Wonderful World (Sam Cooke) Guitar Lesson with TAB

Wonderful World Guitar Lesson + TAB
In this guitar lesson, you get an analysis and TAB for how to play Wonderful World in three keys. See how the guitar changes when the key changes!


Wonderful World | TAB


Let’s look at how to play Sam Cooke’s Wonderful World in the key of B. Assuming we’re in a band setting, here’s an idea for how to play the verse:

Wonderful World TAB, example 1.

Perhaps playing this with a bass player and keyboards will clash, so here’s an idea for how to avoid that scenario, we remove the initial bass note, don’t play two strings at the same time, and, snap off the note early on beat 2.

Wonderful World TAB, example 2.

Here’s the verse in the key of A, now you need to put a capo on fret 2. We’re back to playing a lot, perhaps this is best if you’re on your own.

Wonderful World TAB example 3.


Here’s a version that is less cluttered, maybe this sounds better, try it to find out.

Wonderful World TAB example 4.

Let’s remove even more, you need a bass player for this to work. It’s an important step to take when playing guitar to give the responsibility to the bass and add to what they do, rather than hold on to the groove.

Wonderful World TAB, example 5.

Finally, let’s place that capo on fret 4 and play as if there’s no one to help us.

Wonderful World TAB, example 6.

There’s nothing stopping you from playing all these ideas, combine them in an improvised way, playing barre chords instead of having a capo, can you work it out?



Wonderful World TAB | Related Pages

Wonderful World | Chords + Lyrics

Wonderful World chords lesson.

You can learn to play Wonderful World by Sam Cooke using chords, lyrics, a chord chart, and the original recording.

B | G#m |
Don’t know much about history…


Five similar tunes | Chords + Lyrics

When you can play the TAB for Wonderful World, try these five tunes from the songbook.


Sam Cooke tunes

Sam Cooke wrote Wonderful World.

Sam Cooke has been called The King Of Soul. His legacy is extensive and his impact on soul music is undeniable.

Between 1957 and 1963, Sam Cooke managed twenty-nine top 40 hits including You Send Me, Chain Gang, A Change Is Gonna Come, and Wonderful World.


Sam Cooke on the web

Listen to Sam Cooke on Spotify.


About me | Dan Lundholm

Dan Lundholm wrote this guitar lesson and TAB for Wonderful World.

This guitar lesson by Dan Lundholm features TAB and covers Wonderful World. 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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