Overview

"The Tide Is High" by Blondie is a great song for beginners because it primarily uses basic open chords. The song's chord progression is straightforward, and the rhythm is easy to grasp.

Chord Transitions

The song starts with an intro where the chord progression is [A] [A] [D] [E] and [A] [A] [Bm] [E]. The A-A-D-E progression is relatively easy for beginners, but the Bm chord might be a bit challenging for some. If you have difficulty with Bm, remember to press down hard enough on the fretboard to get a clear sound and practice transitioning to and from Bm with other chords.

Strumming Pattern

The strumming pattern is a simple down strum on the beat, which fits well with the pop-reggae style of the song. You could use a pattern like: down, down, up, up, down, up. The key is to keep your hand moving up and down even when you're not strumming, to help keep the rhythm.

Song Structure

The song structure follows a traditional pop song layout of intro, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, instrumental, verse, chorus and outro.

Techniques

For a more authentic sound, try adding a slight reggae feel to the strumming pattern by emphasizing the off-beats or 'and' counts. Also, try to make the transition between chords smooth and steady. As the song repeats the chord progression throughout, it provides a great opportunity for beginners to practice chord transitions.

Conclusion

Overall, "The Tide Is High" is a fun and relatively easy song to play, making it a great choice for beginners looking to improve their chord transitions and strumming techniques.