“Stand By Me” by Ben E. King is one of the most beloved songs of all time, and it’s a fantastic choice for guitarists looking to expand their repertoire. Its simple yet soulful melody and comforting lyrics resonate with listeners of all ages. If you’ve been wanting to learn how to play “Stand By Me” on guitar, you’ve come to the right place. This article provides you with the guitar tab to easily learn this classic song.
About “Stand By Me”: A Song for Generations
Released in 1961, “Stand By Me” has become a cultural touchstone. Inspired by a spiritual and drawing influences from gospel and blues, Ben E. King co-wrote this song, which has since been covered by countless artists across genres. Its enduring appeal lies in its universal message of love and support, conveyed through a beautifully simple musical arrangement. The song is particularly popular among beginner guitarists because of its straightforward chord progression and manageable strumming patterns. It’s a perfect song to learn early on your guitar journey and impress your friends and family.
Your Guide to Playing “Stand By Me” on Guitar: The Tab
Below is the guitar tablature for “Stand By Me,” broken down into sections to help you learn the song structure. This tab includes the intro, verse, and chorus sections, along with the lyrics and chords to guide you. The song is played in standard tuning and 4/4 time, making it accessible for most guitarists.
Intro Tab
e|---------|---------|---------|---------|
B|---------|---------|---------|---------|
G|---------|---------|---------|---------|
D|---------|---------|---------|---------|
A|-----3-3-|---2-3-3-|-3-2-0-0-|-----0-0-|
E|---------|-3-------|---------|-3-------|This intro riff is iconic and sets the mood for the entire song. Focus on the alternating bass notes on the A and E strings to capture the groove.
F G C ' | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
e|---------|---------|---------|---------|
B|---------|---------|---------|---------|
G|---------|---------|---------|---------|
D|---------|---------|---------|---------|
A|-0-------|---0-----|---2-3-3-|---2-3-3-|
E|---3-1-1-|-1---3-3-|-3-------|-3-------|Continue practicing the intro until you can smoothly transition between the chord changes and maintain a consistent rhythm.
Verse Tab (Play 2 times)
C ' Am ' _ _ _ _ _ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
e|-0-3s5-----|-0-3-----|---------|-----0-----------|
B|-----------|---------|---------|-1h3---3---1-----|
G|-----------|---------|---------|-----------------|
D|-----------|---------|---------|-----------------|
A|-------3-3-|---2-3-3-|-3-2-0---|-0-----------0-0-|
E|-----------|-3-------|---------|---------3-------|The verse introduces the main melody of the song. Notice the slide (s) from 3 to 5 and the hammer-on (h) from 1 to 3. These techniques add subtle nuances to your playing.
F G C ' _ _ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
e|-----0-------|---0-----|---------|---------|
B|-1-3-----1---|-1---3---|-1-3-1---|---------|
G|-------------|---------|---------|---------|
D|-------------|---------|---------|---------|
A|-0-----------|---0-----|---2-3-3-|---2-3-3-|
E|---3---1---1-|-1---3-3-|-3-------|-3-------|Pay attention to the timing and ensure you are switching chords cleanly as you play through the verse progression.
Chorus Tab
C ' Am ' _ _ _ _ _ _ _ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
e|-----5-3-8-7-|-5-0-3-----|---------|-----0-----------|
B|-------------|-----------|---------|-1h3---3---1-----|
G|-------------|-----------|---------|-----------------|
D|-------------|-----------|---------|-----------------|
A|---2-3-------|-3---2-3-3-|-3-2-0---|-0-----------0-0-|
E|-3-------8---|---3-------|---------|---------3-------|The chorus is more uplifting and powerful. The tab reflects this with slightly more complex melodic lines. Practice the transitions smoothly, especially the jump from 3 to 8 on the E string.
F G C ' _ _ _ _ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
e|-----0---------|---0-----|---------|-------0-----|
B|-1-3-----1-----|-1---3---|-1-3-1---|---------3-1-|
G|---------------|---------|---------|-------------|
D|---------------|---------|---------|-------------|
A|-0-------------|---0-----|---2-3-3-|---2-3---3---|
E|---3---1---1-1-|-1---3-3-|-3-------|-3-----------|Focus on the rhythm and dynamics in the chorus to bring out the emotional depth of the song.
Lyrics and Chords
To play along while singing or to understand the chord progression, here are the lyrics with the chords for “Stand By Me”:
Verse 1:
C Am
When the night has come
F G C
And the land is dark
C Am
And the moon is the only light we’ll see
C Am
No I won’t be afraid
F G C
Oh, I won’t be afraid
F G C
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
Chorus:
C Am
Stand by me, oh, stand by me
F G C
Oh, stand, stand by me
C Am
Stand by me
(Verse 2 – same chords as Verse 1)
If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
Or the mountains should crumble to the sea
I won’t cry, I won’t cry, no, I won’t shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
(Chorus)
Stand by me, oh, stand by me
Oh, stand, stand by me
Stand by me
(Solo – Play 1 verse progression)
(Chorus)
Stand by me, oh, stand by me
Oh, stand, stand by me
Stand by me
(Chorus)
Stand by me, oh, stand by me
Oh, stand, stand by me
Stand by me
(Repeat and fade out)
Tips for Playing “Stand By Me”
- Start Slow: When learning the tab, begin at a slow tempo to ensure accuracy. Gradually increase speed as you become more comfortable.
- Focus on Rhythm: “Stand By Me” has a distinct rhythm. Pay attention to the timing and feel of the song.
- Chord Transitions: Practice smooth transitions between C, Am, F, and G chords. These are fundamental chords in many songs, so mastering them here will be beneficial.
- Listen to the Original: Listen to Ben E. King’s version frequently to internalize the song’s nuances and phrasing.
- Use Tutorials: Consider watching guitar tutorials online for visual guidance on finger placement and strumming patterns. (Links to tutorials are often provided alongside tabs online).
Conclusion
Learning to play “Stand By Me” on guitar is a rewarding experience. This timeless song is not only enjoyable to play but also a great addition to any guitarist’s repertoire. With the provided tab and practice tips, you’ll be playing this classic tune in no time. So, pick up your guitar and start learning “Stand By Me” today!
