“Hey Jude” by The Beatles is an iconic song beloved by generations. Its powerful melody and uplifting message make it a favorite for guitarists to learn and play. If you’re looking to strum along to this timeless classic, you’ve come to the right place. This guide provides you with the guitar chords for “Hey Jude”, making it easy for you to start playing this masterpiece.
Standard Guitar Chords for Hey Jude
Here are the chords for “Hey Jude” arranged by section, making it simple to follow the song’s structure. These are the fundamental chords to get you playing along.
Verse 1 (A section)
F C C7 F
Hey Jude, don’t make it bad, take a sad song and make it better.
Bb F C7
Remember to let her into your heart, then you can start to make it
F
better
Verse 2 (A Section)
F C C7 F
Hey Jude, don’t be afraid, you were made to go out and get her.
Bb F C7
The minute you let her under your skin, then you begin to make it
F
better.
B Section
F7 Bb Bb/A Bb/G Bb/F
And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain, don’t carry the
C C7
world upon
F F7
your shoulders.
Bb Bb/A Bb/G Bb/F
For well you know that it’s a fool who plays it cool by making his
C
world a
C7 F
little colder.
Verse 3 (A Section)
F C C7 F
Hey Jude, don’t let me down, you have found her, now go and get her.
Bb F C7
Remember to let her into your heart, then you can start to make it
F
better.
B Section
F7 Bb Bb/A Bb/G Bb/F
So let it out and let it in, hey Jude, begin, you’re waiting for
C C7
someone to
F
perform with.
F7 Bb Bb/A Bb/G
And don’t you know that it’s just you, hey Jude, you’ll do, the
Bb/F
movement
C C7 F
you need is on your shoulder.
Verse 4 (A Section)
F C C7 F
Hey Jude, don’t make it bad, take a sad song and make it better.
Bb F C7
Remember to let her under your skin, then you’ll begin to make it
F
Better better better better better better, oh.
C Section
F Eb/G Bb F
Na na na nananana, nannana, hey Jude…
(repeat X number of times, fade)
Tips for Playing Hey Jude on Guitar
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Strumming Pattern: For most of the song, a simple down-down-up-down-up strumming pattern in 4/4 time works perfectly. As you become more comfortable, you can experiment with adding more complex rhythms and variations.
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Chord Transitions: “Hey Jude” involves some common chord changes, particularly between F, C, C7, and Bb. Practice these transitions slowly at first to ensure smooth changes without pausing the rhythm.
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Barre Chords: The Bb chord is a barre chord, which can be challenging for beginners. If you’re new to barre chords, focus on getting a clean sound from Bb. Alternatively, you can try a simplified version of Bb (sometimes labeled Bbmaj7 without the barre) which uses fewer fingers.
-
The F7 Chord: The F7 adds a bluesy flavor in the ‘B Section’. Make sure you are comfortable switching to and from F7.
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Listen to the Original: The best way to learn the feel and timing of “Hey Jude” is to listen to The Beatles’ recording frequently. Pay attention to the song’s dynamics and how the chords fit with the melody.
Why “Hey Jude” is Great for Guitarists
“Hey Jude” is an excellent song for guitarists for several reasons:
- Classic Song: It’s a song everyone knows and loves, making it rewarding to learn and play for yourself and others.
- Reasonably Beginner-Friendly: While it has a few slightly trickier chords like Bb and F7, the core chords are common and manageable for intermediate beginners.
- Great Practice: Learning “Hey Jude” helps improve your chord transitions, strumming, and timing.
- Singalong Potential: It’s a fantastic song to sing along to while playing guitar, perfect for practice or informal performances.
Learning “Hey Jude” on guitar is a rewarding experience. With these chords and tips, you’ll be well on your way to playing this timeless Beatles anthem. Keep practicing and enjoy making music!
