“Skinny Love” by Bon Iver is a hauntingly beautiful song, renowned for its raw emotion and delicate guitar work. If you’ve been captivated by its sound and want to learn to play it yourself on acoustic guitar, you’ve come to the right place. This lesson will break down the “Skinny Love” guitar chords and guide you through playing this iconic song.
Tuning Your Guitar to Open C for Skinny Love
One of the unique aspects of “Skinny Love” is its use of open C tuning. This tuning creates the song’s distinctive and resonant sound. To tune your guitar to open C, follow these steps, starting from the thickest (6th) string:
- 6th String (E to C): Tune your low E string down to C. You can use a tuner or tune it by ear to a low C note.
- 5th String (A to G): Tune your A string down to G.
- 4th String (D to E): Tune your D string up to E.
- 3rd String (G to G): This string remains G.
- 2nd String (B to C): Tune your B string up to C.
- 1st String (E to C): Tune your high E string down to C.
Once you’ve completed these steps, your guitar will be in open C tuning (C G E G C C). Take your time and ensure each string is accurately tuned for the best sound.
Skinny Love Chord Progressions and Song Structure
“Skinny Love” primarily revolves around two main chord progressions, with subtle variations throughout the song. We’ll explore each section in the order they appear in the track.
Section 1: Verse and Intro
This section forms the foundation of the verses and the intro of “Skinny Love”. It features a progression that creates the song’s melancholic and introspective feel. While specific chord names in open C can be less conventional, focus on the shapes and sounds. Listen carefully to the song and follow along with the video demonstration to grasp the finger placements.
[Insert an image of a guitar player holding an acoustic guitar, focusing on the fretboard area, to illustrate chord positions although specific chord diagrams are not provided in the original text.]
Section 2: Chorus and Bridge
The second section provides a slight variation and lift, often used in the chorus and bridge parts of “Skinny Love”. Again, the essence is in the shapes and how they move within the open C tuning. Pay attention to the transitions between these two sections as you learn the song.
Throughout both sections, you’ll notice melodic licks and embellishments that Justin Vernon incorporates. These add texture and nuance to the guitar part. Focus on mastering the basic chord progressions first, and then gradually incorporate these melodic elements.
Strumming Pattern for Skinny Love
The strumming pattern in “Skinny Love” is relatively consistent and contributes significantly to the song’s rhythmic feel. It’s generally a gentle and arpeggiated style, allowing the open C tuning to resonate.
Experiment with downstrokes and upstrokes, focusing on creating a flowing and rhythmic texture rather than a rigid strumming pattern. Listen closely to the original recording to internalize the rhythm and feel of the strumming.
Enjoy Learning “Skinny Love” on Guitar
“Skinny Love” is a rewarding song to learn on acoustic guitar. The open C tuning and the interplay of the two chord progressions create a captivating sound that is both challenging and fulfilling to play. Take your time, practice each section methodically, and soon you’ll be playing this beautiful Bon Iver song. Remember to listen to the original track frequently to get the nuances and feeling right. Happy playing!
