Song Tabs

 Willie Nelson’s recording of "Help Me Make It Through The Night" is a classic country ballad, known for its gentle, laid-back feel and emotional delivery. The original features simple, flowing guitar accompaniment, making it accessible for beginners.

Chord Progression and Transitions
The main chords are D, G, Em, A, and A7, with a D7 and E/E7 appearing in the bridge. These are all open-position chords, ideal for beginners.
Practice switching smoothly between D and G, as well as A to A7. For A7, just lift your finger off the second string from the A chord. The bridge introduces D7 and E/E7; move to E7 by lifting your ring finger from the E chord.

Strumming Pattern
Use a slow, relaxed strumming pattern. A good starting point is a gentle down-down-up-up-down-up in 4/4 time. Focus on a soft touch to match the mood of the song. If you’re comfortable, try alternating bass notes (pluck the lowest string of the chord, then strum the rest) for a country feel.

General Tips
Take your time with chord changes, especially at the end of lines. Let chords ring out and don’t rush transitions. If you find the E/E7 in the bridge tricky, pause and get your fingers set before resuming the strum.

With practice, you’ll capture the intimate, heartfelt style of the original.