Have you ever been captivated by a song with just a few guitar chords, yet it feels like a symphony? “Give a Little Bit” by Supertramp is one of those iconic tracks. It’s amazing how such a simple chord progression can create such an unforgettable and uplifting anthem.
Rumor has it, this song was born from the same spirit of love and peace that inspired The Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love” back in the 60s. It’s a song about positivity and sharing, and it all starts with a few guitar chords.
So, pick up your guitar, and let’s dive into this “Give a Little Bit” guitar chords lesson and unlock the secrets behind this Supertramp hit!
The Story Behind “Give A Little Bit”
“Give a Little Bit” is a timeless song by the legendary British rock band Supertramp. While credited to both Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson, it was primarily composed by Roger Hodgson. Released in 1977 as part of their album Even in the Quietest Moments…, the song quickly became a fan favorite and a chart-topper.
The song carries a simple yet powerful message: the importance of giving and sharing love. The recording process at The Record Plant in Los Angeles was meticulous, involving numerous overdubs of 12-string guitars to achieve its signature rich and shimmering texture.
Roger Hodgson himself played both acoustic and electric guitars on the track. The production was intricate, with layers upon layers of guitar parts requiring complex mixing. This attention to detail is a testament to Supertramp’s commitment to sonic excellence.
“Give a Little Bit” achieved significant commercial success, climbing to number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and making waves in charts worldwide. It has earned Platinum certifications in the UK and Spain, solidifying its place in music history (Wikipedia).
The song’s enduring popularity is undeniable. Anecdotally, a touring guitarist for Supertramp mentioned that just playing the opening chords of “Give a Little Bit” on a 12-string Taylor guitar live is enough to send audiences into raptures. That’s the magic of these simple yet effective guitar chords.
Let’s explore these essential “Give a Little Bit” guitar chords.
Breaking Down the “Give A Little Bit” Guitar Chords
To play “Give a Little Bit” on guitar, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with 11 chord shapes: A7, D, G5, Bm, Esus4, E, Asus4, F#m, C, C/D, and Am7. Eleven chords might sound like a lot, but many of these are open position chords, and mastering them will significantly expand your guitar vocabulary. Remember, classic bands often had a broader chord knowledge, contributing to their rich and varied sound.
Let’s look at diagrams for each of these “Give a Little Bit” guitar chords.
A7 chord:
D chord:
G5 chord:
Bm chord:
Esus4 chord:
E chord:
Asus4 chord:
F#m chord:
C chord:
C/D chord:
Am7 chord:
You’ll also encounter slash chords, sometimes referred to as “hippie chords,” which add a unique flavor to “Give a Little Bit”. These involve taking standard open position chords and moving them up the fretboard, creating new sonic possibilities while utilizing open strings. The C/D chord is a prime example, adding a distinctive harmonic color.
(For a more in-depth explanation, refer to the video lesson.)
Embracing a wider chord vocabulary, like that used in “Give a Little Bit,” is a rewarding challenge for any guitarist. Expanding your chord knowledge enhances your musical expression and opens doors to playing a broader range of songs.
The Challenge of Playing “Give A Little Bit” on Guitar
Is “Give a Little Bit” hard to play on guitar? The answer is, it presents a moderate challenge. The combination of numerous chord changes, rhythmic intricacies, syncopation, and the 12-string guitar arrangement means it’s not a beginner-level song. However, with dedicated practice and by mastering the elements outlined here, playing “Give a Little Bit” is definitely achievable. The satisfaction of playing this iconic song is well worth the effort.
Tuning Your Guitar for “Give A Little Bit”
The tuning for “Give a Little Bit” by Supertramp is standard tuning. Roger Hodgson used a 12-string guitar in the original recording, which is crucial to the song’s full and lush sound. A 12-string guitar adds octave strings, enriching the overall sonic texture. (Check out the video for a demonstration of the 12-string sound.)
Standard guitar tuning is EADGBE:
- 6th string: E (lowest pitch)
- 5th string: A
- 4th string: D
- 3rd string: G
- 2nd string: B
- 1st string: E (highest pitch)
For learning to play the song, standard tuning on a 6-string guitar is perfect. While you won’t replicate the exact 12-string sound, you’ll be able to play all the chords and the essence of the song.
Mastering the “Give A Little Bit” Strumming Pattern
The rhythmic foundation of “Give A Little Bit” is built upon a subtle 16th-note feel. Strumming 16th notes means dividing each beat in a 4/4 time signature into four equal parts.
To count 16th notes, use this count within each beat: “1 e & a”. In a 4/4 time signature, you count: “1 e & a, 2 e & a, 3 e & a, 4 e & a”.
- 1: Downbeat (1st 16th note)
- e: 2nd 16th note
- &: 3rd 16th note (“and”)
- a: 4th 16th note
Counting it aloud sounds like:
“One ee and uh, Two ee and uh, Three ee and uh, Four ee and uh”
For 16th-note strumming, maintain a consistent up-and-down hand motion. A basic pattern is:
- Downstroke on “1”
- Upstroke on “e”
- Downstroke on “&”
- Upstroke on “a”
This continuous motion ensures even timing.
However, “Give A Little Bit” doesn’t strum every 16th note, which would be too busy. Instead, maintain a quarter-note rhythm and incorporate selective 16th notes.
Here’s a simplified rhythmic illustration:
Give a Little Bit Strumming Pattern
Understanding the Key of “Give A Little Bit”
“Give A Little Bit” by Supertramp is in the key of D major. Most chords in the song are diatonic to the D major scale, which includes the notes: D, E, F#, G, A, B, and C#.
Let’s see how the “Give a Little Bit” guitar chords fit into D major:
D major (I): Tonic chord, built from D, F#, A.
A7 (V7): Dominant 7th chord in D major, built from A, C#, E, G.
G major (IV): Subdominant chord in D major, built from G, B, D.
Bm (vi): Relative minor chord in D major, built from B, D, F#.
F#m (iii): Mediant chord in D major, built from F#, A, C#.
Chords outside D Major:
Esus4: Contains E, A, B. Typically resolves to E major. Not diatonic to D major.
E major (V of V): Contains E, G#, B. The G# is not in D major. Functions as a secondary dominant leading to A major or A7.
Asus4: Contains A, D, E. Suspension (D) is from the key, but Asus4 itself isn’t strictly in D major.
C major (bVII): Contains C, E, G. C natural is not in D major (C# is). Borrowed from D Mixolydian mode.
Am7 (v7 in D minor): Contains A, C, E, G. C natural and G are not in D major. Borrowed from D minor (parallel minor).
These “borrowed” chords add harmonic interest and richness to “Give a Little Bit,” moving beyond a simple diatonic sound.
Conclusion: Give a Little Bit, Get a Lot of Guitar Joy
“Give A Little Bit” by Supertramp is more than just a song; it’s a musical experience that continues to move listeners. Its message of love and generosity is as relevant today as ever.
The song’s lush sound, primarily from Roger Hodgson’s 12-string guitar layering, is iconic. While the number of chords might seem initially intimidating, understanding their construction and relationship to the key of D major makes learning them manageable and rewarding.
Keep practicing these “Give A Little Bit Guitar Chords,” work on the strumming, and you’ll be playing this classic in no time.
If you’re looking to accelerate your guitar learning, understand the fretboard better, and avoid years of frustration, be sure to grab my free fretboard guide right now:
Jon MacLennan
