Learn to Play “Midnight Special” – Easy Guitar Tutorial
Learn to play “Midnight Special” on guitar with easy chords and a simple strumming pattern. Perfect for beginners!
Learn to Play “Midnight Special” on Guitar
“Midnight Special” is a classic folk-blues song that has been recorded by artists like Lead Belly, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Johnny Rivers. The song features an easy chord progression and a straightforward strumming pattern, making it a great choice for beginners.
Chords Used: D, G, A
You only need three easy chords to play this song:
These are some of the most common chords in blues and gospel music, and if you’re just starting out, this is a great song to practice smooth chord changes.
Strumming Pattern:
This is the most common strumming pattern in countless songs, but here it’s played with a swing feel, giving it that signature groove. Instead of playing straight eighth notes, let the second and fourth beats “bounce” slightly for a more natural, bluesy sound.
Chord Progression Practice:
Just want to see the chords & lyrics? Scroll down a bit more — BUT I encourage you to do this first – it’ll improve your success rate:
Use downstrokes while counting the beats!
This ensures accurate timing and smooth chord changes – then simply add the strumming pattern, and you’re all set!
d = downstroke
*Note* For the CHORUSES, there are 2 extra beats of A in the 3rd line
G G D D
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d
A A D D
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d
G G D D
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d
A A A D D
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d dTo summarize:
- Learn the chords
- Practice them with downstrokes only & count through the song
- Learn the strumming pattern
- Play the song!
Lyrics and Chords
[Chorus]
G G D D
Wake up in the morning, hear the ding dong ring,
A A D D
Go a marching to the table, there's the same old thing
G G D D
Let the Midnight Special shine her light on me.
A A A(2) D D
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-loving light on me.
[Verse 1]
G G D D
Yonder comes my woman. How do you know?
A A D D
I can tell her by her apron and the dress she wore.
G G D D
Umbrella on her shoulder, piece of paper in her hand.
A A D D
A marching down to the captain, she says, "I wants my man."
[Chorus]
[Verse 2]
When you go to the city, boys, you better have the kale,
Or the law, they'll arrest you, and they'll put you in jail.
The judge he'll fine you, they'll shake you down,
If you haven't got the money, boys, you're jailhouse bound.
[Chorus]
[Verse 3]
If you got a good man, woman, you better keep him at home,
For those city women won't leave him alone.
They'll paint and powder, they sure look swell,
And the first thing you know, woman, your man's gone to -uh- singing
[Chorus]
Beginner Tips
✔ Lock in the rhythm – Tap your foot along with the swing groove.
✔ Smooth chord changes – Focus on clean transitions between G, C, and D.
✔ Light strumming – Keep your strumming hand relaxed for that classic folk-blues sound.
