A piece of music called “Why did you do that” is often sought after by beginning guitarists who want to learn a lyrical composition for home performance. Despite the fact that the text may be associated with a dramatic plot, the musical basis of the thread allows the use of a standard set of chords, accessible even to beginners. In this material we will analyze the harmonic structure in detail, select a suitable strike and consider the nuances of tuning the instrument to achieve the ideal sound.
The harmonic basis of most songs performed in the genre of pop or chanson is built on classical sequences that fall easily on the fingers. Song chords “Why Did You Do That” is no exception and is based on a minor key, which gives the composition a characteristic melancholy and depth. Correct production of sounds requires not only knowledge of fingerings, but also an understanding of the rhythmic pattern, which sets the mood of the entire melody.
To perform well, you will need an acoustic guitar tuned to standard tuning. EADGBE. Some versions of the arrangement may use a capo set to a specific fret to change the key to suit the vocals. Below we will describe each element of the accompaniment in detail so that you can play this composition as cleanly and expressively as possible.
Harmonic structure and tonality of the composition
The basis for learning a track is to understand its key. Most often, such compositions are written in A minor (Am), since this is one of the most convenient and sonorous keys for the guitar. In this key basic chords are built around the tonic of A minor, the dominant of E major and the subdominant of D minor or F major. This connection creates the classic emotional tension characteristic of songs about breakups or difficult relationships.
It is important to note that depending on the specific cover version or original performance, the harmonies may vary slightly. Sometimes seventh chords are added instead of a pure minor, for example, Am7 or E7, which gives the sound a more jazzy or blues flavor. However, for a basic analysis, we will rely on the classic triad, which occurs in 90% of cases when this song is performed.
⚠️ Note: If you are playing with a vocalist, make sure the key matches their range. Using a capo on the 2nd or 3rd fret will allow you to increase the tuning without changing your usual fingerings.
Let's look at the sequence of harmony changes. The verse part is usually built on the alternation Am and Dm, creating a feeling of incompleteness and anticipation. The chorus, as a rule, has a brighter sound, where major chords enter, such as C and G, revealing the emotional peak of the composition. Understanding this structure will help you not just mechanically pinch the strings, but feel the music.
Detailed analysis of the chord progression
To successfully perform a composition, you must clearly know the fingering of each chord used. Let's look at the main ones that make up the skeleton of the melody. The first and main chord is Am (A minor). It sounds soft and a little sad, which is perfect for the beginning of the song. It is clamped on the second fret of the second string, as well as on the first frets of the third and fourth strings.
The next important element is the chord Dm (D minor). In the context of this song, it often acts as a transitional element, connecting the tonic with other degrees. Its sound is deeper and darker. Technically, it requires fretting the first string on the first fret, the second string on the third fret, the third string on the second fret, and the fourth string on the third fret. The precise pressure of the strings is critical here to avoid rattling.
- 🎸 Am - the main chord of the key, sets the mood of the verse.
- 🎸 Dm - creates tension and leads to resolution into other chords.
- 🎸 E or E7 - dominant, which requires a transition back to tonic.
- 🎸 C - a major spot often used in a chorus for contrast.
Particular attention should be paid to the chord E (E major) or its variant E7. In this song he acts as a dominant, creating a strong tendency to return to A minor. It is on this chord that a pause or emphasis is often made with the voice. If you're just starting out, use the simplified version of E, but try to move up to the full fingering over time for a richer sound.
When switching from Am to Dm, try not to lift your index finger completely, but roll it along the strings - this will speed up your playing.
Playing technique: combat and busting
The choice of rhythmic pattern is what turns a set of chords into a complete song. For the composition “Why did you do that,” the classic “six” or soft picking is most organically suitable. If you want to convey the drama of the text, it is better to choose overkill (arpeggio), which allows you to highlight each note of a chord separately. This creates an intimate atmosphere of confession.
The fingerprinting pattern for this song might look like B-3-2-3-1-3-2-3, where “B” is the bass string of the chord. For example, for Am the bass string will be the 5th string, and for E the bass string will be the 6th. This pattern requires calm and measured play. Take your time and let the sound fade naturally before hitting the next note.
If you prefer rhythmic accompaniment, you can use fight. In this case, the “Six” scheme with jamming is suitable: Down-Down(Glush)-Up-Up-Down-Up. The jam (indicated as G) is performed with the edge of the right palm immediately after the downward strike, which gives the rhythm a characteristic clicking sound. This adds liveliness to the dynamics of the song.
☑️ Checking your playing technique
It is important to maintain dynamics. In the verse, play more quietly and softly, using fingerpicking or light strumming. In the chorus where they enter major chords, you can increase the pressure and add activity to the rhythm. The contrast between the quiet and loud parts makes the performance professional and interesting for the listener.
Chart of chords and their fingerings
For ease of understanding, we have systematized the main chords used in the song into a single table. The frets for each string are shown here to help you quickly find your way around the fretboard. Pay attention to the bass strings, as this is where most chords start to sound when picked.
| Chord | 6th string (E) | 5th string (A) | 4th string (D) | 3rd string (G) | 2nd string (B) | 1 string (e) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Am | X | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Dm | X | X | 0 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| E | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| C | X | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| G | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
In the table, the "X" indicates that the string is not playing, and the "0" indicates that the string is open. The remaining numbers indicate the fret number that needs to be pressed. For the chord Dm The table shows the full fingering, but for beginners it is permissible to use a simplified version without clamping the 6th and 5th strings if the full version is difficult.
⚠️ Attention: When playing the G chord, make sure that your left thumb does not stick out too much above the fretboard, otherwise you may accidentally hit the 6th string when it is not needed, or vice versa, not pinch it.
Memorizing positions works best through muscle memory. Don't try to learn everything at once. Take one chord, for example, Am, and practice placing it with your eyes closed. Then move on to the next one. Only after confidently mastering each element separately, assemble them into a sequence.
Typical mistakes when learning
Beginning guitarists often face a number of problems that prevent them from playing a song cleanly. One of the most common mistakes is a “dirty” sound caused by your fingers hitting adjacent strings. In the song “Why Did You Do This,” where there are a lot of minor chords, this is especially noticeable, since the minor requires the purity of the sound of the minor thirds.
The second mistake is rhythm disturbance. Trying to have time to move their fingers, players often speed up or, conversely, pause. Rhythmic grid must be stable. If you don't have time to change the chord, it's better to skip one beat, but don't lose the tempo. Use a metronome or beat your feet to keep your heart rate up.
- ❌ Clamping the strings with phalanges, not with fingertips.
- ❌ Too much pressure, leading to rapid brush fatigue.
- ❌ Ignoring the bass string when playing a chord.
- ❌ Trying to play fast before mastering a slow tempo.
How to develop finger stretching?
To improve stretching, regularly perform hand warm-up exercises. Stretch your fingers like a fan, clench your fist and sharply straighten your palm. It is also helpful to practice playing on a narrower fret (closer to the headstock), gradually moving downwards.
Another important detail is the position of the left thumb. It should be located approximately in the middle of the back of the bar, acting as a lever. If you stick your thumb up over the edge of the fretboard, you'll have a hard time reaching the frets you need, especially on chords like Dm or F (if used in barre).
Tips for setup and equipment
The sound quality of a song directly depends on the condition of your instrument. Before rehearsing, be sure to check the tuning of your guitar. An out-of-tune guitar will ruin even the most technically correct performance. Use electronic tuner or smartphone app to fine-tune each string to standard E-A-D-G-B-E.
If you plan to perform in front of an audience or record a cover, pay attention to the strings. Old, oxidized strings sound dull and quickly go out of tune. For this song, medium-hard strings are well suited, as they give a warm, enveloping sound, characteristic of lyrical ballads.
Regularly changing strings and fine-tuning before each play is key to keeping your guitar sounding clean and professional.
Also worth mentioning is the capo. If the original song is sung in a high key and you find it difficult to sing in A minor, set the capo to the 2nd or 3rd fret. This will raise the tuning so you can use the same chords but sound higher. This is standard practice for matching a vocalist's voice.
How to install a capo correctly?
Install the capo perpendicular to the fretboard, strictly between the frets, and not on the fret itself. The clamp should be uniform across all strings so that there is no falsehood. Check each exposed string after installation.
Can you play this song on an electric guitar?
Yes, you can. Use a Clean channel with added reverb. Distortion or overdrive effects will be unnecessary here, as they will overload the sound and make the chords “mushy.”
What to do if your fingers hurt?
Pain in the pads of the fingers is normal for beginners. Take breaks. Over time, the skin on your fingers will become rough, and the game will no longer cause discomfort. Do not play through severe joint pain.
Do I need to learn the lyrics to a song?
For accompaniment, knowledge of the text is desirable in order to hit the semantic accents. However, if you are playing an instrumental, focus on dynamics and a sense of melody.
What pace should I choose for the game?
Follow the original, but start at a slow tempo (about 60-70 beats per minute). The main thing is the purity of the transition between chords; speed will come with practice.