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Daniel Caesar - Japanese Denim Chords

DATA-DRIVENWhich Chord Comes Next?Learn the most likely chord transitions on guitar and start playing songs with confidence.
ChordsD, A, Em, Gm, C, F#m, F, G
Strumming↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑

Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.

DAEmGmC
DIdon’tstandinline,Idon’tpayforclubs,Afuckthat
EmButIwaitforyou,Idon’tliketodrink,
Idon’tliketothink,Gmfuckthat
CButIponderyou,DI’mbendingitover
AYou’remyfourleafclover,I’msoinlove,Emsoinlove
There’snooneaboveGmupabove,Cforever’salongDtime,yes
MyblueAjeans,EmwilllastmeallmyGmlifeCD
SoshouldAwe,EmI’mspendingallthisGmtimeC
DMetyouattheshop,sunwasgettinghot,AI’mlonely
EmI’minthecityonmyown
Neverwould’vethoughtyou’dbetheone,GmIgotahomie
CButthat’sthewayitgoes,DI’mreachingnirvana
AGoodbyesweetRwanda,highschoolwasneverEmforme
Isayletitbe,GmletitbeCforever’salongDtime
MyblueAjeans
EmWilllastmeallmyGmlifeCD
SoshouldAwe
EmI’mspendingallthisGmtimeC
F#mYoudon’tevenknowme,Fyoudon’tevenknowme
GI’mhangingfromthetree,GmI’mhangingfromtheDtree
AAhhh,Emahhh,Gmahhh,CD
AAhhh,Emahhh,Gmahhh,CD
SONG DATA3 Chords, 200 Chains, 1 BookDiscover the most-used three-chord combinations in songs and build real command on guitar.
14,015 TRANSITIONS ANALYZED#1 at 23%: Which Transition?Master guitar today with the most repeated high-impact chord transitions.
ArtistDaniel Caesar
AlbumGet You
GenresR&B, Soul
Year2016
KeyD
DifficultyIntermediate

How to play Japanese Denim on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Daniel Caesar - Japanese Denim on guitar requires 8 chords and 10 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.

Japanese Denim uses these transitions most often: A → Em (11), D → A (11), and Em → Gm (11). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with D - A chord transition.

1. D → A chord transition

Guitar D chord diagram Fingering: x-x-0-2-3-2Guitar D chord diagram
Guitar A chord diagram Fingering: x-0-2-2-2-0Guitar A chord diagram

Here's how to move from D to A:

  1. Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on D string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from E string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
  3. Slide your ring finger on B string from fret 3 to fret 2.

This transition appears in the verse, played 11 times.

D to A

2. A → Em chord transition

Guitar A chord diagram Fingering: x-0-2-2-2-0Guitar A chord diagram
Guitar Em chord diagram Fingering: 0-2-2-0-0-0Guitar Em chord diagram

Switching from A to Em:

  1. While playing A, lift your index finger from D string fret 2.
  2. Lift your middle finger from G string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
  3. Slide your ring finger from B string fret 2 to D string fret 2.

This transition appears in the verse, played 11 times.

A to Em

3. Em → Gm chord transition

Guitar Em chord diagram Fingering: 0-2-2-0-0-0Guitar Em chord diagram
Guitar Gm chord diagram Fingering: 3-1-0-0-3-3Guitar Gm chord diagram

Here's how to move from Em to Gm:

  1. Lift your middle finger from A string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 3.
  2. Slide your ring finger from D string fret 2 to B string fret 3.
  3. Place index finger on A string fret 1.
  4. Place pinky on E string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 11 times.

Em to Gm

4. Gm → C chord transition

Guitar Gm chord diagram Fingering: 3-1-0-0-3-3Guitar Gm chord diagram
Guitar C chord diagram Fingering: x-3-2-0-1-0Guitar C chord diagram

Here's how to move from Gm to C:

  1. While playing Gm, lift your pinky from E string fret 3.
  2. Lift your index finger from A string fret 1 and place it on B string fret 1.
  3. Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to D string fret 2.
  4. Lift your ring finger from B string fret 3 and place it on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 11 times.

Gm to C

5. C → D chord transition

Switching from C to D:

  1. Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on G string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to E string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on B string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 10 times.

6. C → F#m chord transition

To move from C to F#m:

  1. While playing C, lift your middle finger from D string fret 2.
  2. Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on E string fret 2.
  3. Slide your ring finger on A string from fret 3 to fret 4.
  4. Place pinky on D string fret 4.

This transition appears in the verse.

7. F#m → F chord transition

To move from F#m to F:

  1. Slide your index finger on E string from fret 2 to fret 1.
  2. Slide your ring finger on A string from fret 4 to fret 3.
  3. Slide your pinky on D string from fret 4 to fret 3.
  4. Place middle finger on G string fret 2.

This transition appears in the verse.

8. F → G chord transition

Switching from F to G:

  1. While playing F, lift your pinky from D string fret 3.
  2. Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on A string fret 2.
  3. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
  4. Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse.

9. G → Gm chord transition

To move from G to Gm:

  1. Slide your index finger on A string from fret 2 to fret 1.
  2. Keep middle finger on E string fret 3.
  3. Slide your ring finger from E string fret 3 to B string fret 3.
  4. Place pinky on E string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse.

10. Gm → D chord transition

To move from Gm to D:

  1. While playing Gm, lift your pinky from E string fret 3.
  2. Lift your index finger from A string fret 1 and place it on G string fret 2.
  3. Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to E string fret 2.
  4. Keep ring finger on B string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse.

Japanese Denim chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Japanese Denim.

  • Japanese Denim includes 59 chord transitions, 10 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
  • Japanese Denim contains 3 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
  • These transition patterns show how Japanese Denim connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After D, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (29%), A (17%), and Em (17%).
    • D → A: 17%
    After Gm, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (15%), F (12%), and Dm (10%).
    • Gm → C: 15%
    • Gm → D: 7%
SONG DATA3 Chords, 200 Chains, 1 BookThe 200 most popular three-chord chains from real songs. See which songs use each chain and expand your repertoire with patterns that actually matter.