Norwegian Wood is an ideal song to learn how to play with a capo, using simple chords and an interesting 6/8 time signature strumming pattern that requires you to emphasize each strum on every beat.
This song appeared on the American version of the Beatles’ ‘Rubber Soul’ album and also became available as part of a playtapes portable tape cartridge format.
The F chord
The F chord is known to be one of the more challenging guitar chords to learn and perform. To successfully bar all six strings with your index finger requires significant hand strength and coordination; therefore, electric guitar may provide greater wrist relief due to lower string tension.
Make the full F chord more manageable by leaving out the low E string, though still using your index finger to cover all five strings with ease. Your hands won’t feel as strenuous.
If you’re ready to try something else with F chords, try the easy version shown here. It doesn’t require barring and can provide an alternative option for beginners who may not yet be ready to tackle fully barred F chords. Plus, its summer-esque sound adds depth to any music.
The G chord
G chord is one of the first chords most beginners learn, as its simplicity and versatility makes it ideal for beginning guitarists to start practicing hammer-ons and pull-offs to improve technique.
There are various methods of playing the G chord, but for beginners the three finger version may be most popular. This requires barring all six strings excluding the low E string with your index, middle, and ring fingers.
To increase the difficulty, try switching out four fingers for three. This version allows the B and high E strings to ring open freely, which gives your chord a fuller sound and adds jazz flair to your music.
Another variation on the G chord is to combine it as a slash chord with C chord. This style works particularly well when performing melodic songs, such as Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide.” With this type of voicing it is easy to switch back and forth between both chords without much change in tone or texture.
The Am chord
The A minor guitar chord is a versatile acoustic guitar chord used in numerous music genres. Beginner guitarists will find this chord to be easy to learn as it offers multiple variations and finger positions across its neck.
An A minor chord when played in its open position consists of three notes – A is its root note; C represents minor third (one step lower from A); and E represents perfect fifth (a step up). Due to its dark tones, an A minor chord is frequently used for slow or mellow songs.
To play an open A minor chord, place your index finger on the first fret of the B string and your middle finger on the second fret of G string; then strumming all strings except thickest A string. A minor is unique as its only natural minor key – which means no accidentals (sharps or flats) like its related major key C.
The C chord
C chords are one of the first basic open chord shapes most beginners learn. Their easy playing enables beginners to experiment with various variations that will reduce finger movement when performing songs that feature numerous G chords (for instance).
Cadd9 chords have long been used in pop music, particularly to add melancholy tones such as Fleetwood Mac’s Landslide. Furthermore, when following G chords with C chords in songs or instrumental pieces, playing Cadd9 instead can help make transition smoother by decreasing distance between roots by two semitones.
To play a C chord, place your index finger on the second string in its sixth position (the one nearest the tuning peg). Use your thumb to press on strings above it while using your index finger on three thin strings – strumming these will produce an audible and recognisable C chord sound.