“Guitar Man” by Bread is a timeless classic, beloved by musicians and listeners alike. Its catchy melody and relatable lyrics about the life of a traveling musician make it a joy to play and sing along to. If you’re looking to learn Guitar Man Chords, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will break down the chords and structure of the song, making it easy for you to play along.
Chord Breakdown for “Guitar Man”
“Guitar Man” primarily uses a simple and repetitive chord progression, making it accessible for guitarists of all skill levels, especially beginners. The main chords you’ll need to know are G, C, and D. Let’s dive into the chord structure of the song section by section:
Verse 1 & Chorus Chords
The verses and choruses of “Guitar Man” follow the same chord pattern. Here’s how it breaks down:
Verse 1:
G C D
Who draws the crowd?
G C D
Who plays so loud?
G C D
Baby its the guitar man.
G C D
Who's going to steal the show?
G C D
You know, baby, its the guitar man.Chorus:
Em C
He can make you love,
Em A
he can make you cry,
C Bm
Something keeps him going miles and miles a day,
Am D
to find another place to play.As you can see, the verse and chorus sections are built upon a foundation of G, C, and D chords, with the chorus introducing Em, A, Bm, and Am to add harmonic variation and emotional depth.
Verse 2 & Chorus Chords
Verse 2 follows the exact same chord progression as Verse 1, reinforcing the song’s catchy and memorable structure.
Verse 2:
G C D
Night after night,
G C D
who treats you right?
G C D
Baby, its the guitar man.
G C D
Who's on the radio?
G C D
You go to listen to the guitar man.The chorus after Verse 2 is identical to the first chorus.
Instrumental Break & Verse 3 Chords
The instrumental break uses the same chord progression as the first two lines of the verses (G – C – D), creating a familiar and grounding musical interlude. Verse 3 then introduces a slight lyrical and emotional shift, while maintaining a similar chord structure in the beginning before returning to the chorus chords.
Verse 3 (Partial – Leading to Chorus Chords):
Em C
He can make you love,
Em A
he can get you high,The song then transitions back into a chorus-like section with a slightly altered lyrical and rhythmic feel, before concluding with a simple instrumental outro.
Outro Chords
The outro of “Guitar Man” fades out on a simple C – E chord progression, providing a gentle and unresolved ending that leaves the listener wanting more.
C - E
C - E
C - E
C - E...Tips for Playing “Guitar Man” on Guitar
- Strumming Pattern: A simple down-down-up-down-up strumming pattern in 4/4 time works well for most of the song. Experiment with variations to find what feels natural to you.
- Tempo: “Guitar Man” is typically played at a moderate tempo. Listen to the original song to get a feel for the rhythm.
- Chord Transitions: Focus on smooth transitions between chords, especially between the G, C, and D chords in the verses. Practice these transitions slowly at first and gradually increase speed.
- Fingerpicking: While strumming is common, you can also experiment with fingerpicking patterns to add a different texture to your playing.
- Capo: If you find the key of G challenging for singing, you can use a capo to change the key. Placing a capo on the 2nd fret would transpose the song up a whole step.
Learn and Enjoy!
“Guitar Man” is a fantastic song to add to your guitar repertoire. Its straightforward chord progression and catchy melody make it a rewarding song to learn and play. By practicing these guitar man chords and following the tips above, you’ll be playing this Bread classic in no time. Enjoy making music!
