“Who You Say I Am” by Hillsong Worship is a fantastic song for guitarists looking for easy worship songs to learn. It utilizes fundamental guitar chords and a straightforward structure, making it accessible for beginners while still sounding rich and full. If you’re just starting your guitar journey and want to play songs of worship, this is an excellent place to begin.
Simple Chords for a Powerful Worship Song
This popular worship track relies on just four core chords that are essential for any guitarist to learn: G, C, Em (E minor), and D. These chords are foundational and appear in countless songs, not just in worship music. Mastering them here will open up a vast library of songs you can play on your guitar.
- G Major: A bright and uplifting chord, often the root of many songs.
- C Major: Another fundamental major chord, providing a stable and grounded feel.
- Em (E minor): Adds a touch of melancholy and depth, contrasting nicely with the major chords.
- D Major: A driving and energetic chord, often used to build momentum.
These chords are all relatively easy to form, especially if you’re already familiar with open chords on the guitar. If you’re new to guitar, focusing on learning these four chords will be a worthwhile investment of your practice time.
Chord Progression and Song Structure
The song follows a repeating chord progression that’s easy to memorize. The verse and chorus share similar structures, making the song predictable and easy to follow along with on guitar.
The main chord progressions are:
- Verse: G, Em, D, G then G, Em, D, C
- Chorus: Similar structure, emphasizing the G, Em, D, and C chords.
The verses subtly alternate between G and C at the end of the phrase, adding a bit of variation without changing the core simplicity. The chorus is slightly more dynamic, but still revolves around the same four chords. This repetition makes “Who You Say I Am” perfect for practicing chord changes and getting comfortable with transitions between G, C, Em, and D.
Tips for Playing “Who You Say I Am” on Guitar
- Smooth Chord Transitions: Focus on moving smoothly between chords. Practice the transitions between G-Em, Em-D, D-G, and D-C slowly at first, gradually increasing your speed as you become more comfortable.
- Consistent Strumming: A simple down-down-up-down-up strumming pattern works well for this song. Keep your strumming hand relaxed and consistent to maintain a steady rhythm.
- Listen to the Original: Listen to Hillsong Worship’s version of “Who You Say I Am” to get a feel for the tempo and rhythm. Play along with the recording to improve your timing.
- Start Slow: Don’t try to play the song at full speed right away. Begin slowly and gradually increase the tempo as you become more proficient with the chord changes and strumming.
Lyrics Snippet to Get You Started
Here’s a snippet of the lyrics to help you connect with the song’s message as you learn to play:
[Verse]
Who am I that the highest King would welcome me
I was lost, but He brought me in oh His love for me
Oh His love for me
[Chorus]
Who the Son sets free Oh is free indeed
I’m a child of God yes I am
Learning “Who You Say I Am” on guitar is a rewarding experience for beginner worship guitarists. It’s a song that is both musically accessible and deeply meaningful. With a little practice, you’ll be able to play this beautiful worship song and lead others in singing along.
