Exploring different guitar chord progressions is a fantastic way to enhance your playing and unlock a vast library of songs. After getting comfortable with basic progressions, the D-G-Bm-A sequence offers a compelling and slightly more intricate sound. This progression introduces movement across the guitar neck and features the Bm (B minor) chord alongside the familiar A chord, both crucial components in countless popular songs.
Understanding the D-G-Bm-A Progression
The D-G-Bm-A progression takes us on a mini-journey across the fretboard. Unlike progressions that stay rooted in one area, this one requires us to shift positions, which is excellent practice for developing smooth chord changes.
Starting with the D chord at the fifth fret (using barre chord shape), the progression moves down to the G chord at the third fret. This slide down the neck is a key element to master. Initially, this transition might feel a bit challenging, but with practice, it becomes fluid.
B Minor
From the G chord, we ascend the neck to the seventh fret to play the Bm (B minor) chord. Remember to barre at the 7th fret and form an ‘A’ shape while lifting your middle finger to create the minor tonality. The Bm chord, while sometimes intimidating for beginners, is a rewarding chord to learn and adds a touch of melancholy or intensity to your playing. Finally, slide back down to the fifth fret for the A chord, completing the cycle.
This progression is cyclical, meaning you can repeat it over and over, creating a rhythmic and harmonic foundation for practice or songwriting. The movement from the higher frets down to the lower frets and back up again will improve your dexterity and familiarity with the guitar neck.
Play Along with “1985” by Bowling For Soup
To put this progression into a musical context, “1985” by Bowling For Soup is an excellent and fun song to learn. It prominently features the D-G-Bm-A progression, giving you ample opportunity to practice these chord changes in time with a catchy tune.
Find the guitar tabs for “1985” by Bowling For Soup here.
Using tabs alongside the song will help you solidify your understanding of the progression and make practice more engaging.
The Bm-A-D-G Variation
B Minor
Once you’re comfortable with D-G-Bm-A, try rearranging the order to Bm-A-D-G. Interestingly, many players find this variation flows even more smoothly after practicing the first progression.
The transition from Bm to A involves sliding down the neck from the seventh fret to the fifth fret, which becomes more natural after the up-and-down movement in D-G-Bm-A. From the A chord at the fifth fret, you simply need to adjust your finger positions to form the D chord at the same fret. The final move to the G chord at the third fret feels quite straightforward after these shifts.
This Bm-A-D-G progression is a testament to how rearranging the same chords can create a slightly different feel and flow.
Jam to “Summer of ’69” by Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams’ classic hit “Summer of ’69” utilizes the Bm-A-D-G progression in its chorus, making it another fantastic song for practice. Learning to play along with familiar songs is a motivating way to improve your chord transitions and timing.
Explore the guitar tabs for “Summer of ’69” by Bryan Adams here.
By learning both D-G-Bm-A and Bm-A-D-G, you’re not only expanding your chord vocabulary but also gaining practical experience in moving between chords across the guitar neck. These progressions are building blocks for countless songs and will significantly boost your confidence and abilities as a guitar player. Keep practicing, and you’ll be playing along to your favorite tunes in no time!
