If you have been searching for risk it all bruno mars guitar chords, you are in the right place. This guide walks you through everything you need to learn the song from scratch, whether you are a beginner picking up a guitar for the first time or an intermediate player looking to clean up your technique. The song blends smooth R&B with classic pop chord progressions, making it both accessible and satisfying to play. By the end of this guide, you will have the chords, strumming patterns, and tips needed to perform it confidently.
About the Song
“Risk It All” is a deeply emotional track that showcases Bruno Mars at his most vulnerable. Released as part of a collection that highlights his ability to blend retro soul influences with modern pop production, the song leans heavily on warm, jazz-tinged harmonies. The guitar work in the track is clean and intimate, sitting right at the front of the mix. That intimacy is part of what makes learning it on guitar so rewarding. You are not fighting through layers of production. The chords breathe.
The key of the song is A major, which is one of the friendliest keys for guitar players. Many of the chord shapes sit in open or first-position territory, meaning your fretting hand does not need to travel far up the neck. This makes it a strong choice for players who are still building their fret-hand strength and muscle memory.
Key Takeaways
- The song is played in the key of A major, a beginner-friendly key on guitar.
- Core chords used are A, D, E, F#m, and Bm.
- A moderate strumming pattern with emphasis on beats 2 and 4 matches the groove.
- Capo placement at the 2nd fret is optional but can shift the feel of the song.
- Fingerpicking an intro figure adds a professional, polished touch to your performance.
Chord Overview
Before diving into the full breakdown, here is a quick summary of what you are working with. The song relies on five primary chord shapes. None of them are exotic or particularly difficult to fret. If you are comfortable with open chords and have spent some time on basic barre chords, you will find this song very approachable.
The five chords are:
- A major (open chord)
- D major (open chord)
- E major (open chord)
- F# minor (barre chord, 2nd fret)
- B minor (barre chord, 2nd fret)
The two barre chords, F#m and Bm, are the only spots where newer players may struggle. Do not let them discourage you. Spend ten to fifteen minutes a day specifically working on those two shapes and your transitions will improve quickly.
Full Chord Breakdown
A Major
Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the B string, your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D string, and your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the G string. Strum from the A string down. This is one of the most common open chords in guitar and you may already have it down.
D Major
Your index finger goes on the 2nd fret of the G string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the high E string, and ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B string. Strum from the D string down. Avoid hitting the low E and A strings.
E Major
Index finger on the 1st fret of the G string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, ring finger on the 2nd fret of the D string. Strum all six strings. This is a full, resonant chord that adds brightness when it appears in the progression.
F# Minor (Barre)
Bar all strings at the 2nd fret with your index finger. Place your ring finger on the 4th fret of the A string, and your pinky on the 4th fret of the D string. Middle finger covers the 3rd fret of the B string. Strum from the A string down. This chord gives the progression its emotional weight.
B Minor (Barre)
Bar all strings at the 2nd fret with your index finger. Ring finger goes on the 4th fret of the D string, pinky on the 4th fret of the G string, and middle finger on the 3rd fret of the B string. Strum from the A string. Bm adds a melancholy tension that resolves beautifully back to A or E.
How to Play: Step-by-Step
Follow these steps to build up a full performance of the song.
- Learn each chord shape individually. Before worrying about transitions or strumming, sit with each chord and make sure every note rings clearly. Press each string down one at a time and check for buzzing.
- Practice the two barre chords separately. F#m and Bm require the most attention. Hold each shape for 30 seconds at a time, release, and re-fret. Repeat 10 times per chord.
- Work on the A to F#m transition. This shift shows up frequently in the verse and chorus. Drill it slowly with a metronome at 60 BPM before increasing the tempo.
- Add the D and E chords into your rotation. Once you are comfortable with A and F#m, add D and E. Practice the four-chord loop: A, F#m, D, E.
- Introduce Bm into the progression. Bm typically appears in the bridge or pre-chorus. Once your four-chord loop feels solid, slot Bm in at the appropriate moment.
- Apply the strumming pattern. See the strumming section below for the exact pattern. Start slow, then build speed.
- Play along with the original track. Use a slowed-down playback tool or a DAW to slow the song to 75% speed and match your playing to the recording.
- Record yourself. Recording is one of the most powerful learning tools available. Listen back critically and identify which transitions or rhythmic moments need more work.
Strumming Patterns
The groove of this song is rooted in R&B, so the strumming pattern needs to feel laid back, not mechanical. Here is the core pattern:
Pattern 1 (Verse/Chorus): Down, Down-Up, Up-Down-Up (per bar, in 4/4 time)
Count it as: 1, 2-and, and-3-and, 4
The emphasis lands on beats 2 and 4, which gives it that soulful backbeat feel. Resist the urge to over-strum. Less is more in this style.
Pattern 2 (Bridge): Down, Down, Down-Up, Down-Up
This slightly busier pattern matches the emotional build of the bridge section. Keep your wrist loose.
Fingerpicking Option: For a more intimate arrangement, try fingerpicking the chords using a pattern of thumb (bass note), index (G string), middle (B string), ring (high E). This works beautifully during the quieter verses.
Pro Tips for Playing This Song
Tip 1: Mute with your strumming hand. Lightly rest the palm of your strumming hand on the strings near the bridge to get a slightly muted, percussive tone. This is very common in R&B guitar playing and adds authenticity.
Tip 2: Use a lighter pick gauge. A thin or medium pick will help you get that soft, brushed tone that suits the track. Heavy picks can make the chords sound too aggressive for this style.
Tip 3: Do not rush the barre chord transitions. The temptation when a barre chord appears is to lunge at it. Instead, practice slow-motion transitions where you consciously lift, move, and place your fingers with intention. Speed comes from accuracy, not force.
Tip 4: Hum the melody while you play. Singing or humming while you strum reinforces rhythmic feel and helps you stay in sync with the phrasing of the song. Even if you never plan to sing it, this exercise makes you a tighter player.
Tip 5: Tune to pitch every session. This sounds obvious but it makes a dramatic difference. Playing in tune trains your ear and makes chord transitions sound musical rather than messy.
Chord Comparison Table
| Chord | Type | Fret Position | Difficulty | Role in Song |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A major | Open | 2nd fret | Beginner | Tonic, home chord |
| D major | Open | 2nd fret | Beginner | Subdominant, lifts the progression |
| E major | Open | Open/2nd | Beginner | Dominant, creates resolution |
| F# minor | Barre | 2nd fret | Intermediate | Adds emotional depth |
| B minor | Barre | 2nd fret | Intermediate | Tension, pre-chorus feel |
FAQ
Q: What key is “Risk It All” by Bruno Mars played in? The song is primarily in A major. This is a very guitar-friendly key with accessible chord shapes in the open position. Beginners and intermediate players should feel comfortable working in this key without needing to transpose.
Q: Do I need a capo to play this song? A capo is not strictly required, but placing one at the 2nd fret and adjusting your chord shapes to G-position chords is a valid option. Some players find G-position chord shapes more comfortable. Try both and see which feels more natural in your hands.
Q: How long will it take to learn these chords? If you are already familiar with basic open chords, you could have the core progression down within one to two practice sessions. The barre chords may take a week or two of consistent daily practice before they feel smooth and clean.
Q: Is this song suitable for beginner guitarists? Yes, with some patience. The open chords are very beginner-friendly. The two barre chords are where beginners will spend extra time, but neither is unusually difficult. With focused daily practice of 15 to 20 minutes, most beginners can get through the song within two to three weeks.
Q: Can I play this on an acoustic guitar? Absolutely. The song translates very well to acoustic guitar. The chord voicings ring out naturally on acoustic and the strumming pattern suits the instrument beautifully. An acoustic arrangement with fingerpicking is especially moving.
Q: What tempo is the song? The track sits around 70 to 75 BPM, which is a comfortable, moderate pace. When learning, start your metronome at 50 to 55 BPM and build up gradually over several practice sessions.
Conclusion
Learning the risk it all bruno mars guitar chords is a rewarding project for any guitarist who appreciates soulful, emotionally grounded music. The progression is clean and logical, the key is guitarist-friendly, and the strumming patterns are accessible without being boring. The biggest challenge for most players will be smoothing out those barre chord transitions, but that is a skill that pays dividends across dozens of other songs. Stay consistent, practice slowly, and focus on clean tone over fast execution. With a structured approach and the steps outlined in this guide, you will have a performance-ready version of this song sooner than you think.