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Daniel Johnston - Story Of An Artist Chords

DATA-DRIVENWhich Chord Comes Next?Learn the most likely chord transitions on guitar and start playing songs with confidence.
ChordsC, Dm
Strumming↓-↓↑-↑↓↑

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

CListenupandI’lltellastory,aboutanartistgrowingDmold
Somewouldtryforfameandglory,othersaren’tsoCbold
CEveryone,andfriendsandfamily,saying,“Hey!GetaDmjob!”
“Whydoyouonlydothatonly?WhyareyousoCodd?
CWedon’treallylikewhatyoudo.Wedon’tthinkanyoneeverDmwill.
It’saproblemthatyouhave,andthisproblem’smadeyouCill.”
CListenupandI’lltellastory,aboutanartistgrowingDmold
Somewouldtryforfameandglory,othersaren’tsoCbold
CTheartistwalksalone,someonesaidbehindhisDmback,
“He’sgotgalltocallhimselfthat!Hedoesn’tevenknowwherehe’sCat!”
CTheartistwalksamongtheflowers,AppreciatingtheDmsun
Hedoesthisallhiswakinghours,butisitreallysoCwrong?
CTheysitinfrontoftheirTV,saying,“Hey!ThisisDmfun!”
Andtheylaughattheartistsaying,“Hedoesn’tknowhowtohaveCfun.”
CThebestthingsinlifearetrulyfree,singingbirdsandlaughingDmbees
“You’vegotmewrong,”sayshe,thesundon’tshineinyourCTV”
CListenupandI’lltellastory,aboutanartistgrowingDmold
Somewouldtryforfameandglory,othersaren’tsoCbold
CListenupandI’lltellastory,aboutanartistgrowingDmold
Somewouldtryforfameandglory,othersaren’tsoCbold
CEveryone,andfriendsandfamily,saying,“Hey!GetaDmjob!”
“Whydoyouonlydothatonly?WhyareyousoCodd?
CWedon’treallylikewhatyoudo.Wedon’tthinkanyoneeverDmwill
It’saproblemthatyouhave,andthisproblem’smadeyouCill.”
CListenupandI’lltellastory,aboutanartistgrowingDmold
Somewouldtryforfameandglory,othersaren’tsoCbold
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 Johnston
AlbumDon't Be Scared
GenresAlternative, Indie
Year1982
KeyC
DifficultyEasy

How to play Story Of An Artist on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Daniel Johnston - Story Of An Artist on guitar requires 2 chords and 1 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.

Story Of An Artist uses these transitions most often: C → Dm (13) and Dm → C (13). 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 C - Dm chord transition.

1. C → Dm chord transition

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

Switching from C to Dm:

  1. Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on E string fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to G 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 13 times.

C to Dm

Story Of An Artist chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Story Of An Artist.

  • Story Of An Artist includes 26 chord transitions, 1 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
  • Story Of An Artist contains 1 of the top 25 transitions across Chordier.
  • These transition patterns show how Story Of An Artist connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After C, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
    • C → Dm: 5%
    After Dm, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (18%), G (16%), and Am (14%).
    • Dm → C: 18%
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.