'You Are My Sunshine' Guitar Tutorial - Easy 3-Chord Song

Hey everyone! In today's lesson, we're going to learn how to play, "You Are My Sunshine," originally written by Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell (but that is disputed - no one knows the true origin of this song!)

This simple three chord song has been covered a billion times and is a staple in my household (especially now with the baby) and is an excellent "first song" for any guitarist.

I want to keep things as simple as possible, so I'm going to show you the chords, some switching tips, we'll practice the chords, we'll learn a strumming pattern and, finally, we'll practice putting it all together.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

0:00 - INTRO
1:45 - CHORDS
2:02 - SWITCHING TIPS
3:20 - SWITCHING PRACTICE
4:30 - STRUMMING PATTERN
6:52 - PLAYALONG
8:39 - CHORD CHART (TAB)

The lesson begins with the chord shapes. A, D and E. I've chosen one of the easiest possible keys (A). If you want an example, Johnny Cash does it in the key of A.

I show you some switching tips for going between A and D, and then from A to E. After working on these chord switching tips and tricks, we practice playing the chords in order, using downstrokes only, counting aloud "1 2 3 4".

Once we can do that, we'll learn the strumming pattern. This one has a tiny bit of syncopation (that's a strumming pattern that involves a miss). Otherwise it's pretty straightforward. We break the strumming pattern down into two halves work through them, work on putting it all together.

Once we can loop the strumming pattern, we put it together with the chords, playing through the entire tune a couple times.

I hope you enjoy this one. It's very easy, if you have a little bit of experience, and a great one to even learn as your first song (but will require a bit of work, haha).

Anyway, till next time!
-James

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#youaremysunshine #folkguitar #guitarlessons

[sarahhoffmann]

I didn't try this yet but I'm 22 and I really wanna learn this song as a birthday present for my mom, this video is giving me a lot of help where to start and what to do, I have about 2 to 3 weeks until her birthday, wish me luck!

[jett]

You just earned a new subscriber and You're a very great teacher. Just from this video, despite watching bunch of other tutorials, I learned the chords, strumming, switching and all that so fast.

[Good_Guitarist]

1:45 - CHORDS
2:02 - SWITCHING TIPS
3:20 - SWITCHING PRACTICE
4:30 - STRUMMING PATTERN
6:52 - PLAYALONG
8:39 - CHORD CHART (TAB)

[msgemmasgems]

Awesome! I am an intermediate player, and I really liked your explanations and helpful tips

[lilianangie]

can you give me the link for the background music (tabs) at 0.33?

[depresso.espressoo]

This the first song i ever learned to play and i managed in a wheelchair! That easy💜🖤🤍

[seagal]

Thank you James, I m a 62 year old teaching myself guitar at home, this is my first song after months of chords and chord changing. Strumming needs a lot of work but it's a journey I know. Have a great day with the family. From New Zealand 🐳

[ashanson]

Great video, very well explained, need more videos like this on YouTube.

[kennethruley]

Congratulations on becoming a father of a dear little girl! I have spent countless hours singing and playing the piano with my little ones! I just picked up the guitar again after many years, and love your lessons! Thanks for being a great teacher.

[Lolkaityy]

This is amazing it’s really helping me learn my first song I’m 13 years old and I will forever remember this as the first sound I could ever play

[GARBAGE_MUSIC]

This is hands down the best guitar lesson as a beginner i've ever seen, you explained everything so well, so patiently, thank you so much man.

[The_Helpless_WrdCr_Loser]

The song was sad but you made it sound happy and the teaching was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!!

[queeniefaye]

Hi! I'm Queenie Im 12 on Monday and I wanna say thank you for teaching me! I feel like I know this chords better.... Keep up the good work as a Father and a kind man who teaches us how to play the guitar 🎸 😊😊

[melaniebuford]

Currently learning this song and I realized I get nervous whenever it’s time to switch chords and that’s preventing me from switching in the tempo. Can you do a video on the keep strumming while switching chords?

[teawhinacampbell]

You by far have been the best at helping me feel comfortable and confident at playing the guitar as a beginner ❤

I'm from New Zealand. I brought this guitar because we are current on lock down. Thanks for the inspiration ☀️😊

[slimshady]

you killed it, bro
thamk yu, its always ma pleasure to learn from you

[moonmochiamvs]

I love this tutorial! You explain everything perfectly and don't go too fast to make me feel pressured or uncomfortable
My dad used to play this song for my siblings and me all the time. He wasn't one to say I love you a lot but when he played this song you could feel the love. He passed away 2 years ago and I'm finally able to pick up his guitar without crying. Learning this song means the world to me and you made it so easy and pleasant! You'll be an amazing teacher for your kid as well <3

[mydogatemyhomeworkhomework]

This helped me a lot! Especially sense I just started learning guitar, because I just got mine yesterday! Also, quick question, so we don’t have to use a pick? In ur opinion which is better, a pick or using ur fingers? What would you recommend? Do your fingers hurt after?

[silent_angel]

honestly even if you don't know the tips/skills in switching chords it would just come naturally to you

[teddymartian]

i am a beginer and i just discover your guitar courses! Congrats! (Greeting from Romania)