As guitarists, we often find ourselves accompanying singers whose vocal ranges are very different. A song that works perfectly for one singer might be too high or too low for another. Being able to move a chord progression into a different key is therefore an incredibly useful skill, whether you’re playing with friends, rehearsing with a band or performing live.

In this lesson, we’ll learn the main picking pattern and explore how the same chord progression works in four different keys: D, C, G and A major.

We’ll also look at the musical relationships between the chords, helping you understand how to transpose songs rather than simply memorising different chord shapes.

Watch the free lesson

What You’ll Learn

• The main picking pattern from With or Without You, focusing on smooth, consistent picking.
• How to transpose a chord progression into different keys to suit different singers and musical situations.
• The I–V–vi–IV chord progression, one of the most widely used progressions in popular music.
• How chord shapes and picking patterns change as we move between different keys.
• How to use a major-key chord chart to work out progressions and transpose other songs.
• An alternative guitar part (Pattern 2) for players looking for an additional challenge.

The Four Keys

We’ll explore the same progression using the following chords:

Although the chord shapes change, the underlying musical relationships remain the same: I–V–vi–IV.

Understanding these relationships is what makes transposition such a powerful skill.

Your Free Three-Page Lesson PDF

The accompanying PDF includes everything you need to practise the lesson and explore transposition further.

Pages 1–2: Guitar TAB and Notation

• The complete main guitar pattern in four different keys.
• Chord diagrams to help with the changes.
• An additional guitar part (Pattern 2), demonstrated at the beginning of the video, for you to explore independently. This is the main chorus riff that The Edge plays.

Page 3: Keys and Chords Reference Chart

• The seven diatonic chords found in every major key, covering all 15 written major key signatures.
• Roman numeral chord relationships, helping you understand how progressions work.
• Six common chord progression exercises, including pop, three-chord and jazz-influenced examples.
• A practical reference you can return to whenever you’re learning songs, playing with singers or working out chord progressions.

[DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE LESSON PDF]

Your Practice Challenge

Start by choosing one key and playing the main pattern until you feel comfortable with the chord changes and picking. Then try moving the progression into another key, keeping your picking steady and listening to how the different chord shapes affect the sound. Once you’re comfortable, turn to the Keys and Chords chart on page 3. Choose one of the six progressions and try playing it in two or three different keys.

For an additional challenge, explore Pattern 2 using the TAB and notation provided.

The aim isn’t simply to learn four versions of one song, but to develop a skill you can apply to hundreds of other songs.

Happy playing!

Guitar Weekends

LEARN • PLAY • CONNECT

RIFF MASTERY – PLAY THE PARTS YOU LOVE – SERIES 1

STARTS OCT 26th

Enjoyed This Lesson? Take Your Guitar Playing Further!

Join Gary Dunn for Riff Mastery, a three-part online guitar series exploring some of rock’s most iconic guitar riffs, including Eric Clapton’s Layla, The Who’s Pinball Wizard and classic AC/DC.

Develop your rhythm, timing, picking technique and confidence while learning the musical details that make these riffs so memorable.

Live, interactive Zoom lessons with PDF materials and recordings included.

£20 per lesson or £50 for the complete three-part series.