Esus4 and the Bo Diddly Rhythm
Course: Minor Chords & Syncopated Rhythms
In this video
Here's a quick song tutorial that uses the Esus4 chord in a simple progression - Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve.
This progression repeats for the entire song and is how Richard Ashcroft plays this song live on acoustic!
Bo Diddley Rhythm
Covering Esus4 is a great excuse to cover the really fun ‘Bo Diddley’ rhythm, so called because its distinctive grove is found in the song of the same name. Its also found in Bo Diddley's song Mona and Not Fade Away by Buddy Holly (covered brilliantly by The Rolling Stones). YOU can play these songs with this rhythm and the E and Esus4 chords!
The pattern written above looks far more complex than it is to actually play, so please listen to these songs to simply copy how it sounds - try to feel the rhythm without thinking about it too much!
To help further: It’s also really similar to Faith by George Michael, and to a lesser extent Movin’ On Up by Primal Scream.
Course Outline
Minor Chords & Syncopated Rhythms