Since it was first heard in the classic film, The Wizard of Oz, Somewhere Over the Rainbow has been an acclaimed ballad, considered to be one of the top movie songs of all time. What better way to celebrate the song than by learning how to play Judy Garland’s version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow guitar chords?

In this video, Travis Perry demonstrates how to play Somewhere Over the Rainbow guitar tabs in a step-by-step process. Despite its somewhat complex chord progressions, this is a great song for newbies looking for a little bit of a challenge. Start off with Travis’ beginner version, which covers the Somewhere Over the Rainbow strum pattern. Once you’ve got that down, follow up with his more advanced fingerpicking version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

How to Strum Somewhere Over the Rainbow Guitar Chords for Beginners

Step One: Practice the B-minor (a new chord for many ChordBuddy users) by pressing the yellow tab (E-minor) and red tab (D) at the same time. When you strum, try to miss the fourth string from the bottom (the D string), and only strum the fifth string and the bottom three.

Step Two: Another new sound for many users of ChordBuddy is a half diminished chord. Practice this by strumming while pressing the green tab (C) and adding the red tab (D) to it.

Step Three: To play guitar tabs for the verse of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, you’ll be doing a straight strum while playing the following: G (blue tab), E-minor (yellow tab), B-minor (yellow and red tab at the same time), C (green tab) and add the D (red tab) to it, G (blue tab), C (green tab), G (blue tab), E-minor (yellow tab), C (green tab), D (red tab), and G (blue tab).

Step Four: Repeat step three.

How to Play Somewhere Over the Rainbow Fingerstyle (More Advanced)

Step One: Before learning how to fingerpick the verse of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, let’s practice fingerpicking. With your thumb, pick the sixth string. Then, use your middle finger to pick the first string and your index finger to pick the second string and third string. You may also choose to pick with your index, middle, and ring finger.

Step Two: Practice the fingerpicking pattern from step one while pressing down on the various chords. First, try fingerpicking while pressing down on G (blue tab). Then, try fingerpicking while playing an E-Minor (yellow tab).  

Step Three: Follow the fingerpicking pattern from step one throughout the following chord progression: G (blue tab), E-minor (yellow tab), B-minor (yellow and red tab at the same time), C (green tab) and add the D (red tab) to it, G (blue tab), C (green tab) and add the D (red tab) to it, G (blue tab), E-minor (yellow tab), C (green tab), D (red tab), G (blue tab).

Step Four: Repeat step three.