1234 (Feist) Guitar Lesson with TAB

1234 Guitar Lesson + TAB
In this guitar lesson, you get TAB for how I play 1234 on just one acoustic guitar using a drop D tuning!


1234 | TAB


Let’s look at all sections of 1234 using TAB, here’s the intro/verse/instrumental section.

1234 TAB, Intro and verse.

The chord progression is I – I/7 – VI – IV. The B5 should be minor, all others are major chords.

Here’s the bridge, only one chord changes – genius!

1234 TAB, bridge.

Changing the D5/C# to an A/E makes this a I – V – VI – IV, the most common modern hit progression, check my lesson series on I’m Yours to learn more about it.



Here’s the chorus, the G chord is now played in a different way.

1234 TAB, chorus.

It’s still a G5 since there is no open B string but it feels bigger as there are more strings.

Lastly, here’s the breakdown section.

1234 TAB, breakdown verse.


Rhythm guitar is about attention to detail

To get the rhythm part solid, yet groovy, you need to practice to a metronome. As you do, aim to place the 2nd and 4th beats later on the click than 1 and 3, which should be bang on.

This style of playing creates a lazy, groovier feel that goes well with the bluesy vibe of 1234.

The anticipated shuffled strums can also be manipulated by how close they are to the main strums. Experimentation is the key here.

Also, notice the slight difference in dynamics when the verse starts.

Aiming to be as dynamic as possible in your playing, rather than relying on pedals to do this, will make you a better musician.

Keeping the dynamic aspects improvised, and adapting to vocals and other instruments in real-time will make the music come alive.

1234 is a great tune to use as practise for all these elements. Since they are so repetitive, the variation must come from the player. Combine metronome practise with playing along with me and the singer for the best results.



1234 TAB | Related Pages


1234 | Chords + Lyrics

1234 chords lesson.

You can learn how to play 1234 by Feist using chords, lyrics, a Spytunes video guitar lesson, chord analysis, TAB, and the original recording.

D D/C# | Bm G |
One, two, three, four, tell me that you love me more…


Five similar tunes | Chords + Lyrics

When you can play the TAB for 1234, try these five tunes from the song book.


Feist tunes

Feist wrote 1234.

Leslie Feist is a Canadian singer-songwriter who became famous after her signature song was featured in an iPod nano ad.

She is best known for her tunes Mushaboom, My Moon Man, 1234, and How Come You Never Go There.


Feist on the web

Listen to Feist on Spotify.


About me | Dan Lundholm

Dan Lundholm wrote this guitar lesson and TAB for 1234.

This guitar lesson by Dan Lundholm features TAB and covers 1234. Discover more about him and how you can learn guitar with Spytunes.

Most importantly, find out why you should learn guitar through playing tunes, not practising scales, and studying theory in isolation.


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