What You'll Learn In This Guitar Lesson

How to Play Sweet Caroline on the Acoustic Guitar
What Key Is Sweet Caroline?
Sweet Caroline Using 3 Easy Open Chords
Sweet Caroline Using Barre Chords

How to Play "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond on the Acoustic Guitar!

In this lesson, we'll learn an easy way of playing Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond using only easy open chords. But if you're feeling inspired to sound more like the original recording, stick around to explore more advanced options - great for advancing beginners!

💡 Fun Fact: The unofficial English Euro 2020 Song - This Neil Diamond classic has become an anthem for the 2020 England football matches! It's amazing to see an entire arena filled with people belting out to this iconic tune.

Now grab your guitar and get ready for some fun! :)

What Key Is Sweet Caroline?

In the original recording, Neil Diamond uses a capo on the second fret. If you want to play along with the record, you'll have to move everything I show you up to two frets.

It's a lot easier for me to teach you this song open positions. But your playing style is up to you! Play it in the way that feels best for you and what suits your singing voice.

Sweet Caroline Using 3 Easy Open Chords

Sweet Caroline is a great song for guitar beginners! For this 3 chord option, you can play it using A, D, and E chords through the main part. These are super easy chords to learn and a fab option if you quickly want to learn this song for a party ;). People will still be able to sing along, and that's what this song is all about!

If you can, you'll add C#minor and B minor chords at the end of this chord sequence. This will add a bit of variation to the sound and follow the original chord sequence.

Sweet Caroline Using Barre Chords

Now, if you're more advanced, I do recommend playing this song with barre chords. The barre chords for this song are relatively simple. You'll mostly play an E barre chord for most of the main part. Remember to make sure you have the correct grip position and keep your wrist flat to avoid wrist pain.

Not familiar with barre chords yet? Explore barre chords and an easy way to play in my intermediate guitar course. There, you'll learn all about shapes and how to move them around your guitar neck.

Have a blast playing this song!

Want chords, tabs, and lyrics to follow along with my song tutorials? Check out JustinGuitar Tabs!