Song Tabs

by Willie Nelson

About the Original
Willie Nelson's version of "Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues" is a laid-back country ballad. The song’s relaxed tempo and simple chord progression make it approachable for beginner guitarists.

Chord Progression and Transitions
The entire song uses only three chords: G, Am, and D. Practice switching smoothly between these chords, as the transitions are frequent, especially from G to Am and Am to D. Use standard open chord shapes. For Am to D, keep your index finger anchored on the first fret of the B string to help transition faster.

Strumming Pattern
Keep the strumming gentle and steady. A simple pattern like down-down-up-up-down-up (D-D-U-U-D-U) fits well, but even a basic downstroke on each beat works for beginners. Listen to the original for the song’s easygoing rhythm and try to emulate that relaxed feel.

Additional Tips
Let the chords ring naturally and focus on even timing rather than speed. Take your time with the intro and outro, which both use the main progression. Singing along can help with timing and chord changes. As you gain confidence, experiment with adding light palm muting or fingerpicking for variety.

Enjoy playing, and focus on capturing the song’s mellow vibe!