Want to master the emotional ballad “Photograph” by Ed Sheeran on your guitar? You’ve come to the right place! This easy-to-follow guide will break down the “Guitar Chords Ed Sheeran Photograph” so even beginner guitarists can learn to play this beautiful song. We’ll cover everything from capo placement to simplified chord shapes and strumming techniques, ensuring you’ll be playing along in no time.
Unlock Ed Sheeran’s “Photograph” on Guitar
Ed Sheeran is renowned for crafting chart-topping hits, and “Photograph” is a prime example of his songwriting genius. His songs often sound complex but are built upon surprisingly accessible chord progressions. “Photograph” is no exception, making it an excellent choice for guitarists who are just starting their musical journey.
This lesson will provide a comprehensive walkthrough of the “Photograph” chords, focusing on making them easy to learn and play. We’ll guide you through capo positioning, each chord shape, and how to navigate the song’s structure. Get ready to impress yourself and your friends by learning this popular Ed Sheeran track!
Ed Sheeran Photograph Chords Lesson
Many hit songs, including “Photograph,” rely on a few well-placed chords. The magic lies not just in the chords themselves, but in the song’s arrangement. A great arrangement can transform simple chord progressions into something truly captivating and expansive.
Before we dive into the chords, take a moment to listen to “Photograph” to get a feel for its rhythm and melody.
Listen to “Photograph” by Ed Sheeran here
Ed Sheeran Photograph Guitar Chords Diagram
Part 1: Capo Positioning for Easy “Photograph” Chords
To make playing “guitar chords Ed Sheeran photograph” easier, we’ll use a capo. A capo is a clamp that you place across the guitar strings at a specific fret, effectively shortening the string length and raising the pitch. For “Photograph,” we’ll place the capo at the 2nd fret.
Using a capo at the 2nd fret means:
- The 2nd fret now acts as our “open position,” changing the notes of the open strings.
- We’ll refer to chords by their shape (how you form the chord) and their actual name (the chord you’re actually playing with the capo).
For instance, the first chord uses a D major shape, but because of the capo, it will sound as an E major chord. The capo effectively transposes everything up two frets.
Guitar Capo on 2nd Fret
Capos are incredibly useful tools for guitarists. They not only simplify playing songs in different keys, but they also help you understand the CAGED system, which is a method for learning chord shapes across the fretboard.
To use a capo, simply open the clamp and secure it straight across the strings at the 2nd fret. Make sure it’s firmly in place but not too tight.
If you’re interested in learning more about the CAGED system and how capos relate to it, check out our detailed lesson here: CAGED Guitar System Explained
Now that your capo is in place, let’s explore the “Photograph” chords and how to play them.
Guitar Chords Diagram for Photograph Lesson
Part 2: Mastering Palm Muting and the E Major Chord Shape (Actual Chord: E Major)
Ed Sheeran’s guitar style often incorporates percussive elements, and palm muting is key to achieving this in “Photograph.” Palm muting is a technique where you rest the edge of your picking hand lightly on the strings near the guitar bridge. This dampens the strings, creating a muted, percussive sound.
For a detailed lesson on palm muting, visit: Palm Muting Technique for Guitar
With palm muting in mind, let’s learn the first chord shape: the D major shape, which becomes an E major chord with the capo.
E MAJOR (D Shape with Capo)
(If you’re unfamiliar with chord diagrams, our guide “How To Read Guitar Chordboxes In 60 Seconds” will clarify everything: Reading Guitar Chord Diagrams)
For this E major chord (D shape), we’ll only use the four thinnest strings (D, G, B, E).
- Start with the open D string.
- Place your index finger on the G string at the 4th fret.
- Add your ring finger to the B string at the 5th fret.
- Finally, place your middle finger on the E string at the 4th fret.
Strum these four strings while palm muting, and you’ve played the first of the “Photograph” chords!
Pro Tip: To ensure each string rings clearly, play each string individually (arpeggiate the chord). This helps identify any unintentional muting.
Part 3: Playing the C#sus4 Chord Shape (Actual Chord: C#sus4)
For beginner guitarists, we’re simplifying the next chord. In many transcriptions, you might see a B minor chord. However, for ease of learning, we’ll use a Bsus4 shape, which becomes a C#sus4 chord with the capo.
This C#sus4 is essentially a power chord shape. Form a power chord shape on the 4th fret of the A string and let the B and E strings ring open.
C#sus4 (Bsus4 Shape with Capo)
Bsus4 Chord Diagram
Pro Tip: Use your index, ring, and pinky fingers as shown in the diagram for the Bsus4 shape.
The trick with this shape is to slightly rotate your wrist to allow the open B and E strings to ring clearly without being muted by your fretting hand.
Pro Tip #2: Practice transitioning between the E major (D shape) and C#sus4 (Bsus4 shape) chords. Clean chord changes are essential!
Practice the E major and C#sus4 chords together with palm muting to start getting the feel of the song.
E MAJOR
C#sus4
Bsus4 Chord Diagram
Part 4: The B Major Chord Shape (Actual Chord: B Major)
The next chord is based on the A major shape, which becomes a B major chord with the capo. This is a relatively straightforward chord for many beginners.
B MAJOR (A Shape with Capo)
For the B major chord (A shape):
E String: Open
B String: Ring finger, 4th fret
G String: Middle finger, 4th fret
D String: Index finger, 4th fret
A String: Open
E String: Muted (Don’t strum this string)
Again, adjust your wrist to let the open strings resonate. Finger placement is crucial here to ensure a clean sound.
B MAJOR
Practice transitioning between E major, C#sus4, and B major chords. Smooth transitions are key to playing songs fluidly.
Pro Tip: Lead with your index finger when switching chords to make transitions smoother.
E MAJOR
C#sus4
Bsus4 Chord Diagram
B MAJOR
Part 5: The A Major Chord Shape (Actual Chord: A Major)
The final chord for “Photograph” is based on the G major shape, which remains an A major chord with the capo. This chord uses all six guitar strings, so you’ll need to stretch your fretting hand a bit more.
A MAJOR (G Shape with Capo)
To play the A major chord (G shape):
- Place your middle finger on the low E string at the 5th fret.
- Add your index finger on the A string at the 4th fret.
- Leave the D and G strings open.
- Place your ring finger on the B string at the 5th fret.
- Finally, put your pinky finger on the high E string at the 5th fret.
A MAJOR
Strum all six strings and let the A major chord ring out!
Congratulations! You’ve learned all four “guitar chords Ed Sheeran photograph” needs. Now, let’s focus on rhythm and song structure. In the next section, we’ll explore beat accents and how to put these chords together into the song.
Keep practicing the sequence of all four chords:
E MAJOR
C#sus4
Bsus4 Chord Diagram
B MAJOR
A MAJOR
Part 6: Beat Accents and Palm Muting in “Photograph”
“Photograph” has a distinct rhythmic pulse. To play it authentically, you need to understand beat accents. As mentioned earlier, Ed Sheeran uses palm muting throughout the song. Combine this with downpicking and attention to accented beats to capture the song’s groove.
Accented beats are simply beats that are emphasized more than others. In “Photograph,” the accented beats are on beats 1 and 4 of every 8-beat cycle:
1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8
Photograph Strumming Pattern
To accent beats 1 and 4 while palm muting, simply strum slightly harder on those beats. This will create the rhythmic emphasis that drives the song.
With palm muting and beat accents understood, you’re ready to learn the song sections and chord progressions for “Photograph.”
Ed Sheeran Guitar Lesson Photograph Chords
Part 7: “Photograph” Song Structure and Chord Progressions
Now, let’s assemble everything and learn the chord progressions for each section of “Photograph.” Remember, we are listing the chords by their shapes (D, Bsus4, A, G) for easier learning.
Photograph Chord Chart
-
Intro:
E major (D shape) – C#sus4 (Bsus4 shape) – B major (A shape) – A major (G shape) -
Verse (chords start at “Loving can hurt”):
E major (D shape) – C#sus4 (Bsus4 shape) – B major (A shape) – A major (G shape) (Repeated twice in each verse) -
Pre-Chorus:
C#sus4 (Bsus4 shape) – A major (G shape) – E major (D shape) – B major (A shape) (Repeated, holding the last chord the second time) -
Chorus (chords start at “So you can keep”):
E major (D shape) – B major (A shape) – C#sus4 (Bsus4 shape) – A major (G shape) – E major (D shape) -
Bridge (chords start at “And if you hurt”):
E major (D shape) – B major (A shape) – C#sus4 (Bsus4 shape) – A major (G shape) -
Interlude:
C#sus4 (Bsus4 shape) – A major (G shape) – E major (D shape) – B major (A shape) -
Outro:
E major (D shape) – B major (A shape) – C#sus4 (Bsus4 shape) – A major (G shape) (Repeated, hold the final A major chord until the end)
Photograph Chord Progression Tutorial
Notice how Ed Sheeran masterfully uses these four “guitar chords ed sheeran photograph” throughout the song, creating variations and dynamics in each section. This song is a great example of how to create different moods using a limited set of chords.
Part 8: “Photograph” Song Structure Breakdown
To fully understand the song, here’s the overall structure:
- Intro
- Verse 1
- Pre-Chorus
- Chorus
- Verse 2
- Pre-Chorus
- Chorus
- Bridge
- Interlude
- Chorus
- Outro
Photograph Song Structure Diagram
Congratulations! You’ve completed this lesson on playing “guitar chords Ed Sheeran photograph”! Remember to focus on downstrokes, palm muting, and accenting beats to capture the essence of the song. Practice each section slowly and gradually increase your speed.
Pro Tip: Singing along while you play is a fantastic way to internalize the rhythm and timing of the chords. Even humming along helps!
Ed Sheeran Guitar Photograph Performance
Beyond “Photograph”: Using These Chords
These “guitar chords ed sheeran photograph” are incredibly versatile and appear in countless popular songs. Mastering these shapes will expand your musical vocabulary and allow you to play a wide range of songs.
Make it a point to practice these chords regularly to smooth out your chord transitions. Consistent practice is the key to guitar mastery!
Continue Your Guitar Journey
If you enjoyed learning “Photograph” chords, explore these resources to further your guitar skills:
What Type of Guitarist Are You? Find out with our quiz: Take The Guitarist Quiz
Join Our Online Guitar Community:
- Personalized Learning Plans
- World-Class Guitar Courses
- Community Forum
- Beginner Song Library
- Live Streams and Q&A Sessions
Learn More About National Guitar Academy Membership
Cool Guitar T-Shirts: Check Out Our Merch Store
Want Free Guitar Tips and Video Lessons? Join our email list for tips and tutorials delivered straight to your inbox!
Get Free Guitar Tips & Videos
Explore Popular Lessons:
- How To Learn Guitar: An 11-Step Programme For Beginners
- 10 Easy Songs For Beginners
- How To Strum A Guitar
- How To Choose The Perfect Beginner Guitar
- Guitar Notes Explained: A Guide For Beginners
- How To Play Lead Guitar
- 3 Easy Ways To Play Bm
Discover More Guitar Resources:
- Learn About National Guitar Academy: About Us
- Join us on Facebook: National Guitar Academy Facebook
- Listen to our Podcast: Learn Guitar Podcast
- Explore Free Chord Lessons: Free Chord Lessons
