The song “When We Were Young” by Adele is composed of the chords Em, G, D and A. The progression follows the pattern Em-G-D-A throughout most of the song except for the chorus, which changes to Em-A instead of Em-G. It is important to note that during the bridge part of this song, an F#m chord may also be included in some variations.
Verse Chords
The verse chords for the song “When We Were Young” by Adele are fairly straightforward. To begin, there is an Em7 chord, followed by a Cadd9. This leads into another Em7 and then a G major chord to finish off the verse. All of these chords help form the basis for the verses melody, which gives it its sound that can be heard on the recording of this iconic song.
A popular variation in playing these chords for this section is to use four down-strums per measure on each chord with some subtle strum variations in between. You can add a fill after every two measures or so with either a single note picked out or possibly even two notes to provide texture and create more interest while playing through this part of the song.
When it comes time to transition back into chorus from the verse (or vice versa), one simple way to do this is by going directly into an A minor chord followed quickly by a D major and then transitioning right into your next section where ever you may go. By using this method of transitioning between sections during performance you can ensure smooth transitions between them all whilst still having fun with strumming techniques mentioned before as well.
Chorus Chords
For those familiar with the chorus of Adele’s popular song “When We Were Young,” they may be aware that it is composed in the key of F major. This means that most of the chords featured in the chorus are based around this scale. The basic chord progression consists of four chords: Fmaj7, Dm7, BbMaj7 and Csus2.
The first two chords are played on their own as an introduction to the track before all four come together for the main melody. To play these chords correctly on guitar or keyboard, one must use a capo at fret 1 to get them in tune with each other. If playing a keyboard instrument like a piano or organ, it is important to take note of which octaves to utilize for each chord – for example; Fmaj7 is played between middle C and E flat whereas BbMaj7 should be slightly lower than middle C.
When progressing through these four chords for the chorus section, it is possible to incorporate some additional embellishments or variations into them such as trills or arpeggios depending on personal taste and style. This can further enhance the sound quality produced by “When We Were Young” without taking away from its classic roots-rock appeal.
Bridge Chords
The bridge of the song “When We Were Young” by Adele is an emotional section of the ballad and features two chords, G Minor and C Major. This harmonic combination creates a contrast between minor and major sounds in order to express her bittersweet memories from long ago.
In this part of the song, she sings about wanting to go back in time: “Let me photograph you in this light / In case it is the last time / That we might be exactly like we were before we realized”. The lyrics demand a change between somber yet hopeful musical sections that are reflected in the two contrasting chords.
G Minor expresses her sadness through its dark and tender tonality while C Major provides optimism with its bright energy. These two opposing emotions create tension which then resolves at the end of the bridge when they both resolve into A7/C# – making sure not to leave us hanging without resolution.
Strumming Pattern
When learning the chords to “When We Were Young” by Adele, one of the key skills is understanding the strumming pattern. This is essential as it allows for a smooth transition between chords and contributes to an overall performance that sounds professional.
This song has a unique strumming pattern because each chord lasts for two beats, but in an 8th note feel. To play this accurately, begin with downstrokes on 1 & 2 and 3 & 4 while keeping time on all 8th notes in each measure. Then when moving from one chord to the next, pick up with an upstroke immediately before playing the new chord (the “and” of 4). For example, if transitioning from Em to G: pick up with an upstroke just before playing G on 5.
The bridge of “When We Were Young” has another interesting strumming element: ghost strokes. These occur throughout this section and provide some dynamic contrast while playing along with the vocals. To perform these correctly begin by continuing your regular strumming pattern until you reach a set of words that should be emphasized more than usual. At this point let off completely on all strings during those beats and then resume back into your normal strumming pattern afterwards – like a silent pause amidst your otherwise continuous rhythm!
Key and Capo Placement
Properly placing the capo and understanding key signatures are essential for playing “When We Were Young” correctly. The song is in the key of F# major, which can be difficult to play on a guitar without using a capo. In order to play the chords accurately and hit all of the notes correctly, it is important that you use an appropriate capo placement. When placed on the second fret, your guitar will sound in tune with the original recording and make playing much easier as well.
In addition to proper capo placement, there are certain notes that should be played higher or lower than normal. For example, when playing C sharp (C#) chords during the verses, one must raise their index finger slightly higher than they would normally do so that they hit all of the right notes while strumming. This slight adjustment can help bring out those hard-to-reach high tones and give more depth to your sound.
Some tricky chords may require further adjustments like changing where your fingers are placed on the strings or experimenting with open chords instead of barre chords. With some patience and practice however, even these unusual shapes can become second nature as you learn how to properly execute them for maximum effect within this beloved classic by Adele.
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