Wish You Were Here Chords – Guitar
Wish You Were Here Chords – Ukulele
Wish You Were Here Chords – Piano
Wish You Were Here Chords – Banjo
Wish You Were Here Chords – Mandolin
Wish You Were Here Chords – Harmonica
Pink Floyd’s emotional masterpiece is a rite of passage for acoustic guitarists. The fingerpicked intro is iconic, and the song body uses five open chords in a memorable progression.
Tip: For the intro, use your thumb for bass notes and fingers for the higher strings. The key is letting notes ring into each other for that signature Pink Floyd sound.
Step-by-Step Guide
Key, Tuning & Capo
Original key: Em · Tuning: Standard (E A D G B E) · Capo: None — the open chords match the recording.
Playing tip: Practice the chord changes slowly and in a loop before adding the strumming — clean, in-time changes matter far more than speed.
Full Song — Guitar Version
Verse 1
Verse 2
Chorus
Verse 3
Practice tip: Learn the intro riff first — it is the soul of the song. Play it 50 times over a week until your fingers know it by heart. Then the rest of the song will fall into place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Wish You Were Here"?
You need 5 easy-friendly chords: Em, G, A, C and D.
Is "Wish You Were Here" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated easy and uses only 5 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "Wish You Were Here" in?
It is in the key of G.
Who wrote "Wish You Were Here"?
It was written by Pink Floyd.