Learn How to Play "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac on the Guitar

In this lesson, we'll learn how to play the iconic song Dreams by Fleetwood Mac on the guitar. This classic tune, written by the supremely talented Stevie Nicks in the late 70s, has stood the test of time and remains as captivating today as when it was first released. Let's dive into this fantastic journey and uncover the magic behind its melody!

Structure and Chord Progression

We'll start by exploring the song structure and the chord progression. Nicks built the song primarily around F and G chords, which form the backbone of the intro, verse, and pre-chorus. If you're familiar with the regular Barre chord F, you can simply move that up two frets to get the G chord. However, it's all about what sounds best to you. Feel free to use a big four-finger G chord if you prefer.

In the version we are learning today, we're going to use a slightly simplified version focusing more on strumming. We'll also see some additional tips to make your rendition feel more like the original. One trick you can use when playing this song is substituting the regular F with an F major seven. It brings a different flavor to the song, making it sound more open and floaty.

Strumming Pattern

While the original track is primarily lead lines, we're going to focus on strumming for this lesson. A simple strumming pattern that works well for this song is down, down, up, up, down, up. It's often referred to as Old Faithful, and it's a reliable pattern that fits well with many songs. However, remember it's your choice, and you can experiment with other patterns you're comfortable with.

The Chorus

When it comes to the chorus, we return to the F and G chords. A good way to differentiate between the verses and the chorus is to use a big Barre chord F for the chorus. This sets a distinct tonal shift, indicating that we're now in the chorus. Small things like these can elevate your performance, making it sound more polished.

Wrapping It Up

Remember, playing the guitar is all about expressing yourself and having fun. Use this lesson as a foundation and feel free to add your unique flair. Whether it's experimenting with the strumming pattern or adding some new chords, the sky's the limit! So, go ahead and grab your guitar, and let's bring "Dreams" to life! :) Don't forget, the best way to learn is by playing, so watch the video and play along.

Special thanks to my friend Salena Mastroianni for coming in to do the vocal for the intro too!

💡 Learn faster with JustinGuitarTabs! :) Get chords + lyrics, and verified tabs for Dreams and lots more.

In the video, I mention "the super hot girl group The Corrs". This type of language is gendered and diminishes the accomplishments of female musicians. Although this video is an old one and I would never say something like this now, I understand that this doesn’t excuse my past behavior and I endeavor to do better. Rather than remove this content, I want to acknowledge its harmful impact, learn from it and spark conversation which may help cut down this type of casual objectification which is rife in the music industry! My humble apologies.