These Days
by Powderfinger
Difficulty Profile
Skill LevelOverall
BeginnerRhythm
BeginnerLead
IntermediateBass
BeginnerWhy "These Days" Works Harmonically
Beyond standard guitar tabs and chord charts, discover the exact music theory mechanics, modal interchange, and voice leading choices that give Powderfinger's classic its unforgettable emotional power.
Sustained High D and A Pedal Drone Tones Over Shifting Bass Roots
"These Days" achieves its bittersweet, wistful atmosphere by sustaining high D and A pedal drone notes on the top two strings (3rd fret) while Bernard Fanning's fingerpicked acoustic bass line steps between D, G, Bm, and A. The constant drone creates delicate add9 and sus2 colors that keep the music floating, turning an understated acoustic ballad into an iconic generational anthem.
Harmonic Progression (Roman Numerals)
I - IV - I - IV (Verse) | vi - IV - I - V (Chorus)Step-by-Step Movement
- •D (I): Warm, comforting tonic chord providing a sense of home and acceptance.
- •G (IV): Subdominant chord creating a gentle, swaying acoustic motion.
- •Bm (vi): Relative minor introducing vulnerability and reflection on "It's coming round again".
- •A (V): Dominant chord resolving the chorus phrase with poignant tenderness.
- •Em (ii): Minor stepping-stone in the bridge deepening the emotional reflection.
Voice Leading & Counterpoint
- ›The high D (string 2, fret 3) rings uninterrupted through the entire verse, serving as the 1st degree in D, the 5th degree in G, and the minor 3rd in Bm.
- ›This multi-functional pedal tone ties the changing chords together with cinematic continuity.
- ›Ian Haug's soaring electric lead guitar mirrors the vocal phrasing with singing, lyrical vibrato and warm overdrive.
Fretboard Mechanics
Keep the picking hand relaxed at 84 BPM, letting the thumb handle bass notes cleanly while fingers pluck the upper drone strings. Transition smoothly into full-bodied strumming for the chorus.
A static high pedal note alters the emotional character of every chord beneath it: try holding your top two strings static while moving common bass chords for instant cinematic gravitas.
The diatonic foundation for the bittersweet acoustic progression.
Shapes Ian Haug's expressive, vocal-like electric guitar fills.
The major mode giving the verses their gentle, melancholic warmth.
Open D, G, and A chords voiced with high drone extensions.
The emotional Bm relative minor anchoring the chorus hook.
Musical Analysis
🎹 Key & Tonality
⏱️ Song Structure
💡 Understanding D major:
D major has a bright, uplifting character typical of major keys. The Poignant, bittersweet Australian alternative-rock ballad in D major rich with high ringing drone pedal tones mode gives it a stable, resolved feeling. This key works well for anthemic rock songs and creates a powerful, confident mood.
Primary Chords Used
Scale Patterns in D major
D major (Ionian)
Notes: D - E - F# - G - A - B - C# - D
Application: Underpins the bittersweet acoustic fingerpicking and warm vocal melodies
Interactive Fretboard Map
Chord Progressions & Movement
Main Progression
Bernard Fanning's emotional masterpiece: an intimate D to G pendulum during the verses that expands into the cathartic Bm - G - D - A chorus singalong.
💡 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 In This Section:
D
G
Bm
A
Harmonic Functions & Roles:
- D (I)Grounded tonic providing solace and warm acoustic resonance
- G (IV)Subdominant chord creating a gentle, swaying acoustic cradle
- Bm (vi)Relative minor opening the chorus with profound melancholy and vulnerability
- A (V)Dominant resolution completing the chorus phrase with poignant finality
Key Techniques
High Drone Pedal Point & Fingerstyle Acoustic
BeginnerAnchoring fingers on the 3rd fret of strings 1 and 2 (D and A notes) while transitioning bass roots beneath
Uses chords:
Progression:
D - G - Bm - A
Technique Tips:
- •Use the flesh of your thumb for the bass notes and index/middle for the treble strings
- •Avoid strumming too loudly during the verses to leave room for the vocal nuances
- •Add warm tube overdrive for the electric guitar tracks entering in the final chorus
Ian Haug Lyrical Electric Lead & Wide Vibrato
IntermediateSinging melodic phrasing on the electric guitar, executing slow whole-step bends and wide vocal-like vibrato over the Bm - G - D - A progression
Uses chords:
Progression:
Bm - G - D - A
Technique Tips:
- •Support your fretting finger with two additional fingers when executing slow bends
- •Use a warm overdrive (Fulltone OCD or Blues Driver) with slight tape delay (350ms)
- •Focus on tone and touch rather than speed; every note should sing like a vocal line
Practice Exercises
Scale and technique exercises in the key of D major. Switch instrument sounds (Acoustic Steel, Nylon, Clean Electric, Piano) and practice at your own tempo.
Intro Acoustic High-Drone Fingerpicking
Intro Fingerpicked Chords
Bernard Fanning's intimate solo acoustic guitar picking the bittersweet D to G progression with ringing open high strings.
- •Anchor your fingers on the 3rd fret of strings 1 and 2
- •Pluck the alternating bass notes cleanly with the thumb
- •Let the high treble strings ring together with warm acoustic sustain
Verse 1 Bittersweet Pendulum
Verse Pendulum Strumming
Gentle acoustic strumming as Bernard Fanning delivers the iconic opening lines ('This life is short, baby that's a fact...').
- •Play with delicate, controlled dynamics at 84 BPM
- •Smooth voice leading between open D and G major cowboy shapes
- •Keep the rhythm spacious and unhurried
Chorus Singalong 'Coming Round Again'
Chorus Power Progression
Full band burst into the legendary 'It's coming round again' chorus hook, with resonant acoustic and warm electric guitars.
- •Open up the strumming with resonant full-chord strokes across all six strings
- •Lock into the slow, powerful 84 BPM pocket with John Collins's bass
- •Transition cleanly through the Bm barre chord at fret 2
Bridge Minor Build
Bridge Dynamic Build
Emotional dynamic build ('These days seem to fade so easily...') as the rhythm section swells and Ian Haug's electric guitar prepares the solo break.
- •Build picking intensity gradually over the Em to G transition
- •Accent the downbeats on Bm and A
- •Crescendo to launch Ian Haug's soaring guitar solo
Ian Haug's Soaring Electric Guitar Solo
Ian Haug Soaring Guitar Solo
Ian Haug's celebrated electric guitar solo. A masterclass in lyrical melodic phrasing and restraint: crying whole-step bends at the 14th fret of the G string and 15th fret of the B string, slow singing vibrato, and uplifting major pentatonic resolutions that capture the song's bittersweet nostalgia.
- •Begin on the 10th fret of the high E string with singing melodic phrasing
- •Climb smoothly up to the 14th fret and sustain with wide finger vibrato
- •Hit the 15th-fret high note with emotional weight and slow, weeping release
Final Epic Chorus & Acoustic-Electric Outro
Outro Crescendo & Fade
Huge dual-guitar crescendo on the final chorus before stripping back to Bernard Fanning's solitary acoustic guitar ringing to the final chord.
- •Combine heavy electric rhythm chording with acoustic dreadnought strumming
- •Ian Haug adds soaring 17th-fret fills over the vocal repetitions
- •Strip away the drums and electric guitars for a final tender strum on open D
Equipment & Tone Setup
🎸 Guitar
Recommended Model:
Pickup Type:
Acoustic bridge piezo or mic'd acoustic dreadnought
⚡ Amplifier & Settings
Recommended Amp:
Tone Stack Dial-In:
Gain: 3.0
Treble: 6.0
Middle: 5.0
Bass: 6.0
Presence: 5.0
Alternative Amps:
🎛️ Effects Pedals
Overdrive / Distortion:
Fulltone OCD or Boss BD-2 Blues Driver for chorus electric crunch
Reverb / Delay:
Lush plate reverb
Modulation / Other:
Analog Delay set to gentle quarter-note ambient repeats
Recommended Learning Path
Open Chords & Strumming Timing
⏱️ 2-3 days
- •Learn open D, G, Bm (or Bm7 without barre), and A chords
- •Practice the slow, measured 84 BPM down-up strumming pattern
- •Memorize the verse D - G and chorus Bm - G - D - A forms
Fingerpicking & Pedal Drone Resonance
⏱️ 1 week
- •Master the fingerpicked acoustic pattern on the verse
- •Keep the high D note ringing consistently on fret 3
- •Coordinate dynamic volume swelling between verse and chorus
Electric Lead Layering & Outro Solo
⏱️ 1-2 weeks
- •Learn Ian Haug's soaring electric counter-melodies in D major
- •Master the sustained whole-step bends and warm tube feedback
- •Blend acoustic rhythm and electric lead into a complete studio arrangement
Practice Notes & Routine
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- •Rushing the tempo: 84 BPM feels slow, so players frequently speed up during the chorus
- •Muting the high ringing drone strings with the palm or lazy fretting fingers
- •Playing the chorus barre chord (Bm) with too much tension
⏱️Targeted Practice Routine
0/3 Completed (0%)Check off each segment during your session to track your practice progress:
- Warm up with 5 minutes of slow fingerpicking with a metronome at 84 BPM
- Practice the Bm to G transition 10 times in isolation
- Play along with the recording focusing on dynamic breath and emotional build
🎯 Key Focus Areas
- •Disciplined tempo control at 84 BPM
- •Ringing high drone strings throughout changes
- •Smooth volume transition from verse whisper to chorus explosion
⏱️ Metronome Drills
- •Set click to 84 BPM with 8th-note subdivisions
- •Practice counting the slow tempo to internalize the pocket
- •Ensure chord changes land precisely on beat 1 without rushing