Guitar With Rene
Easy guitar song

Ho Hey easy guitar chords for beginners

A simple folk rhythm with a common four-chord family; use easy F while learning.

CFAmGsongs with these chords
Practice this in the song library Learn the chords first

Quick answer

Ho Hey can be practiced as a beginner guitar song with C, F, Am, G. Start with one slow strum per chord, then add the Down-up folk strum rhythm after the chord changes are steady.

  • Chords: C, F, Am, G
  • Progression: C - F - Am - G
  • Practice goal: build up toward about 80 BPM
ArtistThe Lumineers
Beginner chordsC, F, Am, G
ProgressionC - F - Am - G
Strum ideaDown-up folk strum
Practice tempo80 BPM

Before you play it

Ho Hey works best as a beginner song when you treat the chord loop as the lesson. Mute the strings, count the progression once, then play one slow downstroke per chord before adding the full strum.

Do not use speed as the test. The test is whether the next chord lands without stopping your strumming hand.

How to practice Ho Hey on guitar

1. Say the chords first

Read the progression out loud before you play. The goal is to know what comes next before your hand has to move.

2. Use one slow strum

Play one downstroke per beat until every chord rings clearly. Speed is the last thing to add.

3. Add the rhythm

Once the changes feel steady, try the strum pattern and keep the hand moving through each switch.

Chord shapes used in this song

C guitar chord

e|---0---
B|---1---
G|---0---
D|---2---
A|---3---
E|---x---

F guitar chord

e|---1---
B|---1---
G|---2---
D|---3---
A|---3---
E|---1---

Am guitar chord

e|---0---
B|---1---
G|---2---
D|---2---
A|---0---
E|---x---

G guitar chord

e|---3---
B|---0---
G|---0---
D|---0---
A|---2---
E|---3---

More songs with the same chords

No Woman No CryC, G, Am, FLet It BeC, G, Am, F

Related beginner songs

Knockin' on Heaven's DoorG, D, Am, CRiptideAm, G, CWhat's UpG, Am, CWagon WheelG, D, Em, C

Common questions

Is Ho Hey easy on guitar?

Ho Hey is beginner-friendly if you already know C, F, Am, G and slow the rhythm down before playing at song speed.

What chords do I need for Ho Hey?

Use these beginner chord shapes: C, F, Am, G.

Keep going

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