The chord progression for "What a Beautiful World"

"What a Beautiful World" is a fingerstyle and strumming-friendly song that uses a repeating four-chord pattern throughout most of the song. The main progression is G major, D major, A minor, and D major — played in that order and repeated. This progression appears in the verse, chorus, and most instrumental sections.

The song stays in the key of G major, which means all four chords fit naturally together without accidentals or complicated finger positions. If you know how to play these four open chords cleanly, you can play the backbone of the entire song.

Key Takeaways

  • The main progression is G–D–Am–D, repeated throughout the verse and chorus sections.
  • All four chords are open positions, meaning you can play them without barring across the neck.
  • The song typically uses fingerstyle picking or a gentle strumming pattern rather than aggressive rhythm playing.
  • Transitions between D and Am are the trickiest part because your fingers have to move quickly between similar finger shapes.
  • The intro and outro may use a simplified two-chord pattern or a fingerpicked variation depending on the arrangement you are learning from.

Open chord shapes you will need

To play this song, you need to know four open chords: G major, D major, A minor, and D major (which repeats). Here is how to finger each one.

G major: Place your index finger on the third fret of the high E string (the thinnest string). Place your middle finger on the third fret of the low B string. Place your ring finger on the third fret of the high D string. Strum from the low G string down, or skip the low E string entirely if it sounds muted. This chord uses five or six strings depending on your preference.

D major: Place your index finger on the second fret of the D string. Place your middle finger on the second fret of the high G string. Place your ring finger on the third fret of the B string. Strum only the four highest strings (skip the low E and A strings). This is a three-finger chord that sits in the upper part of the neck.

A minor: Place your index finger on the first fret of the B string. Place your middle finger on the second fret of the D string. Place your ring finger on the second fret of the G string. Strum from the A string down, skipping the low E string. This chord uses five strings.

Strumming and picking patterns

The most common way to play "What a Beautiful World" is with fingerstyle picking rather than flat-pick strumming. A typical fingerstyle pattern for each chord involves picking the bass note first, then the higher strings in a rolling or arpeggiated pattern.

One straightforward fingerstyle approach: pick the lowest note of the chord with your thumb, then pick the three or four higher strings with your index, middle, and ring fingers in sequence. This creates a rolling sound that fits the song's gentle, contemplative mood. Repeat this pattern for each chord in the progression.

If you prefer to strum, use a soft downstroke-only pattern or a gentle down-up-down-up rhythm. Avoid hard strumming; the song works best with a lighter touch that lets the chord tones ring clearly.

Chord transitions that need practice

The hardest transition in this progression is moving from D major to A minor. Both chords use three fingers in similar positions, but your fingers have to shift quickly to avoid a gap or muted strings. Practice moving between these two chords slowly, making sure all three fingers land at the same time and that no strings buzz or cut off.

The G to D transition is easier because D is higher on the neck and uses fewer strings. Lift your fingers cleanly from G, move to the D position, and strum. The Am to D transition is also straightforward because you are moving from a lower position to a higher one.

Spend time on the D–Am change until you can do it smoothly without stopping. Once that transition is solid, the rest of the song flows naturally.

Intro and outro variations

Different recordings and arrangements of "What a Beautiful World" use different intros and outros. Some versions start with a fingerpicked G major chord alone, letting it ring for several beats before the D chord enters. Others use a two-chord pattern (G and D) for the intro before adding Am into the full progression.

The outro often repeats the main progression one or more times, sometimes fading out on a G major chord or ending on a D major chord depending on the arrangement. Listen to the version you are learning from and match the intro and outro pattern to that recording.

Tempo and feel

This song sits in a moderate, relaxed tempo — usually around 80 to 100 beats per minute. The feel is contemplative and unhurried, so do not rush the chord changes or the picking pattern. Let each chord ring clearly before moving to the next one.

If you are fingerpicking, the rhythm comes from the consistency of your picking hand, not from a strict strumming pattern. Focus on keeping your picking hand steady and even, and let the chord changes happen naturally as your fretting hand moves.

Frequently Asked Questions

What key is "What a Beautiful World" in?

The song is in G major. All four chords (G, D, Am, D) belong to the G major scale, so there are no accidentals or unusual finger positions to learn.

Can I play this song with a pick instead of fingerstyle?

Yes. Use a soft downstroke-only pattern or a gentle down-up rhythm. The song sounds best with a lighter touch, so avoid hard picking or fast strumming. Let the chords ring clearly between changes.

Why does the D to Am transition sound choppy when I play it?

Your fingers are likely not landing at the same time, or one of the strings is being muted as you move. Practice the transition slowly, making sure all three fingers move together and land cleanly on their frets simultaneously.

Do I need to play all the strings in each chord?

No. You can skip the lowest strings (low E and A) on most of these chords and still have a full sound. Experiment with which strings sound best to your ear and stick with that voicing.

What if I cannot reach all three fingers on the D major chord?

Make sure your hand is relaxed and your thumb is positioned behind the neck at roughly the second fret. If the stretch still feels impossible, you may be pressing too hard or holding tension in your wrist. Relax your grip and try again with lighter finger pressure.