Strumming and Chords

The song "Thank God For The Radio" by Alan Jackson uses standard open chords making it quite accessible for beginners. The song features D, A, Bm, G, and A7 chords, which are all common in many country and pop songs.

One of the key aspects to grasp about this song is the change between chords. Practice transitioning between chords smoothly and at a steady pace. This is especially important in the sections where the chord changes are quick, such as in the chorus and instrumental sections.

Strumming Pattern

The strumming pattern for this song is a basic country rhythm. Try using a simple down-down-up-down-up pattern (1 2& 3&). This gives the song its signature country feel. If this is too complicated, a simple down strum on each beat will also work.

Techniques

There’s not much in the way of complex techniques in this song. One aspect to note though is the use of the A7 chord. This creates a different sound to the regular A chord and is a good introduction to the use of 7th chords.

Sections and Repetition

The song has different sections (Intro, Chorus, Bridge, Instrumental, Outro) that are repeated throughout the song. By mastering each section individually, you can then piece them together to play the entire song. The Chorus is the section that is repeated the most, so start with that.

Remember, slow and steady wins the race. Practice each chord transition and strumming pattern slowly and increase your speed as you get more comfortable.