Wade in the Water guitar chords
A minor-key spiritual with one of the strongest grooves in the tradition.
At a glance
- Key Am
- Time 4/4
- Level Improver
- Chords Am, Dm, E, E7
Why this song is worth learning
A spiritual with a driving rhythm and four chords, including Dm and E7. It is a good step up in minor-key chord movement.
The chords, as shapes
| Chord | Frets (low E to high e) |
|---|---|
| Am | x 0 2 2 1 0 |
| Dm | x x 0 2 3 1 |
| E | 0 2 2 1 0 0 |
| E7 | 0 2 0 1 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
| Chorus | Am | Am | Am | Am | E | E | Am | Am |
|---|---|
| Verse | Am | Dm | Am | Am | E | E | Am | Am |
Each group is one bar. Count 4 beats per bar.
Strumming pattern
D DU DU DU
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 Am, Dm and E, then E7.
- Play D DU DU DU on Am, then on Dm and E.
- Practise the change from Am to E.
- Play at 100 beats per minute and keep the strum steady.
Tips that matter
- Keep it steady. The rhythm carries the song, so keep the strum even.
- Change with the phrase. Move to each new chord at the start of a line.
Questions about Wade in the Water
What chords are in Wade in the Water?
Am, Dm, E and E7, all in the key of A minor.
What time signature is Wade in the Water in?
4/4, with four beats per bar. It is rated Improver.
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 Wade in the Water free to learn and share?
Yes. African-American spiritual, published in 1901 and in the public domain. The arrangement on this page is Fretwork's own.