“Sounds of Silence” is one of Simon & Garfunkel’s most famous songs and has become an enduring classic in popular music. The song was written by Paul Simon in 1964 and was originally released as an acoustic ballad. However, it was later re-released in 1965 with added electric instrumentation, which helped it to become a hit and cement its place in the pantheon of classic folk-rock songs. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at the chords used in “Sounds of Silence” and explore how to play this iconic song on the guitar
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Verse Chords
The verses of “Sounds of Silence” are built around three simple chords: D, G, and A. These chords are played in a simple progression, repeating several times before moving on to the chorus. The chords are strummed using a steady rhythm, with a slight pause between each chord change. The chords for the verses are shown below:
D – G – A
Hello darkness, my old friend
I’ve come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence
Chorus Chords
The chorus of “Sounds of Silence” features a slightly different chord progression, using C, G, and D. These chords are also strummed using a steady rhythm, but with a more pronounced pause between each chord change. The chords for the chorus are shown below:
C – G – D
In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
‘Neath the halo of a streetlamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence
Bridge Chords
The bridge of “Sounds of Silence” features a different chord progression, using the chords F, G, and A. These chords are played in a more complex rhythm, with a syncopated strumming pattern. The chords for the bridge are shown below:
F – G – A
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence
Fingerpicking patterns
One of the keys to playing “Sounds of Silence” on the guitar is to incorporate finger-picking patterns into your playing. The verses and chorus of the song can be strummed using basic chords, but adding finger-picking patterns can help to add texture and interest to your playing. For example, you can use a simple finger-picking pattern for the D chord, such as down- up down- up. For the G chord, you can use a pattern such as down- up- down- down- up. Experiment with different finger-picking patterns to find what works best for you.
Strings to use
Another important factor in playing “Sounds of Silence” is the choice of strings to use. This song was originally recorded using acoustic guitars, so using light-gauge strings can help to create a more authentic sound. However, if you’re playing an electric guitar, you may prefer to use heavier- gauge strings for a more powerful sound. Experiment with different strings to find the best option for your playing style and the type of guitar you’re using.
