Lego House by Ed Sheeran

The song "Lego House" by Ed Sheeran is an acoustic-driven masterpiece that beautifully showcases Ed's signature playing style. With heartfelt lyrics and a captivating melody, this song has become a favourite among guitarists, particularly those looking to improve their finger-picking and rhythm skills. Our note-for-note guitar lesson for "Lego House" at Licklibrary.com breaks down the techniques used in this song, making it accessible to players of all levels.

In this lesson, we’ll dive into the specific techniques employed in "Lego House," emphasising how each technique is vital for mastering this track and benefiting your overall guitar playing. The lesson covers everything from finger-picking patterns to capo use and rhythmic strumming, all with detailed explanations and practical applications. Danny Gill breaks down this classic pop track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Finger-Picking Technique

Ed Sheeran’s playing style frequently incorporates intricate finger-picking patterns, and "Lego House" is no exception. This technique involves plucking the strings with your fingers rather than a pick, allowing for greater control and dynamic expression.

Benefit:

Learning finger-picking builds dexterity in your right hand and helps you develop a better sense of rhythm. It’s an essential technique for acoustic players and opens up new ways to approach song arrangements.

Capo Use

One of the defining features of Ed Sheeran's acoustic performances is his use of a capo to change the tonality of the guitar without altering the chord shapes. In "Lego House," Ed uses a capo to achieve a bright, open sound while keeping chord shapes simple.

Benefit:

Using a capo allows you to play in different keys while maintaining familiar chord shapes. This makes it easier to play along with songs that would otherwise require more complex fingerings.

Strumming and Rhythm

The rhythm in "Lego House" relies on a combination of steady strumming and accents that syncopate with the vocal line. In our lesson, we break down the strumming patterns used in the verses and chorus, focusing on maintaining a consistent groove.

Benefit:

Mastering the rhythmic strumming in this song will enhance your timing and ability to lock in with a band or backing track. It also helps improve your sense of syncopation, an important skill for playing alongside vocal melodies.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

Throughout the song, Ed subtly incorporates hammer-ons and pull-offs to embellish the chord progressions. These techniques add melodic interest and make the playing sound more fluid and expressive.

Benefit:

Hammer-ons and pull-offs are crucial for smooth, legato playing. They allow you to create flowing melodies and improve finger strength, especially when transitioning between notes in quick succession.

Chord Progressions and Arpeggios

The chord progressions in "Lego House" are relatively simple, but the way they are played—using arpeggiated chord progressions—creates a unique sound. In our lesson, we break down these progressions and show how arpeggios enhance the song's melodic structure.

Benefit:

Learning to play arpeggios across chord progressions helps develop both your fretting hand accuracy and picking hand timing. It also improves your ability to create texture and variation in your playing.

Guitar Player and Influence

Ed Sheeran is renowned for his stripped-down, intimate performances that rely heavily on acoustic guitar. His use of the loop pedal and percussive guitar techniques in other songs highlights his innovative approach to playing, but in "Lego House," he opts for a more traditional finger-picking style. His influences range from folk legends like Damien Rice to modern pop and hip-hop, making him a unique figure in today’s music scene.

Guitar players who appreciate Ed’s minimalist style will find his techniques accessible yet rewarding to learn, as they focus on rhythm, dynamics, and expressiveness rather than flashy solos. This approach emphasises how effective simple playing can be when executed with precision and emotion.

Guitar Techniques Used in the Lesson

Here’s a comprehensive list of the guitar techniques featured in the "Lego House" lesson:

• Finger-Picking
• Capo
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Arpeggios
• Chord Progressions
• Arpeggiated Chord Progressions

By learning and mastering these techniques, you will not only be able to play "Lego House" accurately but also improve your overall guitar playing skills. Whether you're looking to enhance your finger-picking technique, experiment with using a capo, or refine your rhythmic accuracy, this lesson provides valuable insights into Ed Sheeran’s approach to songwriting and performance.