Procol Harum A Whiter Shade Of Pale Chord
Procol Harum is a British rock band formed in 1967. Their song "A Whiter Shade of Pale" remains one of the most popular and iconic songs of the era. The song's haunting melody, combined with its enigmatic lyrics, has captivated audiences for over five decades.
One of the reasons for the song's lasting appeal is its simple yet beautiful chord progression. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the chords that make up "A Whiter Shade of Pale" and how you can play them on guitar.
The Chords
The chords for "A Whiter Shade of Pale" are relatively simple, consisting of just four chords played in sequence throughout most of the song. The chords are:
- C major
- A minor
- F major
- G major
The song begins with an organ intro that plays the chord progression twice before the vocals come in. The verse follows the same progression, with each chord getting one measure of play. The chorus changes things up slightly with a different chord progression:
- A minor
- G major
- F major
- G major
The chorus repeats twice before returning to the original chord progression for the verse.
Playing the Chords on Guitar
Playing "A Whiter Shade of Pale" on guitar is relatively easy, even for beginners. The chords are all open chords, and the strumming pattern is fairly straightforward.
To play the chords, you'll need to know the following finger positions:
- C major: Place your third finger on the third fret of the fifth string, your second finger on the second fret of the fourth string, and your first finger on the first fret of the second string.
- A minor: Place your second finger on the second fret of the fourth string, and your first finger on the first fret of the second string.
- F major: Place your first finger on the first fret of the second string, your second finger on the second fret of the third string, and your third finger on the third fret of the fourth string.
- G major: Place your second finger on the third fret of the sixth string, your third finger on the third fret of the first string, and your fourth finger on the third fret of the second string.
Once you know the finger positions, you can begin playing the song. The strumming pattern for the verse is a simple down-up-down-up pattern, with each chord getting one measure of play. For the chorus, the strumming pattern changes to a down-up-down pattern, with each chord getting one-and-a-half measures of play.
Remember to play the chords cleanly and evenly, and to keep the rhythm steady throughout the song.
In Conclusion
"A Whiter Shade of Pale" remains one of the most beloved songs of the 1960s, in large part due to its haunting melody and enigmatic lyrics. The song's simple yet beautiful chord progression is easy to play on guitar, making it a perfect song for beginners to learn. Whether you're a fan of Procol Harum or just love classic rock, "A Whiter Shade of Pale" is sure to be a song that you'll want to play again and again.