Song Tabs

 Alison Krauss’s original “Sleep On” is a gentle, heartfelt ballad, typically arranged in a country or bluegrass style. Her version features delicate dynamics and a smooth, flowing rhythm, making it approachable for beginners wanting to develop sensitivity and accuracy in their playing.

Chord Progression and Changes

The song uses basic open chords: D, G, Bm, A, Em, and C. Only Bm is a barre chord, which may be challenging for beginners. Practice transitioning in and out of Bm slowly, focusing on clear notes.

Strumming Pattern

For an authentic feel, use a relaxed down-down-up-up-down-up pattern (D-D-U-U-D-U). This creates a gentle, flowing rhythm well-suited to ballads. Keep your wrist loose and aim for consistency in volume and timing.

Tips for Beginners

Practice switching between D, G, and A repeatedly to get comfortable with the main transitions. When approaching Bm, pause if needed and resume the strumming once the shape is set. For Em and C, ensure your fingers press cleanly to avoid muted notes.

During the intro and instrumental breaks, strum gently and let chords ring. In verses and chorus, maintain a steady tempo and let the melody guide your dynamics.

Listen closely to the original recording to match tempo and phrasing. Use a capo if the key is too low or high for your voice.

With patience and slow practice, these chord changes and the relaxed strumming will sound smooth and expressive.