Song Tabs

Commentary and Beginner Tips

About the Original
“Atlanta Blue” is a classic country song by The Statler Brothers, known for its smooth melody and relaxed feel. The original version features gentle strumming and a straightforward chord progression, making it accessible for beginner guitarists.

Chords and Progression
The song uses basic open chords: G, Em, C, D7, Am for most of the song, shifting up a whole step to A, F#m, D, E in the final chorus. Practice switching between these chords, especially the G–Em–C–D7 sequence, as it repeats often.

Strumming Pattern
A simple country strum works well: try a down-down-up-up-down-up pattern (D-D-U-U-D-U). Keep your strums light and relaxed to match the song’s laid-back feel. You can also use all downstrokes for verses for a softer sound.

Chord Transitions
Focus on smooth transitions between G, Em, and C, as these are common in the intro and chorus. For D7, place your index finger first, then the other fingers to speed up switching. Practice the Am–D7–G run in the verses, as it comes up several times.

Key Change
The chorus key change jumps everything up a whole step. Before playing, practice the new chords (A, F#m, D, E). F#m may be tricky; use a simplified version (barre the top three strings at the 2nd fret) if needed.

Summary
Relaxed strumming, steady tempo, and careful chord changes will help capture the song’s vibe. Practice with a metronome to keep time. Enjoy playing this country favorite!