John Legend’s “All of Me” is a timeless ballad, and great news for beginner guitarists: you can learn to play it with just a few simple chords! This lesson breaks down the super easy version of this popular song, using only five basic guitar chords and the most common strumming pattern. You’ll be surprised how quickly you can master this beautiful song.
Easy Guitar Chords for “All of Me”
The key to this simplified version lies in using beginner-friendly chord shapes. You’ll only need to learn these five chords:
- G Major (G)
- Em Minor (Em)
- C Major (C)
- D Major (D)
- Am Minor (Am)
These are fundamental chords that appear in countless songs, making them essential for any aspiring guitarist. We’ll focus on smooth transitions between these chords to get you playing the song smoothly. Practice switching between G, Em, C, and D chords to get comfortable with these shapes before moving on.
Master the Basic Strumming Pattern
To play “All of Me”, we’ll use a very common and easy-to-learn strumming pattern. This pattern is used in tons of songs, so mastering it here will help you play many more songs in the future!
The basic strumming pattern is: Down, Down, Up, Up, Down.
Start slowly and focus on keeping a steady rhythm. Count it out as you strum to internalize the pattern. Once you’re comfortable with the strumming pattern on its own, try combining it with the chord progression.
Playing Through the Song Sections
“All of Me” has a straightforward song structure, which makes it easier to learn. The song is mainly built around verses and a chorus, with a pre-chorus section adding a little variation.
- Verse: The verse primarily uses the G, Em, C, and D chords. This is the most common chord progression and forms the backbone of the song.
- Pre-Chorus: The pre-chorus introduces the Am chord, adding a slight change before returning to the chorus.
- Chorus: The chorus brings back the familiar G, Em, C, and D progression, creating a catchy and memorable part of the song.
By learning these three sections, you’ll be able to play through the entire song. The song form is quite repetitive, which is excellent for practice and memorization.
Tips and Resources for Learning “All of Me”
To make learning even smoother, here are a few helpful tips:
- Start Slow: Don’t rush! Focus on clean chord changes and a consistent strumming pattern at a slow tempo. Speed will come with practice.
- Practice Chord Transitions: Spend time practicing switching between chords smoothly. This is key to playing the song fluidly.
- Listen to the Song: Listen to “All of Me” frequently to internalize the rhythm and feel of the song. Play along with the recording once you feel comfortable.
- Use Online Resources: Explore online guitar resources for visual chord diagrams and video tutorials that can further assist your learning process.
With a little practice and patience, you’ll be playing “All of Me” on your guitar in no time. This easy version is a fantastic way to learn a beautiful song and build your guitar skills simultaneously. Enjoy playing!
