The basic chord progression for "What's Up"

"What's Up" by 4 Non Blondes uses four chords that repeat throughout most of the song: B, F#, D#m, and G#m. The progression goes B–F#–D#m–G#m, and you play it the same way in the verse, chorus, and bridge. Once you can switch between these four chords smoothly, you can play the entire song.

The song is in the key of B major, which means it uses sharps. If you're new to sharp chords, they can feel awkward at first because your fingers bunch closer together on the fretboard than they do in open chords like G or D. The good news is that this progression repeats so often that your hands will memorize the switches quickly.

You'll play each chord for one measure (four beats) before moving to the next one. The tempo sits around 100 beats per minute, so you have time to make clean changes without rushing.

Key Takeaways

  • The song uses only four chords—B, F#, D#m, and G#m—played in that order throughout the entire song.
  • B and F# are barre chords, meaning you press one finger across multiple strings, so expect to build finger strength as you practice.
  • D#m and G#m are minor chords that use the same finger shapes as their major counterparts, just moved to different frets.
  • The verse, chorus, and bridge all use the same four-chord loop, so once you master the changes, you can play the whole song.

How to finger the B major chord

B major is a barre chord, which means you press your index finger flat across all six strings at the second fret. This is the hardest part of learning "What's Up" because barre chords require hand strength you may not have yet if you're a beginner.

After you lay your index finger flat across fret 2, place your middle finger on the D string (fourth string) at fret 4, your ring finger on the G string (third string) at fret 4, and your pinky on the high E string (first string) at fret 4. Strum all six strings. If some notes sound muted or buzzy, press harder with your index finger and make sure your other fingers are not touching the strings next to them.

Practice holding this chord for 30 seconds at a time, then release and shake out your hand. Do this five times a day for a week, and your finger will build the strength to hold it cleanly. Barre chords are worth the effort because they open up hundreds of songs once you can play them.

How to finger the F# major chord

F# major is also a barre chord, and it uses the same shape as B major but moved up two frets. Place your index finger flat across all six strings at the fourth fret. Then put your middle finger on the D string at fret 6, your ring finger on the G string at fret 6, and your pinky on the high E string at fret 6.

The transition from B to F# is one of the trickiest parts of this song because both are barre chords and your index finger has to move while staying flat. Practice the B-to-F# change 10 times in a row, slowly, before you try to play it at tempo. Your hand will learn the distance between the two frets, and the change will become automatic.

How to finger the D#m and G#m chords

D#m (D sharp minor) is a barre chord that uses the same finger shape as D#major, just with a different note structure. Place your index finger flat across all six strings at the first fret. Then put your middle finger on the A string (fifth string) at fret 3, your ring finger on the D string at fret 3, and your pinky on the G string at fret 3.

G#m (G sharp minor) follows the same pattern. Barre your index finger across all six strings at the third fret, then place your middle finger on the A string at fret 5, your ring finger on the D string at fret 5, and your pinky on the G string at fret 5. Both minor chords use the same shape, just at different frets, so once you learn one, the other is just a matter of moving your hand up or down the neck.

The switch from D#m to G#m is easier than the switch from B to F# because you're moving the same shape up two frets. Your hand already knows the shape, so you only have to move it, not reposition your fingers.

Strumming pattern and rhythm

The original recording uses a steady downstroke pattern: down, down, down, down for each beat of the measure. This is the simplest way to play the song and the way most people learn it. Strum all six strings on each downstroke, and let the chords ring out naturally between strums.

If you want to add texture, you can use a down-down-up-down-up pattern on each measure, which gives the song a bit more movement. Start with the straight downstroke version first, though. Once you can switch between the four chords cleanly at a steady tempo, adding a fancier strumming pattern is just a matter of practice.

Play the progression slowly at first—around 60 beats per minute—and focus on making clean chord changes. Once the changes feel natural, gradually speed up until you reach the song's normal tempo of about 100 beats per minute.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

The most common mistake is not pressing hard enough on the barre chords. If your B or F# chord sounds muted or buzzy, your index finger is not making full contact with the strings. Press down harder, even if it hurts your finger. The pain goes away as your finger builds calluses, usually within two weeks of daily practice.

The second mistake is moving your hand too slowly between chords. Beginners often lift their entire hand off the fretboard and move it slowly to the next chord position. Instead, keep your hand close to the neck and move it as a unit. Your fingers should land on the new chord position almost as soon as your hand stops moving. This takes practice, but it cuts your change time in half.

The third mistake is not muting the strings between chords. If you hear ringing or buzzing when you change chords, lightly touch the strings with your fingers (without pressing down) to stop them from vibrating. This is called dampening, and it makes your playing sound cleaner and more professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to use a capo to play "What's Up"?

No. The song is written in the key of B, and the chords B, F#, D#m, and G#m are the standard way to play it. A capo would move the key up and make the chords even harder to finger. Play it without a capo.

Can I play this song with open chords instead of barre chords?

Not easily. The song is in B major, which does not have a common open chord voicing. You could transpose the song to a different key—like A or G—and use open chords, but that changes the original sound. Learning barre chords is the best path forward, and "What's Up" is a great song to practice them on.

How long does it take to play this song smoothly?

If you already know how to play barre chords, you can learn "What's Up" in one or two practice sessions. If you're new to barre chords, expect two to three weeks of daily practice before the chord changes feel smooth. The song repeats the same four chords, so there's no new material to learn once you master the progression.

What if I can't hold a barre chord yet?

Build your strength by holding each barre chord for 30 seconds, rest, and repeat five times a day. Do this for one week before you try to switch between chords. Your finger will develop the strength and calluses needed to hold barre chords cleanly. Every guitarist goes through this phase—it's normal and temporary.