Skip to My Lou guitar chords
A two-chord children's song that is perfect for your very first week.
At a glance
- Key C
- Time 4/4
- Level Easy
- Chords C, G7, G
Why this song is worth learning
A play-party song with three chords and a bouncy rhythm. It is a good way to practise keeping time with a simple strum.
The chords, as shapes
| Chord | Frets (low E to high e) |
|---|---|
| C | x 3 2 0 1 0 |
| G7 | 3 2 0 0 0 1 |
| G | 3 2 0 0 0 3 |
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 | C | C | C | C | G | G | C | C |
|---|---|
| Chorus | C | C | C | C | G | G | C | C |
Each group is one bar. Count 4 beats per bar.
Strumming pattern
D D D 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 C, G7 and G.
- Play four even down-strums on each chord.
- Practise the change from C to G, which comes up often.
- Play at 100 beats per minute and sing along to keep the beat.
Tips that matter
- Keep it bouncy. Four even strums give the song its bounce.
- Count four. Four counts per bar keep the changes on time.
Questions about Skip to My Lou
What chords are in Skip to My Lou?
C, G7 and G, all in the key of C major.
What time signature is Skip to My Lou 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 Skip to My Lou free to learn and share?
Yes. American play-party song from the 1840s, in the public domain. The arrangement on this page is Fretwork's own.