“See Emily Play” is a 1967 psychedelic classic by Pink Floyd, known for its dreamy, slightly off-kilter sound. This guitar lesson breaks down the song’s main chord progression and strumming pattern so you can play along. The chords are relatively simple, but the song’s charm comes from its unique timing and feel, which we’ll demystify step by step.
Ingredients
- 1 guitar (acoustic or electric)
- 1 capo (optional, for matching original key)
- 1 pick (optional, but recommended)
- Basic knowledge of open chords (E, A, D, G, B)
Instructions
- Understand the main progression. The verse and chorus of “See Emily Play” are built on a simple, repeating progression in the key of E major: E – A – E – B7. This four-chord loop is the heart of the song. The intro and outro use a similar pattern but with a slightly different feel.
- Learn the chord shapes. If you already know these open chords, you’re ready. If not, here are the fingerings:
- E major: Place your 1st finger on the 1st fret of the G string, 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, and 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the D string. Strum all six strings.
- A major: Place your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fingers on the 2nd fret of the D, G, and B strings respectively. Strum the bottom five strings (avoid the low E).
- B7: Place your 1st finger on the 1st fret of the D string, 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, and 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the G string. Strum the bottom five strings (avoid the low E).
- D major: Place your 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the G string, 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the E string, and 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the B string. Strum the bottom four strings.
- Practice the chord changes. The key to this song is smooth transitions. Start by slowly switching between E and A, then E and B7. Use a metronome at a slow tempo (60 BPM) and strum one downstroke per chord until you can change without pausing.
- Master the strumming pattern. The song uses a steady, driving eighth-note strum. Count “1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and” and strum down on the numbers and up on the “ands.” Keep it even and relaxed. For the verses, you can slightly mute the strings with your palm to get a softer, more percussive sound.
- Play the progression through. Now put it together: play E for two measures, A for two measures, E for two measures, and B7 for two measures. Repeat this loop. This is the entire verse and chorus structure.
- Add the intro/outro riff. The song’s iconic opening uses a similar progression but with a descending bass line. A simplified version: play E, then slide your 3rd finger from the 2nd fret of the D string to the 4th fret (creating an E/D#), then to E/D, then back to E. This is often played as a single-note run, but you can also just play the E chord and let it ring.
- Put it all together. Play the intro riff, then go into the verse progression. The song doesn’t have a traditional solo, so you can either repeat the progression or play a simple lead using the E major pentatonic scale (E, F#, G#, B, C#) at the 12th fret.
Tips
- Use a capo on the 2nd fret if you want to match the original recording’s key. The shapes remain the same, but the sound will be higher. This is a common trick for playing along with the track.
- Don’t rush the B7. It’s a stretch for some, so make sure your fingers are placed correctly before you strum. A clean B7 is more important than speed.
- Keep your strumming wrist loose. Tension will make the rhythm stiff. Relax your arm and let the pick glide across the strings.
- Listen to the song and tap along to the beat. The song has a slightly lazy, psychedelic feel, so try to emulate that by not being too rigid with the tempo.
Serving Suggestions
This song is perfect for a casual jam session with friends, a campfire sing-along, or just practicing your rhythm guitar. It’s also a great warm-up for playing other 60s rock songs that use similar chord progressions.
Variations
- Fingerstyle: Instead of strumming, pluck the individual strings of each chord (bass note, then treble notes) for a softer, more delicate version.
- Power chords: For a heavier, more modern rock sound, play the progression using power chords (root and fifth) on the low E and A strings.
- Barre chords: If you want to practice barre chords, play the song using the E-shape barre chord at the 7th fret (B) and the A-shape at the 5th fret (A). This is more challenging but great for building finger strength.
Storage and Reheating
This song doesn’t need storage—it’s ready to play immediately. However, if you want to “reheat” your skills, revisit the chord changes daily for a few minutes. A quick 5-minute practice session each day will keep the muscle memory fresh. There’s no shelf life for a good riff; it stays with you for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the original key? No, the original recording is in F# major. Using a capo on the 2nd fret with these shapes will put you in that key. Without a capo, you’re playing in E major, which is perfectly fine for practice or a casual performance.
What does the intro riff sound like? The intro is a descending chromatic line from E down to C#. A simplified version is to play an E chord, then slide your 3rd finger down from the 2nd fret of the D string to the 1st fret (E/D#), then to the open D (E/D), then back to E. It’s a subtle but iconic sound.
Is there a solo? The song doesn’t have a traditional guitar solo. The main focus is on the rhythm and the vocals. You can improvise a simple solo using the E major pentatonic scale if you like.
Why does the song sound so “psychedelic”? The psychedelic feel comes from the combination of the steady rhythm, the slightly unusual chord progression (the B7 adds tension), and the recording effects like echo and phasing. On guitar, you can approximate this by adding a little delay or reverb to your amp.
Can I play this on an acoustic guitar? Absolutely. The song works well on both acoustic and electric. On acoustic, it has a folk-rock feel; on electric with some effects, it sounds more like the original.
What if I can’t play B7? You can substitute a Bm7 chord (x2020x) or even a Bm (x24432) for a slightly different sound. However, B7 is a common chord worth learning, and this song is a great way to practice it.
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