Learn How to Play "Sweet Home Chicago" on the Acoustic Guitar!

In this easy guitar lesson, we'll explore different ways to play Sweet Home Chicago on the acoustic guitar. We'll look at an easy beginner version using a 12-bar Blues Shuffle; then, we'll go into more detail on the original Robert Johnson version.

💡 We'll learn some of the key features of this song! You'll end up with very handy tips if you ever wanted to play it at a Blues jam. :)

"Sweet Home Chicago" is a 12-bar Blues in the key of E using a basic shuffle pattern, which we learn in my free Beginner Guitar Course - Grade 2. If you're unfamiliar with this, check out this lesson—it also shows you important tips for palm muting!

Thumb Pick

I'm using a Thumb Pick for this lesson. I don't normally use one; it's not my thing. But I've been practicing this style of music quite a lot these last couple of weeks, and I've got a big blister on the side of my thumb, so I decided to give it a go.

I looked into a few, and my favorite one is this model by Black Mountain. It's a regular pick shape, and it never feels too tight. I don't know why I always avoided Thumb Picks; I thought they were difficult to use, but it was ok!

You can play Sweet Home Chicago with a regular pick—or even use your thumb, like a proper Robert Johnson fingerstyle version!

👉 Do you love the Blues? Learn Blues Lead Guitar Essentials—for free!