Learn how to play "Steve McQueen" by Sheryl Crow on acoustic guitar!

Hey, how you doing? It’s Justin here, and today we’ll check out Steve McQueen by Sheryl Crow on acoustic guitar. This one has an awesome riff and is in open G tuning. It’s the perfect opportunity to learn about this tuning in a real context.

First of all, let’s get the guitar in tune. To change from standard to open G tuning, we tune the two outside strings down to a D. Use the open D string or the harmonic at 4:12 (string 4, fret 12) as a reference. Then we tune the A string down to a G. You can use the open G string or the harmonic at 3:12 as a reference.

🧐 Open G Tuning: trying to figure out how to tune to open G? Check out my open G tuning tutorial. 🙂

Now that we’re in tune, let's check out that awesome riff.

Sheryl Crow – Steve McQueen: Riff

Sheryl managed to find an awesome riff using standard blues notes in open position. Kudos! We start by strumming a mini G chord (X000XX), muting string 6 with your thumb. Then finger 2 goes down in 5:3 (string 4, fret 3), then finger 3 on 5:4. Strum the mini G chord again. Use all downstrums for this part, except when you pick 5:4.

Then we strum DUD on the mini G chord, followed by finger 2 on 4:3 twice. Then finger 1 goes down on 4:2. Now strum the mini G chord and play 5:3, then 5:4.

🎸 Expand: While this is a cool melody in its own right, you can expand on Sheryl’s idea. Use the notes in her riff for blues solos or rhythm parts. Sounds awesome!

In the next bar, we strum the mini G chord, then pick 6:3 and 6:4, mini G chord twice, 5:3, mini G chord. Mute the strings on beat 3. The key to nailing this riff is to keep your arm moving consistently throughout.

The rhythm for the riff is:

1 e + a 2 e + a 3 e + a 4 e + a ; 1 e + a 2 e + a 3 e + a 4 e + a

Sheryl Crow – Steve McQueen: Chorus Chords

The chord shapes in open G tuning are different from standard tuning. Some are easy, some are tricky, but the G chord (X00000) couldn’t be easier! You can play any combination of the open strings.

💡 String 6 In Open G: while string 6 is tuned to the note D, which is part of the G Major chord (G B D), it tends to muddy the sound – compare 000000 to X00000. So I tend to mute string 6 with the thumb. The same goes for C: 555555 is a legit C chord in open G, but X55555 sounds better. :)

The next chord is an F (353XXX). You might wonder why this is an F chord – it looks like a G power chord! Remember that strings 6 and 5 are a tone lower than usual. 6:3 and 5:5 would usually be G and D. In open G, they become F and C, the 1st and 5th notes of the F chord. 4:3 is still an F, so we’re fretting F, C, F, which is an F power chord.

Then we switch to C (X55555). Notice that C is played X35553 in regular tuning. Since strings 5 and 6 are now a tone lower, we have to move the fingering up a tone on those strings. The note 1:5 is optional.

The chorus progression is G, F, C, C. Between progressions, you can add F (353XXX) and C/E (25XXXX) to move from C to G. I also hear Fsus 2 (XX301X) to C/E.

Sheryl Crow – Steve McQueen: Other Sections

This is an acoustic arrangement that Sheryl might play solo. But the original record has a ton of extra guitar parts. Definitely try to add your own. One option is to use open chords, which you’ll need to play with different fingerings.

There’s another excellent riff on the original that uses open string 5 with finger 1 on 4:3 and finger 2 on 4:5. Strum X03XXX, and hammer on at 4:5. You can also hear variations on this, so it's a great idea to explore.

You’ll hear a slightly different section in the bridge. The chords are G, Bb (X33333), F, and C.

Sheryl Crow – Steve McQueen: Open Chords in Open G Tuning

Definitely check out how to manipulate open chords to fit this new tuning. Remember that strings 6, 5, and 1 are now a tone lower than before, so you have to move all the fingering up a tone.

☑️ Study Theory: Knowing some Practical Music Theory really helps you explore other tunings.

Let’s look at moving an F into open G tuning. In standard tuning, F is 133211. We need to move the notes on strings 6, 5, and 1 up one tone, so this F in open G is 353213. It’s pretty much impossible to play the full chord, but 3X321X and XX3213 are standard movable grips in open G.

C chord in standard tuning is X32010, which becomes X52013 in open G. Again, it’s impossible to play. But muting string 5 enables you to play XX2013, which is C/E.

Now it’s over to you! Practice the riffs and chords from this song, then start experimenting. If you really want to advance as a guitar player, try applying these ideas in other contexts. I also suggest you explore open G tuning – there’s a lot to discover. Enjoy this one, and I’ll see you for more real soon. :)

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