St. Louis Blues guitar chords
W. C. Handy's 1914 landmark, and one of the most recorded songs ever written.
At a glance
- Key G
- Time 4/4
- Level Harder
- Chords G, C, D, E7, Am
Why this song is worth learning
A famous blues with a strong swing rhythm and five chords. It is a step up in difficulty, because the groove depends on relaxed, uneven strumming.
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 |
| Am | x 0 2 2 1 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 | G | D | D |
|---|---|
| Chorus | Am | Am | E7 | Am | Am | E7 | Am | Am |
Each group is one bar. Count 4 beats per bar.
Strumming pattern
D - DU - D - DU (swing)
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 and Am.
- Play the swing pattern D - DU - D - DU on G.
- Practise the changes from G to C, and from D back to G.
- Play at 100 beats per minute, and let the swing come naturally.
Tips that matter
- Swing, not straight. Keep the gaps open so the rhythm feels loose.
- Go slowly. Harder songs are easier at a slower tempo until the changes are clean.
Questions about St. Louis Blues
What chords are in St. Louis Blues?
G, C, D, E7 and Am, all in the key of G major.
What time signature is St. Louis Blues 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 St. Louis Blues free to learn and share?
Yes. Written by W. C. Handy in 1914 and in the public domain. The arrangement on this page is Fretwork's own.