How to Write a Song on Guitar Using Just 3 Chords

How to Write a Song on Guitar Using Just 3 Chords Sign up successful Chord Progression Listen to the pros. Numerous hits have been written using only three chords. Below is a  list of ten songs that use three easy guitar chords. I, IV, V “Knockin on Heaven’s Door” (G, C, D) â€" Bob Dylan “Tush” (G, C, D) â€" ZZ Top “Sweet Home Alabama” (G, C, D) â€" Lynyrd Skynyrd “Atmosphere ” (A, D, E) â€" Joy Division “Release” (G, C, D) â€" Pearl Jam I, V, IV “Rock Around the Clock” (E, B, A) â€" Bill Haley  His  Comets “Margaritaville” (D, A, G) â€" Jimmy Buffett “Wild Thing” (A, D, E) â€" The Troggs Other “Get it On” (E, A, G) â€" T. Rex “505” (Dm, Em) â€" Arctic Monkeys Roman numerals are used to describe the chord progression, independent from what key  you are in. For example, if you are in the key of G, the chords of the harmonized G scale  are: To note: A capital letter or roman numeral indicates a major chord. A lower-case letter or roman numeral indicates a minor chord. Dim refers to a diminished chord. Notice that eight out of the 10  hits listed above use the I, IV, and V chords.  This is the arguably the most common chord progression in popular music. And this is where I suggest you  start writing your  first song. The Verse A very common and simple song format  uses just  two parts: verse, chorus, verse, chorus, etc. The verse is the main narrative section of the song, or the part where the writer describes what is going on in the song. It is the place where the setting is established and characters and actions are introduced; in other words, where the story happens. Here are a couple  example  verses: Verse of “Knocking on Heavens Door” Mama, take this badge off of me I cant use it anymore. Its gettin dark, too dark to see I feel Im knockin on heavens door. Verse of “Margaritaville” Nibblin on sponge cake, watchin the sun bake; All of those tourists covered with oil. Strummin my six string on my front porch swing. Smell those shrimp Theyre beginnin to boil. The Chorus The chorus is often the most memorable and sing-along-friendly part of the song. It is the part that people will recall most readily when they ask, “Hey, do you know that song that goes like this?” The chorus  repeats numerous times, and it serves to drive home the overall sentiment or feeling being expressed. The chorus is also  the place reserved for a “hook” (easily-remembered melodic or lyric phrase that repeats throughout song). A chorus can be one hook phrase repeated, like in “Knockin on Heaven’s Door,” or a group of words repeated, like in “Margaritaville” or “Wild Thing.” Chorus of “Knockin on Heaven’s Door” Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door Chorus of “Margaritaville” Wasted away again in Margaritaville, Searchin for my lost shaker of salt. Some people claim that theres a woman to blame, But I know its nobodys fault. Chorus of “Wild Thing” Wild thing, you make my heart sing You make everything groovy, wild thing Take a moment to listen to the ten songs listed above, and see if you can identify the verses and choruses. You may also run across a third section that appears only once in a song that doesn’t sound like either the verse or the chorus. This is called the bridge of the song, and it serves to break the momentum and monotony of the song, while offering a very specific outlook on the lyrical information in the verses and choruses. To keep it simple for your  very first song, however, you do not need to write  a bridge. Easy Form for your First Song Here is a suggested song form to start with to keep things very simple.  You can write as many verses as you want while keeping one chorus that repeats throughout the song. It might look something like this: Keys of G, C, or D I, V, IV: (G, D, C), (C, G, F), or (D, A, G) V, IV, I: (D, C, G), (G, F, C), or (A, G, D) Verse I, V, IV on each of the four lines 1. 2. 3. 4. Chorus V, IV, I on each of the four lines 1. 2. 3. 4. Verse Chorus Verse Chorus Verse Chorus Chorus Here is a sample of my own first verse and chorus as an example. “Summer Love” by Aimee Bobruk document.createElement('audio'); /blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Summer-Love-Demo.m4a Verse G D C C I can see us when I close my eyes G D C C Runin away on the 4th of July G D C C Under a sky glowing with sparks G D C C C You took my hand and pulled me into the dark Chorus D C G G Summer love Summer love Summer love Summer love As youre experimenting with  how to write a song, try  to come up with a simple melody that you can remember and have fun while playing. A million melodies can fit over the same exact chord progression, so your choices are endless. You can explore using some rhymes at the end of lines or write free verse with no rhymes. Just remember: Put the story part of the song in the verses, and reserve the chorus for your catchy phrase or theme. Have a blast! Learn more: Check out our Ultimate Guide to Songwriting! Post Author:  Aimee B. Aimee B. teaches piano, guitar and music theory in Austin, TX. She earned her B.A. in philosophy and art from St. Edwards University, has worked as a professional musician for over ten years, and has taught over 100 students as a private music instructor. Learn more about Aimee here! Photo by  Daniel Montemayor Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher