how to play fast car on guitar

There’s a certain magic in the opening chords of “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman. That gentle, rhythmic picking pattern instantly creates a mood of poignant storytelling. It’s a song that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable, and being able to play it on guitar is a rewarding experience for any musician. While it sounds intricate, the core of the song is built on a few accessible chords and a consistent fingerpicking pattern. Learning how to play fast car on guitar is an achievable goal that will add a beautiful and timeless piece to your repertoire.

The Essential Chords for Your Fast Car

The entire song is built around a simple, repeating chord progression. You’ll only need to know four chords: G, C, Em, and D. The verse follows a G-C-Em-D pattern, which repeats throughout most of the song. Spend a moment getting comfortable with the transitions between these chords, especially moving from C to Em and from Em to D. A smooth, seamless change is key to maintaining the song’s flowing feel.

Mastering the Fingerpicking Pattern

The heart and soul of “Fast Car” is its distinctive fingerpicking. It uses a steady, arpeggiated pattern where your thumb handles the bass notes on the lower strings while your fingers pluck the higher ones. A great way to practice is to hold a G chord and use this pattern: pluck the low E (6th) string with your thumb, then simultaneously pluck the B (2nd) and high E (1st) strings with your fingers. Next, pluck the A (5th) string with your thumb, and then the G (3rd) string with a finger. This creates the iconic “boom-chick” sound. Practice this slowly with a metronome until it becomes second nature.

Putting the Pieces Together

Once you feel confident with the chord changes and the picking pattern separately, it’s time to combine them. Start very slowly, focusing on keeping a consistent rhythm. Don’t worry about singing along just yet; just get used to the physical motion of changing chords while maintaining the picking hand’s steady pulse. The intro and verses are identical, making a large portion of the song easy to master once you have this foundation.

A Simple Guide on How to Play Fast Car on Guitar

To bring it all to life, remember that the feel is more important than speed. Tracy Chapman’s original recording is not overly fast; it’s the emotion and consistency in the picking that makes it powerful. Pay close attention to the dynamics—sometimes playing a little softer can add a lot of feeling. The strummed choruses provide a nice contrast, so practice switching from the delicate fingerpicking of the verse to the fuller strumming of the “You got a fast car” sections.

With a little dedicated practice on these core elements, you’ll be able to capture the beautiful, melancholic spirit of this classic song. It’s a perfect piece to sit with and play, letting the story unfold through your guitar.