Wagon Wheel Guitar Chords Old Crow Medicine Show
If you're a fan of folk and bluegrass music, there's a good chance you've heard Old Crow Medicine Show's hit song "Wagon Wheel." Originally written by Bob Dylan and later completed by Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show, "Wagon Wheel" has become a classic tune beloved by many. In this article, we'll take a deep dive into the song and learn how to play the guitar chords for "Wagon Wheel."
The History of "Wagon Wheel"
As mentioned, "Wagon Wheel" was first written by Bob Dylan in the '70s, but it was never completed. The song's chorus was stuck in Dylan's head, and he wrote a few verses to go along with it. Years later, Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show came across a bootleg recording of the unfinished song and decided to finish it himself.
Secor wrote additional verses and tweaked the lyrics to create the version of "Wagon Wheel" that we know today. The song was released on Old Crow Medicine Show's 2004 album "O.C.M.S." and quickly became a fan favorite.
The Chords for "Wagon Wheel"
The guitar chords for "Wagon Wheel" are relatively simple, making it a great song for beginner guitar players to learn. The song is played in the key of A, and you'll need to know five basic chords:
- A
- E
- D
- F#m
- Bm
Here's how to play each chord:
- A: Place your first finger on the second fret of the fourth string, your second finger on the second fret of the third string, and your third finger on the second fret of the second string. Strum all the strings.
- E: Place your first finger on the first fret of the third string and your second finger on the second fret of the fifth string. Strum all the strings.
- D: Place your first finger on the second fret of the third string, your second finger on the second fret of the first string, and your third finger on the third fret of the second string. Strum all the strings.
- F#m: Place your first finger on the second fret of the second string, your second finger on the second fret of the fourth string, and your third finger on the second fret of the third string. Strum all the strings.
- Bm: Place your first finger on the second fret of the fifth string, your second finger on the third fret of the fourth string, and your third finger on the fourth fret of the third string. Strum all the strings.
To play "Wagon Wheel," you'll need to know the chord progression for the song. The chorus uses the chords A, E, F#m, and D, while the verses use A, E, and D. Here's how the chord progression looks:
Chorus: A - E - F#m - D
Verse: A - E - D
Repeat the chorus and verse as many times as you like to create the full song. You can also add a bridge to the song, which uses the chords Bm, D, A, and E. Here's the chord progression for the bridge:
Bridge: Bm - D - A - E
Tips for Playing "Wagon Wheel"
If you're new to playing guitar, "Wagon Wheel" is a great song to practice your strumming and chord transitions. Here are a few tips to help you master the song:
- Practice each chord individually before trying to play the full song. Make sure you can play each chord cleanly and switch between them smoothly.
- Start by playing the song at a slower tempo and gradually work your way up to the full speed.
- Use a metronome or drum machine to help you keep time.
- Experiment with different strumming patterns to find the one that feels best for you.
- Listen to the song as you play to help you stay on track with the chord changes.
Conclusion
"Wagon Wheel" by Old Crow Medicine Show is a beloved folk and bluegrass song that's fun and easy to play on the guitar. By learning the basic chords and chord progression, you'll be able to strum along to this classic tune in no time. Keep practicing and experimenting with your strumming and chord transitions, and before you know it, you'll be playing "Wagon Wheel" like a pro.