Pretzel Logic Chords: Easy Guitar Lesson

Steely Dan’s “Pretzel Logic” is a jazz-rock gem with a deceptively simple chord progression that’s perfect for intermediate guitarists. The song’s verse and chorus revolve around a handful of open and barre chords, with a few passing diminished chords that give it that sophisticated, unresolved feel. This recipe breaks down the exact chords, strumming patterns, and transitions so you can play the song authentically, whether you’re jamming alone or with a band.

Ingredients

1 guitar (standard tuning: EADGBE)
1 guitar pick (medium thickness recommended)
Capo (optional, for matching original key)
Chord chart for: Am7, D9, G6, Gm6, F#m7b5, B7, Em7, A7, Dmaj7, C#m7, F#7, Bm7, E7, A7sus4

Instructions

Learn the core chords. The verse progression is: Am7 (x02010), D9 (x54530), G6 (320000), Gm6 (3×0030). Practice switching between these four smoothly. The chorus uses F#m7b5 (2×2210), B7 (x21202), Em7 (022030), A7 (x02020).
Master the intro and outro. The song opens with a descending line: Dmaj7 (x57670), C#m7 (x46454), F#7 (242322), Bm7 (x24232), then E7 (020100) and A7sus4 (x02030) before the verse. Play these as arpeggios (picked individually) for the intro, then strum for the outro.
Play the verse rhythm. Use a steady eighth-note strumming pattern: down, down-up, up-down-up. Keep the groove relaxed and syncopated, emphasizing beats 2 and 4. The verse goes: Am7 (2 bars), D9 (2 bars), G6 (2 bars), Gm6 (2 bars).
Transition to the chorus. The chorus progression is: F#m7b5 (1 bar), B7 (1 bar), Em7 (2 bars), A7 (2 bars). Then repeat F#m7b5, B7, Em7, A7, and resolve to Am7 for the next verse. Strum with a slightly heavier attack on the downbeats.
Add the bridge (if playing the full song). The bridge uses: C#m7 (2 bars), F#7 (2 bars), Bm7 (2 bars), E7 (2 bars), then back to the verse. Use a lighter touch here to contrast with the chorus.
Practice the chord changes slowly. Use a metronome at 70 BPM and play each chord for 4 beats. Gradually increase speed to 100 BPM, which is close to the original tempo (around 112 BPM).
Play along with the recording. Once you’re comfortable, strum along with the original track. The song is in the key of A major, so no capo is needed. Focus on locking in with the bass line and drum groove.

Tips

Use your thumb for the bass notes. For chords like D9 and G6, wrap your thumb over the top of the neck to fret the low E string (for D9) or the A string (for G6). This frees your fingers for the higher notes and makes transitions smoother.
Simplify the diminished chord. If Gm6 is too tricky, substitute a plain Gm (355333) or even a G major (320003) for the last chord of the verse. It won’t sound as jazzy, but it’ll still work.
Mute strings you’re not playing. For chords like Am7 and D9, lightly touch the strings you’re not fretting with your fretting hand to avoid unwanted ringing. This keeps the sound clean.
Practice the intro separately. The arpeggiated intro is the trickiest part. Isolate it and play each chord slowly, picking each string individually (bass to treble) until your fingers remember the shapes.

Serving Suggestions

This song is best served with a clean, slightly overdriven guitar tone (think Fender Twin Reverb or a Vox AC30). Play it with a band—bass, drums, and a keyboard or second guitar—to capture the full Steely Dan sound. If you’re solo, try fingerpicking the verse and strumming the chorus for a dynamic acoustic arrangement. It also makes a great warm-up piece for jazz-rock improvisation.

Variations

Acoustic version: Play all chords as open shapes (e.g., use Am, D, G, Gm instead of the extended chords) and fingerpick. This works well for campfire settings.
Simplified barre chords: If you’re not comfortable with extended chords, use basic barre shapes: Am (577555), D (x57775), G (355433), Gm (355333). This sacrifices some color but keeps the progression recognizable.
Capo version: Place a capo on the 2nd fret and play the chords as if in G major (e.g., Em7, A9, C6, Cm6). This raises the key to B major, which can be brighter for vocals.
Jazz reharmonization: For advanced players, substitute the D9 with a Dm9 (x53555) and the G6 with a Gmaj9 (3×4430) to add more tension and release.

Storage and Reheating

Your chord shapes and muscle memory will keep for years if you practice regularly. To “reheat” your skills, do a 5-minute warm-up each day: play the verse progression slowly, then gradually speed up. If you stop playing for a while, revisit the intro arpeggios first to refresh your finger positioning. There’s no expiration date on guitar skills, but consistency is key.

Frequently Asked Questions

What tuning is “Pretzel Logic” in? Standard tuning (EADGBE). No capo is needed; the song is in A major. Some live versions may use a different key, but the studio version is standard.

Is the song hard to play? It’s intermediate level. The main challenge is the chord changes, especially the Gm6 and the intro arpeggios. With practice, you can get it up to speed in a week or two.

Can I play it with just open chords? Yes, you can simplify the extended chords to basic major and minor chords (Am, D, G, Gm, F#m, B7, Em, A7). It won’t sound as jazzy, but it’s a good starting point.

What strumming pattern does the original use? The original is mostly fingerpicked or played with a light, syncopated strum. For a beginner, use a steady down-up pattern with accents on the offbeats. For a more authentic feel, try picking the bass note of each chord first, then strumming the higher strings.

Why does the Gm6 chord sound so dissonant? The Gm6 (G-Bb-D-E) contains a major sixth interval (E), which clashes with the minor third (Bb). This tension resolves nicely to the F#m7b5 in the chorus, giving the song its distinctive jazz-blues flavor.

Is there a solo section? Yes, there’s a guitar solo over the verse changes. You can improvise using the A minor pentatonic scale (A-C-D-E-G) with added chromatic passing notes. The solo is not strictly necessary for a basic cover.

More recipes to cook

Safety notes: safe minimum internal temperatures from USDA FSIS; raw and undercooked fish guidance from the U.S. FDA. Food safety notes

Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it (corrections policy).