Beginner Song Progression
Play “Brown Eyed Girl” With Clear, Section-by-Section Chords
Follow Van Morrison’s classic from intro to ending with easy-to-scan chord changes, colour-coded song sections, and a progression you can take straight into practice or performance.
Ready to play the whole song from start to finish?
Brown Eyed Girl — Van Morrison
Difficulty: beginner-friendly. Key: G major. Chords used: G, C, D, and Em. Start with the intro, then follow the pale-blue verse and pale-pink chorus rows; use the marked bridge and ending rows when they appear. Practise each section slowly before linking them into a complete play-through. On a chord diagram, vertical lines represent strings, horizontal lines represent frets, numbered dots show which fingers to use, O means play an open string, and X means leave that string silent.
Bars, Repeats, and Chord Changes
Read Each Chord Name as the Shape to Hold; Each | Marks a New Bar, Repeat Signs Send You Back, and a Chord Stays in Place Until the Next Change. Count Four Steady Beats per Bar Unless Noted Otherwise.
Song Progression: Intro to Ending
Intro — Light Beige
| G | C | G | D | Play once to establish the rhythm.
Verse — Pale Blue
| G | C | G | D | Repeat for each verse; give every chord four beats.
Chorus — Pale Pink
| C | D | G | Em | Repeat twice, then return to the verse.
Bridge — Pale Green
| Em | C | G | D | Play twice before the final chorus.
Ending — Pale Orange
| C | D | G | G | Let the final G ring.
Reading the Bars
Each | marks a measure. Play the named chord for four beats unless a note says otherwise.
Following the Form
Play intro, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, final chorus, then ending.
Chords at a Glance
This example uses G, C, D and Em in the key of G; the changes suit a beginner-friendly practice pace.
How to Read the Chord Diagrams
Strings and Frets
Vertical lines are strings, from low E on the left to high E on the right. Horizontal lines mark frets; dots show where to press.
Open, Muted and Finger Numbers
O means play the string open; X means do not play it. Numbers 1–4 indicate your index through little finger.
Barre Chord Markings
A bar across several strings means one finger holds them at the same fret. Check the fret number beside the diagram before playing.
Practice the Progression in Three Steps
Step 1
First, play the intro and verse slowly. Name each chord aloud and pause wherever a change feels uncertain.
Step 2
Next, loop the chorus, then the bridge. Keep a steady four-count and move your fingers toward the next shape early.
Step 3
Finally, join the sections in order at a comfortable tempo. Repeat any rough transition before playing the whole song again.
Play This Song from Start to Finish
Keep this progression open as a quick reference during rehearsal or on stage. Follow the section labels and chord bars in order, checking the arrangement for repeat and ending cues.
1
Map the Section Order
Scan the intro, verse, chorus, bridge and ending rows before playing. Follow them in the order shown, using the section colours to find your place quickly.
2
Track Repeats and Changes
Play each chord for its marked bar or count. Watch for repeat signs and return cues so you know when to cycle a section or move on.
3
Land the Ending Together
Check the final row before you start. On the last pass, follow its ending cue and hold or stop the final chord with the group.
Keep This Song Ready to Play
Add this song to My Songbook for your next practice or set, then explore related songs and lessons to build a repertoire you can play with confidence.