Learn "The Joker" by the Steve Miller Band on guitar using only 3 chords!

In this easy beginner lesson, we'll learn how to play the all-time classic The Joker on the acoustic guitar. We'll explore a few different approaches to playing it. At the most basic beginner level, you can play The Joker with just G, C, and D chords - 3 easy open chords!

If you're more advanced, you can play the riff also, incorporating a bit of strumming at the same time. That gets more complicated, especially if you're singing it too. However, as long as you maintain good energy and keep the vibe going, minor mistakes in the riff when playing alone are not a big deal.

💡 Depending on your skill level and what you're aiming for, you can mix things up a bit! You may have noticed during the demonstration that I wasn't playing the riff correctly all the time. I was alternating between focusing on the riff, thinking about the singing, and doing a little bit of strumming.

If you're playing in a band, you will want to perform well. Someone else may be singing, so you can focus on playing your part more accurately. In the original recording, multiple guitars are weaved together. So if you play it in a band with multiple guitars, you may want to break down the parts we'll learn in this tutorial into separate components.

Now let's get stuck in and learn how to play The Joker by Steve Miller Band on the acoustic guitar!

Guitar Tuning

You must tune down a whole tone to play The Joker with the original recording. I decided not to do that, which makes it a bit harder to sing, but most people probably won't bother tuning their guitar down to play it if they sing this song at a party or something. You can still sing it without hitting all the high notes and even speak some of the lyrics. So, you can play it a little higher without much trouble and learn the song without having to retune your guitar.

Guitar Chords

Start with a G chord. I recommend you use the grip with just Fingers 3 and 4. So, the third finger plays the thicker string, muting the fifth string, three open strings, and then the little finger is on the thinner string in the third fret. You could use other G chord fingerings if you're new to guitar and have just learned your G, C, and D. Any G chord would work, but it makes it much harder to incorporate the riff later. So, insist on the G chord that uses the third and fourth fingers. :)

The next chords are easy to play. First, play a regular C chord. Ensure that your third finger is touching the thickest string to mute it. Next, play a D chord. Remember not to let the thicker string ring out. If you are new to playing guitar, focus on playing the thinnest four or five strings. The fifth string, A, sounds okay, but the thicker string is unpleasant.

Chord Progression

The basic chord progression is G, C, D, and C. Try playing with the verses by strumming on the beat. The choruses use the same chords but in a slightly different order, and the guitar solo is played over the chorus chord progression.

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Strumming & Riff

A good way to begin is by strumming once on each chord. This will help you get a feel for playing along with the song. Remember that there are many guitar parts in the original recording, so even a simple part like this can help you get into the groove of playing in a band.

When you're ready to add some rhythm, start adding a strumming pattern, as we learn in the video lesson, but remember to practice it without the chords. You can add it to the chord progression when you feel confident with it.

The same strumming pattern of the verses also works for the chorus. The chorus is mostly strummed in the original recording, but quite a few different layers are present. To my ear, the dominant guitar in the chorus is strummed but with a little hammer-on. We'll still have the continuous 16th Note Strumming but now with an accented bass note!

☣️ Using the same three chords and the same strumming pattern throughout a song can become boring for the listener. Exploring ways to make your song sound interesting is a key thing!

Incorporating the riff into your strumming is a great idea, but singing and playing that riff at the same time is pretty tricky. I'm reasonably good at playing and singing at the same time, but I find this song a little bit awkward; you'll need pick accuracy to pick out the bass notes while keeping the strumming going. Getting the strumming feeling will take some practice, but it's worth it! This is a big party tune that many people know, and it doesn't require too much singing. You can talk-sing it, and everyone loves singing along with the chorus - it has a really good vibe!

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