Hey Jude is one of the most iconic songs from the Fab Four and it’s a song many people want to learn to play on the guitar. With that in mind, we are going to give you everything you need to play this song without a capo on your guitar. Below we have included your chords, the strumming pattern along with a full version of the song for you to play along to. To help you along further, there is also a handy video tutorial which you can refer to at any time posted right below this section to help you understand the chords with no capo better.
Hey Jude Chords
As you can see above we have included all of the chord charts that you can use to learn the chords that go into playing Hey Jude. These chords include D, A, A7, G, D7, Em, C and Bm. That may seem like a lot but all of them are open chords and very easy to play apart from the B minor. If you want to play the capo version of the song, place it onto your third fret. It just makes things a bit easier if you are a beginner, but more advanced players should be able to achieve the right sound without their capo.
Hey Jude Strumming Pattern
The strumming pattern is nowhere near as complicated as the chords used in Hey Jude. You will play a simple pattern of D-D-D-DU. If you need to hear a representation of the pattern then listen to the original track or use the video that we have included at the beginning of this guide.
Hey Jude Chords and Lyrics
Set your guitar to standard tuning and make sure you have practiced and perfected those chords before attempting this next section. Below you have the full set of lyrics with the chords placed above them so you can play the full track easily. Let’s get started.
Verse 1
D A
Hey Jude, don’t make it bad
A7 D
Take a sad song and make it better
G D
Remember to let her into your heart
A D
Then you can start to make it better
Verse 2
D A
Hey Jude, don’t be afraid
A7 D
You were made to go out and get her
G D
The minute you let her under your skin
A D
Then you begin to make it better
Chorus
D7 G Bm Em
And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain
A7 D
Don’t carry the world upon your shoulders
D7 G Bm Em
For well you know that it’s a fool who plays it cool
A7 D
By making his world a little colder
D7 A7
Na na an na na na na na na na
Verse 3
D A
Hey Jude, don’t let me down
A7 D
You have found her, now go and get her
G D
Remember to let her into your heart
A D
Then you can start to make it better
Chorus
D7 G Bm
So let it out and let it in, hey Jude,
Em A7 D
Begin you’re waiting for someone to perform with
D7 G Bm Em
And don’t you know that it’s just you, hey Jude, you’ll do
A7 D
The movement you need is on your shoulder
D7 A7
Na an na na na na na na na yeah
Verse 4
D A
Hey Jude, don’t make it bad
A7 D
Take a sad song and make it better
G D
Remember to let her under your skin
A
Then you’ll begin to make it
D
Better better better better better better, oh
Outro
D C G D
Naa na an na na na, na, na na na na, hey Jude (Repeat)
Conclusion
That’s everything you should need to know to play this Beatles classic with no capo on your guitar. Remember to take a look at the rest of our website to find more guides for no capo guitar songs, along with music from many different genres for you to learn and play. Happy browsing!
FAQs
What key is Hey Jude played in?
Hey Jude is played in the key of F major. the one you need to look out of there is that you are playing a B flat and not just a regular B as this is what gives the key its sound.