Mastering Wonderwall: A Step-by-Step Guitar Tutorial for Beginners

Oasis’s “Wonderwall” is arguably one of the most recognizable and beloved songs of the 90s. Its simple yet captivating chord progression and melancholic melody make it a perfect choice for beginner guitarists to learn. This tutorial will guide you through each step, from tuning your guitar to strumming the iconic opening chords, and finally, playing the entire song. Get ready to embark on a musical journey and impress your friends with this timeless classic!

Before We Begin: The Essentials

Before we delve into the chords and strumming patterns, let’s make sure you have everything you need:

• A Guitar: An acoustic guitar is preferred for the authentic Wonderwall sound, but an electric guitar will work just fine.
• A Tuner: Having a reliable tuner is crucial. You can use a physical tuner, a smartphone app (like GuitarTuna or Fender Tune), or even an online tuner.
• Basic Guitar Knowledge: Knowing how to hold your guitar, fret notes, and strum is beneficial. If you’re a complete beginner, I recommend checking out some introductory resources before diving into Wonderwall.
• Patience: Learning a song takes time and practice. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t nail it immediately.

Tuning Your Guitar

Proper tuning is paramount for playing Wonderwall, or any song for that matter! Standard tuning means tuning each string to the following notes, from thickest (lowest) to thinnest (highest):

1. E (Low E – 6th string)
2. A (5th string)
3. D (4th string)
4. G (3rd string)
5. B (2nd string)
6. E (High E – 1st string)

Use your tuner to accurately tune each string. Take your time and ensure each string rings clear. A well-tuned guitar will make the whole experience much more enjoyable.

The Chords of Wonderwall

Wonderwall uses four main chords. Let’s break each one down with a finger diagram and detailed instructions:

Em (E Minor)

The E minor chord is one of the most commonly used chords in popular music, and it forms the very base of the song Wonderwall.

Finger Placement:

• Index finger: 2nd fret of the A string (5th string)
• Middle finger: 2nd fret of the D string (4th string)

Strum: All six strings.

Make sure to use your fingertips to fret and do not press too hard that you cause unwanted buzz. The sound should ring clearly and without muting or buzzing.

G (G Major)

The G Major is another key chord for Wonderwall and in many other songs. It can be a little tricky for beginners, but with some practice you can master it.

Finger Placement:

• Middle finger: 6th string (low E) at the 3rd fret.
• Index finger: 5th string (A string) at the 2nd fret.
• Ring finger: 1st string (high E) at the 3rd fret.

Strum: All six strings.

This chord can take a bit of getting used to, but it is a core chord in guitar playing and you will use it all the time, not just in Wonderwall. Ensure all of your fingers are securely placed, and all the strings ring clearly when strummed.

D (D Major)

The D Major chord is another very commonly used chord, and is essential to be able to play Wonderwall.

Finger Placement:

• Index finger: 3rd string (G string) at the 2nd fret.
• Middle finger: 1st string (high E string) at the 2nd fret.
• Ring finger: 2nd string (B string) at the 3rd fret.

Strum: Strum everything from the D string downward, not the entire 6 strings. You want to avoid the two low E and A string.

Make sure the strings all ring clearly and no strings are muted by your fingers. The D Major is a very common chord so you will be using it often.

A7sus4 (A Suspended 7th, or A7sus)

The A7sus4 is one of the more unusual chords in Wonderwall, and this is what gives the song its slightly sad and melancholic feel. It may seem a little complex, but it is not that hard to learn.

Finger Placement:

• Index finger: 2nd fret of the D string (4th string).
• Middle finger: 2nd fret of the G string (3rd string).
• Ring finger: 2nd fret of the B string (2nd string).

Strum: Strum all six strings.

Be sure that your fingers are pressed down firmly, and that all the strings ring out clearly. With a bit of practice, this chord will come very easily.

The Strumming Pattern

The strumming pattern for Wonderwall isn’t overly complicated. The song is primarily played using a down-down-up-up-down-up pattern. But for a bit more nuanced sound and to allow yourself time to switch chords, you should play each strum on the beat, with gaps, as follows: Down – rest – Down- Up – Up – Down – Up. Here’s a breakdown:

• Down: Strum down across the strings.
• Rest Pause for the length of a strum.
• Down: Strum down across the strings.
• Up: Strum up across the strings.
• Up: Strum up across the strings.
• Down: Strum down across the strings.
• Up: Strum up across the strings.

Practice this pattern slowly and carefully with each chord. Start by changing between Em and G, getting your fingers to move smoothly between the two positions before trying to play the pattern. Once you are comfortable, you can add more chords.

Putting it All Together: The Chord Progression

The chord progression for the verse and chorus of Wonderwall is the same, making it easy to memorize. It goes like this:

Em - G - D - A7sus4

Let’s break it down step-by-step:

1. Em: Strum the Em chord using the pattern for one full measure (one repeat of the down-rest-down-up-up-down-up rhythm).
2. G: Immediately transition to the G chord and strum for one full measure.
3. D: Transition to the D chord and strum for one full measure. Remember to avoid the low E and A strings and strum from the D string down.
4. A7sus4: Transition to the A7sus4 and strum for one full measure.

Repeat this sequence throughout the verse and chorus. This is the core of the song.

Practice this progression slowly at first, focusing on smooth and accurate chord transitions. Use your left hand and fingers to prepare to move to the next chord slightly early, just before the last up strum.

The Intro: A Simplified Approach

The intro of Wonderwall features a lead melody that can be challenging for beginners. For this tutorial, we’ll focus on a simplified, strumming-based intro that captures the essence of the song. To play the simplified intro, play the main chord progression twice:

Em - G - D - A7sus4 
Em - G - D - A7sus4

This will give the song the same introductory feeling as the original but makes it easier for beginners to play. Once you have mastered this you can start to introduce small lead melody notes, if you feel confident enough, between the chords to give the introduction extra colour.

Tips for Smooth Chord Transitions

Smooth chord transitions are crucial for playing Wonderwall seamlessly. Here are some tips to improve your transitions:

• Practice Slowly: Don’t rush! Focus on moving your fingers accurately to the next chord position.
• Fingers Down: Lift your fingers only as much as you need to, rather than all the way off the fretboard, keeping them close to their next target frets.
• Anticipate: Look ahead at the next chord you need to play, and start moving towards it before you have finished the strumming on the current chord.
• Muscle Memory: Consistent practice will develop muscle memory, making your transitions faster and smoother.
• Anchor Fingers: Some chords have common finger placements (like the middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A string), use them to ‘anchor’ while you move the others into position.

Adding the Vocals

Once you feel comfortable playing the chords and strumming, try singing along to the song. It may take some practice to coordinate your singing and playing, but it will make your performance more engaging.

Practice and Patience

Learning Wonderwall, or any guitar song, takes time and dedication. Don’t get discouraged if you face challenges. Break down the song into smaller sections and practice each part until you feel comfortable. Regular practice, even for short periods, will help you improve significantly.

As you get better, try to play along with the original song to develop your timing and rhythm. Pay attention to how the original guitar part flows, and learn from any small nuances you can add to your playing.

Conclusion

Learning Wonderwall is a fantastic way for beginner guitarists to develop their skills and enjoy playing a classic song. By taking things slowly, focusing on accuracy, and practicing consistently, you’ll be able to master it in no time. Keep practicing, be patient with yourself, and most importantly, have fun playing the guitar.

With dedication and practice, you will soon have this classic track mastered, and you can impress your friends, or just have fun at home playing one of the most recognisable songs ever written.

Now grab your guitar, tune up, and start playing Wonderwall!