Vance Joy’s “Riptide” became a global sensation in 2013, and its catchy melody and feel-good vibes make it a popular choice for guitar players. Its enduring appeal comes from its simplicity and sing-along quality, making it a modern classic that’s perfect to learn. If you’re looking to strum along to this hit, you’re in luck! Let’s dive into how to play “Riptide” on guitar using some easy chords.
Simple Guitar Chords for Riptide
The great news is that “Riptide” uses just four basic guitar chords, and chances are you might already know them, especially if you’re familiar with common beginner guitar chords. These chords are Am, G, C, and F.
Riptide Ukulele Chords
These are all fundamental chords on guitar and are fantastic for building your chord vocabulary. If you’re comfortable with these shapes, you’re well on your way to playing hundreds of songs! For those wanting to expand their chord knowledge, experimenting with chord variations and inversions can be a great next step, but for “Riptide”, these basic shapes are all you need.
To play along with the original recording of “Riptide”, you’ll need to consider that the song is actually in the key of C#, which is a half step higher than standard tuning. The easiest way to match the recording is to use a capo on the 1st fret of your guitar. This effectively raises the pitch of your guitar by a half step, allowing you to play along using the chord shapes we’ll discuss.
The verses, intro, and chorus sections of “Riptide” all follow the same three-chord progression throughout. These chords, played in order, are:
Am | G | C
For guitarists who have been playing for a little while, these chords will likely feel very familiar. This song is a great one to solidify your transitions between these common chord shapes. You’ll play one bar of Am, followed by one bar of G, and then two bars of C. This simple progression forms the backbone of the song.
Riptide Strumming Pattern on Guitar
“Riptide” is instantly recognizable because of its distinctive rhythm, which really drives the song forward. Getting the strumming pattern right is key to capturing the feel of “Riptide” on guitar.
For the majority of the song, the strumming pattern is a simple and repetitive: down, down, up, down, up. Like any rhythm, the best way to learn it is to internalize the sound. Try saying the pattern out loud – “down, down, up, down, up” – as you strum along. This “say it, play it” method is incredibly effective. Here’s a visual representation of the strumming pattern:
Riptide Strumming Pattern
It’s a straightforward pattern and shouldn’t be too difficult to master with a bit of practice. Because of its simplicity, focusing on precise timing is crucial. Using a metronome can be extremely helpful in developing your rhythm and ensuring you’re playing in time.
A good tip to enhance the groove of “Riptide” is to emphasize the first two down strums slightly. This gives a subtle accent and makes the rhythm more pronounced, capturing the song’s characteristic feel.
“Riptide” has a fairly brisk tempo, clocking in at around 155 beats per minute (bpm), so it’s best to start slowly. Building speed gradually is more effective than rushing. Remember the saying, “slow and steady wins the race” – this definitely applies to learning guitar!
Song Structure for Guitar
For most of “Riptide”, the song structure is quite repetitive, primarily using the Am, G, and C chord progression. The song maintains this pattern for a significant portion, creating its catchy and memorable feel. The F chord makes its appearance later in the song, adding a bit of variation and progression.
For a complete breakdown of the song’s structure, including where the F chord comes in and the arrangement of verses and choruses, refer to a guitar tabs or chord sheet for “Riptide”. These resources will provide a full roadmap of the song, allowing you to play through it from beginning to end with confidence. With just these few chords and the strumming pattern, you’ll be playing “Riptide” on guitar in no time!
