“Lover” by Taylor Swift is a modern classic, instantly recognizable and beloved by fans of all ages. Its romantic melody and heartfelt lyrics make it a perfect song to learn on guitar. If you’re looking for easy Taylor Swift Guitar Chords to master, “Lover” is an excellent choice. This tutorial will break down the simple chord progression and strumming pattern, so you can play along and impress everyone with this beautiful song.
“Lover” is written in 3/4 time, giving it a waltz-like feel. This might sound a bit different if you’re used to 4/4 time signatures, but don’t worry, it’s easy to get the hang of. The song primarily uses a simple chord progression featuring G, D, and C (or Cadd9) chords. These are fundamental chords for any guitarist, and learning them through a popular song like “Lover” is a fun and effective way to improve your skills.
Mastering the Basic Chords: G, D, and C (Cadd9)
Let’s start with the essential chords you’ll need to play “Lover”:
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G Major: This is a foundational chord in guitar music. Place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the low E-string, your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A-string, and your ring and pinky fingers on the 3rd fret of the B and high E-strings respectively.
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D Major (or Dsus4): For “Lover”, you can play a simple D major or a D suspended 4th (Dsus4) which adds a slight variation. For Dsus4, keep your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the high E-string throughout the G, D, and C chords as demonstrated in the video. For a standard D major, you can omit the pinky or lift it off.
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C Major (or Cadd9): Similar to the G chord shape, Cadd9 is a C chord with an added 9th note, giving it a richer sound. To play Cadd9, place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the A-string and your index finger on the 2nd fret of the D-string, keeping your ring and pinky fingers in the same position as they were for the G and D chords (on the 3rd fret of the B and high E-strings).
These three chords (G, D, and C/Cadd9) form the backbone of the verse and chorus of “Lover”. The beauty of this song lies in its simplicity and repetitive chord progression, making it ideal for practicing your chord changes and strumming rhythm.
The Waltz-like Strumming Pattern in 3/4 Time
“Lover” is in 3/4 time, often described as a waltz rhythm. This means there are three beats per measure, counted as “1, 2, 3”. You can also think of it as “1, 2, and 3, and” or even count it in six as “1, 2, and 3, and 4, 5, and 6”, emphasizing the downbeats and upbeats to get the feel.
A basic strumming pattern that works well for “Lover” is:
Down, Down-Up, Down-Up
Count this as: 1, 2-and, 3-and
Focus on a smooth, flowing motion with your strumming hand. For the verse, you can try a softer, palm-muted strum to create a more intimate feel. Bring your palm slightly onto the bridge of your guitar to dampen the strings and create a muted tone. This technique adds dynamics to your playing, allowing you to build intensity as the song progresses.
As you become comfortable with the basic strum, you can add more dynamics by varying your strumming patterns and the intensity of your strums. Experiment with hitting different parts of the strings, from the lower strings to the higher strings, to create tonal variation within the strumming pattern.
Verse and Chorus: Simple and Repetitive
The verse and chorus sections of “Lover” share the same chord progression, which makes the song easy to memorize. The progression is primarily:
G | D | C | C
Each chord lasts for six counts (or two measures of 3/4 time). Practice transitioning smoothly between these chords while maintaining the 3/4 strumming pattern. Start slowly and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable.
For the verse, consider using the palm-muting technique to create a softer and more subdued sound. Then, when you move to the chorus, lift the palm mute and strum with more energy to create a fuller, more open sound. This dynamic contrast will enhance the musicality of your performance.
The Bridge: Adding Emotional Depth
The bridge of “Lover” introduces a few more chords, adding a layer of emotional complexity to the song. The chord progression for the bridge is:
G | D | Em | F | C | Em | Am | D
This progression is slightly more involved but still uses relatively common chords. Let’s break down the new chords:
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E minor (Em): A fundamental minor chord. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A-string and your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the D-string.
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F Major (F): Can be played as a barre chord or a simpler version. For beginners, try the easier version: Index finger on the 1st fret of the B-string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G-string, and ring finger on the 3rd fret of the D-string.
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A minor (Am): Another essential minor chord. Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the B-string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D-string, and ring finger on the 2nd fret of the G-string.
The bridge progression is divided into two parts, each with four chords:
- G | D | Em | F
- C | Em | Am | D
This sequence is repeated, and then it transitions back to the familiar verse/chorus progression. The F major chord in the bridge adds a touch of unexpected color, creating an emotional lift before returning to the main theme of the song.
The Descending Outro: A Cool Ending
The outro of “Lover” features a descending chord progression that provides a satisfying conclusion. This descending part is based on moving down a scale in the key of G:
G | F#m7 | Em7 | D | C (simplified to G | Em | D | C)
For simplicity, especially for beginners, you can play a simplified version using:
G | Em | D | C
Play this progression a few times at the end of the song, gradually fading out or ending with a final strum on the C chord. For a more dramatic ending, you can strum each chord and let it ring out, creating a sense of finality.
Tips for Playing “Lover”
- Start Slow: Begin practicing at a slow tempo to focus on clean chord changes and consistent strumming. Gradually increase the tempo as you improve.
- Practice Chord Transitions: Smooth transitions between chords are key. Practice moving between G, D, and C/Cadd9 chords until you can switch effortlessly.
- Listen to the Song: Listen to “Lover” frequently to internalize the rhythm and feel of the song. Play along with the recording to develop your timing and strumming accuracy.
- Use a Chord Chart: Having a Taylor Swift guitar chords chart handy can be helpful, especially when learning the bridge section.
- Have Fun: Learning guitar should be enjoyable! Choose songs you love, like “Lover”, to stay motivated and make practice more engaging.
“Lover” is a fantastic song to add to your guitar repertoire. Its easy Taylor Swift guitar chords and enjoyable strumming pattern make it perfect for beginner guitarists while still being musically rewarding for players of all levels. With a little practice, you’ll be playing along to this Taylor Swift hit in no time and impressing everyone with your romantic guitar skills.
Looking for more easy guitar lessons and song tutorials? Explore GuitarControl.com for a wealth of resources to help you improve your guitar playing journey.
