Ivy frequently has stunning rhythm guitar parts–a little bit of extra texture, a little melody. Two examples: “Blame In On Yourself” from Long Distance, and Apartment Life’s “Quick, Painless, and Easy” The latter I’ve been casually wondering how to play for some time so I finally sat down and figure it out.

Ivy “Quick, Painless, and Easy” (rhythm guitar)

First, raise the B string to C so C and E can ring open together (it’s possible with standard tuning but the E+ is a pain to get your fingers in and out of). Everywhere but the chorus the A string quiet drones. The named chord is the effective harmony with the electric bass in the recording (how you might play it on piano, etc.)

Tuning = E-A-D-G-C-E (raise B to C)

Intro/Verse
  Amaj7      x-0-6-6-4-0
  Cmaj7/G    x-0-5-4-0-0
  Fmaj7      x-0-3-2-0-0
  E+         x-0-2-1-0-0
  Am7        x-0-7-5-7-0
  Cmaj7/G    x-0-5-4-0-0
  Fmaj7      x-0-3-2-0-0
  Cmaj7/G    x-0-5-4-0-0

Pre-chorus (twice)
  Amaj7      x-0-6-6-4-0
  Cmaj7/G    x-0-5-4-0-0
  D6add9/F#  x-0-4-4-2-0
  Fmaj7      x-0-3-2-0-0

Chorus
  C          3-3-2-0-0-0
  D          x-0-0-2-2-2
  C          3-3-2-0-0-0
  D          x-0-0-2-2-2
  C          3-3-2-0-0-0
  D          x-0-0-2-2-2
  Fmaj7      1-3-3-2-0-0
  G6add4     3-5-5-4-0-0