Ticking chords
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[Intro]
E A E
E B
E A C#m B
E A C#m B
[Verse 1]
E A
I’m cutting ties with things that bind my heart to this world
C#m B
I love you and I’m willing but I cannot keep you girl
E A
Philly by the morning and Ohio by the night
C#m B
The thing about a long rope is you can’t hold on too tight
[Interlude]
E A C#m B
[Verse 2]
E A
Wooden floors and coffee cups stepped on and all used up
C#m B
But I reckon that’s what morning are for
E A
And everyone thinks they know me now in these close minded leave me towns
C#m B
But I’m too young to even know myself
[Chorus]
E B C#m
There’s wheels running down the interstate
A E B C#m A
Lord, I’ll wait another day cuz I ain’t close to you
E B C#m
There’s time ticking on the interstate
A E B C#m A
And Lord, I hate that I ain’t close to you
[Interlude]
E B C#m A
[Verse 3]
E A
And all my friends have moved away, some got jobs and some got saved
C#m B
They talk to me like I am still that kid
E A
The fighting, fiendin' Okie son, the restless, reckless, hopeful one
C#m B
Who once was proud of everything he did
[Verse 4]
E A
Do you remember 25 long legs and loving time
C#m B
Seems like 10 lifetimes ago
E A
I’m cutting ties with things that bind my heart to this world
C#m B
I love you and I’m willing but I really have to go
[Chorus]
E B C#m
There’s wheels running down the interstate
A E B C#m A
Lord, I’ll wait another day cuz I ain’t close to you
E B C#m A
There’s time ticking on the interstate, I'm fighting fate
E B C#m Á
And Lord, I hate that I ain’t close to you
[Interlude]
E B C#m A
[Verse 5]
E A
I’m cutting ties with things that bind my heart to this world
C#m B
I love you and I’m willing but I cannot keep you girl
E A
Philly by the morning and Ohio by the night
C#m B
The thing about high hopes is you can’t hold on too tight
How to play "Ticking" by Bryan Zach on the guitar captures the essence of introspection,
the passage of time, and the journey of self-discovery. The song's chord progression
weaves a tale of love, loss, and the relentless pursuit of one's path. Let's delve into
the structure and emotional depth of this piece, guiding you through each chord
and transition to bring the song's narrative to life.
Intro and Verse Chord Progression:
The intro sets the reflective tone of the song with a progression of E, A, E, transitioning
into B, and then moving to E, A, C#m, B. This sequence is maintained throughout
the verses, creating a foundation that supports the storytelling lyrics. The transitions
between these chords should be fluid, allowing the narrative's
introspective quality to resonate.
Interlude:
After the first verse, the interlude follows the same chord progression
as the latter part of the intro (E, A, C#m, B), providing a moment of musical
contemplation that mirrors the song's themes.
Chorus Dynamics:
The chorus introduces a slight shift with E, B, C#m, A, emphasizing the song's
central message of longing and the inevitable flow of time. This part of the song
serves as a poignant reflection on distance, love, and the choices that lead us
away from those we care about. The chorus should be played with a bit more
intensity to underscore the emotional and narrative climax of the song.
Playing Techniques and Tips:
- Strumming Pattern: Opt for a strumming pattern that matches the song's emotive tone.
A combination of downstrokes for emphasis and lighter upstrokes can effectively
convey the song's narrative and emotional shifts.
- Dynamics: Pay attention to the song's emotional highs and lows, adjusting your
playing dynamics to match the narrative intensity and
the lyrical content's emotional weight.
- Emotional Delivery: The key to effectively conveying "Ticking" lies in
the emotional delivery. Allow the chord transitions and your strumming to
reflect the nuances of the song's exploration of time, change, and the search
for identity amidst life's uncertainties.