Worship · Folk

Amazing Grace Chords

Traditional Beginner Key of G 3 Chords 3 min read

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D

The most recognized hymn in the English language, and often the first worship song guitarists learn. Three chords, a waltz-time strum, and a melody that has moved people for over 250 years.

Strumming Pattern (3/4 Time)

↓↓↑

123

Tip: The bass note on beat 1 is key. For G, hit the low E string first. For C, hit the A string. For D, hit the D string.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the three chords

You only need G, C, and D. Practice switching between them slowly. The G to C change is hardest — focus on keeping your ring finger anchored.

2

Get the waltz rhythm

This song is in 3/4 time. Count 1-2-3, 1-2-3 and strum: bass note on beat 1, gentle strums on beats 2 and 3. The slow tempo makes every chord change manageable.

3

Learn the progression

The pattern repeats: G, G, C, G, G, D, G. Each chord lasts one full measure (3 beats). Play through the progression without singing first.

4

Add the melody

Once strumming feels natural, start singing along. The melody begins on A- (mazing) which lands on beat 1 of the G chord. Let the words guide your rhythm.

5

Polish and perform

Add dynamics: play verse 1 softly, build through verse 2 and 3, then let verse 4 ring out. Try fingerpicking the intro for a gentle start.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song — Guitar Version

Verse 1

G G C G

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,

G D

That saved a wretch like me.

G G C G

I once was lost, but now am found,

G D G

Was blind but now I see.

Verse 2

G G C G

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

G D

And grace my fears relieved.

G G C G

How precious did that grace appear,

G D G

The hour I first believed.

Verse 3

G G C G

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,

G D

I have already come.

G G C G

’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

G D G

And grace will lead me home.

Verse 4

G G C G

When we have been there ten thousand years,

G D

Bright shining as the sun,

G G C G

We have no less days to sing God’s praise,

G D G

Than when we first begun.

Practice tip: Play through verse 1 slowly 10 times before moving on. Once your fingers know where to go without thinking, add your voice. Trying to sing and play simultaneously too early is the #1 reason beginners get frustrated.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · C · D

The most recognized hymn in the English language, and often the first worship song guitarists learn. Three chords, a waltz-time strum, and a melody that has moved people for over 250 years.

Strumming Pattern (3/4 Time)

↓↓↑

123

Tip: The bass note on beat 1 is key. For G, hit the low E string first. For C, hit the A string. For D, hit the D string.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the three chords

You only need G, C, and D. Practice switching between them slowly. The G to C change is hardest — focus on keeping your ring finger anchored.

2

Get the waltz rhythm

This song is in 3/4 time. Count 1-2-3, 1-2-3 and strum: bass note on beat 1, gentle strums on beats 2 and 3. The slow tempo makes every chord change manageable.

3

Learn the progression

The pattern repeats: G, G, C, G, G, D, G. Each chord lasts one full measure (3 beats). Play through the progression without singing first.

4

Add the melody

Once strumming feels natural, start singing along. The melody begins on A- (mazing) which lands on beat 1 of the G chord. Let the words guide your rhythm.

5

Polish and perform

Add dynamics: play verse 1 softly, build through verse 2 and 3, then let verse 4 ring out. Try fingerpicking the intro for a gentle start.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song — Ukulele Version

Verse 1

G G C G

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,

G D

That saved a wretch like me.

G G C G

I once was lost, but now am found,

G D G

Was blind but now I see.

Verse 2

G G C G

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

G D

And grace my fears relieved.

G G C G

How precious did that grace appear,

G D G

The hour I first believed.

Verse 3

G G C G

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,

G D

I have already come.

G G C G

’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

G D G

And grace will lead me home.

Verse 4

G G C G

When we have been there ten thousand years,

G D

Bright shining as the sun,

G G C G

We have no less days to sing God’s praise,

G D G

Than when we first begun.

Practice tip: Play through verse 1 slowly 10 times before moving on. Once your fingers know where to go without thinking, add your voice. Trying to sing and play simultaneously too early is the #1 reason beginners get frustrated.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · C · D

The most recognized hymn in the English language, and often the first worship song guitarists learn. Three chords, a waltz-time strum, and a melody that has moved people for over 250 years.

Strumming Pattern (3/4 Time)

↓↓↑

123

Tip: The bass note on beat 1 is key. For G, hit the low E string first. For C, hit the A string. For D, hit the D string.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the three chords

You only need G, C, and D. Practice switching between them slowly. The G to C change is hardest — focus on keeping your ring finger anchored.

2

Get the waltz rhythm

This song is in 3/4 time. Count 1-2-3, 1-2-3 and strum: bass note on beat 1, gentle strums on beats 2 and 3. The slow tempo makes every chord change manageable.

3

Learn the progression

The pattern repeats: G, G, C, G, G, D, G. Each chord lasts one full measure (3 beats). Play through the progression without singing first.

4

Add the melody

Once strumming feels natural, start singing along. The melody begins on A- (mazing) which lands on beat 1 of the G chord. Let the words guide your rhythm.

5

Polish and perform

Add dynamics: play verse 1 softly, build through verse 2 and 3, then let verse 4 ring out. Try fingerpicking the intro for a gentle start.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song — Piano Version

Verse 1

G G C G

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,

G D

That saved a wretch like me.

G G C G

I once was lost, but now am found,

G D G

Was blind but now I see.

Verse 2

G G C G

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

G D

And grace my fears relieved.

G G C G

How precious did that grace appear,

G D G

The hour I first believed.

Verse 3

G G C G

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,

G D

I have already come.

G G C G

’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

G D G

And grace will lead me home.

Verse 4

G G C G

When we have been there ten thousand years,

G D

Bright shining as the sun,

G G C G

We have no less days to sing God’s praise,

G D G

Than when we first begun.

Practice tip: Play through verse 1 slowly 10 times before moving on. Once your fingers know where to go without thinking, add your voice. Trying to sing and play simultaneously too early is the #1 reason beginners get frustrated.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · C · D

The most recognized hymn in the English language, and often the first worship song guitarists learn. Three chords, a waltz-time strum, and a melody that has moved people for over 250 years.

Strumming Pattern (3/4 Time)

↓↓↑

123

Tip: The bass note on beat 1 is key. For G, hit the low E string first. For C, hit the A string. For D, hit the D string.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the three chords

You only need G, C, and D. Practice switching between them slowly. The G to C change is hardest — focus on keeping your ring finger anchored.

2

Get the waltz rhythm

This song is in 3/4 time. Count 1-2-3, 1-2-3 and strum: bass note on beat 1, gentle strums on beats 2 and 3. The slow tempo makes every chord change manageable.

3

Learn the progression

The pattern repeats: G, G, C, G, G, D, G. Each chord lasts one full measure (3 beats). Play through the progression without singing first.

4

Add the melody

Once strumming feels natural, start singing along. The melody begins on A- (mazing) which lands on beat 1 of the G chord. Let the words guide your rhythm.

5

Polish and perform

Add dynamics: play verse 1 softly, build through verse 2 and 3, then let verse 4 ring out. Try fingerpicking the intro for a gentle start.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song — Banjo Version

Verse 1

G G C G

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,

G D

That saved a wretch like me.

G G C G

I once was lost, but now am found,

G D G

Was blind but now I see.

Verse 2

G G C G

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

G D

And grace my fears relieved.

G G C G

How precious did that grace appear,

G D G

The hour I first believed.

Verse 3

G G C G

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,

G D

I have already come.

G G C G

’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

G D G

And grace will lead me home.

Verse 4

G G C G

When we have been there ten thousand years,

G D

Bright shining as the sun,

G G C G

We have no less days to sing God’s praise,

G D G

Than when we first begun.

Practice tip: Play through verse 1 slowly 10 times before moving on. Once your fingers know where to go without thinking, add your voice. Trying to sing and play simultaneously too early is the #1 reason beginners get frustrated.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · C · D

The most recognized hymn in the English language, and often the first worship song guitarists learn. Three chords, a waltz-time strum, and a melody that has moved people for over 250 years.

Strumming Pattern (3/4 Time)

↓↓↑

123

Tip: The bass note on beat 1 is key. For G, hit the low E string first. For C, hit the A string. For D, hit the D string.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the three chords

You only need G, C, and D. Practice switching between them slowly. The G to C change is hardest — focus on keeping your ring finger anchored.

2

Get the waltz rhythm

This song is in 3/4 time. Count 1-2-3, 1-2-3 and strum: bass note on beat 1, gentle strums on beats 2 and 3. The slow tempo makes every chord change manageable.

3

Learn the progression

The pattern repeats: G, G, C, G, G, D, G. Each chord lasts one full measure (3 beats). Play through the progression without singing first.

4

Add the melody

Once strumming feels natural, start singing along. The melody begins on A- (mazing) which lands on beat 1 of the G chord. Let the words guide your rhythm.

5

Polish and perform

Add dynamics: play verse 1 softly, build through verse 2 and 3, then let verse 4 ring out. Try fingerpicking the intro for a gentle start.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song — Mandolin Version

Verse 1

G G C G

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,

G D

That saved a wretch like me.

G G C G

I once was lost, but now am found,

G D G

Was blind but now I see.

Verse 2

G G C G

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

G D

And grace my fears relieved.

G G C G

How precious did that grace appear,

G D G

The hour I first believed.

Verse 3

G G C G

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,

G D

I have already come.

G G C G

’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

G D G

And grace will lead me home.

Verse 4

G G C G

When we have been there ten thousand years,

G D

Bright shining as the sun,

G G C G

We have no less days to sing God’s praise,

G D G

Than when we first begun.

Practice tip: Play through verse 1 slowly 10 times before moving on. Once your fingers know where to go without thinking, add your voice. Trying to sing and play simultaneously too early is the #1 reason beginners get frustrated.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · C · D

The most recognized hymn in the English language, and often the first worship song guitarists learn. Three chords, a waltz-time strum, and a melody that has moved people for over 250 years.

Strumming Pattern (3/4 Time)

↓↓↑

123

Tip: The bass note on beat 1 is key. For G, hit the low E string first. For C, hit the A string. For D, hit the D string.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the three chords

You only need G, C, and D. Practice switching between them slowly. The G to C change is hardest — focus on keeping your ring finger anchored.

2

Get the waltz rhythm

This song is in 3/4 time. Count 1-2-3, 1-2-3 and strum: bass note on beat 1, gentle strums on beats 2 and 3. The slow tempo makes every chord change manageable.

3

Learn the progression

The pattern repeats: G, G, C, G, G, D, G. Each chord lasts one full measure (3 beats). Play through the progression without singing first.

4

Add the melody

Once strumming feels natural, start singing along. The melody begins on A- (mazing) which lands on beat 1 of the G chord. Let the words guide your rhythm.

5

Polish and perform

Add dynamics: play verse 1 softly, build through verse 2 and 3, then let verse 4 ring out. Try fingerpicking the intro for a gentle start.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song — Harmonica Version

Verse 1

G G C G

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,

G D

That saved a wretch like me.

G G C G

I once was lost, but now am found,

G D G

Was blind but now I see.

Verse 2

G G C G

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

G D

And grace my fears relieved.

G G C G

How precious did that grace appear,

G D G

The hour I first believed.

Verse 3

G G C G

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,

G D

I have already come.

G G C G

’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

G D G

And grace will lead me home.

Verse 4

G G C G

When we have been there ten thousand years,

G D

Bright shining as the sun,

G G C G

We have no less days to sing God’s praise,

G D G

Than when we first begun.

Practice tip: Play through verse 1 slowly 10 times before moving on. Once your fingers know where to go without thinking, add your voice. Trying to sing and play simultaneously too early is the #1 reason beginners get frustrated.