Song Commentary: Shallow

"Shallow" is a song that features a progression of simple chords, making it ideal for beginner guitarists. However, it does require some skill in chord transitioning and strumming patterns.

Chords and Transitions

The song starts with an Em, D, G, C, G, and D progression during the intro. It's a smooth progression that requires some practice, particularly the G to C transition, which could be tricky for beginners.

The verses follow the same Em, D, G, C, G, and D progression, which makes it easy to memorize. The chorus introduces an Am chord, which transitions to D, then G, then back to D, and finally to Em.

The bridge features a Bm, D, A, and Em progression, which is slightly more challenging due to the barre chord Bm. It's worth noting that Bm to D is a common barre chord transition that's worth practicing.

Strumming Patterns

A suitable strumming pattern for this song is Down-Down-Up-Down-Up (D-D-U-D-U). This pattern gives the song a gentle rhythm that matches its tempo. It's recommended to practice the strumming pattern while changing chords to ensure smooth transitions.

Techniques

The song requires some palm muting during the verses for a more authentic sound. This technique involves resting your strumming hand's palm against the strings near the guitar's bridge while you strum. This creates a muted, percussive sound that adds depth to your playing.

In conclusion, "Shallow" is a beginner-friendly song that provides a good practice for chord transitioning, strumming patterns, and basic guitar techniques.