This classic rock tune is built around one simple riff and only requires five chords to play! Perfect for beginning guitar players wanting to try something memorable!
This acoustic track provides beginner guitarists with a good challenge, helping to develop rhythm skills. Although the initial lick may prove challenging at first, with practice it should become second nature quickly.
1. C Major
C Major is an easy and basic chord to learn for guitarists starting out. Part of the major scale, it can be played in many positions across its scale.
You will recognize this chord from many popular musical forms, from classic rock of Huey Lewis and the News to new wave synth pop such as One Love by Bob Marley and the Wallers; even in Beatles tracks like Let Her Go you may hear its signature sound.
Use this chord to achieve different tones, from soft and folky to bright and energetic. Pair it with other chords such as G Major and C Maj7 to add variety to your accompaniment, or play it without using a capo.
2. G Major
G Major is a favorite key signature among guitarists and is widely recognized for being accessible and user-friendly. This particular key signature only contains one sharp note, making it easier for beginners to recognize on the fretboard and playing this key signature easier. Furthermore, this key signature can be found across genres including rock, country and classical music songs.
Passenger’s folk rock acoustic song Let Her Go is a stunningly emotive piece about overcoming regret. Beginning with a fingerstyle guitar intro that may prove challenging for beginners, but can easily be learned four notes at a time.
Once the song moves from its introduction into its chorus, fingerpicking is replaced by strumming chords, using chord progressions similar to those found in its introduction, yet transposed into another key.
3. F Major
F Major is one of the easiest chords to learn, since it contains no sharps or flats. Furthermore, its key makes playing open chords simpler for beginners.
This song uses a borrowed IV chord to build anticipation leading up to the final chord and add depth and emotion to its soundscape.
Passenger’s vocals in this song are melancholy yet lacy, perfectly complementing its folk-like tune about facing regret. This acoustic fingerstyle arrangement makes an excellent way to serenade that special someone or perform at campfire gatherings; its light sound comes from being strung rather than picked; you could also add a capo on the seventh fret and transpose up to G major with ease!
4. A Major
“Let Her Go”, one of Passenger’s most beloved songs, offers beginners an ideal way to start playing guitar. Featuring a straightforward chord progression and capo on the seventh fret that makes playing easier, “Let Her Go” also includes bar chords that may prove challenging due to strength and dexterity requirements.
Passenger’s recording makes use of a capo at the seventh fret for added impact; or you could play it without using one in key of G. Experimenting with different keys will give a variety of sounds and make finger-picking this song more comfortable for you, while learning chords across multiple keys will enhance your understanding of scales.
5. C Minor
C Minor is an emotionally charged key that works well when used to create drama, yet can also serve as an excellent accompaniment for more mellow musical styles such as folk or jazz.
Passenger’s Let Her Go offers an excellent example. When playing its verse, fingerstyle chords are used. However, once chorus comes around and strumming begins on them instead.
An I-VI-MA-IV progression can be an excellent way to create tension when played fast. Another variation on this type of progression involves suspending chords (sus 2). These have less pressure to resolve than their sus 4 counterparts and can help create musical uncertainty.