If you have ever wanted to learn one of the most charming indie-pop guitar moments of the 2010s, you are in the right place. This guide covers everything you need to know about playing go away Best Coast et Weezer guitar chords, from the open positions to the full rhythm feel. Whether you are a beginner picking up a guitar for the first time or an intermediate player looking to add a fresh song to your repertoire, this breakdown will walk you through every chord, every transition, and every technique that makes this collaboration so memorable and fun to play.
About the Song “Go Away”
“Go Away” is a collaboration between Best Coast, the California-based indie pop duo fronted by Bethany Cosentino, and Weezer, the iconic alternative rock band led by Rivers Cuomo. The song was released in 2013 as part of a split release, blending Best Coast’s dreamy lo-fi surf aesthetic with Weezer’s crunchy power-pop sensibility.
The result is a track that feels both nostalgic and fresh, with guitar tones that are warm, jangly, and slightly overdriven. It sits comfortably in the world of early 90s alternative rock while carrying the breezy, sun-soaked vibe that Best Coast built their identity on.
Understanding where the song comes from musically helps you play it with the right attitude. This is not a technically demanding song, but it rewards players who lean into the emotion and the looseness of the feel.
Tuning and Gear Setup
Before you touch a single chord, getting your guitar setup right is essential for capturing the authentic tone of this song.
Tuning: Standard tuning (E A D G B e) is used throughout. No alternate tunings are required.
Guitar type: An electric guitar with single-coil pickups will bring you closest to the jangly, slightly thin sound that defines the song. A Telecaster or Stratocaster works beautifully. That said, a semi-hollow body or even a clean acoustic can work if you are practicing at home.
Amp settings (for electric players):
- Gain: Low to medium (avoid heavy distortion)
- Bass: Around 5 or 6
- Mids: Pushed slightly, around 6 or 7
- Treble: Bright, around 7
- Reverb: A touch of room or spring reverb adds warmth
Effects: A light chorus pedal is optional but gives a nice shimmer. If you want to go closer to Weezer’s side of the sound, a small amount of overdrive or crunch adds bite without going full distortion.
Chord Breakdown
The song revolves around a small set of chords that are beginner-friendly but sound fantastic when played with confidence and the right rhythm.
Here are the primary chords used throughout the song:
G Major
e --3--
B --3--
G --0--
D --0--
A --2--
E --3--
D Major
e --2--
B --3--
G --2--
D --0--
A -----
E -----
C Major
e --0--
B --1--
G --0--
D --2--
A --3--
E -----
Em (E minor)
e --0--
B --0--
G --0--
D --2--
A --2--
E --0--
Am (A minor)
e --0--
B --1--
G --2--
D --2--
A --0--
E -----
These five chords form the backbone of the entire song. The chord shapes themselves are all open position chords, which means they ring out nicely and are easier to transition between than barre chords.
The main progression throughout the verses and chorus follows a G, D, C, Em pattern. Some sections also incorporate Am for added color, particularly in the bridge.
How to Play the Song Step by Step
Follow these steps to build up your playing from scratch to a full performance.
Step 1: Learn each chord individually
Before attempting any transitions, spend five to ten minutes simply placing each chord shape, strumming once, and listening. Make sure every note rings clearly with no buzzing or muted strings. Common trouble spots are the C major chord, where your third finger can accidentally mute the high e string, and the D major, where the index finger placement can accidentally touch the G string.
Step 2: Practice the G to D transition
This is the most frequent chord change in the song. Place your G chord, strum four times slowly, then move to D. The key is to lift your fingers only as high as necessary when transitioning. Keep the movement small and efficient. Do this for two to three minutes until it feels natural.
Step 3: Add C major into the rotation
Now cycle through G, D, and C in a loop. Use a simple four strums per chord to start. Focus on the C chord placement since it requires your fingers to land in a specific arch to avoid muting adjacent strings.
Step 4: Incorporate Em and Am
Once you are comfortable with the first three chords, add E minor and A minor into your practice. The transition from C to Em is very smooth since your second and third fingers barely move. The move to Am is slightly more involved but becomes natural quickly with repetition.
Step 5: Apply the full progression
Run the full progression: G, D, C, Em. This is four chords, four strums each, at a slow tempo. Use a metronome set to around 60 BPM to start. As the changes become smooth and automatic, increase the tempo toward the actual song speed of approximately 130 BPM.
Step 6: Add the strumming pattern
See the strumming section below for the specific pattern. Once you know where your fingers go, adding the rhythmic layer is what brings the song to life.
Step 7: Play along with the recording
Put on the original track and play along. This is the single most effective practice method. Your ear will naturally correct small timing errors when you are locked in with the actual song.
Strumming Patterns and Rhythm
The rhythm of “Go Away” is one of its most defining characteristics. It has a light, bouncy feel that sits somewhere between a straight rock strum and a loose pop groove.
Basic pattern (beginner):
Down, Down, Up, Down, Up
This five-stroke pattern fits neatly into a bar of 4/4 time and gives you the right rhythmic bounce without being too complex.
Intermediate pattern:
Down, Down, Up, skip, Up, Down, Up
The “skip” here means you lift your strumming hand without hitting the strings, maintaining the motion but leaving a short gap. This ghost strum is what gives the rhythm its light, airy quality and is central to how the song feels.
Tips for better rhythm:
Keep your strumming elbow loose and relaxed. Tension in the elbow causes the strum to become stiff and mechanical. Think of the motion as coming from your wrist, with your elbow acting as a relaxed anchor. Also, make sure your down strums hit all six strings while your up strums are lighter and catch only the top three or four strings.
Pro Tips for Nailing the Sound
Pro Tip 1: Record yourself playing and compare it to the original. Your ears will catch rhythmic inconsistencies you might not notice in real time.
Pro Tip 2: Do not rush the chord changes. Most beginners speed up between chords because they are nervous about the transition. Slowing down by 20% while practicing actually builds speed faster over time.
Pro Tip 3: The feel of the song is relaxed and almost lazy in the best possible way. Do not try to play it too perfectly. A slight looseness in the strum actually sounds more authentic to the indie pop genre.
Pro Tip 4: If you struggle with the C chord, try a Cadd9 shape as a substitute. It uses only three fingers and sounds nearly identical in context. Place your middle and ring fingers on the A and D strings at the third fret, and your index finger on the B string at the second fret, leaving the top three strings open.
Pro Tip 5: Listen specifically to Rivers Cuomo’s guitar tone on the recording. It has a subtle compression and a slightly scooped mid-range. Running your guitar through even a basic audio interface with a clean preset will get you much closer than a raw amp sound.
Comparison Table: Best Coast vs Weezer Style
| Element | Best Coast Style | Weezer Style |
|---|---|---|
| Guitar Tone | Warm, lo-fi, reverb-heavy | Crunchy, compressed, punchy |
| Chord Approach | Open chords, jangly | Power chords, stacked |
| Rhythm Feel | Loose, surf-influenced | Tight, alternative rock |
| Effects Used | Heavy reverb, light chorus | Overdrive, minimal reverb |
| Amp Type | Clean with natural break-up | Medium gain, punchy mids |
| Picking Style | Strummed, relaxed wrist | Downstroke-focused, aggressive |
| Emotional Tone | Dreamy, melancholy | Energetic, nostalgic |
Understanding both sides of this collaboration helps you decide which approach fits your guitar and your playing style. You can lean into the Best Coast side for a softer, more atmospheric sound, or push toward the Weezer side if you prefer a bit more grit and attack.
Key Takeaways
- The song uses five open-position chords: G, D, C, Em, and Am, all in standard tuning.
- The main progression is G, D, C, Em, repeated across verses and chorus with slight variations.
- A loose, bouncy down-up strumming pattern around 130 BPM captures the correct rhythmic feel.
- Tone matters as much as the notes: use light reverb and a clean to slightly crunchy amp setting.
- Playing along with the original recording is the fastest way to internalize tempo, feel, and phrasing.
FAQ
Q1: What key is “Go Away” by Best Coast and Weezer in? The song is in the key of G major, which is why the open G chord feels so natural as the starting point of the progression. All five chords used in the song belong naturally to the G major scale, giving it a cohesive and resolved sound throughout.
Q2: Can a beginner learn this song? Yes, absolutely. All chords are open position shapes that appear in most beginner guitar lesson plans. The strumming pattern requires some coordination but is manageable within a week or two of consistent daily practice of fifteen to twenty minutes per session.
Q3: Do I need a specific guitar to sound like the recording? No specific guitar is required. A single-coil electric guitar gets you closest to the tone, but the chord shapes and progressions translate well to any guitar, including acoustic. The most important element is your strumming feel and tempo, not the gear.
Q4: Are there any barre chords in the song? The core arrangement of the song does not require any barre chords. Everything can be played in open position, which makes it accessible to players who have not yet mastered barre chord technique.
Q5: How long does it take to learn this song from scratch? Most intermediate beginners can play a recognizable version of the song within one to two weeks of focused practice. Full confidence with the strumming pattern and smooth chord transitions typically comes within three to four weeks for consistent practice schedules.
Q6: Is there a capo used in the original recording? The standard transcription does not use a capo. The song sits comfortably in open G position without one. If you want to transpose it to a different key to match a different singer’s range, a capo on the second or third fret can work well.
Conclusion
Learning go away Best Coast et Weezer guitar chords is one of the most rewarding entry points into indie pop guitar playing. The song combines simplicity with genuine emotional depth, and the five open chords at its core will serve you in hundreds of other songs across the indie, pop, and rock genres. Whether you are drawn to the breezy California warmth of Best Coast or the crunchy, nostalgic energy of Weezer, this song gives you a taste of both worlds in a single, beautiful three-minute package. Take your time with each step, focus on feel over speed, and most importantly, enjoy the process of making music.