The chord progression for "How He Loves Us"

"How He Loves Us" is a worship song written by John Mark McMillan, and the chord progression is straightforward enough for intermediate players. The song uses four main chords that repeat throughout most of the track: E major, B major, C# minor, and A major. This progression appears in the verse, chorus, and bridge, so once you lock in these four shapes, you can play the entire song.

The song is written in the key of E major, which means these chords sit comfortably under your fingers if you already know basic open position shapes. If you prefer to play in a different key—say, to match a vocalist's range—you can transpose the whole progression up or down by moving to a capo and shifting your finger positions accordingly.

Key Takeaways

  • The main progression uses E major, B major, C# minor, and A major, played in that order and repeated throughout the song.
  • The verse and chorus use the same four-chord loop, so you only need to master one progression to play most of the song.
  • Strumming stays steady and even; the song does not require complex picking patterns or syncopation.
  • A capo on the first fret lets you play the song in F major if the original key is too high or low for your voice.

Setting up the verse progression

Start by placing your fingers in E major. Press your index finger on the first fret of the G string, your middle finger on the second fret of the A string, and your ring finger on the second fret of the D string. Strum all six strings. This is your starting point.

From E major, move to B major. Place your index finger on the second fret of the A string, your middle finger on the fourth fret of the D string, and your ring finger on the fourth fret of the G string. Strum from the A string down (skip the low E string). The transition from E to B takes practice—your fingers will need to move quickly, so slow down and drill this change until it feels smooth.

Next comes C# minor. Press your index finger on the first fret of the B string and your middle finger on the second fret of the D string. Strum from the A string down. This chord is smaller and sits closer to the nut, so the shift from B major should feel like a relief.

Finally, play A major. Place your index finger on the first fret of the B string, your middle finger on the second fret of the D string, and your ring finger on the second fret of the G string. Strum from the A string down. Once you finish A major, return to E major and repeat the whole cycle.

Strumming patterns that work

The original recording uses a steady, even eighth-note strum—down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down—without much variation. This straightforward approach lets the vocals and melody carry the song, so your job is to keep time and stay locked in with the drummer.

If you want more texture, try a down-down-up-up-down-up pattern on eighth notes. This creates a little bounce without overcomplicating things. Count "1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and" and strum down on the beat numbers, down on the "and" after 1, up on the "and" after 2, up on the "and" after 3, down on the beat 4, and up on the final "and." Practice this slowly until it becomes automatic.

Many players also use a fingerpicking approach, plucking the bass note of each chord (the lowest string you can play without muting) and then strumming the upper strings. This works especially well in a worship setting where the song is quieter or more intimate. Start with the steady strum, though—once that feels solid, you can layer in fingerpicking if you want.

Common mistakes when learning this song

The biggest mistake is rushing the chord changes. E to B is the trickiest transition because your fingers have to move a significant distance. If you speed up before you are ready, you will either mute strings or miss the change entirely. Slow the song down to 50 or 60 beats per minute using a metronome, nail the changes, and then gradually increase the tempo.

Another common problem is not muting the low E string during B major and C# minor. These chords sound muddy if you let the open low E ring underneath them. Practice lifting your index finger slightly off the low E string (without removing it from the fretboard) so it dampens the string without producing a clear note.

Players also sometimes forget that A major requires three fingers, not two. If you only use two fingers, you will leave the D string open, which creates a dissonant sound. Make sure all three fingers are in place before you strum.

Transposing to a different key

If the original key of E major is too high or too low for your voice, use a capo. A capo on the first fret shifts the entire progression up one semitone, so you would play the same finger shapes but in F major instead. A capo on the third fret moves you to G major. A capo on the fifth fret moves you to A major.

To transpose down, you can also straightforward play the progression in a lower key without a capo. For example, if you want the song in D major instead of E major, move every chord down two semitones: D major, A major, B minor, and G major. The shapes change, but the relationships between the chords stay the same, so the song sounds identical—just lower.

Playing with a recording or in a band

The easiest way to lock in is to play along with the original recording or a cover version on YouTube. Start at a slower tempo if the original feels too fast. Many worship versions exist, and some are recorded at different speeds, so you can find one that matches your practice pace.

If you are playing in a band or church setting, listen to the bass player and drummer. Your job is to sit between them—not rushing ahead and not dragging behind. Keep your strumming hand relaxed and steady, and let the rhythm section anchor the groove. If the drummer is playing a kick drum on beats 1 and 3, align your down-strums with those kicks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a capo to play this song?

No. The song works fine in open position without a capo. Use a capo only if the key of E major is uncomfortable for your voice or if you want to play the song in a different key to match a vocalist.

What if I cannot switch between B major and C# minor smoothly?

Slow down to 40 or 50 beats per minute and drill just those two chords for five minutes every practice session. Focus on lifting your fingers cleanly and placing them in the new position without pausing. Speed will come once the motion becomes automatic.

Can I play this song with just two fingers per chord?

You can simplify some chords, but A major really needs three fingers to sound full. B major and C# minor can work with fewer fingers if you are just starting out, but the fuller versions sound better and are worth learning.

Is fingerpicking better than strumming for this song?

Neither is better—it depends on the setting. Strumming works great in a band or worship service. Fingerpicking sounds more intimate and works well for solo performances or quieter arrangements. Learn both and choose based on the context.

What tempo should I practice at?

The original recording sits around 80 to 90 beats per minute. Start at 60 beats per minute, get the changes smooth, and then increase by 5 or 10 beats per minute each week until you reach the original tempo.