If you want to learn how to play wipe Out on guitar. Then you have come to the right place. This is a complete guitar lesson with step by step instruction. That will have you playing Wipe Out by The Surfaris ASAP.
What is included in How to Play Wipe Out on Guitar? How to Play Wipe Out on guitar by The Surfaris includes a guitar tutorial. With step by step “How to” Play Wipe Out Song. Video guitar lesson from YourGuitarGuide and Wipe Out Guitar Tab PDF. With the Wipe Out Chords you will definitely learn to play Wipe Out.
Like I said I want to show you how to play Wipeout on guitar. The easiest way possible. So I have broke everything down for you. To make it as easy as possible. So if your ready to learn wipeout then grab your guitar and lets get started.
Lick #1 How to Play Wipe Out on guitar
Let me start at the beginning. To make playing Wipe Out as easy as possible. We will start with 4 licks and 3 chords. I will show you each lick. Then I would recommend breaking things down into bite size pieces.
Maybe learn lick one and once you have perfected that go to lick #2. Then learn the rest of the licks in the same way. You will find that breaking things down will make things a lot easier to learn.
First we are going to start on the D string at the fourth fret. Which is the fourth string. This is the fourth string counting from the thinnest string up. Just so we are on the same page.
If you are looking down at the neck of your guitar. When it is on your lap as if you were holding it to play. The thin string at the bottom is actually string 1. Then they go up to the thickest string. In order from the bottom is. 1 2 3 4 5 6. The thickest string is number 6.
Also from the 6th string down the names of the strings are E A D G B e. So now when I talk about the strings and frets we will be on the same page. Now where was I? Yes, Start on the D string at the fourth fret. You want to use your third finger there and pick that string.
Next using your first finger, place it on the second fret of the G string. The third string. And pick the note on the second fret. Take your second finger and place it on the third fret of the G string and pick it. Using your third finger again. Place it on the fourth fret of the G string. Pick that note on the G string 3 times.
Then use your first finger again on the second fret of the third string. And then end the lick back at the 4th fret of the D string.
Wipe Out Guitar Tab PDF
This lick is repeated 4 times. Then the song goes to lick number two. Here are a Couple of Tips to get you playing this instrumental as fast as possible. The first tip would be to print out the Wipe Out guitar tab PDF. This way you can see exactly what notes to play and when to play them.
If you need help knowing how to read Tab. Then take a look at this helpful guide What is Guitar Tab.
The Second Tip is to watch the video Tutorial from the YourGuitarGuide YouTube Channel.
Wipe out Guitar Lesson Lick #2
Start the second lick on the G string. The 3rd string from the bottom. On the fourth fret. You are going to want to start this lick with your second finger. Pick that note, and then use your first finger on the second string. Placing your first finger on the third fret. Picking that note on the third fret. Then use your second finger pick the second string, fourth fret. ending the three note run on the fifth fret of the second string.
Now you want to pick the fourth fret of the second string three times. After that place your first finger back on the third fret second string. Play that note, and at the end of the lick play that fourth fret of the third string.
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You play the second lick through two times. Then you go back to the first lick. When you are back on the first lick you play that two times. After that we are going to play lick number 3. So once you have practice lick one and two and your ready. Lets learn lick number three.
Another helpful tip when you are learning a new song is to listen to the original song. So you can hear the beat of the song. The origional song Wipe Out is played at a really fast tempo. But the good thing about music is that you can learn the Wipe Out Song, and play it at your tempo.
Lick #3 for the Wipe Out Song
Lick Number three starts on the sixth fret. Use your second finger to cover the G string at the sixth fret. Pick that note on the G string. Then like lick number two pick the notes on frets five, six, and seven of the B string. Using fingers one two and three. In the same way as lick number two. Pick the seventh fret of the second string three times.
Next play the note on the fifth fret of the B string again. The second string. Covering the sixth fret of the G string with your second finger. Pick the note at the sixth fret. Ending the lick back on the seventh fret of the B string. Pick it one time.
Like I said this is a really fast guitar instrumental. You might start out picking down. But after you get the hang of the licks. Try alternate picking the strings. When you do that it allows you to play faster. But first start off slow learn how to play it that’s the first thing. Then you can work on the speed. That will come with practice.
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Lick #4 of the Wipe Out Guitar Tutorial
You simply move up to the fifth fret of the second string with your third finger. This is where the fourth lick starts. Pick the the B string 3 times. Then cover the third fret of the second string, and pick the B string again. Covering the fourth fret of the G string. Pick the G string. End the lick on the fifth fret of the second string, picking it one time.
After you play the fourth lick. Then the song goes back to lick number one. But this time lick number one ends a little different. So we are still starting on the fourth string at the second fret. Covering the fret with your third finger. Picking the fourth string. Next cover the second fret of the third string, and play the G string.
Like the first lick. Cover the third fret, pick the G string. Then cover the fourth fret and pick the G string three times. Place your first finger over the second fret of the third string, and play the string. Place your third finger back on the fourth fret of the D string. Play the D string and then use your third finger to play the fourth fret of the G string.
This might seem a little tricky as. It happens really fast. What you need to do is mash your third finger over the G string at the fourth fret.
What I mean is, usually when you play guitar you are playing on the tips of your fingers. But to play this end note. Flatten your third finger so that you cover the D string and G string. Then there are some chords that are played in between the drums.
How to Play Wipe Out On Guitar-Chords
First let me show you what chords we are going to use. And then I will explain when the chords are played and the chord progression.
The chords that we are going to learn are the F# B E. Look at the three chord diagrams showing how to play the chords. Take a look at this quick lesson if you need to know how to read a chord diagram.
F# Pronounced as F Sharp is shown in the diagram below:
- Place your first finger across the strings at the second fret.
- Your second finger is on the third fret of the third string.
- Third finger is on the fourth fret of the fifth string.
- Pinkie is on the fourth fret of the fourth string.
- Strum all the strings when playing the F# chord.
Don’t run from bar chords. I remember how difficult it was when I first started playing bar chords. This is a struggle that all guitar player go through. But I have some tips that will make playing them easier. Click the link To learn how to play bar chords.
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Look below at the B Major chord.
- Place your first finger at the second fret of the fifth string.
- Use your third finger and bar across strings 4, 3, & 2, on the fourth fret.
- When playing the B chord don’t Play the 6th string.
The next chord diagram below is for the E Major Chord.
- Place your first finger on the first fret of the third string.
- Put your second finger is on the second fret of the fifth string.
- Your third finger is on the second fret of the fourth string.
- You can strum all the strings when playing the E chord.
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Chord Progression for Wipe Out
Now that you know what chords to use. Lets dive into when to play them. As you know there is a lot of drumming in the song. And during the “drum roll”, there are some chords that are played.
When you play lick number one for the last time. Then you play the F# chord. You are going to strum it up and down 4 times. Then you play the B chord. When you play the B chord. What you want to do is simply just strum down one time on the B chord. You want to choke the sound of the chord or mute the strings.
Use the picking hand to mute the strings. By placing the fleshy part of your hand lightly against the strings. Close to the bridge of the guitar. This is one technique that every guitar player needs to know. Here is a list of 10 things every beginner guitar player needs to know.
After you play the B chord You are going to play the E chord. Again just strum down one time and mute the strings. Next chord is the B chord. Strum down and mute the strings.
Then you play three chords one after another. The F# strum down one time. Play the E chord strumming down one time. Again mute the strings. And then play the B Major chord again.
The song goes back to lick one and you play the licks as previously discussed.
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Timing of Wipe Out Chords
We have Learned the Licks and chords. But to really know when to play the chords. You need to know the timing. First of all the song is played in 4/4 Time. Which means we are counting to 4 each time.
You are playing the F# and then the B chord. You are going to count to 8 and then you play the B chord again. Remember there are drums being played. That’s it! So you need to count to keep time. But really if you start counting when your playing it makes it so much easier.
Really When you strum the chord that is one. Then you count 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. The next chord is E. That’s one and count to 8. Back to strumming down one time on the B chord. Don’t forget to mute the strings.
We then play the F#, but now instead of counting to 8, you are going to count to 4. F# is one, and count 2, 3, 4. Play the E and count to 4. Finally play the B, and this time count to 8. This is when lick number one starts again.
Related Questions
Wipe Out The Surfaris
The Wipe Out song was made popular in 1963 By a group named the Surfaris. This Surf Rock is an instrumental and a 12 bar blues. The term “Wipe Out” refers to a fall from a surfboard. Wipe Out was Based on the Song By Preston Epps another instrumental called Bongo Rock from 1959.
The scream that is heard at the beginning of the record was from the Surfaris manager. The song Wipe Out stayed at the top of the charts in 1963. The song stayed for 4 months at number two, but never made it to number 1. Source
The Surfaris Original Wipe Out Band
The Surfaris a Surf Rock Band formed in Glendora Calafornia in 1962. They were most known for two songs that hit the charts. But the most famous was the song about falling off a surf board. Made famous by the Surfaris in 1963. An instrumental called Wipe Out.
Members of the Band:
- Bob Berryhill – Founding member of the Surfaris and Guitar Player source
- Jim Fuller – Lead Guitarist
- Ken Forssi – Musician Bassist
- Jim Pash – Saxophone Player
- Ron Wilson – Drummer