For guitarists looking to expand their repertoire with songs that are both impressive and accessible, R.E.M.’s “Man on the Moon” stands out. This iconic track is perfect for anyone from beginners playing for friends to musicians performing in coffee houses. Not only does “Man on the Moon” feature a distinctive movable chord and a rhythmic strumming pattern, but it also offers opportunities to explore melody and chord variations that are surprisingly easy to grasp. If you’re ready to dive into learning a song that’s both fun to play and rich in musicality, let’s get started with this guide to mastering “Man On The Moon Song Rem” on your guitar.
Decoding the Mystery Chord: The “Dadd4add2” Demystified
When you first encounter a chord chart for “Man on the Moon,” you might be puzzled by the second chord, often labeled as “Dadd4add2,” “Dsus2sus4,” or even “D11 (no 7).” These names might sound complex, but the chord itself is quite straightforward, especially when viewed from a guitar-centric perspective. Think of it as a movable shape, similar to the versatile chords found in songs like “Horse with No Name.”
The essence of this chord lies in its simple construction. Let’s break it down: Start by playing a standard open C chord. Your ring finger should be on the 3rd fret of the A string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D string, and index finger on the 1st fret of the B string. Once you have this C chord shape, the magic happens: simply slide this entire shape up two frets on the guitar neck.
Man on the Moon Dadd2add4 chord
Congratulations! You’ve just formed the chord commonly known as “Dadd2add4.” It’s that simple. This chord is essentially a D chord with added 2nd and 4th intervals, giving it a unique and slightly jazzy flavor that fits perfectly within the song.
For those seeking a slightly different voicing, consider this alternative fingering. Begin with a C chord, but this time, use your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the A string instead of your ring finger. Then, place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the low E (sixth) string. This configuration creates a “C/G” chord – a C chord with a G note in the bass. Now, to get a variation of our “Dadd2add4,” slide all four fingers up two frets, maintaining the same shape.
Man on the Moon C and Dadd2add4 chords
For the purpose of this lesson and to keep things simple, we’ll refer to this “Dadd2add4” chord simply as “D!” This will make following along much easier. With that clarified, here’s a basic chord chart for “Man on the Moon” to guide you:
Man on the Moon chords and lyrics
Mastering the Strumming and Verses
As you can see from the chord chart, “Man on the Moon” is built upon a relatively straightforward chord progression, especially now that we’ve demystified the “D!” chord. The song’s rhythm is driven by a steady strumming pattern that’s easy to learn and adapt. Here’s a suggested strumming pattern to get you started:
Man on the Moon suggested strumming
While the basic chord progression and strumming are simple, the beauty of “Man on the Moon” lies in the subtle variations and embellishments you can add to elevate your performance. Let’s explore some of these techniques, starting with the verse strumming.
Man on the Moon verse strumming
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In this example, a very subtle yet effective touch is introduced. On the fourth beat of the third measure (during the third “yeah” of “yeah yeah yeah yeah”), lift your middle finger off the D string. This simple lift transforms the C chord into a “Cadd9” (sometimes also called “Cadd2” or “C2”). Think of this as a way to add interest during a sustained C chord, keeping the listener engaged without overcomplicating the harmony. It’s a fantastic example of how small changes can create significant musical texture.
The verses of “Man on the Moon” largely revolve around this repeating chord sequence. To mirror Michael Stipe’s vocal variations across the verses, we can introduce further strumming variations. Consider this approach for adding more dynamic interest:
Man on the Moon verse strumming variation
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Here, we utilize a different voicing of the open C chord by adding our pinky to the 3rd fret of the high E string. This accentuates the G note on the higher register, creating a brighter tone. Following this, we transition to a standard open D chord in the second measure. Because we’ve primarily used the “D!” chord up to this point, the regular D sounds fresh and distinct, adding contrast and preventing monotony.
In the third measure, we revert to the regular C chord, but even this is tweaked by incorporating a “Cadd4” on the final beat. To achieve this, simply add your pinky finger to the 3rd fret of the D string. For an even richer sound, try this variation:
Man on the Moon Cadd4 variation
This voicing, which could technically be labeled “Cadd4add6” or even Fmaj7, adds a sophisticated harmonic color. The point is to explore these subtle chord variations to keep your performance dynamic and engaging, moving beyond basic chord shapes to find richer textures within the song.
Building Anticipation: Melody Lines and the Pre-Chorus
The pre-chorus of “Man on the Moon,” starting with the line “Andy did you hear about this one…,” offers an opportunity to integrate melody into your guitar playing. This section naturally calls for harmonic richness, but in a solo performance, you can reinforce the melody directly on the guitar.
Man on the Moon pre-chorus
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In this arrangement, notice how the melody line is emphasized. On the initial Am chord of the pre-chorus, the strumming is intentionally limited to the B string, where the first fret C note resides. This highlights the melody note right from the start. Subsequently, the melody line is further articulated on the B and G strings throughout this section.
This technique, reminiscent of melody-focused strumming in songs like “Silent Night,” requires a deliberate strumming approach rather than simply strumming all strings. It’s about careful control and highlighting specific notes within the chord shapes to carry the melody. Practice slowly to get the fingerings and note accuracy down before increasing speed.
Timing in the pre-chorus also plays a crucial role. The first and third lines are held slightly longer than expected, while the second line concludes a bit earlier. These rhythmic nuances are forms of anticipation, creating a subtle push and pull that adds to the song’s emotional depth.
Another subtle touch is the addition of a C note in the second measure of the first and third lines, effectively creating a “Gsus4” chord. Similarly, the quick G note (3rd fret, high E string) on the D chord in the last measure can be interpreted as a Dsus4. These small chordal adjustments enhance the strumming and provide harmonic interest without drastically altering the fundamental chords.
The “Quick Change” Chorus and The Interlude
The chorus of “Man on the Moon” introduces the fastest chord changes in the song, occurring every two beats. However, there’s a guitar-friendly technique to navigate these changes smoothly.
Man on the Moon chorus
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Looking at the tablature, especially the first two measures, the chord changes might seem rapid and complex. The trick is to play each chord twice – a downstroke on the first beat and another on the second. On the upstroke of the second beat, briefly lift your fingers off the strings, allowing open strings to ring out as you transition to the next chord for the subsequent downstroke.
This technique simplifies the quick chord changes, especially for beginners. It works particularly well in the key of G because the open B, G, and D strings naturally create a G chord, harmonizing with the progression. This approach, utilizing open strings during chord transitions, is a common technique used by artists like Jack Johnson across various keys and songs.
In the second measure of the second line, a “Dsus4” chord is subtly inserted before the fourth beat. Furthermore, the second measure of the third line features a descending walking bass line from C to C/B to Am, reminiscent of bass line techniques found in songs like “As Tears Go By.”
The Am chord initiating the fourth line also presents an opportunity to “follow the melody.” Starting the Am chord on the third beat, momentarily lift your index finger and then hammer it back onto the first fret, moving from the open B string to the C melody note. From there, maintain the Am chord shape and open the G string at the appropriate time, continuing to weave the melody into your chord work.
“Man on the Moon” also features interludes – instrumental breaks between the second and third choruses, and again between the third chorus and the song’s outro. These sections, where the slide guitar solo is prominent in the original recording, can be adapted for solo guitar using chordal variations.
Man on the Moon interlude
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During the interlude, we introduce an Em7 chord by adding a D note to the Em, and a Dadd9 (or Dsus2) by incorporating the open high E string with the D chord. The strumming pattern is also slightly altered between these chords, with chord changes occurring on different beats within their respective measures, adding rhythmic interest.
For the extended D chord measure in the interlude, a different voicing is used for contrast. The suggested fingering involves using your index finger on the high E string, pinky on the B string, and ring finger on the G string. To facilitate smoother transitions, consider briefly strumming open strings on the final beat of the D chord to give yourself time to reposition your hand up the neck.
To hear all these sections played together, listen to the full arrangement:
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Learning “Man on the Moon” on guitar involves mastering a few key techniques and chord variations. With practice and patience, you’ll be able to play this classic song and impress your audience, whether you’re performing for friends or on stage. This song also provides a solid foundation for exploring more complex guitar arrangements and ensemble playing in the future.
Liner Notes: The Story Behind “Man on the Moon”
R.E.M.’s 1992 hit, “Man on the Moon,” is a tribute to the enigmatic entertainer Andy Kaufman. The song’s chorus alludes to the conspiracy theory surrounding Kaufman’s death at age 35, suggesting he may have faked his demise as an elaborate prank. The song’s popularity further cemented Kaufman’s legendary status and even inspired the 1999 biopic of the same name starring Jim Carrey, demonstrating the lasting cultural impact of both Kaufman and this memorable R.E.M. track.
