If you have been searching for Buck Owens Made in Japan guitar chords, you are already on the right track toward learning one of the most charming and underrated songs in Buck Owens’ catalog. Released in 1972, “Made in Japan” blends classic Bakersfield honky-tonk with a wry sense of humor, making it both fun to listen to and rewarding to play. Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate guitarist, this guide will walk you through every chord, every transition, and every nuance you need to perform this song with confidence.
Key Takeaways
- “Made in Japan” uses only three primary chords: A, D, and E major, making it approachable for players at multiple skill levels.
- The Bakersfield sound demands a boom-chick strumming pattern with deliberate bass-note targeting for each chord.
- Seventh chord substitutions (A7 and E7) add authentic country color without requiring advanced technique.
- Capo placement allows players to shift the song’s key to match different vocal ranges while keeping familiar chord shapes.
- Listening to the original recording before and during practice is essential for capturing the right feel and timing.
About the Song
“Made in Japan” was released by Buck Owens and the Buckaroos in 1972. The song was a commercial hit, reaching the top five on the Billboard country charts. Written by Nat Stuckey, the track uses a clever metaphor comparing a romantic partner to imported goods, playing on the cultural conversation of the era around Japanese-manufactured products flooding American markets.
Musically, the song sits squarely in the Bakersfield sound tradition. That means twangy Telecaster tones, a steady backbeat, a walking bass line, and open, ringing chords. The production is clean and punchy, with very little reverb compared to Nashville recordings of the same period. Buck Owens and Don Rich created a guitar dynamic that was tight, disciplined, and deeply rhythmic.
Understanding the spirit of the Bakersfield sound before you pick up the guitar is genuinely useful. This is not a song built on fancy fingerpicking or jazz voicings. It rewards players who lock into the groove, keep their strumming tight, and let the chord changes do the emotional work.
Chord Overview
The song is played in the key of A major in its standard recorded form. The chord set is minimal, which is part of what makes Bakersfield country so accessible and so powerful.
The three primary chords you will need are:
A major – This is your root chord and home base throughout the song.
D major – The four chord, used in the chorus and several verse transitions.
E major – The five chord, used to build tension before resolving back to A.
These three chords, sometimes called the I, IV, and V, are the backbone of countless country, blues, and rock songs. If you already know a basic open G, C, and D arrangement for other songs, switching to A, D, and E will feel very natural.
Optional additions for players who want a fuller sound:
A7 – Substituting A7 for plain A major in certain moments adds a slight bluesy pull toward the D chord and matches the spirit of how Buck Owens’ band approached chord color.
E7 – Similarly, swapping E for E7 in the turnaround gives the progression a little more tension and release. Both the Buckaroos and their contemporaries used these seventh chord substitutions regularly.
How to Play Made in Japan Step by Step
Follow these steps carefully and you will be playing through the song structure confidently within a single practice session.
Step 1: Get your tuning right. Tune your guitar to standard EADGBE tuning. No alternate tuning is needed for this song. Use a clip-on tuner or a phone tuner app before you begin.
Step 2: Finger your open A chord. Place your index, middle, and ring fingers on the second fret of the D, G, and B strings respectively. Let the open A string and open high E string ring freely. Practice strumming this chord cleanly before moving on.
Step 3: Transition to D major. From A, lift your fingers slightly and reposition. Place your index finger on the second fret of the G string, your ring finger on the third fret of the B string, and your middle finger on the second fret of the high E string. Mute the low E string by lightly resting your thumb over it or simply avoiding it in your strum.
Step 4: Finger your E major chord. This is one of the easiest open chords on guitar. Place your index finger on the first fret of the G string, your middle finger on the second fret of the A string, and your ring finger on the second fret of the D string. All six strings ring open and freely.
Step 5: Practice the verse progression slowly. The verse moves through A and D with occasional E chords at the end of phrases. A simple chart looks like this: A for two bars, D for one bar, A for one bar, E for one bar, A for one bar. Run this loop slowly with a metronome set around 80 BPM to start.
Step 6: Learn the chorus movement. The chorus shifts the weight toward D more frequently before resolving back to A via the E chord. Practice moving A to D and back repeatedly until the transition feels effortless.
Step 7: Add the A7 substitution. Once you are comfortable with the basic changes, try replacing your A chord with A7 in the moments just before you move to D. To make A7, simply lift your ring finger off the second fret of the B string while keeping your other fingers in place. This small change adds noticeable warmth.
Step 8: Bring it up to tempo. Set your metronome to 110 to 120 BPM, which is close to the recorded tempo. Play through the full song structure at this speed, focusing on keeping your strumming arm relaxed and your chord changes smooth.
Strumming Pattern and Rhythm
The strumming pattern for this song is rooted in a classic country boom-chick feel. This is the defining rhythmic approach of the Bakersfield sound.
The pattern works like this: on beats one and three, you hit the root bass note of whatever chord you are playing with a downstroke on the lower strings. On beats two and four, you strum upward across the treble strings.
Written out simply: DOWN (bass) – UP (treble) – DOWN (bass) – UP (treble).
This creates the signature two-feel that drives Bakersfield honky-tonk. The bass note anchors the groove while the treble strum sparkles above it. If you listen closely to the original recording, you can hear exactly this pattern driving the rhythm guitar track throughout.
For the D chord in this pattern, the bass note is the open D string. For the A chord, use the open A string. For E, use the open low E string. Targeting the correct bass note for each chord is what separates a polished country strum from a generic strumming approach.
Capo Options and Key Variations
The original recording sits in A major. However, depending on your vocal range or the context in which you are playing, you may want to shift the key.
If you want to play the song in G major using the same chord shapes, place your capo on the second fret. Your G, C, and D shapes will now sound as A, D, and E, matching the original key perfectly while giving your fretting hand slightly different positions.
If you are playing with a singer whose voice sits better in B major, try the capo on the second fret and use A shapes, which will sound as B. Alternatively, capo at four and use G shapes.
The table below summarizes common capo positions and their resulting keys.
Beginner vs Advanced Chord Choices
| Element | Beginner Approach | Advanced Approach |
|---|---|---|
| A chord | Open A major | A with bass-note targeting |
| D chord | Open D major | D with optional add9 voicing |
| E chord | Open E major | E7 for tension before resolution |
| A substitution | Standard A throughout | A7 before moving to D |
| Strumming | Simple four-beat down strum | Boom-chick pattern with bass targeting |
| Tempo | 80 BPM to build accuracy | 110 to 120 BPM matching the record |
| Capo use | No capo, play in A | Capo options for vocal key matching |
FAQ
What key is “Made in Japan” by Buck Owens played in? The song is played in the key of A major in the standard recorded version. The three chords used are A, D, and E, which are the I, IV, and V chords of the A major scale. This is one of the most common and beginner-friendly key setups in country music.
Do I need a Telecaster to play this song properly? No, you do not need a Telecaster. Any guitar will allow you to learn and play the chord progression. However, if you want to match the tone of the original recording, a Telecaster or a bright-sounding electric guitar through a clean amp will get you closest to the authentic Bakersfield sound that defines this track.
What is the Bakersfield sound and why does it matter for this song? The Bakersfield sound is a style of country music that developed in Bakersfield, California during the 1950s and 1960s. It emphasizes electric guitars, a driving rhythm, minimal production, and a raw, energetic feel that contrasted with the polished Nashville sound of the same era. Buck Owens was one of its primary architects. Understanding this context helps you play the song with the right attitude and feel.
How long will it take to learn this song as a beginner? Most beginner guitarists who already know basic open chords can learn to play through the chord progression in a single practice session of 30 to 60 minutes. Getting the boom-chick strumming pattern to feel natural may take a few additional sessions. Full comfort at the proper tempo typically comes after a week of regular 15 to 20 minute practice sessions.
Can I play this song on acoustic guitar? Absolutely. The chord shapes and progression translate directly to acoustic guitar. The tone will be warmer and less twangy than the original electric recording, but the song works well on acoustic and is commonly played that way at open mics and campfire settings.
Is there a bridge or solo section I need to learn? The original recording features an instrumental break that echoes the vocal melody. For casual playing and singing along, you can skip the instrumental section or simply strum through the chord changes underneath it. If you want to replicate the lead guitar part, it is played in the A pentatonic major scale and follows the chord changes closely.
Conclusion
Learning the Buck Owens Made in Japan guitar chords is a genuinely satisfying project for any guitarist drawn to classic country music. The song rewards players who commit to the groove, keep their chord changes clean, and embrace the straight-ahead, no-frills philosophy that defines the Bakersfield sound. With just three open chords, a focused strumming pattern, and an ear tuned to the original recording, you have everything you need to bring this song to life. Keep your tempo steady, your strumming arm relaxed, and enjoy the process.