Are you looking to master Jack Johnson’s laid-back classic, “Banana Pancakes,” on your guitar? You’ve come to the right place! This comprehensive guide will break down everything you need to know, even without traditional guitar tabs, to play this song beautifully. We’ll explore the essential elements like chord progressions, strumming patterns, and the crucial swing rhythm that gives “Banana Pancakes” its signature feel. Whether you’re a beginner tackling barre chords or an experienced player wanting to refine your rhythm, this lesson will provide valuable insights and techniques to add this popular tune to your repertoire.
Understanding the Structure and Rhythm of Banana Pancakes
Before diving into chords and finger positions, let’s understand the musical DNA of “Banana Pancakes.” The song is set in the key of G and maintains a 4/4 time signature, typically played at a relaxed tempo of 112-120 beats per minute. The song structure is relatively straightforward, making it accessible for learners:
- Introduction: A simple riff based on Am7 and G7 chords, creating a mellow and inviting opening.
- Verse: A repeating four-chord progression (G7, D7, Am7, C7), with each chord held for two beats, forming the song’s melodic backbone.
- Chorus: Musically similar to the introduction, providing a familiar and catchy refrain.
- Bridge: A contrasting section with chords like Am7, D, Bm7, Em, and C, adding harmonic interest and leading back to the verse and chorus.
However, understanding the notes and chord changes is only part of the equation. The most crucial aspect of “Banana Pancakes” is its swing rhythm. This rhythmic feel is what truly brings the song to life and distinguishes it from a simple strum-along.
The Essence of Swing Eighths
Swing rhythm is an aural concept, often challenging to grasp from written notation alone. While sheet music might present the rhythm using regular eighth notes, “Banana Pancakes” employs swing eighths. In straight eighth notes, each beat is divided evenly into two. In swing eighths, the beat is conceptually divided into three parts (like a triplet), but you only play the first and third parts. This creates a slightly uneven, “swung” feel, often described as a long-short pattern.
To truly understand swing rhythm, listening is key. Try comparing straight eighth notes to swing eighth notes to hear the difference. Focus on internalizing the feel rather than just visually analyzing strumming patterns. Think of it as a gentle lilt or groove that adds a relaxed and jazzy touch to the music.
Takedown Notice
Image showing a takedown notice, relevant to the context of online guitar tabs and copyright, emphasizing the importance of learning by ear and understanding rhythm beyond visual tabs.
Mastering Barre Chords for the Introduction and Chorus
Jack Johnson’s signature sound heavily relies on barre chords, and “Banana Pancakes” is no exception. The Introduction and Chorus sections introduce two essential barre chords: Am7 and G7. These are based on the “E shape” barre chord form, making them relatively accessible, especially for those new to barre chords.
- Am7 (E-shaped barre): Think of an Em7 chord (020000) and move that shape up to the 5th fret. Barre across the 5th fret with your index finger, place your ring finger on the 7th fret of the A string, and your middle finger on the 5th fret of the G string (575555).
- G7 (E-shaped barre): Similarly, visualize an E7 chord (020100) and move it up to the 3rd fret. Barre across the 3rd fret, ring finger on the 5th fret of the A string, and middle finger on the 4th fret of the G string (353433).
For both chords, the barre finger is crucial. Ensure a clean barre to avoid buzzing. Initially, focus on clean chord changes between Am7 and G7. Strumming can be simplified by focusing on downstrokes and upstrokes, emphasizing the upstrokes for chord changes in the intro riff.
Introduction Riff and Finger Positioning
The introduction riff in “Banana Pancakes” utilizes slides and chord changes between Am7 and G7. Using barre chords efficiently helps with smooth transitions within the riff. For instance, when sliding from the 5th fret to the 7th fret within the Am7 section of the riff, using your ring finger for the slide keeps your index finger positioned for the barre at the 5th fret. This pre-positioning technique optimizes finger movement and fluidity.
When practicing the introduction, pay close attention to the rhythm. The strumming primarily consists of quarter notes (one strum per beat) and eighth notes (two strums per beat), all played with the swing feel. Downstrokes typically fall on the beat, and upstrokes on the “off-beat” eighth notes, creating the characteristic rhythmic pulse.
Verses: Chord Progression and Open Chord Options
The verses of “Banana Pancakes” follow a repeating four-chord progression: G7, D7, Am7, and C7. Each chord is held for two beats, creating a relaxed and cyclical feel. The strumming pattern in the verses is similar to “Example 3,” focusing on root notes on beats one and three (quarter notes) and down-up strums for the eighth notes on beats two and four, still maintaining the swing rhythm.
A key element in the verse strumming is a muted strum on the upstroke, particularly on the second half of beats two and four. This muted strum often coincides with chord changes, subtly masking the finger adjustments and adding to the rhythmic texture.
For beginners or those seeking an easier approach, “Banana Pancakes” can be played with open chord substitutions for the verse progression. While barre chords provide a richer, jazzier voicing, open chords offer accessibility, especially when singing simultaneously.
- G: Substitute for G7.
- D7: Maintain the D7 voicing (x57575) as it works well in open positions too.
- Am7: Consider an “easy partial barre” Am7, barring only the top four strings at the 5th fret, using the open A string as the root. Or use a standard open Am7 (x02010).
- C7: Use an open position C7 (x32310).
Experiment with both barre and open chord versions to understand the sonic differences and choose what suits your playing style and comfort level.
Choruses, Bridge, and the Bonus Lick
The chorus sections of “Banana Pancakes” are structurally similar to the introduction, starting with Am7 and G7. The first chorus rhythm is primarily eighth notes with the root note played on beats one and three, but the full chords are played on the off-beats (upstrokes). This creates a slightly different rhythmic emphasis compared to the introduction.
Extended choruses and the bridge section utilize a similar rhythmic approach, with chords played on the upstrokes, creating a flowing and melodic texture. The bridge introduces chords like D (A-shaped barre), Bm7, Em, and C, adding harmonic variety. A-shaped barre chords can be challenging; a common technique is to barre the lower strings with the index finger and the higher strings with the ring finger, avoiding strumming the high E string for cleaner voicings.
For the bridge, open chord substitutions work exceptionally well, mirroring Jack Johnson’s own playing style in this section. Open position chords for the bridge can include: D, Em, and C, offering a break from barre chords and maintaining the song’s harmonic essence.
Finally, a signature bonus lick appears in the verses, replacing the C7 chord occasionally. This lick is based around the Am barre chord shape. It involves a slide with the ring finger from the 5th to 7th fret on the A string, followed by picking the D and G strings (where the index finger remains barred at the 5th fret). A hammer-on and pull-off on the D string with the ring finger completes the lick, creating a melodic embellishment within the verse progression. This lick can also be approximated using open position chords by hammering onto the 2nd fret of the D string after striking it open.
Possible open position chord substitutions for bridge
Image visually showing open position chord substitutions for the bridge section of “Banana Pancakes,” aiding guitarists who prefer open chords or want easier alternatives to barre chords.
Bringing It All Together
“Banana Pancakes” is a fantastic song for guitarists of various levels. It offers opportunities to practice barre chords, refine swing rhythm, and explore both barre and open chord voicings. By breaking down the song into sections and focusing on elements like rhythm and chord transitions, you can gradually piece together this beautiful song.
Remember, listening is paramount when learning “Banana Pancakes,” especially for mastering the swing rhythm. Practice chord changes slowly and deliberately, gradually increasing tempo and incorporating the rhythmic nuances. Whether you choose to use barre chords for a fuller sound or open chords for ease of playing, the key is to capture the relaxed and groovy essence of Jack Johnson’s original. Keep practicing, and you’ll soon be enjoying playing “Banana Pancakes” on your guitar!
