“Sparks” by Coldplay, from their debut album Parachutes, is a beautiful and emotionally resonant song that’s perfect for guitarists to learn. This lesson will guide you through playing “Sparks” on guitar, covering the unique tuning, chord shapes, and song structure. You’ll find that even just the instrumental chords carry the song’s signature melancholic beauty.
Tuning Your Guitar for Sparks
To play “Sparks” like Chris Martin, you’ll need to adjust your guitar tuning slightly. Most of the strings are in standard tuning, but the high E string needs to be tuned down to D. So, starting from the thickest string to the thinnest, your tuning should be: E A D G B D.
Additionally, a capo is placed on the 6th fret. This effectively raises the pitch of all strings and is crucial for achieving the correct key and feel of the song. Don’t worry if this sounds complicated; it’s a simple adjustment that makes a big difference to the sound.
Playing Through the Sections of Sparks
This lesson will walk you through each part of “Sparks” in the order they appear in the original song. Coldplay is known for their evocative chord progressions, and “Sparks” is a prime example. The chord changes are both simple and moving, creating a captivating atmosphere.
Even without the vocals, the guitar chords for “Sparks” stand alone as a beautiful instrumental piece. Learning these chords will not only allow you to play “Sparks” but also enhance your understanding of chord progressions and alternative tunings in guitar playing.
Dive in and start learning this Coldplay classic today! You’ll be surprised how quickly you can capture the essence of “Sparks” on your guitar.
