Song Tabs

 About the Song

“Shooting Star” by Bad Company is a classic rock ballad from their 1975 album “Straight Shooter.” The original features acoustic rhythm guitar and melodic electric leads, with a moderate tempo and a strong, steady groove—making it accessible for beginner guitarists.

Chord Progression and Transitions

The song uses mostly open chords: A, E, D, and G, with Bm and F#m appearing briefly in the bridge. Practice switching between A–E–D smoothly, as these transitions are frequent throughout verses and choruses. For the bridge, take extra time to work on Bm (a barre chord) and F#m if you’re new to them; play slowly at first.

Strumming Pattern

Keep the strumming relaxed and even. A good basic pattern is:

Down, Down-Up, Up-Down-Up

Try counting “1, 2-and, and-4-and.” For a stronger rock feel, emphasize the downbeats and let the upstrokes be lighter. During the intro and verses, keep the strumming gentle and steady. In the chorus, you can play a bit louder for dynamic contrast.

Tips for Beginners

• Play along with the recording to get a feel for tempo and chord changes.
• Mute the strings slightly with your palm for a tighter sound if desired.
• Practice the [D/A] chord as a regular D chord, focusing on getting clean transitions.
• Take your time with the bridge—barre chords are tricky at first but improve with practice.

Enjoy playing and let the groove carry you through the song!