Beginner Guitar Tutorial for Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton: Step-by-Step Guide

Ever sat with a guitar, wishing you could play that smooth, blues-infused intro to Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey”—even if you’re just starting out? Turns out, this country-soul classic is way more beginner-friendly than most realize. A lot of guitar tutorials either jump straight past the iconic bass-line intro or expect you to wrestle with tricky barre chords right from the start. This guide skips the overwhelming details. Instead, it walks true beginners through easy chord shapes, explains why a capo helps, and breaks down every part—step by step. By the end, even absolute beginners can grab a guitar, add those soulful touches, and impress friends with the real Tennessee Whiskey feel. Here’s what’s coming up—and why you won’t want to miss a step.

What You Need to Play Tennessee Whiskey on Guitar

Before diving into Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey,” you’ll need just a few basics. Good news for beginners—nothing fancy required. A standard acoustic guitar works best for nailing that soulful, resonant tone, but if all you have is an electric, it’ll do the job too. The trick? Capo on the 2nd fret. This move lets you swap tough barre chords for comfortable beginner shapes like G and Am, so you can focus on feel instead of hand cramps.

Choosing the Right Guitar and Capo Position

Acoustic players get closer to Stapleton’s sound, but electric works if you dial back the gain and keep things warm—think neck pickup on a Fender Strat, tone backed off a notch. The capo (placed at the 2nd fret) is a beginner’s best friend. Why? It lets you play the song using open G and Am shapes, rather than wrestling with A major and the infamous Bm barre chord. Simpler hand shapes mean smoother playing, especially for new fingers still building strength.

Chord Chart and Finger Placement

Here are the essentials for standard-tuning, capo-2nd fret:

• G major: Index on 2nd fret A string, middle 3rd fret E, ring 3rd fret B, pinky 3rd fret high E.
• Am (A minor): Index 1st fret B, middle 2nd fret D, ring 2nd fret G string.

No capo? You’ll use A major and B minor. The A shape is easy: index on 2nd fret D, G, and B strings. For B minor (barre chord), barre across 2nd fret, with the ring and pinky handling 4th frets of D and G, middle on 3rd fret B. Too much? Try a Bm7 open variant: index 2nd fret A, skip D, middle 2nd fret G, ring 3rd fret B.

Optional: Add a jam track or metronome—a steady pulse sets up the groove and tight timing from the beginning. According to Andy Guitar’s step-by-step lesson, learning with a capo cuts out most frustration for new players and helps ear-train for the original's key.

Step-by-Step Tennessee Whiskey Guitar Tutorial

Here’s the real magic: Even with just two chords, “Tennessee Whiskey” sounds soulful and complex. This section cuts it into clear, manageable steps.

Step 1: Master the Basic Chord Progression

The core progression—just two chords—sets up everything that follows. With capo at the 2nd fret: switch between G and Am. No capo? Use A and Bm. Practice switching slowly, keeping your fingers planted as long as possible before the change. Strum each chord for a full bar, count out loud: “one-two-three, one-two-three” (for a 3/4 feel) or “one-two-three-four-five-six” (for 6/8).

New to Bm? Try this: play Bm7 (a partial barre, no full barre needed), or use just two fingers on the A and G strings. Capo users can focus on smooth open shapes. Most players see progress within a few days—start at half speed and only speed up when transitions feel automatic.

Step 2: Strumming Patterns for Soulful Feel

Start with all downstrokes, keeping a steady motion—think “down-down-down” for each beat. Once you’re consistent, add an upstroke between beats two and three. For the classic country-soul feel, try this groove:

• Down (strong accent)—down—up—down—up—down
• Keep the first downstroke heavy; lighten up the rest.
• Mute the strings gently with your palm for that “chug” on quieter strums.

Practicing with a metronome or jam track, like those at GuitarFam’s Tennessee Whiskey lesson, helps internalize the groove.

Step 3: How to Play the Tennessee Whiskey Bass-Line Intro

Chris Stapleton’s version kicks off with a memorable bass walk-up. Here’s a basic tab for capo at 2nd fret (G shape):

--3------------------------ 
--0------------------------ 
--0------------------------ 
--0-------2-4--0-------0--- 
--2-------------2-0h2------ 
--3------------------------ 

Walk through it note by note. Start slow—aim for accuracy, not speed. Use your thumb for the low E, index and middle for A and D strings. Practice the bass run alone, then add the chord strum after it. Try muting with your palm, just behind the bridge, for more “thump.” Most beginners can get the intro at half speed in a week with daily practice.

Step 4: Adding Embellishments and Lead Fills

The last step: Layer on little details. Try a hammer-on from open D to 2nd fret (with your index) in the Am chord, or slide from 2nd to 4th fret on the A string for a lead fill. Pull-offs from 2nd to open G string work too. These touches, explained step by step in SongNotes’ how-to guide for 2-chord songs, lift your playing from plain to soulful.

• Practice embellishments slowly, then combine with the main groove.
• Try one new fill per practice session—don’t aim to master all at once.
• Always return to the basic strum if you get lost.
• Use a metronome to keep everything on track.

As you progress, experiment with muted “ghost” strums and dynamic changes. Layering in these techniques keeps the song lively—no matter how many times you play it.

Troubleshooting Common Beginner Challenges

Every beginner hits a few speed bumps learning “Tennessee Whiskey.” Don’t worry—solving them is part of the process. Here’s what actually works, according to seasoned teachers and learner experience.

Easy Alternatives for Barre Chords

Struggling with Bm? That’s normal. Use the G–Am shapes with capo if possible. If not, try the “Bm7 cheat”: place your index on the 2nd fret of the A string, middle on 2nd fret G string, ring on 3rd fret B string. Still stuck? Play just the root and fifth—index on 2nd fret A, pinky on 4th fret D for a power chord flavor.

Tips for Clean Bass-Line Playing

Bass runs can sound muddy if you hit extra strings. Isolate the bass strings at first, muting the others gently with unused fingers or your palm. Practice the run without chords, focusing on slow, even notes. Fix string buzz by arching your fingers straight down and pressing right behind the fret.

Staying in Time and Groove

Groove is what separates a mechanic chord change from real music. Use a jam track or simple metronome—count out loud if needed. Start slow. The trick is to speed up only when you can play through errors. SongNotes’ solo acoustic lesson recommends breaking the song into bite-sized pieces: loop the basic progression, then add strumming, then the intro riff.

• Always fix one challenge at a time.
• Slow motion is better than sloppy speed.
• Set micro-goals—nail the intro cleanly before moving on.

Practice Tips and Play-Along Resources

Building a Practice Routine

The fastest way to progress on “Tennessee Whiskey”? Stick to a short, focused daily routine. Devote 5 minutes to chord changes, 5 minutes to the strumming pattern, and 5-10 minutes working on the intro riff or bass line. Each session, set one “focus goal” (like clean transitions or locking into the groove). Consistency always trumps marathon practices.

• Use a timer, not just the clock.
• Always warm up your fingers—even 60 seconds helps.
• Record short clips weekly to track your progress.

Using Jam Tracks and Play-Alongs

Jam tracks bring the whole song to life—plus they make practice fun. Free and paid options are everywhere. Andy Guitar offers YouTube play-alongs that break everything down; GuitarFam includes downloadable jam tracks and slow-down tools. Loop the basic progression until it feels natural, then add in other layers. Watching or playing with others—even virtually—boosts ears and confidence.

Conclusion

With the right steps, even first-time players can tackle Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey.” Chord simplicity and careful layering make it a go-to for building skill and confidence. Every note, from strummed open shapes to soulful bass lines, offers a little win—and a lot of style. The journey doesn’t end here: try adding your own vocals, mixing in more lead fills, or diving into other country-soul classics. Depth comes from simple songs played well. Start here, and that soulful feel is always within reach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q What chords are in Tennessee Whiskey?

The main chords for “Tennessee Whiskey” are A major and B minor. To make it even easier for beginners, put a capo on the 2nd fret and use G and Am shapes—no barre chords required. This covers the entire song and works for both acoustic and electric guitar.

Q How do you play the intro bass line to Tennessee Whiskey?

The intro bass line uses a walk-up on the bass strings before the first chord change. Start by picking the low E and A strings, add notes stepwise (using index and middle fingers), and finish with a strum on the chord. Slow, focused practice produces the best results for beginners.

Q Is Tennessee Whiskey easy to play on guitar?

Yes! With only two main chords and an optional capo for easy beginner shapes, “Tennessee Whiskey” is very approachable. The signature bass line and soulful strum can be learned step by step, making it perfect for new players seeking satisfying progress fast.

Q Do you need a capo to play Tennessee Whiskey?

You don’t need a capo, but it helps! With capo on the 2nd fret, you can use simple open G and Am shapes and skip tricky barre chords. No capo? Use A and B minor chord shapes—the barre is harder for beginners, but still possible with practice.