As the famous Miley Cyrus song goes, “It’s a Party in the USA!” And what better way to celebrate than by learning to play the iconic guitar riff from the chorus on your own?
If you’re looking for an easy-to-follow guide on how to play “Party in the USA” on guitar, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll break down the main riff and offer some helpful tips on how to make it sound its best.
First, let’s talk about the chords you’ll need to know. The main riff is built around three chords: G, D, and Cadd9.
To play G, put your third finger on the third fret of the sixth string, your second finger on the second fret of the fifth string, and your fourth (pinky) finger on the third fret of the first string. Strum all six strings.
For D, put your first finger on the second fret of the third string, your third finger on the third fret of the second string, and your second finger on the second fret of the first string. Again, strum all six strings.
Cadd9 is a bit trickier, but it’s an essential part of the riff. Put your first finger on the first fret of the second string, your second finger on the third fret of the fifth string, and your third finger on the third fret of the fourth string. Strum only the top five strings.
Now that you’ve got the chords down, let’s take a look at the riff itself. It goes like this:
G – D – Cadd9 – G
You’ll want to play the G chord for one measure (four beats), then switch to D for one measure. Next, play the Cadd9 chord for one measure and land back on G for one more measure. Repeat this pattern throughout the song.
To really make the riff pop, try using a combination of downstrokes and upstrokes. For example, you could play the G chord with a downstroke, then the D chord with an upstroke, the Cadd9 chord with a downstroke, and the final G chord with an upstroke.
One thing to keep in mind: be sure to mute the strings in between each chord change to avoid any unwanted notes ringing out. You can do this by lifting your fretting hand slightly off the strings and lightly touching them with your palm.
With a little practice, you’ll have the “Party in the USA” riff down pat in no time. And who knows? Maybe you’ll be inspired to start strumming and singing along to the entire song. After all, what’s a party without a little music?