This article gives a compact, playable ukulele guide for “Chasing Cars” using ultra-simple chords, clear tablature in the song’s recorded pitch, and practical tips to get you singing and playing within minutes.
Quick-play beginner ukulele tab: a 4-chord, sing-along version
Tuning: standard GCEA. Play the four-chord progression G – D – Em – C and you can play the whole song. That progression maps to the familiar I–V–vi–IV shape that sits well under the vocal line.
Beginner-friendly timing: count 4/4 as “1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &”. Strum pattern: one pass of D D U U D U per bar; keep the wrist loose. Play steady quarter-note downstrokes on beat 1 for anchors, then add the upstrokes.
Capo note: place a capo on the 2nd fret to match Snow Patrol’s original pitch while still using the easy G–D–Em–C shapes. If your singer wants a lower register, remove the capo and play the same shapes in G (sounding G) or capo 4 for a higher key.
Ultra-simple chord chart (GCEA order: G C E A):
G = 0-2-3-2. D = 2-2-2-0. Em = 0-4-3-2. C = 0-0-0-3.
Strum counts for the whole song (one chord per bar unless noted): Verse uses the four-chord loop twice per vocal line; chorus repeats the same loop and often holds the final C for two bars at the phrase end. This structure makes it easy to sing while you play.
Complete, accurate tablature and chord chart in Snow Patrol’s original key
Original recorded key: A major. Time signature: 4/4. Approximate tempo: 78–82 BPM (a relaxed, steady pulse).
Play G–D–Em–C shapes with a capo on fret 2 to sound A–E–F#m–D (that gives you the recorded pitch without tricky fingerings). Below is a lead-sheet style chart with measure-by-measure chord placement and simple arpeggio tablature for the intro and verses.
Measure map (capo 2, sounding key = A): Intro (4 bars): | G | D | Em | C |. Verse (8-bar phrase): | G | D | Em | C | G | D | Em | C |. Chorus: same loop, with stronger dynamics and a two-bar optional hold on the final C.
Intro arpeggio tab (play once per bar, strings listed G C E A):
G: 0—2—3—2 (play as G string open, C string 2nd fret, E string 3rd fret, A string 2nd fret in sequence).
D: 2—2—2—0 (G2, C2, E2, A0). Em: 0—4—3—2 (G0, C4, E3, A2). C: 0—0—0—3 (G0, C0, E0, A3).
Verse/chorus tab approach: arpeggiate the chord tones in eighth-note groupings or play the D D U U D U strum pattern across each bar; follow the measure map above. For the bridge, move to the same progression but play softer arpeggios under the vocal peak, then rebuild to full strum for the final chorus.
Signature melodic motifs: prioritize the sustained chordal tops on beats 1 and 3 and the small rising-fill at the end of the verse phrase (a short Em → C pickup). Those motifs recreate the song’s warm, sustained feel even on a small instrument.
Strumming rhythm decoded: patterns, accents, and dynamic groove
Faithful main pattern: D D U U D U. Count it as “1 2-& &4-&” with a strong stroke on beat 1 and a light accent on beat 3. Emphasize beat 1, ease the upstrokes, and let beat 3 sit slightly back.
Where to accent: hit harder on the downstroke of beat 1 and make the down on beat 3 slightly louder than surrounding upstrokes; small dynamic shifts give the chorus lift without changing chords.
Technique tip: strum with the fleshy part of your index finger or a felt pick; keep your wrist relaxed and play closer to the saddle for a brighter attack, closer to the neck for a warmer tone.
Two alternate patterns:
Simplified (for new players): four downstrokes per bar on beats 1–4, holding the last down a touch longer to mimic the phrase endings.
Fuller rhythm (intermediate): pick a steady eighth-note pulse and mute the strings lightly on the “and” of 2 and the “and” of 4 to create a gentle backbeat; use D D U U D U on strong bars for the chorus.
Fingerpicking and arpeggio arrangements for a fuller solo sound
Basic fingerpicking pattern (thumb = G, index = C, middle = E, ring = A): T – I – M – I on beats 1-&-2-& (thumb on G string, index on C string, middle on E string, index on C string). That pattern supports vocals and leaves the A string for melody fills.
Rolling arpeggio (advanced): T I M R M I (thumb on G, index on C, middle on E, ring on A, then return). Play as sixteenth-note rolls at a comfortable tempo to mimic the piano’s ambient swell.
Intro/verse single-note idea (arpeggio-based, capo 2): pick the root on the G string (open or fretted), follow with the C and E strings for the chord tone, then add the A string as a short melodic touch on the phrase ends. This creates a solo arrangement that carries both harmony and tune.
Right-hand tips: anchor your hand lightly against the ukulele body for stability, use nails or finger pads depending on brightness you want, and vary attack pressure to emulate sustain. Slightly roll the finger on release to smooth notes for a lingering, vocal-like sustain.
Chord voicings, inversions and tasteful embellishments
Alternate voicings to smooth movement: replace G (0-2-3-2) with Gmaj7 (0-2-2-2) for a softer approach; swap Em (0-4-3-2) for Em7 (0-2-0-2) for an airier sound. Use D/F# (2-0-2-0) to create a stepwise bass from G down to Em.
Tiny embellishments that work: light hammer-on on the C chord from 0 to 1 on the E string (0→1) at phrase ends; quick sus4 (hold C and add D note on the E string) as a passing color; slide into Em from fret 2 on the C string for a vocal-like sigh.
Simplify vs. elaborate: for sing-alongs keep to basic G–D–Em–C and simple strumming. For recordings, layer arpeggios, Gmaj7 coloration, and the D/F# inversion to create smoother voice-leading and a richer texture.
Capo use, transposition, and matching vocal range
Capo cheatsheet: play G shapes with capo 2 to sound in A (original). For higher female keys, capo 4 on G shapes will raise the sounding key to B. For lower male keys, no capo keeps the song in G, often easier for lower voices.
Manual transposition (no capo): to move the song up a whole step from G to A without a capo, replace G→A, D→E, Em→F#m, C→D. If you prefer open shapes, keep G shapes and use capo as shown above.
Recommended ranges: males comfortable in A to G (capo 2 or open) should test singing over a recorded chorus; females often want capo 4–5 to sit higher. Trade-offs: using a capo keeps open chords and easier fingerings; removing capo gives natural timbre but may require tougher chords.
Common pitfalls and fixes: smooth chord changes, timing, and rhythmic consistency
Common mistakes: late chord swaps, stiff strumming hand, or muted strings from poor finger placement. Fix with focused drills and relaxed posture.
Drill 1 — Slow chord changes: set metronome to 60 BPM, play one chord per two beats, switch on the fourth beat; only increase speed once changes are clean for five consecutive reps.
Drill 2 — Strumming stability: mute lightly with left hand and practice the D D U U D U pattern for 30 seconds without chord pressing; then add simple chord shapes while keeping the same motion.
Drill 3 — Partial-bar loops: loop two-bar segments (G → D) for 5 minutes, then add the next two bars. This isolates trouble spots and builds muscle memory quickly.
Setup checks: if buzzing or high action causes missed notes, verify nut saddle height and tuner stability; changing to lighter gauge nylon strings can help new players get cleaner frets without forceful pressing.
Practice roadmap: a week-by-week plan from first chord to confident cover
Day 1: Learn chord shapes G, D, Em, C and practice switching slowly for 15 minutes. Keep timing steady and use a metronome at 60 BPM.
Day 2: Add the D D U U D U strum pattern across each chord for 15 minutes. Focus on strong downstrokes on beat 1 and even upstrokes.
Day 3: Practice the full 8-bar verse loop at 70 BPM with simple arpeggios for 15–20 minutes; sing the first line while playing slowly.
Day 4: Work on dynamics—soft verses, louder choruses—for 15 minutes. Add one embellishment per chorus (hammer-on or Gmaj7 color).
Day 5: Put verse and chorus together; practice transitions and hold the final C for the phrase. Record a quick phone take to check timing.
Day 6: Add bridge phrasing, practice building back into the chorus; do five full run-throughs at target tempo of ~80 BPM.
Day 7: Full cover practice with backing track or metronome; focus on consistent time, confident dynamics, and clean chord changes. Aim to perform the song start-to-finish without stopping.
Recording, arranging, and performing your ukulele cover
Home recording basics: mic the uke near the soundhole but angled toward the neck to avoid boominess; for phone recording, place the mic 12–18 inches away and capture vocals separately if possible. Use light room reverb and gentle compression to match the original’s ambient feel.
Arrangement ideas: solo stripped version uses fingerpicking and vocal; duo adds a guitar playing arpeggios while uke keeps rhythm; full-band adds a pad synth and subtle drums in chorus for lift. Introduce dynamics by starting sparse and layering through the second chorus.
Live tips: start with a quiet intro to cue the audience, count in clearly or give a nod to bandmates, and use a short instrumental break before the last chorus to breathe and build energy.
Best free and paid tabs, printable chord sheets, backing tracks, and tutorial videos
Reliable tab sources: official sheet music publishers carry licensed charts; community sites often have user arrangements—prefer versions that note original key and capo position. Search for versions that list A major or show capo 2 for G shapes.
Backing tracks and practice tools: choose tracks with tempo control and loop functionality; apps that loop sections help you perfect specific bars. For paid options, look for licensed instrumental tracks to avoid pitch or arrangement issues.
Printable sheets: export a single-page chord-and-lyrics sheet for gig use and a one-line tab for the intro arpeggio; keep a backup on your phone in case of stage lighting issues.
Legal and ethical considerations for sharing and publishing Chasing Cars tabs
Copyright basics: posting simple chord progressions and chord names is generally acceptable, but exact note-for-note transcriptions or official sheet music may require permission. Publicly posting full, verbatim tablature of the recorded arrangement can infringe rights unless licensed.
Safe practices: post chord lists with attribution (Songwriters: Snow Patrol), link to official licensed sheet music for accurate paid copies, and avoid uploading full transcriptions you don’t own. Use licensed backing tracks for monetized videos or public performances to prevent claims.
Licensing resources: for recorded covers check mechanical license rules for distribution and synchronization licenses for video. Professional platforms and music rights organizations can process sync and mechanical licenses if you plan to monetize or widely distribute your cover.
Use the quick-start section to get playing now, then work through the tablature, strumming, and picking suggestions to build a full, expressive ukulele cover that fits your voice and setting.
