Landslide Guitar Chords and Strumming Pattern | Fleetwood Mac
Learn to play “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac on acoustic guitar with this beginner-friendly chord guide. This classic song features a gentle acoustic sound, expressive vocals, and a flowing fingerpicking style. It was written by Stevie Nicks and first appeared on Fleetwood Mac’s self-titled 1975 album. Source: Fleetwood Mac official website
Whether you are learning acoustic guitar or improving your fingerpicking technique, this guide covers the song information, chords, chord progressions, and practice tips.
Landslide Song Information
- Song Title: Landslide
- Artist: Fleetwood Mac
- Songwriter: Stevie Nicks
- Album: Fleetwood Mac
- Release Year: 1975
- Genre: Folk Rock, Acoustic Rock
- Original Guitar Style: Acoustic Fingerpicking
- Guitar Tuning: Standard Tuning (E A D G B E)
- Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
- Main Chords in This Arrangement: C, G/B, Am7, D/F#, D7/F#, G, Em, Am
[Intro]
| [C] [G/B] | [Am7] [G/B] |
| [C] [G/B] | [Am7] [G/B] |
[Verse 1]
[C]I took my [G/B]love and I [Am7]took it [G/B]down
[C]I climbed a [G/B]mountain and I [Am7]turned a[G/B]round
And I [C]saw my [G/B]reflection in the [Am7]snow covered [G/B]hills
Till the [C]landslide [G/B]brought me [Am7]down
[Verse 2]
[G/B]Oh, [C]mirror in the [G/B]sky what is [Am7]love [G/B]
[C]Can the child within my [G/B]heart rise a[Am7]bove [G/B]
[C]Can I sail through the [G/B]changing ocean [Am7]tides [G/B]
[C]Can I handle the [G/B]seasons of my [Am7]li-i-i-i-i-i-i-ife [G/B] [C] [G/B] [Am7] [G/B]
[Pre-Chorus]
| [C] [G/B] | [Am7] [D/F#] |
Mmm...
[Chorus]
[G]Well, I've been a[D7/F#]fraid of [Em]changing cause I
[C]Built my [G/B]life a[Am]round [D/F#]you
But [G]time makes you [D7/F#]bolder, even [Em]children get older
And I'm [C]getting [G/B]older [Am7]too [G/B]
[Solo]
| [C] [G/B] | [Am7] [G/B] |
| [C] [G/B] | [Am7] [G/B] |
| [C] [G/B] | [Am7] [G/B] |
| [C] [G/B] | [Am7] [D/F#] [D7/F#] |
[Chorus]
[G]Well, I've been a[D7/F#]fraid of [Em]changing cause I
[C]Built my [G/B]life a[Am]round [D/F#]you
But [G]time makes you [D7/F#]bolder, even [Em]children get older
And I'm [C]getting [G/B]older [Am7]too [G/B]
Oh, I'm [C]getting [G/B]older [Am7]too [G/B]
[Verse 3]
[C]Ah, ah, [G/B]take my love, [Am7]take it [G/B]down
[C]Ah, ah, [G/B]climb a mountain and [Am7]turn a[G/B]round
And if you [C]see my [G/B]reflection in the [Am7]snow covered [G/B]hills
Will the [C]landslide [G/B]bring you [Am7]down? [G/B]
And if you [C]see my [G/B]reflection in the [Am7]snow covered [G/B]hills...
[Outro]
Will the [C]landslide [G/B]bring you [Am7]down?
[G/B]Oh, oh, the [C]landslide [G/B]bring you [Am7]down?
Landslide Strumming and Fingerpicking Pattern
The original recording is known for its delicate acoustic guitar picking. Instead of using heavy strumming, start with a slow fingerpicking exercise.
Suggested fingerpicking exercise:
Bass note – G string – B string – high E string – B string – G string
Repeat the pattern slowly over each chord. This is a practice exercise, not a claim that every note matches the original recording exactly.
Beginner strumming alternative:
Down – Down-Up – Up-Down-Up
Keep your strumming soft and even. If the rhythm feels difficult, begin with one gentle downstroke per beat and gradually build up your timing.
How to Play Landslide on Guitar
- Learn the basic C, G, Am, and Em chord shapes first.
- Practice changing between C and G/B without rushing.
- Learn the bass-note changes in G/B, D/F#, and D7/F#.
- Practice the picking pattern slowly with a metronome.
- Play through the chord progression before singing.
- Keep the sound gentle and let each note ring clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What key is Landslide in?
The song is commonly played in a C-based arrangement, although chord charts and arrangements can differ.
Is Landslide easy to play on guitar?
It is approachable for beginners who know basic open chords. The fingerpicking and slash chords may require extra practice.
Who wrote Landslide?
Stevie Nicks wrote “Landslide.” It was recorded by Fleetwood Mac for their 1975 self-titled album.
What tuning is used for Landslide?
Standard guitar tuning (E A D G B E) works for this chord arrangement.
Is Landslide a strumming or fingerpicking song?
The original recording is strongly associated with acoustic fingerpicking. Beginners can use gentle strumming as an alternative while learning.
