Jul/13/10
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Radiohead/Amanda Palmer – Fake Plastic Trees (Chords)

Amanda Palmer/Radiohead – Fake Plastic Trees (Chords)

Amanda Palmer’s much anticipated Radiohead-ukulele EP is out next week. So time for this one, I think.

It’s frustrating listening to Amanda Palmer’s music. She can be ball-crushingly awesome at times and bloody shit at other times. Often within the same song. Which is how I feel about this project. I certainly can’t say I like all I’ve heard.

But there are parts of this version I really like (and some I don’t) – she’s at least using the Pono rather than that nasty, red Hilo that she spends forever tuning without ever getting there. So I’ve written up this version of the chords.

Suggested Strumming

The main strumming pattern is more nifty than most. A bit too complex for usual notation so I’ll break out the slash notation and see if anyone understands it (hint: the strumming directions are at the bottom).

Here it is played slowly:


Strum 1

You can use the same strum for the G/Gadd11 and C/C6 changes like this:


Strum 2

But she tends to add in an extra bit of strumming:


Strum 3

Buy Amanda Palmer stuff on Bandcamp

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19 Comments

  1. elle July 13th, 2010 8:58 pm

    I LOVE this song. Getting these chords made my day! Thanks Al.

    xx

  2. Acinoreve July 14th, 2010 2:05 am

    This has little to do with this post or Amanda Palmer or Radiohead.

    I just wanted to say thank you for being so awesome. There’s something mind blowing about the fact that some guy from somewhere in the UK taught me, more than halfway across the world, how to play the ukulele which I adore. So, once again, thank you.

  3. Ron Hale July 14th, 2010 8:41 am

    I’m sure you’ve seen it, Al, but anyone who hasn’t
    might look up the video of AP being filmed inside a bathtub for the Radiohead ukulele video.

  4. alec July 14th, 2010 3:38 pm

    Awesome seconded.

    What’s with those eyebrows? is that a costume or something. Yikes.

  5. alec July 14th, 2010 3:41 pm

    Al, do you (or anyone else) remember a video you posted of a young woman playing a slow, kinda haunting song called ‘drip drop’ or something? I wish I could give more info. Maybe she had a harmonica too?

  6. Shaun July 14th, 2010 4:59 pm

    I love that you are brutally honest Al! I wasn’t a fan myself.

  7. cardboardfrog July 14th, 2010 5:46 pm

    i’m a big fan of the dresden dolls and love amanda palmer. That being said every time she picks up a ukulele she seems to manage to make it sound horrible and her timing is often wanting.
    i don’t think i’ll be buying the radiohead EP, but good work on the chords, i love the original.

  8. Ian Emmerson July 14th, 2010 8:45 pm

    I fear I will never get Amanda Palmer. I’ve tried several times, but she just seems really crap to me, albeit crap with stockingtops (but at my age, that ain’t enough). Yet to see anything that even reached the dizzy heights of mediocrity, never mind the supposed brilliance so many report. I wish someone could explain what I’m missing (unless I’m supposed to believe all the posturing and theatrical croaking as something authentic and soulful).

  9. Vatsal July 15th, 2010 11:32 pm

    I love radiohead and I love this song. If you could, I would really love more ukulele radiohead stuff, or if you know anywhere where I could find more. And I second Acinoreve’s comment

  10. Woodshed July 17th, 2010 4:53 pm

    Elle: You’re welcome.

    Acinoreve: Thanks so much. You’re very kind.

    Ron: Is this the one you mean? Hadn’t seen that one.

    alec: I think you’re talking about Brianna Price. Wish she’d do more videos.

    Shaun: I thought I was being fairly non-brutal. For me.

    cbf: I’d agree. I can’t understand it really. She’s obviously musically savvy.

    Ian: Posturing and theatrical croaking (and stocking-tops) have their appeal.

    Vatsal: It’s fairly easy to find chords for Radiohead songs on the net.

  11. alec July 19th, 2010 2:18 pm

    Thanks, I’d found it when I figured out I could just search ‘drip drop’ here at ukehunt, instead of youtube. Stupid, stupid. I second the more please. That song is great.

  12. Woodshed July 19th, 2010 7:04 pm

    alec: She is great. I think she’s the only person who has appeared on UkeTube doing a Beatles cover.

  13. Jess August 26th, 2010 9:25 pm

    Can you please post the chords/tabs for “Idioteque”? The only ones I can find are for guitar, there’s nothing for ukulele.
    Also: I like Amanda Palmer, not so much for her singing skills (I will admit, at first I thought she was terrible), but if nothing else, her lyrics and sound (tune-wise) are why I listen to her. Her lyrics are amazing, I love ’em.

  14. Woodshed August 27th, 2010 1:10 pm

    Jess: What’s wrong with the guitar chords? They should work on uke too.

  15. sleepbox September 29th, 2010 8:06 am

    I’d love to know what Amanda Palmer hears when she sings and plays….not what I’m hearing obviously. This fellow plays a much more pleasing version and makes me more than slightly jealous.

  16. sleepbox September 29th, 2010 8:07 am

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAhiB83ptRo
    As usual, I forgot the link.

  17. Woodshed October 2nd, 2010 10:42 pm

    sleepbox: Thanks for the link. He does do a good job of it.

  18. rajeev November 17th, 2010 6:34 am

    i would be really excited to see an idioteque tab. or kid a.
    i love this site. i bought my first uke this week. loving it.

  19. Andrea Ives January 2nd, 2011 7:25 pm

    Woodshed,

    I am so GRATEFUL to you! I just got a ukelele a month ago and it has been the best month EVER thanks to you. This website is treasure trove and has made my ukelele playing endlessly fun. It is full of inspiration for me. You are the shit! Keep it up!

    Andrea

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