“Wagon Wheel” is a song that resonates with many, known for its catchy melody and sing-along chorus. For guitar players, it’s a fantastic tune to learn, especially for those looking to build their chord library and practice strumming. This guide will break down the guitar chords for “Wagon Wheel”, making it easy for you to play this popular track.
Wagon Wheel Chords: A Simple and Repetitive Structure
The beauty of “Wagon Wheel” for guitarists lies in its simplicity. The song primarily uses four chords: G, D, Em, and C. These are common open chords that are often among the first learned by beginners. The chord progression is repetitive throughout the verses and choruses, making it easy to memorize and get into a groove.
Let’s look at the chord progression for the verse of “Wagon Wheel”:
G D
Headed down south to the land of the pines
Em C
And I’m thumbin’ my way into North Caroline
G D C C
Starin’ up the road And pray to God I see headlights
And here are the chords for the chorus, which are the same as the verse, maintaining that easy-to-follow structure:
G D
Rock me mama like a wagon wheel
Em C
Rock me mama anyway you feel
G D C C
Heeeey, mama rock me
G D
Rock me mama like the wind and the rain
Em C
Rock me mama like a south-bound train
G D C C
Heeeey, mama rock me
You’ll notice the chord progression G, D, Em, C repeats consistently. The slight variation in the verse is the C C at the end of the lines “Starin’ up the road And pray to God I see headlights” and “And I’m a hopin’ for Raleigh so I can see my baby tonight So”. In the chorus, this C C pattern also appears at the end of “Heeeey, mama rock me”.
Strumming Pattern for Wagon Wheel
For “Wagon Wheel,” a simple and effective strumming pattern to start with is Down, Down, Up, Up, Down, Up. Once you get comfortable with the chord changes, you can experiment with adding variations to your strumming to create more dynamic rhythms. Many players find a steady, driving strum works well for this song, capturing its energetic feel.
Listen to the original recording of “Wagon Wheel” by Old Crow Medicine Show or Darius Rucker’s popular cover to get a feel for the rhythm and strumming. Try to mimic the strumming pattern you hear, and don’t be afraid to simplify it while you are learning. Consistency is key when starting out.
Tips for Playing Wagon Wheel on Guitar
- Start Slow: When learning the chords and changes, begin at a slow tempo. Focus on clean chord transitions before speeding up.
- Practice Chord Changes: Practice moving smoothly between G-D, D-Em, Em-C, and C-G. These are the core transitions in the song.
- Listen and Play Along: Play along with the song to develop your timing and rhythm. This is a great way to internalize the feel of “Wagon Wheel”.
- Experiment with Strumming: Once you’re comfortable with the basic strum, try adding accents or variations to make it your own.
- Capo Option: While the chords provided are in the key of G, some singers may find it easier to sing in a different key. Experimenting with a capo can raise the key and potentially make it more comfortable for your vocal range.
Conclusion: Rock Along with Wagon Wheel
“Wagon Wheel” is a fantastic song for guitarists of all levels to learn. Its straightforward chord progression and repetitive structure make it accessible for beginners, while its timeless appeal ensures it’s a crowd-pleaser. By learning these basic guitar chords for “Wagon Wheel” and practicing the strumming, you’ll be able to play along with this classic tune and impress your friends and family. So pick up your guitar, tune it up, and start rocking out to “Wagon Wheel”!
