Chords of the song “It Wasn’t”: complete analysis and secrets of performance

Finding the exact harmonization of your favorite track is always a search for a balance between original sound and ease of performance. When you're looking for chords for a song called "wasn't there," you're likely faced with the classic situation where there are dozens of versions scattered across the Internet, and none of them sound exactly like the ones on the record. This happens because different guitarists use different capos, tunings, or simply simplify complex jazz harmonies to basic triads.

In this article we will analyze the most authentic and easy-to-perform version, which retains the emotional intensity of the composition. We won't just list the letters of the chords, but we'll also explain why this particular sequence is used in certain places, and how to achieve the correct sound. Understanding the theory will help you parse any other songs in the future without outside help.

It is important to note that an original performance often requires a specific sound production technique. However, for playing at home around the fire or in a small company, you can use an adapted version. It sounds full and expressive, without requiring virtuoso mastery of the instrument. The main thing is to place your hands correctly and feel the rhythmic pattern.

Basic harmony and tonality of the composition

The foundation of any musical work is its tonality. For the song “wasn’t” the most characteristic and frequently used is the key A minor (Am) or E minor (Em). The choice of key directly affects the timbre coloring and convenience of fingering. In minor keys it is easiest to convey the melancholic and deep mood inherent in the text by the author.

Let's look at the basic chords that make up the skeleton of harmony. This is the so-called “circle of fifths” in miniature, which is found in 80% of all popular music. Knowing these chords is a must for any guitarist:

• 🎸 Am (A minor) - the main tonic chord, the resting point and the beginning of a phrase.
• 🎸 Dm (D minor) - subdominant, creating tension and forward movement.
• 🎸 E (E major) - the dominant, which requires resolution back to the tonic, creating drama.
• 🎸 G (G major) - often used as a passing chord to soften the transition.

Using these four chords allows you to play the intro and verse. However, to make a song sound professional, you need to pay attention to the bass notes. In some versions, instead of open E used E/G#, which gives the harmony a more “floating” and complex character. This is especially important during the transition between verse and chorus.

Combat pattern and rhythmic pattern

Rhythm is the heart of a song. Even if you pluck all the strings perfectly, the wrong strumming will spoil the impression. The composition “wasn’t” is characterized by a 4/4 time signature, but the performance can vary from a slow fingerpicking to an energetic fight. Beginners are recommended to start with a simplified version, gradually speeding up the pace.

The classic battle scheme, which is suitable for most cover versions, is as follows. Dynamics are important here: downward strokes should be more accentuated, and upward strokes should be light and sliding.

• 🥁 Basic rhythm: Down - Down-Up - Up-Down-Up.
• 🥁 Jamming: After the first downstroke, you can mute it with the palm of your right hand to create a percussive effect.
• 🥁 Accent: Pay special attention to the third beat (Up), it often falls on the downbeat in fast compositions.

For those who prefer lyrical performance, busting is ideal. It allows you to highlight the melodic line and bass. The Figure Eight pattern (Bass-3-2-3-1-3-2-3) would be most appropriate here. It is important to ensure that the bass string sounds clear and long, and that the picking on the other strings is quiet and unobtrusive. Rhythmic stability is more important than speed, so practice with a metronome.

Technical nuances and fingering

Correct hand placement is the key to clear sound. When playing a song that wasn't there, you often have problems holding down the barre or transitioning between complex chords. If you hear the strings rattling, it means you are not pressing them hard enough against the frets or you are placing your finger too far from the metal nut.

Please pay attention to the following technical points when working out transitions:

• 🖐️ Thumb position: It should be approximately halfway down the back of the bar, providing leverage for pressure.
• 🖐️ Roundness of fingers: The fingers of the left hand should be bent at the phalanges and touch the strings only with the pads, without touching the neighboring ones.
• 🖐️ Economy of movements: Try to minimize the lift of your hands from the fretboard when changing chords, sliding along the strings where possible.

The use of a capo deserves special attention. Setting it to the 2nd or 3rd fret allows you to play the usual open chords, but the song will sound higher and louder. This is a standard technique for matching a singer's vocal range. If you play in an ensemble, check which fret the capo is on with your colleagues so that there is no dissonance.

The secret to clean barre

If you can't grip the barre, try turning the body of the guitar slightly toward you and pushing the neck away from you. This will change the angle of finger pressure.

Structure and sequence table

To make it easier for you to navigate the structure of the work, we have compiled a detailed table. It shows how many bars each part has and what chords are used. This is a kind of map that will prevent you from getting lost during performance.

Part of the song	Chord progression	Number of bars	Dynamics
Introduction	Am - Dm - E - Am	4	Quiet, rising
Verse 1	Am - G - Dm - E	8	Medium, flat
Chorus	Dm - Am - E - Am	8	Loud, emotional
Losing	Am - E/G# - Dm - E	4	Melodically

Remember that the number of bars may vary depending on the arrangement. In live performances, musicians often extend intros or add extra bridges for improvisation. Flexibility is an important quality for a musician, so don't be afraid to experiment with the length of parts if it serves the overall idea of the performance.

Instrument tuning and sound production

Before you start learning, make sure your instrument is in tune. A fake guitar will ruin even perfectly learned chords. Standard tuning for this song E A D G B E fits best. However, if you want to achieve a deeper, more “pulling” sound, you can try lowering the tuning by a semitone or tone.

⚠️ Warning: When using alternate tunings (such as Drop D or DADGAD), make sure your instrument can handle the string tension and check the intonation at the 12th fret.

Sound production also plays a role. If you play an acoustic, try striking the strings with a pick or fingernail closer to the bridge for a brighter sound, or closer to the fretboard for a soft, muted tone. On an electric guitar, it is important to choose the right tone. A clean channel is suitable for this composition (Clean) with a small amount of reverb added (Reverb) and perhaps some light chorus (Chorus).

Don't forget about the condition of the strings. Old, oxidized strings sound dull and quickly go out of tune. Always use a new set for a recording or important performance. This is a small thing that radically changes the final impression of the music.

Common mistakes when learning

Even experienced guitarists sometimes make mistakes that hinder progress. One of the most common is trying to learn a song right away at a fast pace. The brain and muscles do not have time to remember the correct movements, and as a result, the wrong skill is reinforced, which is then very difficult to correct.

Another mistake is ignoring the rhythm in favor of strumming the chords. The guitarist looks intently at the fretboard, forgetting to listen to the music. As a result, the chord hits the right beat late. To avoid this, count out loud: “one-and-two-and-three-and-four-and.” This helps synchronize hand movements.

⚠️ Attention: Do not try to sing and play at the same time until you bring your guitar playing to automaticity. Dividing tasks will greatly speed up the learning process.

An error in the choice of fingering is also common. Beginners try to press a chord in every possible way, without thinking about how it is more convenient to move on to the next one. Always analyze the next chord and leave your fingers on the strings if they do not change, or rearrange them in the most economical way.

How to quickly learn transitions between chords?

There is a method of “idle runs”. Place your left hand on the first chord, sound it, then quickly remove your hand and place it on the second chord without playing with your right hand. Repeat this movement 10-20 times until your fingers “remember” the trajectory. Only then connect your right hand.

Do I need to learn tablature for this song?

Tablatures are useful if you want to play the exact intro melody or solo part. For accompaniment and singing, it is enough to know the names of the chords and the strumming pattern. However, if you want to play the instrumental version, search for tabs "there were no guitar tabs" will be necessary.

What to do if the chords don't sound?

Check three things: the clamping force (it should be sufficient, but not excessive), the position of the finger (close to the fret, but not on it), and the condition of the strings. It's also possible that your guitar needs tuning or string replacement.