Little Brown Jug guitar chords
An 1869 drinking song with a tune nobody forgets.
At a glance
- Key G
- Time 4/4
- Level Easy
- Chords G, C, D
Why this song is worth learning
A fast, cheerful tune with only three chords. It is a good way to practise changing quickly while keeping a steady strum.
The chords, as shapes
| Chord | Frets (low E to high e) |
|---|---|
| G | 3 2 0 0 0 3 |
| C | x 3 2 0 1 0 |
| D | x x 0 2 3 2 |
x means do not play that string, 0 means play it open. Tap any shape on the page to hear it.
Play along
Press play. The track counts you in, clicks the beat and lights up the chord you should be holding. Drop the tempo while you are learning and raise it once you can get through without stopping.
Chord order
| Verse | G | G | C | C | G | D | G | G |
|---|---|
| Chorus | G | G | C | C | G | D | G | G |
Each group is one bar. Count 4 beats per bar.
Strumming pattern
D D DU D
D is a down-strum and U is an up-strum. If the pattern feels like too much at first, play one down-strum per bar until the chord changes are comfortable, then add the rest.
How to learn it
- Learn G, C and D until you can change smoothly.
- Play D D DU D on G, then use the same strum on C and D.
- Practise the change from C to G, which comes up often.
- Play at 100 beats per minute, and speed up gradually.
Tips that matter
- Keep the pattern even. D D DU D works best when the up-strum sits neatly in the middle.
- Speed up slowly. A tune like this rewards small increases in tempo.
Questions about Little Brown Jug
What chords are in Little Brown Jug?
G, C and D, all in the key of G major.
What time signature is Little Brown Jug in?
4/4, with four beats per bar. It is rated Easy.
How fast should I practise it?
The play-along is set to 100 beats per minute. Start slower while you learn the changes, then raise the tempo in small steps once you can play through without stopping.
Is Little Brown Jug free to learn and share?
Yes. Written by Joseph Winner in 1869 and in the public domain. The arrangement on this page is Fretwork's own.