If you’ve ever wanted to play a song that stops a room cold, this is the one. Chris Stapleton Tennessee Whiskey guitar chords are deceptively simple on paper, but the feel behind them is what separates a stiff run-through from something that genuinely moves people. This guide walks you through everything: the exact chords, the rhythm feel, the lead lines, the subtle details that most tutorials skip, and the mindset you need to make this song breathe the way it does on record.
Key Takeaways
- The song uses only three chords: A, Bm, and E
- The original recording is played with a capo on the 1st fret, making the sounding chords Bb, Cm, and F
- The groove is slow, laid back, and deeply rhythmic, not just a simple strum
- Lead lines between vocal phrases are essential to the arrangement
- The emotional delivery matters as much as technical accuracy
Song Background and Why It’s Worth Learning
Tennessee Whiskey has a history that stretches back further than most people realize. The song was originally written by Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove and recorded by David Allan Coe in 1981. George Jones then recorded a version in 1983 that became a country classic. But when Chris Stapleton released his version on his 2015 debut album Traveller, something different happened entirely.
Stapleton’s take stripped the song down to its emotional core. His voice, combined with the soulful, almost gospel-influenced arrangement, turned a country standard into a crossover phenomenon. The performance he gave with Justin Timberlake at the 2015 CMA Awards introduced him to millions of people overnight and catapulted the song back onto the charts decades after its original release.
For guitarists, this song is a masterclass in restraint. It proves that knowing when not to play is just as important as knowing what to play. The chord structure is minimal, the changes are slow, and the space between phrases is where the magic lives. If you can play three chords, you can technically play this song. If you can feel the groove, you can play it well.
Chris Stapleton Tennessee Whiskey Guitar Chords:
The three chords you need are A major, B minor, and E major. These are the shapes relative to the capo. If you want to match the original recording exactly, place your capo on the 1st fret and these chords will sound as Bb, Cm, and F respectively.
A major (open position)
- E string: open
- A string: open
- D string: 2nd fret
- G string: 2nd fret
- B string: 2nd fret
- High E string: open
B minor (barre chord, 2nd fret)
- Barre all strings at the 2nd fret with your index finger
- A string: 2nd fret (barre)
- D string: 4th fret (ring finger)
- G string: 4th fret (ring finger)
- B string: 3rd fret (middle finger)
- High E string: 2nd fret (barre)
E major (open position)
- E string: open
- A string: 2nd fret
- D string: 2nd fret
- G string: 1st fret
- B string: open
- High E string: open
The chord progression throughout the song is essentially A for two bars, Bm for two bars, with E appearing at key resolution points. The verse and chorus follow the same basic movement, which is part of what gives the song its hypnotic, rolling quality.
Tuning, Capo, and Setup
Standard Tuning: EADGBE
Capo Position: 1st fret (to match the original recording)
Without a capo: You can play the song in A with no capo and it will sound fine for practice, campfire sessions, or accompanying a singer who prefers that key. The shapes remain the same.
Tone tips: Stapleton’s guitar tone on this track is warm, slightly compressed, and never bright or twangy. If you’re playing electric, roll back your tone knob slightly. If you’re on acoustic, fingerpicking or a very light pick attack will get you closer to the feel.
How to Play the Song Step by Step
Follow these steps to build up a full, convincing performance:
- Tune your guitar and place your capo on the 1st fret if you want to match the original key.
- Practice the A major shape by strumming it slowly and letting every string ring clearly. Check for any buzzing or muted strings before moving on.
- Practice the Bm barre chord in isolation. This is the hardest chord in the song for most beginners and intermediate players. Focus on getting your index finger to press firmly and evenly across all six strings.
- Practice the E major shape the same way. This one is beginner-friendly and should feel easy after the Bm.
- Practice transitions between A and Bm slowly with a metronome set to around 60 BPM. The actual song tempo is around 56 to 58 BPM.
- Add the E chord at the resolution points. Listen to the track to hear exactly where the E chord falls. It typically lands at the end of a phrase before returning to A.
- Work on the strumming pattern described in the next section before you attempt a full run-through.
- Add the intro riff once your chord changes feel automatic and smooth.
- Record yourself playing along with the track. This reveals timing issues you won’t notice otherwise.
- Focus on dynamics. Play softly during verse sections and let the chorus build with slightly more energy and weight.
Strumming Patterns and Rhythm
The strumming pattern is where most tutorials fail players. They list the chords but don’t address the groove, and the groove is everything in this song.
The feel is a slow shuffle in 4/4 time. Think of it less as a strumming pattern and more as a rhythmic conversation between your right hand and the chord shapes.
A basic pattern that works well is:
Down, down-up, down, down-up
But you need to apply a slight swing to the eighth notes. The “and” beats fall just a hair late compared to perfectly straight eighth notes. This swing is what gives the song that rolling, unhurried quality.
Another approach that works beautifully on acoustic is a fingerpicking pattern:
- Thumb on the low A or E string on beat 1
- Index finger plucks the G string on the “and” of 1
- Middle finger plucks the B string on beat 2
- Thumb again on the “and” of 2
- Ring finger plucks the high E on beat 3
- Continue this rolling motion through beats 3 and 4
This fingerpicking approach gets you very close to the warm, textured sound on the record.
Lead Guitar and the Iconic Riff
The lead guitar lines in this song are not optional decoration. They are structural elements that carry the arrangement between vocal phrases and define the song’s sound.
The main riff is built from the A minor pentatonic scale shifted up to the major pentatonic. On the 2nd fret (which sounds as Bb major pentatonic with the capo), the notes you’ll use most are:
- 5th fret on the G string
- 5th fret on the B string
- 7th fret on the B string
- 5th fret on the high E string
- 7th fret on the high E string
The riff uses a lot of slides and bends. Sliding into the 7th fret from the 5th on the B string is a signature move. A slight vibrato on held notes adds the vocal quality that makes the line sing.
Pay close attention to where the riff appears. It shows up prominently in the intro, between lines in the verse, and at the end of the chorus. If you’re playing solo guitar, the riff fills the space where the vocals would be. If you’re backing a vocalist, listen carefully and only fill the gaps they leave.
Pro Tips for Nailing the Feel
Space is your instrument. This song works because of what isn’t played. Resist the urge to fill every beat with strumming or picking.
Listen more than you play. Before you try to play this song, sit with the recording and just listen. Notice the way the rhythm section breathes. Notice the pauses. Notice how the guitar lines respond to the vocal melody rather than competing with it.
Bm doesn’t have to be a full barre. If the barre chord is slowing you down, try a partial barre or a Bm7 shape using just four strings. The song won’t suffer. Feel and timing matter more than technical perfection.
Use your whole hand for dynamics. Light touch during the verses, slightly heavier attack during the chorus. This dynamic movement is what gives a performance shape and emotion.
Vibrato is not optional on lead lines. Every held note in the riff benefits from a subtle, slow vibrato. Practice it deliberately until it becomes natural.
Slow down to speed up. Practice every element at 75% of the actual song tempo until it feels completely easy, then gradually bring the tempo up.
Chord Table
| Chord | Open Position | Barre Version | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A major | Yes (standard open A) | 5th fret barre | Easy | Most common version for this song |
| B minor | No easy open version | 2nd fret barre | Intermediate | The most challenging chord here |
| E major | Yes (standard open E) | 7th fret barre | Easy | Resolution chord, appears less frequently |
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Playing too fast. This is an extremely slow song. Most players rush it by at least 10 to 15 BPM when they first attempt it. Use a metronome.
Skipping the riff. Many players just strum chords and ignore the lead lines. The riff is what makes the song immediately recognizable. Learn it.
No swing in the rhythm. Perfectly straight eighth notes make the song feel robotic. Add a slight shuffle feel to every strummed or picked pattern.
Overplaying the Bm transition. Players often tense up when they see the Bm coming and rush to get there. Relax. The chord change happens more slowly than you think.
Ignoring tone. A bright, trebly guitar tone sounds wrong on this song. Adjust your EQ, roll back the treble, and prioritize warmth.
FAQ
What key is Tennessee Whiskey played in? The song is played with a capo on the 1st fret using open chord shapes in the key of A. This puts the actual sounding key in Bb major. Many players choose to play it in A with no capo for ease of practice, and it sounds perfectly fine that way.
Is Tennessee Whiskey hard to play on guitar? The chord shapes themselves are beginner-to-intermediate level. The challenge lies in the groove, the slow swagger of the rhythm, and the lead riff between phrases. A complete beginner might struggle with the Bm barre chord, but everything else is approachable within a few weeks of practice.
Do I need a capo to play this song? No, you do not need a capo. The capo simply shifts the pitch to match the original recording. If you’re playing alone or with a singer who prefers a different key, skip the capo and play the same shapes. The chord relationships remain identical.
What strumming pattern does Chris Stapleton use? There is no single defined strumming pattern. The feel is a slow swing or shuffle with deliberate, unhurried rhythm. A down, down-up pattern with a swing feel is the closest approximation. Fingerpicking works equally well and often sounds more authentic to the recording.
Can beginners play this song? Yes, with one caveat: the Bm barre chord. If a beginner substitutes Bm7 or a simplified two-finger Bm shape, the song is genuinely beginner-friendly. The slow tempo actually helps, as it gives you more time between changes.
What scale is the lead riff based on? The riff is built primarily from the A major pentatonic scale (sounding as Bb major pentatonic with the capo). It uses slides, light bends, and vibrato to give the lines their vocal, expressive quality.
Conclusion
Tennessee Whiskey is one of those songs that rewards patience. The chord structure is minimal, the tempo is slow, and the arrangement breathes in a way that most modern recordings do not. Mastering the Chris Stapleton Tennessee Whiskey guitar chords is less about technical acrobatics and more about learning to play with conviction, space, and feel. Work through the steps in this guide, spend real time with the recording, and give yourself permission to play less rather than more. When you finally get the groove locked in, you’ll understand exactly why this song has moved so many people.