Hey Jude Guitar Tab: Learn to Play The Beatles Classic

“Hey Jude” by The Beatles is one of the most iconic songs of all time, instantly recognizable and beloved by generations of music fans. If you’re a guitarist looking to add this timeless classic to your repertoire, you’ve come to the right place. This guide provides you with a straightforward and easy-to-follow Hey Jude Guitar Tab, perfect for beginners and seasoned players alike. Get ready to learn the chords and start playing this legendary song!

Chords for Hey Jude

Here are the basic chords you’ll need to play “Hey Jude”. While the song includes a few slightly less common chords, they are essential to capturing the song’s rich harmonic texture. Don’t worry if some of these look new to you – we’ll break them down.

F
C
C7
Bb
Gm7
C7sus4
Bb/A
Gm7/F
C7/E

You’ll find the chord diagrams for the more unusual chords below to help you visualize finger placements.

Hey Jude Chord Progression

The main verses and chorus of “Hey Jude” follow a relatively simple and repetitive chord progression, making it easier to learn. Here’s the basic structure to get you started:

Verse 1, 2, 3:
F   C
Hey Jude, don't make it bad
C7          F
Take a sad song and make it better
Bb          F
Remember to let her into your heart
C7          F
Then you can start to make it better

This pattern repeats through the verses, making it easy to memorize. The bridge section introduces a slight variation to build the song’s dynamics.

Bridge:
F7        Bb
And any time you feel the pain
Bb/A      Gm7
Hey Jude, refrain
Gm7/F     C7/E  C7    F
Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

Hey Jude Guitar Tab (Simplified Chords)

Here’s the complete song structure with the chords laid out in a tab format for easier playing. Follow along and strum the chords in time with the lyrics.

[Verse 1]
F         C
Hey Jude, don't make it bad
C7              F
Take a sad song and make it better
Bb          F
Remember to let her into your heart
C7              F
Then you can start to make it better

[Verse 2]
F         C
Hey Jude, don't be afraid
C7               F
You were made to go out and get her
Bb             F
The minute you let her under your skin
C7             F
Then you begin to make it better

[Bridge]
F7        Bb
And any time you feel the pain
Bb/A      Gm7
Hey Jude, refrain
Gm7/F     C7/E  C7    F
Don't carry the world upon your shoulders
F7        Bb
For well you know that it's a fool
Bb/A      Gm7
Who plays it cool
Gm7/F     C7/E  C7    F
By making his world a little colder

[Instrumental Break]
F7 C7

[Verse 3]
F         C
Hey Jude, don't let me down
C7             F
You have found her, now go and get her
Bb          F
Remember to let her into your heart
C7              F
Then you can start to make it better

[Verse 4]
F         C
So let it out and let it in
C7          F
Hey Jude, begin
Bb             F
You're waiting for someone to perform with
C7                 F
And don't you know that it's just you
F         C
Hey Jude, you'll do
C7                 F
The movement you need is on your shoulder

[Outro]
F   C7
Da da da da da da da da da
F         C
Hey Jude, don't make it bad
C7              F
Take a sad song and make it better
Bb             F
Remember to let her under your skin
C7             F
Then you begin to make it better

F
Better, better, better, better, better, oh
F   Eb
Da da da
Bb
Da da da da
F
Hey Jude

Unusual Chords Explained

“Hey Jude” uses a few chords that might be unfamiliar to beginner guitarists. Let’s take a closer look at these:

C7sus4

The C7sus4 chord is a variation of the C7 chord, known as a “suspended” chord. It has a softer, more unresolved sound compared to a standard C7. The diagram above shows you how to finger this chord. Notice how your 4th finger is removed compared to a standard C7, creating the suspended sound.

Bb/A

The Bb/A chord is a “slash chord.” This means you play a Bb chord but with an A note in the bass. To play this, fret a standard Bb chord and ensure the open A string rings out clearly as your bass note. This creates a descending bassline which is a characteristic feature of the song.

Gm7/F

Gm7/F is another slash chord. Here, you’re playing a Gm7 chord with an F note in the bass. This chord creates a smooth transition and continues the descending bassline established by the Bb/A. Fret a Gm7 chord and make sure the F note on the E string rings out clearly.

C7/E

The C7/E chord is the last of the slash chords in this sequence. It’s a C7 chord with an E note in the bass. This chord helps lead back to the F chord and resolve the harmonic tension. Fret a C7 chord and ensure the open E string (6th string) rings clearly.

Tips for Playing Hey Jude

Strumming Pattern: For most of the song, a simple down-down-up-up-down strumming pattern in 4/4 time will work well. Listen to the song to get the rhythm and feel.
Transitions: Practice smooth transitions between chords, especially between F, C, and C7, as these are the most frequent changes.
Dynamics: “Hey Jude” builds in intensity. Start softer in the verses and gradually increase volume and intensity as you move towards the outro “Na-na-na” section.
Listen to the Original: The best way to learn is to listen to The Beatles’ recording of “Hey Jude” repeatedly. Pay attention to the chord changes, rhythm, and overall feel of the song.

Conclusion

Learning to play “Hey Jude” on guitar is a rewarding experience. This Hey Jude guitar tab provides you with the chords and structure you need to get started. With a little practice and patience, you’ll be playing this classic song for yourself and others to enjoy. So grab your guitar, tune up, and start learning this timeless Beatles hit today!