2 chord songs? B (Page 1 of 2)

The B chord is what's known as a barre or bar chord. It gets this name, I guess, because you use your index finger to hold down all or 5 of the strings across the fret - like a bar across the strings.

http://www.brendanpauljacobs.com/barre_files/abarre.JPG

If you find this too hard (like most of us do to start with) don't forget that if you transpose ( or change key) you can find easier chords to play.

e.g. if you have a song wich uses 2 chords - B and E, you can transpose down a whole step (2 frets) and the chords would then be A and D. Same song but just a different key. If you have to play in the same key then since you have transposed down 2 frets then if you put a capo on the 2nd fret then you are back to  the original key.

I hope this makes sense. If not then don't be afraid to say so; someone will be able to explain it better than me.

Can't think of any 2 chord songs off hand but I'll give it some thought. Welcome to Chordie, you'll love it here.

hey bo diddly by bo diddly is a two chord hit from a few years back  a lot of raggai song are i and 2 chord you can evoke feeling in a modal chant of 1 chord

"Horse with no name" by America has only two chords..

There are ways of cheating with the "B" chord! If you do an "A" shape on the fourth fret and hold down the high "E" string on the second fret with your index finger you get a kind of "B Lite" - you dont get the bass note of the chord but it sounds reasonable enough. Make sure you only strum the firstfour strings though!
Alternatively you can train the pad of your little finger to fret the D,G and B strings on the fourth fret and hold down the A string on the second fret with your index finger. This is trickier but you get the bass note which makes it a bit more genuine! Make sure you mute the high "E" string though (this usually happen anyway given the hand position).

You could also do another voicing of "B" - using the "E" shape barred on the 7th fret. Takes practice but it's still easier than the usual B barred on the 2nd fret!

Shane

bloodhound gang has a song that has either 2 or maybe a 3 chords,the roof is on fire. cant quite remember the chords but i know it has only 2 or 3

There is also a version of Oasis Songbird which uses G and Em7

Tulsa Time by Don Williams     E and B7

Now change the chords to D and A7 - keep the same strum and you are now playing:

Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cryus

Just a couple of easy 2 chord songs.

Nela

I just want to dance the night away is two chords, E major and B7

About the B-chord on the 4th fret, you have to be careful, avoiding the other strings.
I know, it is a kind of skill to go from barre to an E chord as example, and you need a lot of practice. My SLOGAN is: if you can play a lot of chords and/or barre on a 12-string guitar, it is 100% easier to play a 6-string.
- 2 chord song: Tom Dooley   Stay all night (Bob Willis).
More common are 2-chord songs 80% 2 chords, and in between a 3th chord 20%

Why do you want to play 2 chord songs ?

If you struggle with barre chords eg F & B just learn, for starters, G C D Em (which is a I, IV, V, VI progression in the major key of G) you'll then be able to play loads of songs.

Continue to practice your barre chords and all of the other chords in the major keys (then later the minor keys) but in the mean time continue learning songs in the key of G to keep your interest going.

hi all, new member here,a few questions, is there a section for bluegrass guitar picking? i came from banjo hangout and if this is the guitar deal then im in luck.im wanting to mix it up a bit. ive got a martin D-15 and ready to start. ive played back in the 60s G<C<D style and thats about it. thanks for the other posts ive been reading and any help youall can give me in the coming times.  george from bristol,tn.

Best two chord song that comes to mind is "Working Class Hero" by John Lennon - Am & G.

I knew it by the original version but got knocked out by Green Day's, check it out on youtube & tabs thru chordie.

danagos

Drunken Sailor    Am  G  Am G Am G Am   all day long.:)