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John Denver - This Old Guitar Ukulele Chords

ChordsC, G, Am, Em, F
Strumming↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑

Before you play, tune your ukulele and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.

CThisoldGguitartaughtmetoAmsingaEmlovesong,
FitshowedmehowtoGlaughandhowtoCcry.EmAmC
It FintroducedmetosomeGfriendsofmine,
andCbrightenedAmupmyCdays,
FithelpedmemakeitGthrusomelonelyCnights.EmAmC
FWhatafriendtohaveonaGcoldandlonelyCnight.
EmAmCFG
CThisoldGguitargavememyAmlovelyEmlady,
FitopenedupherGeyesandearstoCme.EmAmC
FItbroughtusclose Gtogether,
andICguessitAmbrokeherCheart,
FitopeneduptheGspaceforustoCbe.GAmG
FWhatalovelyplaceandaGlovelyspacetoCbe.
EmAmCFG
CThisoldGguitargavememyAmlife,myEmliving,
FandallthethingsyouGknowIlovetoCdo.EmAmC
FToserenadetheGstarsthatshine
fromaCsunnyGmountain-side,
FandmostofalltoGsingmysongsforCyou.EmAmC
FIlovetoGsingmysongsforCyou.EmYesIAmdo,Cyouknow
FandIlovetoGsingmysongsforCyou.EmmmAmmm
CMmmEmhuAmhuCyouGyouCyou.EmAmCFG
CEmAmCFGC
AlbumBack Home Again
GenresFolk, Pop
Year1974
KeyC
DifficultyEasy

How to play This Old Guitar on Ukulele (Step-by-step)

John Denver - This Old Guitar on ukulele requires 5 chords and 8 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.

This Old Guitar uses these transitions most often: G → C (20), F → G (19), and C → F (15). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with C - G chord transition.

1. C → G chord transition

Here's how to move from C to G:

  1. Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.
  2. Place index finger on C string fret 2.
  3. Place middle finger on A string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 5 times.

C to G

2. G → Am chord transition

Switching from G to Am:

  1. While playing G, first lift your index finger and ring finger.
  2. Lift your middle finger from A string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 4 times.

G to Am

3. Am → Em chord transition

To move from Am to Em:

  1. Lift your middle finger from G string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 3.
  2. Place index finger on A string fret 2.
  3. Place ring finger on C string fret 4.

This transition appears in the section, played 3 times.

Am to Em

4. Em → F chord transition

Switching from Em to F:

  1. While playing Em, lift your ring finger from C string fret 4.
  2. Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 1.
  3. Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to G string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 3 times.

Em to F

5. F → G chord transition

Here's how to move from F to G:

  1. Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on C string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to A string fret 2.
  3. Place ring finger on E string fret 3.

This transition appears in the section, played 19 times.

6. C → Em chord transition

Switching from C to Em:

  1. Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on C string fret 4.
  2. Place index finger on A string fret 2.
  3. Place middle finger on E string fret 3.

This transition appears in the section, played 12 times.

7. Am → C chord transition

To move from Am to C:

  1. While playing Am, lift your middle finger from G string fret 2.
  2. Place ring finger on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the section, played 14 times.

8. C → F chord transition

Switching from C to F:

  1. While playing C, lift your ring finger from A string fret 3.
  2. Place index finger on E string fret 1.
  3. Place middle finger on G string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 15 times.

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in This Old Guitar.

  • This Old Guitar includes 111 chord transitions, 8 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.03% of all chord transitions in Ukulelearn.
  • This Old Guitar contains 5 of the top 10 transitions across Ukulelearn.
  • These transition patterns show how This Old Guitar connects to the rest of Ukulelearn. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After C, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
    • C → G: 35%
    • C → F: 16%
    After G, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
    • G → C: 25%
    • G → Am: 13%