Ed Sheeran - Shirtsleeves Chords
Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow. Using the Transpose tool, switch to G key to play this song with easier chords.
How to play Shirtsleeves on Guitar (Step-by-step)
Ed Sheeran - Shirtsleeves on guitar requires 4 chords and 6 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.
Shirtsleeves uses these transitions most often: Bm → G (12), G → D (9), and A → Bm (8). 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
Switching from D to A:
- Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on D string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger on B string from fret 3 to fret 2.
This transition appears in the verse, played 8 times.
2. A → Bm chord transition
To move from A to Bm:
- Lift your index finger from D string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to B string fret 3.
- Lift your ring finger from B string fret 2 and place it on D string fret 4.
- Place pinky on G string fret 4.
This transition appears in the verse, played 8 times.
3. Bm → G chord transition
To move from Bm to G:
- While playing Bm, lift your pinky from G string fret 4.
- Lift your index finger from E string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from B string fret 3 to E string fret 3.
- Lift your ring finger from D string fret 4 and place it on E string fret 3.
This transition appears in the verse, played 12 times.
4. G → D chord transition
Switching from G to D:
- Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to E string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on B string fret 3.
This transition appears in the verse, played 9 times.
5. G → A chord transition
Switching from G to A:
- Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on D string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to G string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on B string fret 2.
This transition appears in the chorus, played 5 times.
6. D → Bm chord transition
To move from D to Bm:
- Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 2 to B string fret 3.
- Lift your ring finger from B string fret 3 and place it on D string fret 4.
- Place pinky on G string fret 4.
This transition appears in the chorus, played 8 times.
Shirtsleeves chord transition analysis
A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Shirtsleeves.
- Shirtsleeves includes 59 chord transitions, 6 of them unique.
- These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
- Shirtsleeves contains 2 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
- These transition patterns show how Shirtsleeves 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 → G: 29%
- D → A: 17%
After G, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).- G → D: 24%
- G → A: 6%