If I Ain’t Got You | TAB
Let’s go through all sections of If I Ain’t Got You using TAB, here’s the intro.
You need to play this with your fingers, then in the last bar as you hold that G, find the pick and play the rest of the tune (until the outro) using a pick.
These chords are the same as the chorus, by the way, a very clever songwriting trick!
Here’s the verse. The chords are I – VI – II – V. Then I – I#dim7 – II – V, like this:
Notice how incredibly empty the verse is compared to the intro. Start with playing exactly as written, you can improvise “in the style of” later.
Here’s the bridge.
Now we go up the scale and then back, like this: I – II – III – II. There’s a quick three chords run at the end the second time we play it using IV – III – II.
I’ve developed the part on the second line, start by playing exactly as written, then modify it if you wish.
Here’s the chorus.
This is similar rhythmically to the bridge, we’re blending 8th and 16th notes.
Make sure you can play all TAB as written, then stop staring at it and play what feels natural, perhaps reading the chords with lyrics and chord chart.
If I Ain’t Got You TAB | Related Pages
If I Ain’t Got You | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn to play If I Ain’t Got You by Alicia Keys using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| G | Em7 | Am7 | D9 C/G |
Some people live for the fortune. Some people live just for the fame…
Five similar tunes | Chords + Lyrics
Alicia Keys tunes
Alicia Keys had instant success with her debut album Songs In Am, mainly down to its single Fallin’.
Following this, she has firmly established herself with hits such as If I Ain’t Got You, This Girl Is On Fire, and Empire State Of Mind.
Alicia Keys on the web
About me | Dan Lundholm
This guitar lesson by Dan Lundholm features TAB and covers If I Ain’t Got You. 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.