Somewhere Over the Rainbow Guitar Chords & Strumming Pattern
Somewhere Over the Rainbow is a classic song that sounds beautiful on acoustic guitar. This version is arranged with easy-to-follow guitar chords and a simple strumming pattern, making it suitable for beginner and intermediate guitar players.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow Guitar Chords
The main chords used in this arrangement are:
G, Bm, C, B7, Em, C/E, D
Suggested Strumming Pattern
D – D U – U D U
You can also begin with simple downstrokes while practicing the chord changes, then gradually add the upstrokes.
Chord Progression
The song uses several recurring chord movements, including:
G – Bm – C – G
C – G – D – Em – C
The bridge uses:
G – Bm – Em – C
Practice these progressions slowly before playing along with the complete song.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Guitar Chords & Lyrics
[Intro 2]
[G]Oooo, [Bm]oooo, [C]oooo, [G]oooo...
[C]Oooo, [B7]oooo, [Em]oooo, [C/E]oooo...
[Verse 1]
[G]Somewhere over the [Bm]rainbow, [C]way up [G]high
[C]and the dreams that you [G]dream of once in a [D]lullaby. [Em] [C]Ohhhh.
[Verse 2]
[G]Somewhere over the [Bm]rainbow [C]bluebirds [G]fly
[C]and the dreams that you [G]dream of, dreams really do [D]come true. [Em] [C]Ohhhh.
[Bridge]
[G]Someday I'll wish upon a star,
[Bm]wake up where the clouds are far behind me. [Em] [C]
[G]Where trouble melts like lemon drops,
[Bm]high above the chimney tops,
[Em]that's where you'll find me, [C]oh
[Verse 3]
[G]Somewhere over the [Bm]rainbow, [C]bluebirds [G]fly
[C]and the dreams that you [G]dare to, oh why, oh why can't [D]I? [Em][C]I-I-I, oh
[Bridge]
[G]Someday I'll wish upon a star,
[Bm]wake up where the clouds are far behind me-e-e. [Em] [C]
[G]Where trouble melts like lemon drops,
[Bm]high above the chimney tops
[Em]that's where you'll find me, [C]oh
[Verse 3] (Reprise)
[G]Somewhere over the [Bm]rainbow, [C]way up [G]high
[C]and the dreams that you [G]dare to, why, oh why can't [D]I? [Em][C]I-I-I
[Outro] (Repeat and fade out)
[G]Oooo, [Bm]oooo, [C]oooo, [G]oooo...
[C]Oooo, [B7]oooo, [Em]ooh ah ah ie eh, [C]uh uh uh uh uh uh uhhhh...
How to Practice Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Start by practicing the G, Bm, C, and D chord changes individually. Once the changes become comfortable, practice the G–Bm–C–G progression repeatedly.
For the bridge, focus on smooth transitions between G, Bm, Em, and C. Keep your right hand relaxed and begin with slow downstrokes before moving to the full D–D U–U D U strumming pattern.
Tips for Better Sound
Keep the strumming soft during the intro and verses.
Let the chords ring naturally where possible.
Practice the Bm chord separately if you are still developing your barre-chord technique.
Increase the strumming intensity slightly during the bridge.
Use a slower tempo while learning the chord changes.
FAQ
What chords are used in Somewhere Over the Rainbow?
This arrangement uses G, Bm, C, B7, Em, C/E, and D.
What is the strumming pattern?
A suitable pattern is D–D U–U D U.
Is Somewhere Over the Rainbow easy to play on guitar?
The song uses several common chords, making it approachable for beginners, although Bm may require additional practice.
What is the main chord progression?
One of the main progressions is G–Bm–C–G, while another recurring progression is C–G–D–Em–C.
Can I play it with simple strumming?
Yes. Beginners can start with steady downstrokes and introduce the full strumming pattern after becoming comfortable with the chord changes.
Final Thoughts
With its gentle chord progressions and relaxed melody, Somewhere Over the Rainbow is a good song for practicing smooth chord transitions and expressive acoustic guitar strumming. Start slowly, focus on clean chord changes, and gradually build up to the complete arrangement.
