Chord progressions form the backbone of any song, setting its rhythm and feel.
Playing this chord may seem simple enough for beginners, but its greater demands require greater finger strength than previously anticipated. To master this chord effectively, move your first finger before any of the others.
1. Your Song (Acoustic)
Elton John and Britney Spears debuted an acoustic rendition of their hit duet “Hold Me Closer” on Friday, featuring Spears’ vocals over John’s piano accompaniment and accompanied by an accompanying music video featuring Olympic Gold Medalist Nathan Chen performing an ice skating routine that Elton choreographed.
This song incorporates some barre chords and requires intermediate level guitar playing skills to perform successfully.
2. Take Me To The Pilot (Acoustic)
Elton John and Bernie Taupin created this gorgeous ballad as an intermediate Grade 6+ guitar duet, perfect for dreamer songs that feature stretchy chord movements.
Three Dog Night initially recorded it for their album It Ain’t Easy; Elton John later released it as his inaugural international Top 10 single and it has become a mainstay of his live shows ever since.
3. The Greatest Discovery (Acoustic)
Elton John has created a remarkable ballad that captures the power of love. Its emotional depth and introspective nature make it one of his enduring masterpieces.
This lesson offers a full song arrangement for acoustic guitar and voice that suits Intermediate Grade 6+ players. The lesson includes two lessons videos, a performance play thru video, as well as all tabs and chords necessary.
4. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (Acoustic)
There comes a time in every artist’s career when their work becomes an iconic standard, defining everything that came before and shaping everything that will follow – for Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road was such an album.
“Dirty Little Girl” utilizes island motifs, featuring an emotional Taupin love-lost lyric coupled with a fiery John melody and supportive backing band. Kesha covered this track on her 2013 album Brave Enough.
5. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me (Acoustic)
Before the success of “Your Song” hit the charts in 1970, Elton John was a struggling singer-songwriter. This single transformed his life and propelled him into becoming one of the most recognized rock icons worldwide.
This song features backing vocals by Carl Wilson and Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys as well as Toni Tennille of Captain & Tennille. Nigel Olsson’s drumming on this track inspired him to write the Guns N’ Roses tracks “November Rain”, “Don’t Cry”, and “Estranged”.
6. Don’t Stop Me Now (Acoustic)
This timeless classic is an emotive ode to an independent woman and another great example of I IV V chord progression. Learn it well and you’ll be able to play many songs!
John and Taupin’s relationship has resulted in songs about both generalities (“Take Me to the Pilot”) as well as deeply personal subjects such as this ballad.
7. I’m Still Standing (Acoustic)
This beautiful song by Elton John and Bernie Taupin is ideal for acoustic guitar players at any intermediate Grade 6+ level. With some tricky chord movements, it provides plenty of challenges on its journey towards perfection.
Elton’s rockiest song to date, this track allows guitarist Davey Johnstone to truly showcase their skills. Taupin provides some of the most heartbreaking lyrics as the narrator accepts their relationship’s inevitable end.
8. Take Me To The Pilot (Acoustic)
Bernie Taupin composed this beautiful ballad which became an international chart-topper and appeared on Elton John’s album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
This song is perfect for intermediate grade 6+ guitarists to practice as it features stretchy jumps and barre chords, along with a free fingerstyle pattern allowing them to personalize it to their style.
9. The Greatest Discovery (Acoustic)
Elton John’s emotive and introspective song The Greatest Discovery strikes a chord with listeners worldwide. It celebrates love and self-discovery while underscoring human connections.
This song employs what I consider to be Elton John’s trademark chord structure; his distinctive hand placement and pedal point harmony contribute greatly to his sound.
10. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me (Acoustic)
“Lovesong” is Elton John’s iconic ballad about lost love and longing to find it again.
Elton often incorporates rhythmic pedal point harmony into his music. One of his standard rhythm styles, it can be found in numerous songs by him.
One of the great aspects of Elton’s chord progression is how he accents each note and chord to make transitions seem natural and fluid.