Shed a Little Light

Minimum skill needed to play

You can play this song if you are comfortable with all chords in the key including one that isn't naturally found in a major key: the minor 4th (Bbm in the key of F). There are lots of syncopated chord changes (F to Gm) but these can be played with single strums or part of a 16th note strum pattern, which can be used throughout.

Chords and chord transitions

You can play the chords of the original key using F chord shapes with no capo. Use the Chord Shape Tool below to pick what chord shapes you want to play. Here's how it works:

• First choose the key of the song.
• Then choose the capo fret until "Play shapes in" shows a key you are familiar with and the chords listed in "Chord Shapes" are ones you know or want to learn. This allows you to play the song using chords and chord shapes you know while the song is in a key you don't know.
• View chords and chord transition pairs for suggested voicings.

What to watch out for

The song revolves around, and returns to, the syncopated chord transition of F to Gm7 (or the I to ii). It's played in every section of the song in some form. There is a lot of space in the verses and choruses where there may be no chord listed, but depending on what instruments are in your band, you may choose to still play through with the last chord mentioned.

You can play this song with single strums per chord, or even up to a consistent 16th strum pattern to give the song a more full sound.

Aside from the signature I-ii chord change throughout, all other chords have adequate space between them.

How to play this song solo

Start by strumming each chord once (single strums) as you play through the song. As you feel more comfortable with the chord changes, add more strums to your pattern (add more down strums or alternate up-down). Once you feel comfortable with the speed of the chord transitions and/or continued strumming pattern, you can really have fun with this fast paced song.

Song structure

The song sections flows continuously and can be played following this order. Each instrumental section is really just the intro, with the outro adding in the vocal tag.

• Intro (2x)
• Verse 1
• Chorus
• Turn (really just the Intro)
• Verse 2
• Chorus
• Interlude (really just the Intro)
• Bridge (2x)
• Chorus
• Outro (tag "shed a little light" 2x)