Taylor Swift’s “Lover” is a modern classic that resonates with audiences of all ages. Its catchy melody and heartfelt lyrics make it a favorite for sing-alongs and romantic moments alike. If you’re a guitar player looking to learn a popular and beautiful song, “Lover” is an excellent choice. The good news is, the song is built on a foundation of relatively simple guitar chords, making it accessible for beginners and enjoyable for more experienced players. This lesson will break down the guitar chords you need to play “Lover”, the strumming pattern, and the song structure, so you can start playing along in no time.
Simple Chords to Learn “Lover”
The core of “Lover” relies on a few essential guitar chords in the key of G major. You’ll be using G major, D major (specifically a D suspended 4 variation can add flavor), C major (often played as Cadd9), and for the bridge, you’ll encounter E minor, F major, and A minor chords. Let’s look at each of these chords and how to play them.
G Major Chord
The G major chord is a foundational chord in guitar playing and is used extensively in “Lover”. Here’s how to form it:
- Middle finger: 3rd fret of the low E string (6th string).
- Index finger: 2nd fret of the A string (5th string).
- Ring finger: 3rd fret of the B string (2nd string).
- Pinky finger: 3rd fret of the high E string (1st string).
Strum all six strings for the G major chord.
D Major (Dsus4) Chord
While technically you can play a standard D major, the lesson highlights a D suspended 4 (Dsus4) variation, which adds a slightly different feel. For simplicity, we’ll refer to it as D in this context. You can play a standard D major, or include the suspended 4 element as described:
- Index finger: 2nd fret of the G string (3rd string).
- Middle finger: 2nd fret of the high E string (1st string).
- Ring finger: 3rd fret of the B string (2nd string).
To incorporate the suspended 4 sound, you can keep your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the high E string, similar to the G chord, and add it to the D shape. Experiment with adding and removing your pinky finger on the high E string during the D chord to get the feel of the Dsus4.
C Major (Cadd9) Chord
The C major chord in “Lover” is often played as a Cadd9. This adds a richer, more open sound compared to a standard C major. Here’s how to play Cadd9:
- Middle finger: 3rd fret of the A string (5th string).
- Index finger: 2nd fret of the D string (4th string).
- Ring finger: 3rd fret of the B string (2nd string).
- Leave the high E string (1st string) open.
Notice that the Cadd9 shape is very similar to the G major chord, just shifted down a string set.
E Minor Chord
The E minor chord adds a touch of melancholy and is used in the bridge section of “Lover”. It’s a common and relatively easy chord to learn:
- Index finger: 2nd fret of the A string (5th string).
- Middle finger: 2nd fret of the D string (4th string).
Strum all six strings for the E minor chord.
F Major Chord
F major is another chord used in the bridge and can be a bit trickier for beginners. You can play a simplified version or a barre chord version. A simplified version focuses on the top strings:
- Index finger: 1st fret of the B string (2nd string).
- Middle finger: 2nd fret of the G string (3rd string).
- Ring finger: 3rd fret of the D string (4th string).
Alternatively, you can play a barre chord F major, which is a more complete and fuller sounding version, but requires more finger strength and dexterity. For beginners, the simplified F major is perfectly acceptable for learning “Lover”.
A Minor Chord
The A minor chord is another minor chord that adds emotional depth to the bridge section:
- Index finger: 1st fret of the B string (2nd string).
- Middle finger: 2nd fret of the G string (3rd string).
- Ring finger: 2nd fret of the D string (4th string).
Strum all six strings for the A minor chord.
The Waltz Strumming Pattern
“Lover” is played in 3/4 time, often referred to as waltz time. This means there are three beats per measure, giving the song its characteristic swaying rhythm. You can count it as “1, 2, 3” or “1 and 2 and 3 and” for a more detailed count that includes upstrokes.
A basic strumming pattern for “Lover” in 3/4 time is:
- Down, down-up, up-down-up
Counting it in six counts (as suggested in the original lesson) can also work:
- 1, 2 and 3 and 4, 5 and 6 (Down on numbers, Up on “and”)
Focus on getting a feel for the 3/4 or 6/8 rhythm. Practice switching between downstrokes and upstrokes smoothly to create the waltz feel. Start slowly and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable.
Song Structure and Chord Progression
“Lover” follows a classic song structure with verses, a chorus, a bridge, and a descending chord progression section.
Verse and Chorus
The verse and chorus sections of “Lover” share the same simple chord progression:
G | D | C | C
Each chord is played for six counts (or two measures of 3/4 time). You can repeat this progression throughout the verse and chorus. Experiment with dynamics. For the verse, you might try palm muting your strings for a softer, more intimate sound, and then strumming more fully for the chorus to increase the energy.
Bridge
The bridge section introduces a slightly more complex, yet still beautiful, chord progression that adds emotional depth:
Part 1: G | D | Em | F (repeated)
Part 2: C | Em | Am | D (repeated)
Part 3 (Ending of Bridge): G | F | C | C | Am | Am | D | D
Each chord in the bridge is also generally played for six counts. Pay attention to the transitions between chords in the bridge, especially the F major chord, which creates a momentary shift outside the main key of G major, adding to the emotional impact.
Descending Chord Progression (Outro)
The descending chord progression is used at the end of the chorus and as an outro to the song. It creates a sense of resolution and finality:
G | F# | Em | D | C
This progression is played by descending through a part of the G major scale, creating a smooth and pleasing sound. The F# is implied as part of the scale and progression, leading down to E minor, D, and finally resolving on C.
Tips for Playing “Lover”
- Start Slow: Begin practicing slowly to get comfortable with the chord changes and strumming pattern. Speed will come with practice.
- Focus on Smooth Chord Transitions: Practice transitioning smoothly between G, D, and C chords. This is the foundation of the song.
- Experiment with Dynamics: Use palm muting in the verses and increase strumming intensity in the chorus to add dynamic variation.
- Listen to the Original Song: Listen to “Lover” frequently to internalize the rhythm and feel of the song. Play along with the recording to improve your timing.
- Practice the Bridge Separately: The bridge has more chord changes, so practice it separately until you can play it smoothly before putting it all together.
- Have Fun! “Lover” is a fun and rewarding song to play. Enjoy the process of learning and making music!
Learning “Guitar Chords To Taylor Swift” songs like “Lover” is a fantastic way to improve your guitar skills while playing music you love. With its easy-to-learn chords and catchy melody, “Lover” is a perfect song for guitarists of all levels. So grab your guitar, practice these chords and strumming patterns, and you’ll be playing along to Taylor Swift’s “Lover” in no time!
