Guitar With Rene
Easy guitar song

What's Up easy guitar chords for beginners

Three chords and a big strumming feel make it a useful beginner workout.

GAmCsongs with these chords
Practice this in the song library Learn the chords first

Quick answer

What's Up can be practiced as a beginner guitar song with G, Am, C. Start with one slow strum per chord, then add the Down, down-up rhythm after the chord changes are steady.

  • Chords: G, Am, C
  • Progression: G - Am - C
  • Practice goal: build up toward about 124 BPM
Artist4 Non Blondes
Beginner chordsG, Am, C
ProgressionG - Am - C
Strum ideaDown, down-up
Practice tempo124 BPM

Before you play it

What's Up works best as a beginner song when you treat the chord loop as the lesson. Mute the strings, count the progression once, then play one slow downstroke per chord before adding the full strum.

Do not use speed as the test. The test is whether the next chord lands without stopping your strumming hand.

How to practice What's Up on guitar

1. Say the chords first

Read the progression out loud before you play. The goal is to know what comes next before your hand has to move.

2. Use one slow strum

Play one downstroke per beat until every chord rings clearly. Speed is the last thing to add.

3. Add the rhythm

Once the changes feel steady, try the strum pattern and keep the hand moving through each switch.

Chord shapes used in this song

G guitar chord

e|---3---
B|---0---
G|---0---
D|---0---
A|---2---
E|---3---

Am guitar chord

e|---0---
B|---1---
G|---2---
D|---2---
A|---0---
E|---x---

C guitar chord

e|---0---
B|---1---
G|---0---
D|---2---
A|---3---
E|---x---

More songs with the same chords

RiptideAm, G, C

Related beginner songs

Knockin' on Heaven's DoorG, D, Am, CNo Woman No CryC, G, Am, FLet It BeC, G, Am, FHo HeyC, F, Am, G

Common questions

Is What's Up easy on guitar?

What's Up is beginner-friendly if you already know G, Am, C and slow the rhythm down before playing at song speed.

What chords do I need for What's Up?

Use these beginner chord shapes: G, Am, C.

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