let's move on to the chords for the chorus of "Can't Help Falling in Love." The chorus follows a similar pattern to the verses but includes a few different chords.
4.1. F# Minor Chord
We start the chorus with the F# minor chord, just like in the verses. Play the F# minor chord in the second inversion, with the C# note on the bottom.
4.2. C#7 Chord
Next, we move to the C#7 chord. This chord consists of the notes C#, E, G#, and B. Play this chord in its root position.
4.3. B7 Chord
We then transition to the B7 chord, which adds a rich bluesy flavor to the chorus. The B7 chord consists of the notes B, D#, F#, and A. Play this chord with the B note as the bass note.
4.4. E Minor Chord
The next chord in the chorus is the E minor chord. This chord consists of the notes E, G, and B. Play this chord in the root position.
4.5. A7 Chord
Lastly, we end the chorus with the A7 chord. The A7 chord consists of the notes A, C#, E, and G. Play this chord with the A note as the bass note.
4.6. Rhythm for the Chorus
The rhythm for the chorus is the same as the verses, with each chord lasting one measure. Make sure to count the beats and maintain a steady rhythm throughout the chorus.
5. The Arpeggio
To add a beautiful and melodic touch to your playing of "Can't Help Falling in Love," you can incorporate a simple arpeggio pattern. The arpeggio is essentially playing the individual notes of a chord in a specific order.
For example, let's take the D major chord as an example. Start by playing the root position D major chord. Then, on each beat of the measure, play the notes of the D major chord in a descending order, starting from the highest note and moving down. So, it would be played as follows: D - A - F# - D. Practice this arpeggio pattern for each chord in the song to add a nice melodic touch to your playing.
6. Intro and Outro
The intro and outro of "Can't Help Falling in Love" consist of a sequence of chords, including the D major chord, the A major chord, and the D major chord played one octave higher. You can strum these chords or incorporate the arpeggio pattern we discussed earlier.
7. The Final Verse
Towards the end of the song, there is a final verse that repeats the line "For I can't help falling in love with you." This verse includes a variation where the D major chord is played in a higher inversion. Follow the same arpeggio pattern but start with the higher inversion of the D major chord, followed by the first inversion and then the root position.
8. Conclusion
Congratulations! You have learned how to play "Can't Help Falling in Love" on the guitar. With the chords, rhythms, and arpeggio patterns covered in this tutorial, you should now be able to strum along and create your own beautiful rendition of this classic song. Keep practicing and enjoy playing this timeless tune. Happy playing!
【Resources】
- Chord chart for "Can't Help Falling in Love": [Link to chord chart]
【FAQs】
Q: Can I play this song on an acoustic guitar?
A: Yes, absolutely! "Can't Help Falling in Love" sounds great on both acoustic and electric guitars. Just adjust your playing style accordingly.
Q: Are there any alternate chord progressions for this song?
A: While the chords provided in this tutorial are the most commonly used for "Can't Help Falling in Love," you can experiment with different variations and substitutions to add your own unique touch to the song.
Q: Can I play this song without using inversions?
A: Yes, you can certainly play the song using basic open chords. However, incorporating inversions adds a beautiful and dynamic sound to your playing, so it's worth practicing and incorporating them into your rendition.
Q: What strumming pattern should I use for this song?
A: "Can't Help Falling in Love" can be played with a simple down-up strumming pattern or a fingerpicking pattern. Experiment and find a strumming style that fits your playing style and the overall vibe of the song.
Q: Can I incorporate fingerpicking into this song?
A: Absolutely! Fingerpicking can add a delicate and intricate quality to your playing of "Can't Help Falling in Love." You can fingerpick the chord arpeggios or add additional melodic elements between the chords to create your own unique arrangement. Remember to practice slowly and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the fingerpicking patterns.
Q: Are there any intermediate/advanced techniques I can use to enhance my playing of this song?
A: If you're comfortable with the basic chords and arpeggios, you can try incorporating embellishments, such as hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, and chord substitutions. These techniques can add complexity and creativity to your rendition of "Can't Help Falling in Love." Experiment and have fun exploring different ways to make the song your own.
