Take It Easy CORRECT RHYTHM!

Many people hear and play the beginning of "Take It Easy" by the Eagles incorrectly. It's wrong to begin strumming the first chord on the downbeat of measure one because the chord actually falls on the "and" of 4 in the previous pickup measure. From there, all the chord changes fall an eighth note before each measure. As you listen to the original recording, if you hear the first chord falling on beat 1, then the beat gets turned around when the drums enter at measure 9 just before the verse begins. Some music publishers fix this problem by adding an extra eighth note to measure 8 using the 9/8 time signature, but that isn't the right solution. The right way to play it is by beginning an eighth note early. This is how the Eagles recorded it even though you don't hear a count-in on the record. In live versions, however, you can clearly hear them count each other in and all begin on the "and" of beat 4. I explain and demonstrate all of this in this video. How have you been hearing and playing it? Let me know in the comments!
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[@johnzampini6831]

I’ve noticed this for years but was never able to figure out why the beat changed when the drums came in, thank you!!! Great video!

[@8KilgoreTrout4]

This thing is driving me mad. Like why the hellllllll.... Today was literally the day I'm like f this I can't be the only one and now here I am!

[@Precision_Productions]

Since this is a focus on music theory, it should be noted that the practice of preceding a song with notes or words before the very first measure of the song is known as "Anacrusis" (a-nə-ˈkrü-ˌsēz). The most common (and little known) example of Anacrusis being, you guessed it, "Happy Birthday". The 'Happy' precedes the first measure, which actually begins on 'Birthday'. If you count it to 'four' from 'birthday' the 4th beat lands on 'you'. Anacrusis, ladies & gentlemen, and now you know! Great guide! Few teachers discuss such nuances of music, yet they are absolutely crucial to playing in the pocket. Thanks for making & posting it.

[@jtwashere59]

Thank you!!! You've saved me (more) decades of driving myself insane trying to land on on the One....

[@desisernaguitar]

Glad I could help!

[@harrycrowe7557]

I figured this out years ago, but every time I hear the song after not hearing it for a while, I hear it backwards again and have to relearn it in my head. It's something that makes the song interesting.

[@johngrattan302]

Thanks Desi (ultimate teacher), that makes perfect sense! I have always struggled with that strumming in this great song👍

[@desisernaguitar]

You're welcome 😊

[@Max2462]

Awesome! Another song that always tripped me up with this was the intro to Dire Straits - Money For Nothing. I applied this same rhythm "on the and", and it's the same. Thanks Desi!

[@nicholasrichardson2330]

Listening to both versions (right and wrong), the “correct” version is so much more interesting. That push, on the up stroke, makes the song move so much better. THANK YOU!

[@geneweygandt4342]

one of the very vest lessons I've ever found online. thanx, Desi!

[@desisernaguitar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Brent233]

Coming in on the ‘and of 4’ gives the song that driving rhythm and sounds better imo.

[@desisernaguitar]

Yes. We call that a "push" when the chord comes in like that.

[@ianrobinson3038]

That apparent rhythm change had always bothered me. Thank for making sense of it - and for the correct intro chords!

[@desisernaguitar]

Happy to help!

[@MatthewNipper-d7c]

Fantastic job! I'm constantly relearning the rhythm

[@davenorman6717]

Thank you, Desi....have always admired your intelligence and am very appreciative of you sharing that with us.

[@Supertramp_Scott]

I recently completed the Desi Serna essential song pack bundle and was adding this song to my repartee. I watched a video from a Angela Partelli and she did a great job of teaching the song, but she never mentioned the rhythm. She just said that the cord changes for the intro are done with an upstroke. I was having a tough time because something just seemed off. Now after Desi’s video it makes sense and I get it. Thanks again Desi!

[@desisernaguitar]

Glad I could help!

[@darrylkallen]

Took me a bit to unlearn the wrong way, but I got it. Great lesson, thank you!

[@desisernaguitar]

Glad it helped!

[@thirei57]

I always sensed something to be rhythmically 'wrong' in this intro. Thanks to you I now see the light. Thanks ... 🙂

[@desisernaguitar]

Happy to help!

[@vintastico]

Guilty! I have always played on the down beat... not any more...excellent tip! Thank you!

[@keithlaw3357]

Thanks for bringing it up I have never noticed it otherwise

[@desisernaguitar]

Glad to help

[@apguitartv]

Desi! So please I subscribed to your channel and listen to your podcast every day in my car for the past 2 months.... You have just corrected my ears/mind after years of playing and ashamed to say it, teaching, this intro incorrectly! Thank you.

[@desisernaguitar]

I only recently realized I was playing it wrong also.

[@tovarisch2788]

THANK YOU for clearing this up!

[@tarasantagata]

Great video! As soon as you explained this on the up beat, I heard this immediately. Like you, I personally would come in on the 4 and as this just adds a little flavor and push into the bar. In my opinion this sounds better as well.. Such a fun timeless song. Thanks for sharing! I've also noticed this type of push rhythm in the folk genre a bit.

[@desisernaguitar]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@hydroman99]

Great video. I continue to be enlightened by various guitar pro files for many songs. My jam group would always screw up the outro for "take it easy".

[@TheMisterGriswold]

This is so helpful. Have you done the same with James Taylor's "Mexico"? Has always baffled me.

[@midnightrambler4580]

One of my favorite songs man thank you

[@francopiea5582]

Didn't hear it. Didn't know it. Now I do. Very very helpfull. 👍

[@desisernaguitar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@renmad0078]

It's make a very long time i notice this mistake. Thank a lot to explain it very deeply 👍😉

[@desisernaguitar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@R.and.R.]

Great analysis!

[@axslinger99]

Thank you for breaking that down! That intro always sounded off to me but I never took the time to analyze it. I was always thinking, "is Don Henley on drugs or what?" 🤣

[@stevenfry3442]

great info. That has been kicking my butt to the point where i just start after the intro.

[@davidcathers2607]

Nice tutorial!

[@ericoesterle9407]

Thanks Desi. I did not know that and was probably always playing it on the downbeat. Heh, when I learned to play it I was just happy to be able to play the chords cleanly but the C/G and Am/G chords were still a challenge at the time. Now not a problem and can focus more on getting the right rhythym.

[@desisernaguitar]

Glad I could help!

[@anthonycripps1045]

Brilliant explanation, thank you!

[@desisernaguitar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ront8270]

Another great lesson Desi

[@CiscoDuck]

Desi, to quote Ronnie Van Zant, "You got that right... you sure got that right!" I have played this song in cover bands since the early 80's and I always noticed that there was something not quite right whenever I played it with a couple of those groups led by one guy or another who sang it and started it and just didn't do the song right from the get-go. Then I'd play it with one of my old high school pals named Manny who always sang it in his band or he'd come and jump on stage with one of the other bands I was in and he always played the rhythm on his acoustic guitar, starting off with those intro chords and dang if he didn't do it perfect - just like you did on this video and just like the original record! Someone evidently had taught Manny how to syncopate those chord strums on the 'and's' and with an up stroke on each chord change instead of the downstrokes which emphasizes the bass notes of the chord on the wrong place in the beat. Those upstrokes on the 'and' part of the beat make those chords stand out in rhythm and timing and in the tone of the guitar. Somehow, like you said, I'd just play it like everyone else in the band, that's what I instinctively did - I didn't know any better, and I'd just follow whoever was leading the song, but when we did it wrong I always had this cringe on my face. I knew it was wrong and I never stopped to analyze why. It wasn't a song I played every night, but I have always liked it. Recently, I was thinking "how the heck is that song supposed to go?" and I relistened to the song and sought out a few videos - more than half of them play the wrong chords and most do not have these rhythm strum patterns correct either. Thanks for demonstrating the right and the wrong way to do it and for explaining the 'how' and 'why' behind it. It reminded me of how I played it when it was done right by someone like my pal Manny who knew how to lead it with their rhythm guitar and play the correct strums on the intro chords. The main reason I never paid attention to it was because I was always playing lead guitar or playing fake steel parts on my electric guitar. Thanks a lot for ciphering this out in an intelligent, easy to understand manner. Cheers!

[@rocketteeman2708]

I have been to the corner in Winslow Arizona, touched the statue of Glenn Frey, and my brother and I sing the sh*t out of that song...so the intro is quickly forgotten once the vocals begin. No brag, just fact. I will however try to do it with the upstroke. Thank you for the tip!

[@tlb2732]

Play it the way you feel it. Let the Eagles play it like the Eagles. You play it like you feel it. If someone else doesn't like it, it doesn't matter, as long as it brings you musical joy. That's what matters.

[@desisernaguitar]

I hope it doesn't bring you musical joy to be out of time with the rest of the band, lol.

[@tlb2732]

@@desisernaguitar If every band sounded and played like the Eagles, whom I like very much, music would become stale and boring quickly. We're not all supposed to look, sound, and play exactly alike. If you're a cover band, choose songs that move or inspire you. Perform them using the capabilities of your band members in your own unique way. Don't try to replicate every detail of a recorded song. NO ONE can reproduce the Eagles 5 part harmony. Take the song and highlight your own gifts and abilities. Make it your own. Nothing about this approach means you're "playing it wrong". Music is self expression. Its not supposed to be a carbon copy of existing work. Unless you're a tribute band.... do your thing your own way!

[@desisernaguitar]

@@tlb2732 You're missing the point. Being offbeat is like singing off-key. You should be aware of when it's happening and fix it. Even if you decide to play Take It Easy differently than the original recording, don't play offbeat (or sing off-key).

[@tlb2732]

@@desisernaguitar No, I'm not missing the point. I know exactly what and where you are talking about in the song. It's you who is missing the point. Why play an exact replica of every little detail of a recorded song (including the timing of this miniscule part of the song)? Again, in more detail... Every member of ANY band has strengths and weaknesses. Find them and exploit them to the fullest. Use them to SHINE on YOUR rendition of the song. Where you have weaknesses, find or create ways to use your strengths to fill those gaps. Sing your own harmonies within your capabilities. Don't be hell bent on recreating someone else's. Use instruments in place of vocal parts you can't reach. Use vocals in place of sax, organ, violin parts you cant cover. Be creative. Don't get down in the mire and toil till you sweat trying to be exactly like someone else. FIND YOU! BE YOU! CREATE SOMETHING OTHERS WANT TO COVER! Music is for enjoyment. It's not supposed to be drudgery.

[@thirei57]

@@tlb2732 I agree with Desi: You're completely missing the point in your comments. This whole video has nothing to do with strengths and weaknesses. Desi suggests two ways to play the song correctly: one is how The Eagles intended it and one with chords on stroke all the way (which probably would perfectly fullfill your interpretation of the song). To illustrate how to play it completely off-beat he gives the example with the extra 1/8 stroke after the intro which is, in as well his as mine (humble) opinion, terribly incorrect.

[@jxbusic]

That was very interesting. Thanks.

[@davidrebel]

...and now do the same for "Goin' Crazy" by David Lee Roth please - that intro has been having me goin' crazy for decades... 🙈😅

[@nicholasrichardson2330]

Thanks, Desi! Great lesson on this specific song…, and just to be listening more carefully, in general. I’m assuming that this is the same for the Jackson Browne version, who co-wrote the song, and recorded a band and solo version. I’ll have to pull his versions and give them a listen. The timing is more typical of Browne, IMO, than with Frey. Terrific team effort!

[@uberjam-sam8512]

Great lesson! Thank you!

[@desisernaguitar]

Glad it helped!

[@markbrotherson]

guitar engineer. I like that. Going to start using that

[@hydroflores3015]

The correct way is, it starts at up beat....

[@8KilgoreTrout4]

I just needed to come up with the right question to a problem that has been driving me nuts for literally years. Also found out my chords are slightly wrong, but that's a drop in the ocean compared to the trainwreck in my brain for the count

[@matthennagersguitarlessons]

Dude, that was awesome.

[@desisernaguitar]

Glad you liked it!

[@kens2114]

Interesting, yep I’m doing it wrong, thanks Desi, enjoyed the video

[@desisernaguitar]

You’re welcome 😊

[@desisernaguitar]

🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do in order to play guitar better? Visit GuitarMusicTheory.com - answer the questions about your playing and get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level.

[@josephrusso8446]

Good lesson. If you listen to Jackson Browne s version, the upbeat is easier to hear

[@fatttony9156]

Interesting!

[@MichaelMarshall-lt7wh]

Hi Desi , I just watched your video of the Eagles Take it Easy , I have been trying for ages to get my right arm to be more fluid but it seems to have a mind of its own it just wont get into a strumming mode like yours ( i have sprayed my arm with WD 40 LOL) i have been to a couple of guitar tutors but they keep trying to get me to learn loads of new songs i keep telling them i cant strum can we get that sorted out first but it was a wasted time

[@desisernaguitar]

Send me an email and let's talk. www.guitarmusictheory.com/contact/

[@bazbuncher6948]

1 guitar cannot replace 3 properly but a great video,s many thanks

[@zerbinot]

Great!

[@alanattfield7174]

I believe that Jackson Browne gave the eagles this song and the line Winslow Arizona is a true event. Please correct me if I am wrong

[@mason87104]

Been doing wrong any wondeered about the timing disconnect so glad to finally grok whats going on (note the S/W engineering slang "grok" !?)

[@realsamladd]

Thank You! Now I know.

[@desisernaguitar]

Glad it helped!

[@jtwashere59]

Can you help us with the intro to “Alison” by Elvis Costello? I think it might do the same thing….

[@desisernaguitar]

It sounds like that starts on the downbeat of 1. There are four bars before the verse begins.

[@agentling1]

This is all very well, but having gigged this song thousands of times in pubs with various drummers in my duo - it doesn't matter that I know how it goes, but more do THEY know how it goes? It usually ends up being ironed out into 4/4 otherwise you have a car crash situation in the intro. I know the guitar should be on upstrums, but it's honestly easier to feel it as downstrums with the last bar as 9/8. Then it can be as the original or 4/4 in the moment depending on what the drummer does. Obviously, people in the comments will say why don't you rehearse it more? To which every pro musician will reply that's not how we do it - we expect that you turn up to the gig with a good enough knowledge to smash it/get through (at the very least)

[@desisernaguitar]

I think it's far more difficult to expect people to count and feel a measure of 9/8, but if that's what you're used to, I can understand why you find it difficult to change at this point.

[@agentling1]

I don’t expect them to count it in 9/8, I’m saying I play it down strums just in case they play it as 4/4 or properly. I fit to whatever they play, in the moment, usually.

[@hydroflores3015]

I'd rather play it correctly than add note before the drum... tnx for the info....

[@ronniesearcy6602]

I say do it right, it's less confusing

[@desisernaguitar]

I agree. 👍

[@DBusch-ks7jg]

Did the Eagles play this in standard tuning?

[@desisernaguitar]

yes

[@LearningGuitarSecrets]

That must of been difficult to count wrong for the video

[@desisernaguitar]

It was!

[@thomasfoster5200]

I was playing it wrong and as long as a person is a 1 man band you can get away with it. But definitely not with a drummer

[@MJ-we9vu]

That's probably why the Eagles took Don Felder in the band instead of me.

[@kyranmartin6783]

it seems to me-it starts like that deliberately to get the up sound first, don't think technical think how it feels. much ado about absolutely nothing IMO i ain't never had a problem with it...... but then again i'm not so good at the guitar

[@ElvisTranscriber2]

2:37

[@michelraffin7006]

Yes I did it like that ,but thanks anyway

[@anthonyrichardgravallese8489]

First of all, how would you know how I play It?You're three thousand miles away in califony 😂, and yes I noticed the lead comes in on an off beat maybe it's the drummers falt cause it's always the drummers falt but they seem to adjust cause that's show biz. What really gets me is all you " Professionals" don't sing try that.?¿??

[@grovermedway2432]

So …who cares

[@bobbymarino]

i find this is the worst and most awkward song intro ever ! (your tapping your foot to the rhythm, then the drums come in, and it all goes to h*ll) :/ ...im surprised a producer would allow this to be released like this? ...it coulda been so much better, and simplified ! and the crazy chord changing variations in the song, and the chorus variations ??? it's still a pretty good song, but i think this song coulda been so much bigger than it is, had they simplified it some in the ways i mentioned ! ...but good insight and lesson Desi !

[@desisernaguitar]

I love the intro. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯