The Basic Chord Progression for "How You Remind Me"
"How You Remind Me" uses four chords throughout most of the song: F#m, A, E, and B. These chords repeat in the same order for the verse, chorus, and bridge, which makes the song straightforward once you lock in the progression. The song is in the key of F# minor, so if you're new to barre chords, this is a good song to practice them on.
Start by placing your index finger across the first fret of all six strings to form an F# minor barre chord. Your middle finger goes on the second fret of the D string, your ring finger on the third fret of the G string, and your pinky on the third fret of the B string. Strum all six strings. This chord appears on beat 1 of each measure in the progression.
The A chord comes next—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. Leave the high E string open. The E major chord uses your index finger on the first fret of the G string, middle finger on the second fret of the A string, and ring finger on the second fret of the D string. Finally, the B major chord requires a barre across the second fret of the A, D, G, and B strings, with your middle finger on the third fret of the G string and ring finger on the fourth fret of the D string.
Key Takeaways
- The song uses only four chords—F#m, A, E, and B—played in that order throughout the verse, chorus, and bridge.
- F#m and B are barre chords, so building strength and accuracy with your index finger is essential for playing this song cleanly.
- The rhythm pattern is a steady downstroke on each beat, with occasional palm muting on the verses to create a tighter sound.
- Switching between these chords cleanly takes practice; focus on moving your fingers as a unit rather than lifting them one at a time.
Strumming Pattern and Rhythm
The verse uses a palm-muted downstroke pattern. Mute the strings by resting the side of your picking hand lightly on the strings near the bridge, then play steady downstrokes on each beat. This creates the tight, percussive sound you hear at the start of the song. Keep your strumming hand moving at a consistent tempo—aim for about 95 beats per minute if you're using a metronome.
When the chorus hits, release the palm mute and play full, open downstrokes. The rhythm stays the same—one downstroke per beat—but now the chords ring out clearly. This contrast between the muted verse and the open chorus is what gives the song its energy. Don't rush the transition; let your hand naturally lift off the strings as you move into the chorus.
The bridge follows the same four-chord progression but often includes a slight variation: some players add a quick upstroke between beats to add texture. This is optional and depends on the version you're learning from, but it's worth experimenting with once you have the basic pattern down.
Common Mistakes When Learning This Song
The biggest mistake is moving too slowly between chords. Many players lift their fingers completely off the fretboard and then place them down one at a time on the next chord. Instead, think of your fingers as a unit—move your whole hand shape to the next position and land all fingers at once. This cuts your transition time in half and keeps the rhythm steady.
Another common issue is not pressing hard enough on the barre chords. If your F#m or B chord sounds muted or buzzy, check that your index finger is pressing straight down (not at an angle) and that it's close enough to the fret wire. Your finger should be just behind the fret, not on top of it. If your hand tires quickly, take short breaks and build endurance gradually—barre chords are physically demanding at first.
Palm muting also trips up beginners. If your muted section sounds too quiet or too dead, adjust where your picking hand rests. It should be just far enough from the bridge that the strings still vibrate slightly; you're dampening, not silencing. Practice this separately from the chord changes until it feels natural.
Finger Placement and Barre Chord Technique
For the F#m barre chord, your index finger must press down firmly across all six strings at the first fret. Angle your finger so the flat part of your fingertip (not the pad) does the pressing. Your other fingers should sit behind the fret wire on the frets where they belong. A common error is letting your index finger sit too far from the fret, which causes buzzing. Move it closer to the fret wire until the sound clears up.
The B major barre chord is trickier because it spans four strings and requires your other fingers to reach across. Place your index finger on the second fret of the A, D, G, and B strings. Your middle finger goes on the third fret of the G string, and your ring finger goes on the fourth fret of the D string. This shape is compact, so your hand will feel crowded at first. Practice placing all three fingers at once rather than one at a time.
If barre chords feel impossible right now, you can play a partial F#m using only the D, G, and B strings (skipping the low E and A strings) while you build finger strength. This won't sound exactly like the recording, but it will let you practice the progression and rhythm. Gradually work toward the full barre as your hand gets stronger.
Tempo and Practice Routine
Start at a slow tempo—around 60 beats per minute—and focus on clean chord changes and consistent strumming. Use a metronome or a backing track to keep yourself honest. Play through the progression (F#m, A, E, B) four times, then repeat. Once you can play it cleanly at 60 bpm without stopping, increase the tempo by 5 bpm and repeat.
Spend the first week just on chord changes without worrying about strumming pattern. Play each chord for four beats, then switch to the next one. When that feels smooth, add the strumming pattern. The final step is adding the palm mute on the verses. Breaking the song into these layers makes it much less overwhelming.
Practice for 15 to 20 minutes a day rather than one long session. Your fingers will thank you, and you'll see faster progress. If your hand hurts (not just feels tired), stop and rest—pain is a sign you're doing something wrong, not a sign you need to push harder.
Variations and What to Listen For
The original recording has some subtle details worth noticing. The verses use heavy palm muting, but the pre-chorus (the section right before the chorus) gradually releases the mute, letting the chords ring out a bit more. This creates a build-up of energy. Once you have the basic version down, try adding this dynamic shift to match the recording more closely.
Some live versions of the song include a lead guitar part over the chorus, but the rhythm guitar stays on the same four chords. If you're playing along with a recording, focus on locking in with the bass and drums rather than trying to match every detail of the lead part. The foundation is the chord progression and rhythm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use barre chords, or can I play this song with open chords?
You can play a simplified version using partial chords or open voicings, but the song is written in F# minor, which doesn't have standard open chord shapes. Barre chords are the most practical way to play it as written. Learning them now will help you play hundreds of other songs, so it's worth the effort.
My barre chords sound buzzy or muted. What am I doing wrong?
Buzzing usually means your finger is too far from the fret wire or not pressing hard enough. Move your index finger closer to the fret and press down firmly. If some strings sound muted while others ring out, one of your other fingers might be touching a string it shouldn't. Check that your fingers are only on their assigned strings.
How long does it take to play this song smoothly?
If you already know basic open chords and strumming, you can learn the progression in a few days and play it cleanly within a week or two. If barre chords are new to you, expect two to four weeks of regular practice before it feels natural. Everyone's timeline is different—focus on clean changes rather than speed.
What if I can't switch between F#m and B fast enough?
Slow down your tempo significantly and practice just those two chords for five minutes each day. Play F#m for four beats, then B for four beats, and repeat. Once that feels smooth, speed up gradually. You can also try lifting only the fingers that need to move, rather than lifting your whole hand, which saves time on the transition.
Should I learn the lead guitar part too?
Not necessary to start. Master the rhythm guitar first, then add the lead part if you want. The rhythm part is what holds the song together, and nailing that will make you a better player overall. The lead part is a bonus once you're comfortable with the basics.