Are you a beginner guitarist looking for a popular and easy song to learn? “Hey There Delilah” by the Plain White T’s is an excellent choice. This acoustic ballad is not only instantly recognizable but also perfect for honing your fundamental guitar skills. In this lesson, we’ll break down the Hey There Delilah Guitar Chords, strumming patterns, and techniques you need to master this hit song, making it a valuable addition to your repertoire.
For aspiring guitarists, tackling your first full song can be both exciting and slightly daunting. You might find some techniques come naturally, while others require more practice. “Hey There Delilah” is cleverly structured to introduce you to essential chord progressions and picking patterns that are common in countless songs. Think of this lesson as more than just learning one song; it’s about building a foundation that will serve you across your guitar-playing journey. Don’t be discouraged if you find parts challenging initially. With a little persistence and focused practice, you’ll be surprised at how quickly you progress. Remember, even songs that seem complex at first glance can become manageable with consistent effort. Embracing challenges like these is key to unlocking new levels of skill and confidence on the guitar.
Why “Hey There Delilah” is Perfect for Beginners
“Hey There Delilah” offers several benefits for beginner guitarists:
- Simple Chord Progression: The song primarily uses a repeating chord progression that’s easy to memorize and play.
- Fingerpicking Introduction: It’s a fantastic song to practice fingerpicking techniques, which are crucial for acoustic guitar playing.
- Consistent Rhythm: The steady rhythm throughout the song helps you develop your timing and strumming accuracy.
- Popular and Motivating: Learning a well-known song like this keeps you motivated and makes practice enjoyable.
Diving into the “Hey There Delilah” Guitar Chords
The song is in the key of D major and features a straightforward structure built around a few core chords. Let’s explore the chords and how they fit together in the song.
Intro and Verse 1: D5 – F#m
The intro and the first part of each verse are based on a simple two-chord progression: D5 and F#m.
Hey There Delilah by Plain White T
The D5 chord, as mentioned in the original lesson, is played without the full barre of a standard D chord. This simplified D5 makes it easier for beginners. You can play it by focusing on the D (3rd fret of the B string) and A (2nd fret of the G string) notes while leaving the high E string open.
For the F#m (F sharp minor) chord, a common beginner-friendly approach is to use a “mini-barre” with your index finger across the top three strings at the 2nd fret. This minimizes hand movement between the D5 and F#m, making the transitions smoother. Try using your ring finger for the D note on the D5 and your pinky for the F# note on the F#m. While this might feel a bit challenging initially, mastering this transition is a valuable exercise for finger dexterity and chord changes. Consistent practice will make this progression feel much more natural.
Listen to the audio example to get a feel for the rhythm and transitions between these chords.
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Verse 2: Bm – G – A – Bm – A
The second section of the verse introduces a slightly longer chord progression: Bm, G, A, and then back to Bm and A.
Hey There Delilah by Plain White T
Here, the picking pattern allows us to play the Bm (B minor) chord without needing to barre the entire chord, which is great for beginners. You’ll also notice a descending bass line at the end of the first measure, often written as Bm/A. This simply means you play a Bm chord but with an A note in the bass. In practice, you can achieve this by keeping the Bm chord shape and ensuring the A string (5th string) rings out clearly.
The progression moves to a G major chord and then to an A major chord. The trickiest part in this section might be the A5 at the end. Instead of a full A chord, A5 focuses on the root and fifth. You can play this by using the mini-barre at the second fret again and using your pinky to fret the E note at the 5th fret of the B string. This fingering also sets you up nicely for the return to the D5 chord at the beginning of the next verse section.
Listen to how these chords flow together:
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Putting the Verse Together
Let’s combine both sections of the verse to see how they work in sequence:
Hey There Delilah by Plain White T
Practice transitioning smoothly between these chord sections. Focus on maintaining a consistent rhythm while changing chords.
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Chorus: D5 – Bm (with Bass Movement)
The chorus of “Hey There Delilah” features a catchy and slightly more dynamic progression using D5 and Bm chords, incorporating bass movement to add interest.
Hey There Delilah by Plain White T
The bass line movement under the D5 chord, indicated as D5/A, is a subtle but effective touch. You can achieve this by playing the D5 chord and then letting the open A string ring out in the bass. This creates a moment of pause and sets up the transition to the Bm chord.
For the Bm chord in the chorus, try fretting the D note (3rd fret of the B string) with your middle finger and the A note (2nd fret of the G string) with your index finger during the D5/A part. As you move to Bm, reposition your index finger to play the B note in the bass (2nd fret of the A string) and use your pinky to fret the B note on the 4th fret of the G string. This may seem complex at first, but with practice, it becomes a fluid movement, allowing for a smooth transition and capturing the intended bass line.
This two-measure chord progression repeats four times in the chorus. The first chorus ends with an extra measure of D5 before returning to the verse.
Listen to the chorus progression:
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Bridge: G – D5 – Bm – D5
The bridge section offers a slight change of pace with a progression that includes G, D5, and Bm chords.
Hey There Delilah by Plain White T
Notice how the bass line continues to “connect the dots,” moving smoothly between root notes. Similar to the chorus, the bridge uses variations like D5/A and D5/C#. For the D5/C#, using the mini-barre technique can be particularly helpful, giving your pinky room to reach the C# note in the bass.
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Verse 3 and Outro Chorus
The final verse has a slightly modified structure, looping through a Bm – Bm/A – G – A sequence before resolving to the Bm – A – A5 ending. Pay close attention to the notation for these variations.
Hey There Delilah by Plain White T
Notice that the final A and A5 chords in this verse are held for four beats each, creating a sense of conclusion before the final chorus.
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The outro chorus extends the regular chorus progression for an additional five repetitions, often accompanied by vocal “ohs” and “whoas.” You might also hear a subtle string mute on the latter half of the fourth beat in the first measure (D5/A), adding a percussive element. This is an optional technique to explore as you become more comfortable with the song.
Hey There Delilah by Plain White T
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The song concludes on a standard open position D chord, providing a satisfying resolution.
Hey There Delilah by Plain White T
Tips for Mastering “Hey There Delilah”
- Start Slow: Begin practicing each chord progression slowly, focusing on clean chord changes and rhythm.
- Isolate Difficult Parts: If you struggle with a particular chord transition or section, practice it repeatedly until it becomes smoother.
- Use a Metronome: Practice with a metronome to develop your timing and rhythm accuracy.
- Listen Actively: Listen to the original song frequently to internalize the feel and timing.
- Practice Regularly: Consistent practice, even in short sessions, is more effective than long, infrequent practice.
Final Thoughts
Learning “Hey There Delilah” guitar chords is a rewarding experience for any beginner guitarist. It introduces you to fundamental chord shapes, fingerpicking patterns, and song structure in a fun and accessible way. While it might require some patience and practice, the skills you gain from this lesson will be invaluable as you continue your guitar journey. So grab your guitar, take it step by step, and enjoy learning this iconic song!
If you have any questions or want to share your progress, feel free to visit the Guitar Noise Forum’s “Guitar Noise Lessons” page. Happy playing!
