Make Me a Pallet on the Floor guitar chords
A gentle 1911 blues that works beautifully fingerpicked.
At a glance
- Key G
- Time 4/4
- Level Harder
- Chords G, C, D, E7, A7, Em
Why this song is worth learning
A traditional blues that is best played with a thumb-and-fingers picking pattern. It is a step up in difficulty because your thumb has to keep the bass steady.
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 |
| E7 | 0 2 0 1 0 0 |
| A7 | x 0 2 0 2 0 |
| Em | 0 2 2 0 0 0 |
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 | E7 | A7 | D |
|---|---|
| Chorus | G | C | G | E7 | A7 | D | G | G |
Each group is one bar. Count 4 beats per bar.
Strumming pattern
Fingerpick, thumb on bass
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, then E7, A7 and Em.
- Play the thumb on the bass note, then pick the top strings with your fingers.
- Practise each chord on its own with the thumb pattern.
- Play at 100 beats per minute, and keep the thumb steady.
Tips that matter
- Thumb keeps time. The bass note on the beat anchors the whole song.
- Practise slowly. Fingerpicking patterns are easier to get right at a slow tempo.
Questions about Make Me a Pallet on the Floor
What chords are in Make Me a Pallet on the Floor?
G, C, D, E7, A7 and Em, all in the key of G major.
What time signature is Make Me a Pallet on the Floor in?
4/4, with four beats per bar. It is rated Harder.
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 Make Me a Pallet on the Floor free to learn and share?
Yes. Traditional blues, published in 1911 and in the public domain. The arrangement on this page is Fretwork's own.