Song Tabs

 Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)” is a classic acoustic song, well known for its simple chord structure and emotional delivery. Originally played on an acoustic guitar, the song’s straightforward arrangement makes it accessible to beginner guitarists.

Chords and Progression

The song uses basic open chords: G, C, D, Em. Practice switching between these shapes smoothly, as the song moves between them quickly, especially in the intro and interludes.

Strumming Pattern

A common strumming pattern is:
Down – Down – Up – Up – Down – Up
(D – D – U – U – D – U)
Start slowly and focus on keeping a steady rhythm. Listen to the original recording to match the feel.

Chord Transitions and Tips

Pay special attention moving from G to C and C to D. Keep your third finger anchored on the third fret (B string) when possible, as it can help with smoother transitions. For Em to D to C sections, practice the changes repeatedly at a slow tempo before speeding up.

Techniques

If you are comfortable, you can try lightly picking the bass note of each chord before strumming, as in the original recording. However, a simple strum sounds great too.

Take your time, play along with the recording, and enjoy learning this acoustic classic!