What are the guitar chords for “What’s Going On?”

The guitar chords for Marvin Gaye’s classic song “What’s Going On” are Am, Dm, Em, G. The song is composed in the key of A minor and follows a basic chord progression: Am – Dm – Em – G – Am. This progression is used throughout the entire song and can be heard in every chorus and verse section. The main melody is supported by an arpeggiated version of these chords which adds a bright texture to the track.

Verse Chords

Learning the chords of “What’s Going On?” Can seem like an intimidating task at first, but with a bit of practice and dedication anyone can master this iconic Marvin Gaye song. The verse is composed of three main chords: G major, E minor, and D major.

G major is one of the most commonly used chords in guitar playing, so it should be no surprise that it makes its way into “What’s Going On?”. To play G major you will place your index finger on the third fret of the low E string; your middle finger on the second fret of the A string; and your ring finger on the third fret of the high E string. Strum these three strings together to produce a G major chord.

For E minor place your index finger on the second fret of both B strings; then strum those two strings together for an E minor sound. For D major put your index finger onto the second fret for both E strings then strum them together to make a D major chord sound. It may take some time to get comfortable playing these three chords but it’ll be worth it when you hear how they fit into this classic song.

Chorus Chords

The chorus of the classic Marvin Gaye song “What’s Going On” is powered by a chord progression that alternates between the E and B major chords. This repeated sequence creates a sense of movement and builds tension as the song progresses, making it one of the most iconic choruses in popular music history. To recreate this dynamic sound, use an open E shape on your guitar fretboard to play an E major chord followed by a B major chord.

To create a fuller sound, you can add sevenths to these chords or substitute them with their minor counterparts (Em and Bm). Each variation adds its own flavor to the chorus while still preserving the melody and structure of Gaye’s original version. For even more variety, try changing up strumming patterns or experimenting with different voicings for each chord.

In addition to mastering some basic guitar techniques such as fingerpicking or hammer-ons/pull-offs, learning how to switch quickly between two chords will help you accurately reproduce this timeless classic when performing live or recording at home. With practice and dedication, you’ll soon have Marvin Gaye’s signature chorus at your fingertips.

Bridge Chords

The bridge chords of the Marvin Gaye song “What’s Going On?” Are a key element that make it so memorable. By adding three major 7th chords and one minor 7th chord, this section stands out in comparison to other classic R&B songs of the time. For the D7 chord, use a D Major scale with an F# as the seventh note for an authentic sound. To get a G7 chord, construct a G major scale with B as the seventh note. For C7 use an A flat as your seventh tone from a C major scale; whereas for Em7 construct an E minor scale with G as the seventh tone. Each of these four chords should be played twice in succession to form two bars or eight counts worth of music.

These particular chords form an interesting contrast to both preceding and subsequent parts of this iconic song. Following immediately after is a slower verse which conveys more tenderness than any part before it due to its gentle melody and subtle harmonies – making this transition particularly powerful when done well. What follows after is another bridge just like our original example which features some unique rhythmic changes but generally retains much of its harmonic structure intact – demonstrating why “What’s Going On” remains beloved by generations old and new alike.

Strumming Pattern

When learning guitar chords for the Marvin Gaye classic, “What’s Going On?”, The strumming pattern is just as important as the notes. An effective strum will add an air of authenticity and make the song shine. The key to replicating this soulful tune on guitar is to practice the following strum pattern over and over again.

The foundation of this strumming pattern is a slow sixteenth note groove with downstrokes and upstrokes in alternating patterns. To achieve this, use two fingers (the index and middle finger) to pluck each string in succession with a steady rhythm. A slower tempo helps to master this technique without getting overwhelmed by picking too quickly or sloppily.

It’s also essential to incorporate dynamic accents into your playing while strumming out “What’s Going On?”. These nuances can be heard more clearly when you play with a light touch; accentuating some beats on certain chords produces greater expressiveness that captures the essence of this timeless classic. Practice mute-strums with open strings – meaning press lightly on them so they don’t sound at all – for better sounding pauses that break up sections of consecutive notes in between chords.

Tips for Playing “What’s Going On”

As a guitar player, “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye can be an intimidating song to learn. The iconic melody and groove of the track make it essential for any guitarist wanting to cover this classic soul tune. This guide offers some advice on how to tackle this challenge.

You should familiarize yourself with the song’s structure and key signature. As a popular R&B/soul number, the progression is straightforward and uses chords that are common in many genres. You’ll want to listen carefully to understand when chord changes occur throughout each verse or chorus. Once you’ve done so, begin playing along at slow speed until you become more comfortable with timing and strumming pattern – there’s no substitute for practice.

Another tip is to focus on memorizing the shapes of each chord rather than relying solely on your ears – if you already know them well enough you won’t have any trouble playing along with other musicians or recordings. Knowing your fretboard inside out is invaluable here as some chords require quick finger movements between frets which may not be obvious at first glance; however, don’t worry too much about accuracy in terms of note placement as long as all strings sound clear during play-throughs. Experiment with different voicings – switching up positions can help create new sounds or give a fresh feel to certain sections of the song.

By following these tips, tackling “What’s Going On” will soon become second nature and provide an enjoyable musical experience that could even lead into other interpretations of this classic hit.