The Basic Chord Progression for "Ho Hey"

"Ho Hey" by The Lumineers uses only three chords throughout most of the song: D major, A major, and G major. The progression repeats in this order: D–A–G–D–A–G. Each chord gets one beat per measure in the verse, so the rhythm is straightforward and forgiving for newer players.

The song stays in the key of D major, which means these three chords sit naturally together. You won't need to jump between distant positions on the neck, and the chord changes happen at regular intervals, making it straightforward to develop a steady rhythm.

Key Takeaways

  • The entire song uses only D major, A major, and G major chords in a repeating pattern.
  • D major is played with your index finger on the second fret of the D string, middle finger on the second fret of the high E string, and ring finger on the third fret of the B string.
  • A major requires your index, middle, and ring fingers on the first fret of the D, G, and B strings respectively.
  • G major is the trickiest of the three but uses a common open position shape that appears in hundreds of songs.
  • Practice the chord changes slowly with a metronome before adding strumming patterns or playing along with the recording.

Fingering D Major

D major is often the easiest of the three chords in this song. Place your index finger on the second fret of the D string (the fourth string from the top). Put your middle finger on the second fret of the high E string (the thinnest string). Place your ring finger on the third fret of the B string (the second string from the top).

Strum only the four thickest strings—skip the two thinnest strings entirely. This gives you a clean D major sound without unwanted notes. When you first try this chord, press down firmly and listen to each string individually to make sure none are muted or buzzing.

Fingering A Major

A major uses three fingers in a tight cluster on the first fret. Place your index finger on the first fret of the D string, your middle finger on the first fret of the G string, and your ring finger on the first fret of the B string. Leave the A string (the thickest of these three) open—don't fret it at all.

Strum from the A string downward, including all six strings. The open A string rings out as the root note, and the three fretted strings above it complete the chord. This is one of the most common chord shapes in guitar, so mastering it here will pay off across hundreds of other songs.

Fingering G Major

G major is the chord that trips up most beginners, but it's worth learning because it appears in so many songs. Place your index finger on the first fret of the B string. Put your middle finger on the second fret of the A string. Place your ring finger on the third fret of the high E string.

Strum all six strings, starting from the low E string. The open strings (E, D, and G) ring out alongside your three fretted notes. The shape feels awkward at first because your fingers are spread across three different frets, but after a few days of practice it becomes automatic. If the high E string sounds muted, angle your ring finger slightly so the tip presses the string without touching the B string next to it.

The Strumming Pattern

The Lumineers play "Ho Hey" with a gentle, fingerpicked feel on the recording, but the easiest way to learn the song is with a straightforward downstroke pattern. Play one downstroke per beat for four beats, then move to the next chord. This gives you time to change chords cleanly without rushing.

Once you're comfortable with the chord changes, try a down-down-up-up-down-up pattern (six strokes per measure) to match the recorded version more closely. Start slowly—around 80 beats per minute—and increase the tempo only after the changes feel smooth. A metronome or a drum machine app will help you stay steady while you build muscle memory.

Putting the Chords Together

The verse follows this eight-measure pattern: D (one measure), A (one measure), G (one measure), D (one measure), A (one measure), G (one measure), D (one measure), A (one measure). Then it repeats. The chorus uses the same progression, so once you nail the verse, you've learned the whole song structurally.

Practice the changes in slow motion first. Play D for four full beats, then switch to A and hold it for four beats. Move to G, then back to D. Repeat this cycle five or six times without stopping. Your goal is to make each change without any gap or buzzing. Only when the changes feel smooth should you add strumming or increase the tempo.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common error is pressing too lightly on the frets, which causes the strings to buzz or sound muted. Press down firmly with the tips of your fingers, not the pads. Your fingers should be nearly perpendicular to the fretboard, not flat against it.

Another frequent problem is muting strings you meant to play open. In G major especially, make sure your fingers don't accidentally touch the strings you're not fretting. If a string sounds dead when it should ring, move your finger slightly or angle it differently. Finally, don't rush the chord changes. It's better to play slowly and cleanly than quickly and sloppily—speed comes naturally once the muscle memory is there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a capo to play "Ho Hey"?

No. The song is written in D major, and the three chords sit in open position without a capo. If you want to play it in a different key to match a singer's range, you would add a capo, but the original recording uses no capo.

What if I can't switch between chords fast enough?

Slow down. Use a metronome set to 60 beats per minute and practice the changes without any strumming—just hold each chord for four beats, then switch. Increase the tempo by five beats per minute every few days. Speed develops naturally from clean, slow practice.

Can I play this song with just two fingers instead of three?

You can simplify each chord by using fewer fingers, but you'll lose some of the fullness of the sound. Learning the full three-finger shapes now means you won't have to relearn them later. The shapes are worth the effort.

Is there a fingerpicking version I should learn?

The recorded version uses fingerpicking, but strumming is a solid foundation. Once you're comfortable with the chords and basic strumming, you can explore fingerpicking patterns. Start with the chords first, then add texture later.