Song Tabs

 The original recording of "Love Ain't For Keeping" by The Who is an acoustic-driven song from the album "Who's Next." Its relaxed, folky feel is best captured with open chords and a gentle, rhythmic strumming style.

Chords and Transitions

The main chords used are G, D, A, and C, all of which are beginner-friendly open shapes. Practice changing smoothly between G-D-A, as these transitions occur frequently throughout the song. The shifts from A to C and back to G might feel less familiar—take them slow at first to maintain even timing.

Strumming Pattern

Aim for a light, brisk strumming pattern to reflect the song’s bouncy, acoustic feel. A suggested pattern is: down-down-up-up-down-up (D-D-U-U-D-U). Keep your wrist loose for a flowing sound. Try muting the strings slightly with the edge of your palm for a more percussive effect, as heard in the original.

Tips for Beginners

Count the beats as you play, especially during the instrumental and outro sections where the chords shift quickly. Practice the intro progression (G-A-D-A) until you can move between chords without pausing. Listen to the original track for reference, focusing on the light touch and steady tempo.