Fleetwood Mac’s iconic track “The Chain” is instantly recognizable, especially its powerful instrumental intro. If you’ve been wanting to learn how to play this classic riff on guitar, you’ve come to the right place. This lesson will guide you through playing the intro and outro of “The Chain” using double-drop D tuning, a tuning that opens up a unique sonic landscape on your guitar. Inspired by insightful analyses like Polyphonic’s video on “The Chain”, we’ll break down the essential parts step-by-step. Let’s dive into the world of double-drop D and unlock the secrets of “The Chain” guitar tab.
instructional PDF 2 pages
Getting Started: Double-Drop D Tuning for “The Chain”
The first crucial step to playing “The Chain” is getting your guitar into double-drop D tuning. If you’re used to standard tuning, this might be a new sonic territory. Double-drop D tuning involves tuning both your high and low E strings down a whole step to D.
Standard tuning = E A D G B E
Double Drop D tuning = D A D G B DTo ensure you’re correctly tuned, strum a D-major chord in double-drop D. With three of your strings tuned to D, it should resonate with a rich, full sound.
D ––0––
B ––3––
G ––2––
D ––0––
A ––0––
D ––0––This tuning creates a deep, resonant foundation perfect for the driving rhythm of “The Chain”.
Optional Capo for Authentic “The Chain” Sound
To perfectly match Fleetwood Mac’s original recording of “The Chain”, you can use a capo on the 2nd fret. While this lesson and the accompanying video demonstration are shown without a capo for simplicity, adding a capo at the 2nd fret will bring the key and feel closer to the recorded version. Whether you use a capo or not, the core techniques and “The Chain Guitar Tab” remain the same.
Essential Chord Shapes for “The Chain” Intro Riff
Before tackling the full intro riff of “The Chain”, familiarize yourself with these foundational chord shapes in double-drop D. These shapes are simplified representations that focus on the essential notes of the riff. The second shape requires a slight pinky extension, which is key for smooth transitions within the riff.
D ––2––This simplified notation represents the core melodic movement you’ll be playing on the higher strings while the open D strings provide the bass foundation.
Decoding “The Chain” Intro Riff: Phrase by Phrase
The intro of “The Chain” is built from three core phrases. Learning these phrases individually, and then combining them, is the most effective way to master the riff. Start by practicing the treble notes first, getting comfortable with the finger movements before adding the rhythmic bass notes on the open D string.
Phrase 1: Building the Foundation
D ––––––––––––––2–––––––––––––––––––
B ––––––––1–––––––––––––––––––––––––
G ––––––2–––––2–––––––––––––––––––––
D ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
A ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
D ––0–––––––0–––––––0–––––––0–––––––
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +This first phrase establishes the rhythmic and melodic motif of the intro. The open D string provides a consistent drone, while the notes on the G and B strings create the recognizable melody.
Phrase 2: Introducing a Hammer-On
D ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
B ––––––––1–––––1h3–––––––––––––––––
G ––––––2–––––2–––––––––––––––––––––
D ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
A ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
D ––0–––––––0–––––––0–––––––0–––––––
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +Phrase 2 adds a hammer-on (1h3) on the B string, enriching the melodic texture. This subtle variation keeps the riff engaging and dynamic.
Phrase 3: Combining Elements
D ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
B ––––––––1–––––1–––1h3–––––––––––––
G ––––––2–––––2–––––––––––––––––––––
D ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
A ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
D ––0–––––––0–––––––0–––––––0–––––––
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +Phrase 3 combines the elements of the previous two phrases, further developing the melodic idea and building anticipation. Practice these phrases in a loop to solidify your muscle memory.
Creating a Turnaround and Walkdown
To create a sense of closure or transition after playing the intro phrases, a turnaround and walkdown sequence is useful. While not directly from “The Chain” itself, this section is inspired by its style and offers a musical way to conclude the riff or loop back to the beginning. Refer to the video lesson for a demonstration of this turnaround in context.
D ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––|–––––
B ––––––––3–––––3–––––––––3–––––3–––––––––3–––––3–––––––––––––––––––|–––––
G ––––––0–––––0–––––––––0–––––0–––––––––0–––––0–––––––––––––––––––––|–––––
D ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––3–0–––––––––|–––––
A ––3–––––––––––––––2–––––––––––––––1–––––––––––––––0–––––––3–0–––––|–––––
D ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––3~~–|––0––
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1This turnaround incorporates descending bass notes on the A string and a final slide on the low D string, providing a satisfying resolution.
Exploring “The Chain” Outro Bass Line on Guitar
“The Chain” is also famous for its distinctive outro bass line. While originally played on bass, this section provides a fun and challenging exercise for guitarists in double-drop D tuning. Practice this bass line in smaller segments, focusing on the 5-7-8 and 3-5-7 note sequences to build fluency.
D ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
B ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
G ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
D ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
A ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
D ––5–––––––––––5–7–8–––––7–5–3–5–7–0–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +This “the chain guitar tab” for the outro bass line captures the rhythmic and melodic essence of the original bass part, adapted for guitar in double-drop D.
By working through these sections, you’ll be well on your way to mastering “The Chain” guitar tab and adding this iconic riff to your repertoire. Double-drop D tuning opens up new possibilities on the guitar, and “The Chain” is a fantastic song to explore this tuning with. Keep practicing, and enjoy playing this timeless classic!
