Have you ever been captivated by those promises of learning guitar in mere minutes? While mastering guitar takes time and dedication, the good news is you can actually learn to play a song much faster than you might think! The key is starting with the right song and understanding the fundamentals as you go. That’s exactly what we’re going to do with the timeless classic, “A Horse With No Name” by America. This song is perfect for absolute beginners because it relies on just two simple guitar chords.
In this lesson, we’ll not only show you how to play “A Horse With No Name,” but we’ll also delve into the music theory behind it, so you truly understand what you’re playing. We’ll start with the absolute basics, then explore strumming variations and even touch upon adding a simple bass line to make your rendition sound even richer. Consider this your starting point for a fun and educational guitar journey.
The Two Essential Chords
For “A Horse With No Name,” you only need to master two guitar chords: E minor (Em) and Dadd6add9. If you’re new to guitar, don’t worry! These are both beginner-friendly. Let’s break them down:
E minor (Em)
The E minor chord is a staple for guitarists, known for its melancholic yet beautiful sound. It’s also incredibly easy to finger.
To play Em:
- Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A string (5th string from the thickest).
- Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the D string (4th string from the thickest).
- Strum all six strings.
Image alt text: Guitar chord diagram showing the finger placement for E minor (Em) and Dadd6add9 chords for the song A Horse With No Name.
Dadd6add9
This chord name might look intimidating, but the Dadd6add9 is surprisingly simple to play, especially after you’ve learned Em. It provides a brighter, more open sound that contrasts nicely with the Em.
To play Dadd6add9:
- Simply shift your fingers from the Em chord shape.
- Move your middle finger to the 2nd fret of the low E string (6th string – the thickest).
- Move your index finger to the 2nd fret of the G string (3rd string from the thickest).
- Strum all six strings.
The finger movement between Em and Dadd6add9 is minimal, making chord changes smooth and quick – ideal for beginners. Think of it as a finger exercise!
Basic Strumming
“A Horse With No Name” is in 4/4 time, meaning there are four beats in each measure. For beginners, the simplest strumming pattern is to use downstrokes. A downstroke is when you strum downwards across the strings, from the thickest to the thinnest.
You can start by playing one downstroke per beat, counting “1, 2, 3, 4” in time with the music. Alternatively, for a slightly more rhythmic feel, you can strum on beats 1, 2, and 4, leaving out beat 3.
Remember, the tempo of “A Horse With No Name” is moderate – not too fast, not too slow. When you’re first learning, prioritize smooth chord changes over speed. Use a metronome to keep a steady beat if needed.
Here’s a basic strumming pattern notation:
Basic strumming pattern for learning guitar with Horse With No Name chords
Image alt text: Chord chart with lyrics and basic downstroke strumming indication for the verse and chorus sections of A Horse With No Name song for beginner guitarists.
In this chart, “Em” is played for one measure (four beats), followed by “Dadd6add9” for the next measure, and so on. Follow the lyrics and chord changes to play along with the song.
Adding Rhythm with Upstrokes
Once you’re comfortable with basic downstrokes and chord changes, you can introduce upstrokes to make your strumming more dynamic and closer to the original song’s feel. An upstroke is when you strum upwards across the strings, from thinnest to thickest.
To incorporate upstrokes, we’ll divide each beat into two, using “eighth notes.” Instead of counting “1, 2, 3, 4,” we’ll count “1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and.” The tempo doesn’t change; we’re just adding more strums within the same timeframe.
An upstroke symbol () indicates strumming upwards, and a downstroke symbol () indicates strumming downwards.
Here’s an alternative strumming pattern using upstrokes:
Image alt text: Guitar tab showing an alternate strumming pattern using downstrokes and upstrokes for playing Horse With No Name chords, suitable for beginner guitarists.
This pattern uses both downstrokes and upstrokes to create a more rhythmic and engaging sound. Start slowly to get comfortable with the upstrokes, focusing on keeping the rhythm steady. You can listen to an audio example to help you get the feel for this strumming pattern.
Alternate strumming pattern with audio download for Horse With No Name guitar lesson
Image alt text: Guitar chord chart and notation with a more complex strumming pattern for Horse With No Name, including a download link for an MP3 audio example to aid learning.
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Practice this strumming pattern slowly until it becomes natural. Even if you’ve never tried upstrokes before, you’ll be surprised how quickly you can pick it up.
Creating a Bass Line
To add even more depth to your playing, you can incorporate a simple bass line. This involves emphasizing the lowest string (6th string – low E) on the first beat of each measure.
For each chord change (at the beginning of each measure), strike only the 6th string. Then, continue with your chosen strumming pattern for the rest of the measure. This creates a rudimentary bass line that adds a lot of texture to the song.
Here’s how it looks in notation, with “D” indicating downstrokes and “U” indicating upstrokes:
Strumming example with bass line for Horse With No Name guitar chords lesson
Image alt text: Guitar notation illustrating a strumming pattern that incorporates a bass line by striking the 6th string on the first beat of each measure while playing Horse With No Name.
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This technique is surprisingly easy to learn and dramatically enhances the fullness of your guitar playing, especially for a beginner.
Experimenting with Strumming Variations
Once you’re comfortable with the bass line and strumming patterns, start experimenting! There are many ways to add your personal touch to “A Horse With No Name.”
Bridge Strumming: Try strumming closer to the bridge of the guitar (the part that holds the strings on the body) on the Em chord, particularly on the upstroke on the second beat. Let it ring out for the rest of the measure. This creates a brighter, more resonant tone.
Bridge strumming example for Horse With No Name guitar chords lesson
Image alt text: Guitar tab example showing bridge strumming technique on the Em chord to create variation in the Horse With No Name guitar part.
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Picking Individual Strings: Instead of strumming all the strings, try picking individual strings. In this example, the three highest strings are picked as upstrokes on the last beat and a half of the measure.
String picking example for strumming variations on Horse With No Name guitar chords
Image alt text: Guitar notation demonstrating string picking as a strumming variation technique for the song Horse With No Name, focusing on the higher strings.
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Mix and match these techniques! Combine different strumming patterns and variations for the Em and Dadd6add9 chords to create your own unique rendition of “A Horse With No Name.” The possibilities are endless, and experimentation is key to developing your own style.
Understanding the Dadd6add9 Chord
Let’s briefly touch upon the theory behind the Dadd6add9 chord. You might be wondering why it has such a complex name. If we analyze the notes in this chord:
Image alt text: Musical staff notation showing the individual notes that comprise the Dadd6add9 chord in the context of the Horse With No Name guitar lesson.
You’ll see it contains the notes D, F#, A, B, E, and G. This chord can actually be called by many names depending on the theoretical perspective, including Bm7(add4), D6(add9), or even E9(sus4).
The context of the song and how the chord functions in the progression often dictates the most appropriate name. In “A Horse With No Name,” the Dadd6add9 acts as a chord that creates a sense of anticipation and resolution back to the Em.
While chord theory can get complex, understanding that chords can have multiple names and interpretations enriches your musical knowledge. For beginners, simply knowing how to play the Dadd6add9 and Em chords and how they sound together is the most important thing.
Conclusion
“A Horse With No Name” is a fantastic song for beginner guitarists to learn. With just two simple chords and a few strumming patterns, you can quickly play this iconic tune. More importantly, by exploring strumming variations and understanding basic chord theory, you’re taking your first steps towards becoming a more versatile and knowledgeable guitar player.
Don’t just stop at learning the chords! Experiment with different strumming techniques, create your own variations, and most importantly, have fun making music. To further enhance your playing of this song, check out our lesson on Adding Some Personal Touches to “A Horse With No Name,” where you’ll learn rhythm riffs and lead guitar parts to take your performance to the next level. Keep practicing, and enjoy your guitar journey!
