How to Play 'Love Story' by Taylor Swift

Capo Placement

• Place capo on the second fret.
• Makes chords easier to play.
• No barre chords needed.

Chord Progressions

• Main Chords: C major, G major, A minor, F major (use F major 7 for simplicity).
  • Use fingers 1, 2, and 3 on frets 1, 2, and 3.
  • Strings 2, 3, and 4.
  • Keep thumb over the top of the neck.
  • Tune guitar before playing.
• Intro and Chorus: C → G → A minor → F
  • All-down eighth strumming pattern (8 strums per bar).
  • Narrow strumming, middle 4 strings, lightly and quietly.
• Verse 1:
  • Chord progression: C major → F → A minor → F
  • Alternate ending: C major → F → A minor → G
  • Same strumming pattern.
• Pre-Chorus:
  • Chord progression: F → G → A minor → C
  • Quick changes in the last F and G (two beats each).

Strumming Patterns

• All-down eighth strumming pattern for intro and verse.
• For the chorus, extend strumming to all six strings for a brighter sound.
• Keep thumb on top, muting the 6th string for C, A minor, and F chords.

Dynamics

• Keep verse strumming narrow and quiet.
• Make choruses bright and open.
• Palm muting can add a muted effect when needed.

Bridge

• Chord progression: A minor → F → C → G
  • Strum each chord once for a low bridge effect.

Ending Sections

• End chorus with the same chords as verse but with light strumming and some palm muting.
• Key Change: C → D, G → A, A minor → B minor
  • Easy B minor 7 chord: play A major shape, move 1st finger up one fret and 3rd finger down one fret.
• Final chorus progression: D → A → B minor 7 → G

Conclusion

• Ending on the D chord.
• Follow along with similar tutorials for practice.