“Patience” by Guns N’ Roses is a timeless classic loved by guitarists for its beautiful melody and relatively simple chord progression. This guide will break down the guitar chords for “Patience”, making it accessible for beginners and enjoyable for players of all levels. If you’re looking to learn some iconic rock ballads, mastering the chords for “Patience” is a fantastic place to start. All you need is a little patience, and you’ll be playing this song in no time!
Chords You’ll Need for Patience
“Patience” primarily uses open chords, which are fundamental for guitarists. Here are the chords you’ll encounter in the song:
- C Major (C): A foundational chord, often one of the first learned by guitarists.
- G Major (G): Another essential open chord, frequently paired with C.
- A Major (A): A common major chord, adding a brighter tone to the progression.
- D Major (D): A versatile chord used in countless songs.
- E minor (Em): A minor chord that brings a touch of melancholy.
- F6 (F6): A slightly jazzy variation of the F chord, adding flavor.
- D/F# (D/F#): A D chord with F# as the bass note, creating a smooth transition.
- Dsus4 (Dsus4): A suspended chord that adds a moment of tension and release.
- Dsus2 (Dsus2): Another suspended chord, creating a lighter, airy feel.
These chords are all relatively beginner-friendly, making “Patience” a great song for practicing your chord transitions and strumming.
Patience Song Structure and Chord Progression
The song follows a classic verse-chorus structure, with a bridge and outro to add variation. Here’s a breakdown of the chord progression for each section:
Intro:
C C G G A A D D C C G G A A D D C G C Em C G D D
This intro sets a gentle and melodic tone for the song.
Verse:
C G (x2) A D (x2)
The verse progression is simple and repetitive, allowing you to focus on your strumming and rhythm. The numbers in parentheses indicate the duration of each chord (in this case, two beats each if you are counting in 4/4 time).
Chorus:
C G C Em C G D Dsus4 D Dsus2 D
The chorus is where the song’s emotional core shines. The Dsus4, Dsus2, and D sequence adds a dynamic touch to the end of the chorus.
Bridge:
C G C Em C G D D (x4) D Dsus4 D Dsus2 D (x4)
The bridge builds intensity before returning to the verse and chorus. It extends the chorus chord progression and emphasizes the Dsus4 D Dsus2 D sequence.
Cut Time (Little Patience Section):
D D/F# G (x4)
This section features a slightly different feel with the D/F# chord, creating a walking bass line effect.
Outro:
F6 F6 G G D G D
The outro provides a gentle fade-out, ending on the D chord.
Tips for Playing Patience
- Strumming Pattern: For beginners, a simple down-down-up-down-up strumming pattern in 4/4 time will work well throughout most of the song. As you become more comfortable, you can experiment with more complex patterns.
- Tempo: “Patience” is played at a moderate tempo. Listen to the original song to get a feel for the timing and try to play along.
- Chord Transitions: Practice smooth transitions between chords. Focus on moving your fingers efficiently and accurately. Start slowly and gradually increase your speed.
- Dynamics: Pay attention to the dynamics of the song. The verses are generally softer, while the chorus builds in intensity. Use your strumming strength to create these dynamic variations.
Conclusion
Learning “Patience” on guitar is a rewarding experience. Its memorable melody and accessible chords make it a perfect song for beginner guitarists to learn and enjoy. With a little practice and, of course, patience, you’ll be playing this Guns N’ Roses classic and impressing your friends in no time. Keep practicing and explore more songs to expand your guitar skills!
