Between the Bars by Elliott Smith is a perfect song with a perfect chord progression. In this song analysis, I will show you why this is a chord progression any guitarist, musician and songwriter should know.
Elliott Smith’s music has a unique way of resonating with listeners, thanks to his exceptional songwriting and emotive performances. Today, we’ll dive into one of his most iconic tracks, “Between the Bars.” This song is a perfect example of Smith’s ability to blend complex musical ideas with a sound that feels both beautiful and accessible.
Video Tutorial Song Analysis: “Between the Bars” by Elliott Smith
Guitar Tuning
Let’s start with the guitar tuning. In the original recording, Smith tunes his guitar down a whole step. From the lowest to the highest, your open guitar strings will be D-G-C-F-A-D. This tuning choice isn’t just about making the song easier to sing and play—though that’s certainly part of it—it also adds a fullness and depth to the guitar’s sound.
Chord Notation
For the guitarists following along, I’ll refer to the chord shapes as you’d see them in standard tuning, but remember that in the recording, the guitar is tuned down a whole step. So, when I mention an A minor 7 chord, in reality, it’s a G minor 7. For other instrumentalists, the correctly transposed chords are provided above the note examples.
Verse Chords: Subtle Beauty
The verse of “Between the Bars” begins with a soft and beautiful A minor 7 chord. Smith’s choice of chords here adds a subtle yet amazing colour to the progression. For example, the F major add 9 and E minor 7 (in the second inversion) provide a rich harmonic texture that makes the verse stand out.
The Chorus: A Surprising Shift
The chorus of the song brings a surprising twist. The first time I heard it, I found the progression to be quite unusual, yet incredibly effective. Let’s break it down by playing only the bass notes.
The progression starts with an F major chord, followed by G7 add 13, A minor, C, F minor/Ab, E minor/G, and D9/F# (or F# half-diminished add b6, depending on how you view it). While this might sound complex, the underlying idea is straightforward—the chords follow a chromatic descent, creating an emotional-sounding progression.
A Great Chord Trick: Major to Minor
One of the standout moments in the chorus is the transition from a major chord to a minor chord. This simple yet powerful technique gives the song extra emotional depth. At the end of the chorus, Elliott Smith starts with an F major chord, which then shifts to an F minor. This move from a bright, radiant sound to a darker, more introspective one is striking, and it’s a technique you can apply to any major chord in your own compositions.
In the chorus, the F minor chord is particularly interesting because it’s played with an Ab in the bass. This leads smoothly into the E minor/G chord, continuing the chromatic descent.
The Chorus’s 2nd Part
The second part of the chorus breaks away from the descending chromatic pattern, resolving beautifully to the F major chord before returning to the F minor. This resolution provides a satisfying conclusion to the progression. This beautiful ending leaves the listener with mixed emotional feelings. It leaves room for reflection. Such amazing details show what kind of a songwriting master Elliott Smith was.
Tabs, Chords and Piano Arrangement
If you’d like to play along, I’ve made the full chords available on my Buy Me a Coffee page. This includes tabs, chord symbols, and an easy piano arrangement for those interested.