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Wild Horses — Rolling Stones Open G Guitar Lesson

·2 mins
Open G Chords Fingerstyle Rock Intermediate Video Lesson Keith Richards Rolling Stones
Table of Contents

Source: GTDB / Guitar Tuning Database

What This Video Covers #

“Wild Horses” from the Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers is one of the most beloved songs in the Open G repertoire. Keith Richards wrote and recorded the song in Open G tuning, and the chord voicings only make full sense in that context — the ringing open strings are integral to the song’s sound, not incidental to it.

The Chord Progression #

The lesson walks through the chord sequence that drives the song. In Open G, these shapes have a gentleness and resonance that standard tuning versions struggle to capture. Key shapes covered include:

  • G major: open strings — the home chord
  • Bm7 and Bm: fingered shapes on the lower strings
  • C and Cadd9: partial shapes with open strings ringing underneath
  • D and Dsus: positions that use the open D strings for a natural suspended quality

Keith’s Picking Approach #

Richards approaches this song with a hybrid picking style — partly strummed, partly fingerpicked — that gives individual chord notes room to ring. The lesson pays close attention to which strings are sounded and when, since the right-hand approach is what makes the guitar part feel open and airy.

Key Transitions #

The chord changes between the G, Bm, and C shapes are the most technically demanding parts. The lesson slows these down so you can see the finger movement clearly.

The Stripped Version #

The video also touches on the Stripped acoustic album version of the song, which Keith recorded in a similar style but with slightly different voicings — worth knowing if you want a more sparse arrangement.

Who This Is For #

Intermediate players who are comfortable with basic Open G barre and open shapes. Some familiarity with fingerstyle technique will help, though the song can also be strummed.

Key Takeaways #

  • The chord shapes in Open G naturally create the song’s signature ring
  • Right-hand picking approach matters as much as the chord shapes
  • The Stripped version offers an interesting alternative arrangement