Brown Eyed Girl
by Van Morrison
Album: Blowin' Your Mind!
Released: 1967
Genre: Rock
Difficulty Analysis
Overall
BeginnerRhythm
BeginnerLead
IntermediateBass
BeginnerMusical Analysis
Key & Tonality
Song Structure
Understanding G major:
G major has a bright, uplifting character typical of major keys. The Ionian (Major) with a bright, upbeat feel mode gives it a stable, resolved feeling. This key works well for anthemic rock songs and creates a powerful, confident mood.
Pro Tip: Power chords (5ths) work exceptionally well in this key for rock/metal, as they avoid the major/minor quality and focus on raw power.
Primary Chords Used
Scale Patterns in G major
G major
Notes: G - A - B - C - D - E - F# - G
Application: Harmonic foundation for the chord progression and vocal melody
Fretboard Pattern
Chord Progressions
Main Progression
A timeless I-IV-I-V progression that drives the verse with bright, upbeat energy. This is one of the most common and memorable progressions in pop-rock music, with the vi chord adding depth in the chorus.
Theory Insight:
This progression creates a specific harmonic movement that defines the song's emotional character. Understanding the relationship between these chords helps in improvisation and songwriting.
Chord Shapes Used:
G
C
D
Harmonic Functions:
- G (I):Bright, stable tonic that establishes the cheerful character
- C (IV):Subdominant providing gentle harmonic motion away from home
- D (V):Dominant chord that creates the pull back to G, driving the progression forward
Key Techniques
Open Chord Strumming
BeginnerBright, energetic strumming of open G, C, D, and Em chords with a driving eighth-note rhythm that carries the entire song
Uses chords:
See chord diagrams in the Chord Reference section above
Progression:
G - C - G - D (verse) / Em - C - G - D (bridge)
Tips:
- • Practice chord changes G-to-C and G-to-D separately before combining
- • Keep the strumming wrist relaxed at 150 BPM to avoid fatigue
- • Anchor the ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B string for G-to-C transitions
- • Strum all six strings on G and Em, avoid the lowest string on C and D
Intro Riff (Optional)
IntermediateThe iconic guitar riff that opens the song, one of the most recognizable intros in rock history, based on the G major pentatonic scale
Uses chords:
See chord diagrams in the Chord Reference section above
Progression:
G - C - G - D (single-note riff over chord changes)
Tips:
- • Learn the strumming version first before tackling the riff
- • The riff uses alternate picking for the quick passages
- • Keep the notes crisp and clean with good fretting hand pressure
- • Practice the riff slowly and gradually increase to 150 BPM
Quick Chord Transitions at Speed
BeginnerRapidly switching between G, C, D, and Em chords at 150 BPM, building the speed and accuracy needed for uptempo rock strumming
Progression:
G - C - G - D - Em - C - G - D
Tips:
- • Keep fingers close to the fretboard during transitions
- • Use common anchor fingers where possible between shapes
- • Start at half tempo (75 BPM) and gradually increase speed
- • The faster tempo will come naturally with muscle memory
Practice Exercises
Scale and technique exercises in the key of G major. Practice these patterns to build the skills needed for this song.
Intro
0:00-0:12Alternate Picking Exercise
The famous opening riff that sets the upbeat tone - one of the most instantly recognizable guitar intros in rock history
Alternate Picking Exercise
- • Iconic riff built on G major pentatonic
- • Establishes the bright, nostalgic mood
- • Beginners can substitute with strumming the chord progression
Verse
0:12-0:48Chord Voicing Exercise
Upbeat verse with steady strumming over the G-C-G-D progression supporting the nostalgic storytelling lyrics
Chord Voicing Exercise
- • Two bars per chord at 150 BPM
- • Keep strumming bright and consistent
- • Leave space for the vocal melody to breathe
Chorus (Sha La La)
0:48-1:12Chord Voicing Exercise
The iconic the signature singalong section - one of rock's greatest audience participation moments
Chord Voicing Exercise
- • Same chord progression as the verse
- • Strumming gets slightly more energetic
- • the signature vocal melody is the hook everyone knows
Bridge
1:40-2:00Chord Voicing Exercise
A brief reflective bridge introducing the Em chord for emotional contrast before returning to the verse energy
Chord Voicing Exercise
- • Em introduces a wistful, reflective quality
- • Provides dynamic contrast to the bright verses
- • Transitions back into the upbeat chorus
Outro
2:30-3:03Chord Voicing Exercise
Final chorus repetitions with the signature refrain building energy to the song's joyful conclusion
Chord Voicing Exercise
- • Repeated chorus progression building to finale
- • Full energy strumming with sing-along vocals
- • Maintain steady tempo through the final repetitions
Equipment & Tone
Guitar
Recommended:
Any steel-string acoustic guitar
Pickup Type:
Acoustic preferred; if electric, use middle or bridge pickup for brightness
Alternatives:
- • Fender Stratocaster (for the recorded electric tone)
- • Any dreadnought acoustic for campfire version
- • Gibson SG or Les Paul
- • Nylon string classical guitar works in a pinch
Amplifier
Recommended:
Settings:
Gain: 2-3 (clean with minimal breakup)
Treble: 7 (bright and jangly)
Middle: 5 (balanced)
Bass: 4-5 (tight low end to keep strumming defined)
Presence: 6 (airy sparkle)
Alternatives:
- • Vox AC30
- • Fender Deluxe Reverb
- • Vox AC15
- • Any amp set to a clean channel
Effects
Distortion:
None - clean tone throughout
Reverb:
Light spring reverb for classic 1960s vibe
Other:
No capo needed. No effects required - plug in and play.
Learning Path
Time Estimate: 1-2 weeks with regular practice
- • Learn open G, C, and D chord shapes individually until clean
- • Practice switching between G and C smoothly
- • Practice switching between G and D smoothly
- • Combine into the full G-C-G-D progression at slow tempo (75 BPM)
Time Estimate: 2-3 weeks for confident full performance
- • Learn the Em chord and practice the bridge section (Em-C-G-D)
- • Gradually build speed toward 150 BPM with a metronome
- • Play through the full song structure without stopping
- • Learn the simplified version of the intro riff
Time Estimate: 3-5 weeks for polished performance
- • Learn the full intro riff at tempo with clean alternate picking
- • Add dynamics between verse and chorus sections
- • Practice singing while strumming the full song
- • Play along with the original Van Morrison recording
Practice Notes
Common Mistakes
- • Slowing down during chord transitions at the fast 150 BPM tempo
- • Strumming too hard - keep it bright and bouncy, not aggressive
- • Forgetting the Em in the bridge and playing G instead
- • Trying to learn the intro riff before mastering the chords - chords first
Practice Routine
- • Warm up with G-C-D chord changes for 5 minutes
- • Practice the full verse progression (G-C-G-D) with a metronome at 120 BPM
- • Increase tempo gradually toward 150 BPM
- • Add the bridge section (Em-C-G-D) and practice transitions
- • Run through the full song structure without stopping
Focus Areas
- • Fast and clean chord transitions at 150 BPM
- • Consistent strumming rhythm without slowing at chord changes
- • Bright, jangly tone quality
- • Song form awareness - knowing where each section starts
Metronome Work
- • Start chord changes at 100 BPM
- • Increase by 10 BPM increments until reaching 150 BPM
- • Practice strumming pattern alone on muted strings at full tempo
- • Play through full song at 150 BPM with metronome for timing accuracy