Ed Sheeran is one of the most popular artists around today and many people want to replicate his famous playing style on their guitar. One of his most known songs is Photograph and this is a perfect song for beginners because it only has four chords. In this guide we are looking at how you can play Photograph chords on your guitar with no capo. We’ve included the strumming pattern, chord charts and full song with lyrics to help you play along. If you find yourself becoming stuck at any point, simply refer to the video tutorial below. Let’s get started.
Photograph Chords
You’ll only be using four chords to recreate this Ed Sheeran classic. These chords are C, A minor, G and F. All of these are very basic chords which you should have learned as a beginner guitarist. If not, we’ve included the chord chart for you below so you can figure out your finger placement on the strings and frets.
The original song is played in the key of E. So if you want to play the song and it sound exactly like the original, you will need to use a capo. In this case the capo goes on the fourth fret but you still play the same chords as we’ve mentioned above.
Photograph Strumming Pattern
Another really easy part of this song apart from the chords is the strumming pattern. It goes like this: DXX-DXX-DX. In this strumming pattern each X represents a downstrum but you will need to use a palm muting technique. If you’re not sure how to use this technique then refer to the tutorial video which we have provided for you at the beginning of this guide.
Photograph Chords with Lyrics
Now that you’ve learned the chords and strumming pattern for the song, you can start to practice the different sections and then play them all together. Below we have provided you with the full list of lyrics along with the chords. Notice where the chords are placed above the lyrics as this is where they fall within the song.
Verse
C
Loving can hurt
Am
Loving can hurt sometimes
G F
But it’s the only thing that I know
C
When it gets hard
Am
You know it can get hard sometimes
G F
It is the only thing that makes us feel alive
Pre-Chorus
Am F
We keep this love in a photograph
C G
We make these memories for ourselves
Am
Where our eyes are never closing
F
Our hearts were never broken
C G
And times forever frozen still
Chorus
C
So you can keep me inside the pocket of your
G
Ripped jeans holding me closer till our
Am F
Eyes meet, you won’t ever be alone
C
Wait for me to come home
Verse
C
Loving can heal
Am
Loving can mend your soul
G F
And it’s the only thing that I know
C
I swear it will get easier
Am
Remember that with every piece of you
G F
And it’s the only thing that we take with us when we die
Pre-Chorus
Am F
We keep this love in a photograph
C G
We make these memories for ourselves
Am
Where our eyes are never closing
F
Our hearts were never broken
C G
And times forever frozen still
Chorus
C
So you can keep me inside the pocket of your
G
Ripped jeans holding me closer till our
Am F
Eyes meet, you won’t ever be alone
Bridge
C
And if you hurt me well that’s ok baby, only
G
Words bleed inside these pages you just
Am F
Hole me and I won’t ever let you go
Interlude
Am
Wait for me to come home
F
Wait for me to come home
C
Wait for me to come home
G
Wait for me to come home
Outro
C
Oh you can fit me inside the necklace you got when you were
G
Sixteen next to your heartbeat where I
Am F
Should be, keep it deep within your soul
C
And if you hurt me that’s ok baby only
G
Words bleed inside these pages you just
Am F
Hold me and I won’t ever let you go
C
When I’m away I will remember how you
G Am
Kissed me under the lamp post back on sixth street
F
Hearing you whisper through the phone
G
Wait for me to come home
Conclusion
Now that you know how to play Photograph by Ed Sheeran on your guitar without using a capo you can learn other easy Ed Sheeran songs on guitar. We have loads of great guides on our website about this artist, and can even answer the question do you know what guitar does Ed Sheeran play? Find all of this and more right here so get browsing and reading.