Taming ‘Wild Horses’: A Simple Guitar Tutorial for The Rolling Stones’ Classic in Standard Tuning

Introduction

The Rolling Stones have a treasure trove of timeless classics in their repertoire, and “Wild Horses” is undoubtedly one of their most iconic and beloved songs. Released on their 1971 album “Sticky Fingers,” this heartfelt ballad has captivated audiences for decades with its melodic beauty and emotional depth. In this guitar tutorial, we’re going to explore how to play “Wild Horses” in standard tuning with simple chords so that you can strum along and capture the essence of this classic Stones tune.

Chords You’ll Need

Before we dive into the song, let’s go over the chords you’ll need for “Wild Horses.” Luckily, this song is relatively straightforward in terms of chord progressions. You’ll need to know the following chords:

1. G Major (G)
2. C Major (C)
3. F Major (F)
4. Am (A minor)
5. D Major (D)

Verse Chord Progression

The verse of “Wild Horses” primarily follows a simple chord progression that repeats throughout the song. Here’s how it goes:

G - C - G - Am - G - F - C - D

Now, let’s break this down further:

1. G Major (G) – Start with a G major chord and strum it for a full measure.
2. C Major (C) – Move to a C major chord for another measure.
3. G Major (G) – Return to G major for a measure.
4. Am (A minor) – Switch to A minor for a measure.
5. G Major (G) – Go back to G major.
6. F Major (F) – Play F major for a measure.
7. C Major (C) – Return to C major.
8. D Major (D) – Finally, finish with a measure of D major.

Chorus Chord Progression

The chorus also follows a straightforward chord progression:

G - C - G - D

It’s essentially the same as the verse but without the Am and F chords.

Strumming Pattern

The strumming pattern for “Wild Horses” is quite gentle and suited to the song’s intimate, emotional quality. You can use a basic downstroke strumming pattern like this:

D - D - U - U - D - U

In this pattern, “D” represents a downstroke, and “U” represents an upstroke. Feel free to keep the strumming soft and flowing, in line with the song’s mellow vibe.

Playing Tips

1. Practice each chord transition slowly until you can switch between them smoothly.
2. Listen to the original recording of “Wild Horses” by the Rolling Stones to get a feel for the song’s dynamics and emotional nuances.
3. Experiment with your strumming pattern. While a basic downstroke pattern works well, you can add variations to suit your style and interpretation.
4. Pay attention to the lyrics as you play, as they are a crucial part of the song’s storytelling.

Conclusion

Playing “Wild Horses” by the Rolling Stones on your guitar is a delightful journey into the realm of classic rock and heartfelt songwriting. With its straightforward chord progressions and gentle strumming, this song is accessible to guitarists of all skill levels. Take your time, feel the emotion of the song, and enjoy bringing this timeless classic to life with your own personal touch. Rock on!

‘Wild Horses’: A Simple Guitar Tutorial

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