How to play "Mama Tried" Chords
on acoustic guitar
Bakersfield snap, porch speed, clean bass. Three chords carry the story. I’ll map
a playable path so the groove never wobbles. This Guitar Lesson aims for feel,
not flash, and the whole Tutorial stays friendly to beginners.
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Song Overview:
Merle Haggard is playing the 'Mama Tried' tabs
/ chords in the music video.
Key: D major. Capo: no capo. Difficulty: absolute beginner, but tempo is brisk.
Feel: swung 8ths with alternating bass. Length: short and punchy, perfect for a
set opener. If D is high for your voice, capo 2 and play in C shapes for comfort.
Chords Used:
Performance in the music video.
Standard tuning E A D G B E. Keep shapes tight. Let bass notes pop and brushes
stay tiny.
D (xx0232) anchor ring on B3.
G (320003) pinky on top E3.
A (x02220) flat index D G B.
A7 (x02020) easy swap for space.
Bm (x24432) optional chorus lift.
CHORD BOX SNAPSHOTS
D x x 0 2 3 2 | G 3 2 0 0 0 3 | A x 0 2 2 2 0 | A7 x 0 2 0 2 0
Bm x 2 4 4 3 2 (mini barre works fine)
Finger anchors:
- Keep ring on B3 for D and quick flips to G.
- Slide index from B2 to G2 when returning to D from A.
Easier variations: play G as 320033.
Use A7 instead of A if your hand cramps. For Bm, cheat a Bm7 (x20202) as a soft color if barre is
new.
Strumming Pattern:
Performance in the music video.
Strumming: 195 bpm listed often. Most players feel it half time near 98 bpm.
Count either way, but swing the offbeats. Keep the brush small and the bass firm.
HONKY TONK SHUFFLE
Count: 1 & a 2 & a 3 & a 4 & a (swing the "&")
Pattern per bar: B b - B b - (B=bass, b=light brush)
Alternate bass map:
D: 4th string then 5th string
G: 6th string then 4th string
A or A7: 5th string then 4th string
Add a fingertip palm mute on beats 1 and 3 to get the old radio snap without
harshness.
Sections Breakdown:
These are roadmaps, not full tabs or lyrics. Use them to chart your version.
Intro idea
D | D | G | D |
Tiny walk: open D, E, F sharp, then land G on beat 1.
Verse cell
D | G | D | G |
D | G | A | D | keep brushes tiny, let bass speak
Chorus cell
D | G | D G | D | A | D |
Optional lift: play Bm on “steer me right” then A, then D on the 1.
Turnaround
D | A | D . . . | hold, breathe, reset your count
Transitions to drill: D to A with an index swivel. A to Bm by laying a mini
barre, then release back to D while leaving ring finger ready on B3.
Common Mistakes:
Performance in the music video.
Straight 8ths. This tune needs swing. Lean the ampersand late.
Wide six string swipes. Aim three or four strings per brush.
Rushing walk ups. Let each bass note speak before you brush.
Yelling the chorus. Use touch and space for lift, not volume.
Skipping the optional Bm color. Try it once, then decide.
General Tips:
Metronome: practice half time first at 98, then full at 196.
Pick: thin to medium. Thumbpick adds tidy punch on bass notes.
Tone: small reverb, no chorus, treble trimmed if amplified.
Practice block: 4 bars D, 2 bars G, 1 bar A, 1 bar D. Repeat softly.
Sing the groove words “boom chuck” while you play to lock the pocket.
Song Facts:
Mama Tried rides the bright Bakersfield sound: tight drums, dry guitars, and a
vocal that sits right in the pocket. The lyric frames a blunt confession and a
thank you. The narrator owned his choices early and pushed past every warning.
He pays the price, and the chorus keeps repeating the verdict. You can dance to
it and still feel the ache. That duality is why bands keep calling it onstage.
The arrangement is economical. No bridge, no key change, no big dynamic swings.
Just verse, chorus, and the shuffle motor. Electric fills sit behind the vocal,
steering by small bends and tidy double stops. That leaves room for any singer
to step in without wrestling the band. The song also became a marker for how to
carry remorse without slowing a set list. It is short, catchy, and talks plain.
Bar crowds can sing the hook after one pass. Old heads nod at the pocket. New
players love that it is three chords and truth. If you ever need a quick reset
for a drifting room, this one will line up feet and ears in about twelve bars.
Song Meaning:
Whole arc: stubborn youth, a mother’s effort, the cost, and a clear admission.
He does not dodge blame. He names it. The music keeps moving to avoid pity and
to show the acceptance is real.
Part by part. Verse one sketches the pull of trains and leaving. The harmony on
D and G feels like a long road with few turns. Verse two turns to family. He is
the rebel child who could not hold onto Sunday lessons. The move to A before D
is that last inhaled breath before reality lands again. The chorus is the core.
“Life without parole” is character speech that heightens the point. The hook is
both apology and salute. By the last tag the band gives a proud, steady lift so
the listener can dance the hard truth instead of sitting in it.
Comparisons to previous works:
Next to Branded Man and Sing Me Back Home, this one is terser and quicker. Those
tilt toward sorrow. Mama Tried is more radio tight and portable for any trio.
Compared to later anthems that aim at headlines, this track stays focused on a
kitchen table story. Through line: economy. Clean chords, crisp bass, sharp pen.
Questions and Answers
What tempo should I practice first to keep the groove steady
Start at 98 bpm half time with swing, then bump to 196 while staying relaxed.
Do I need the Bm in the chorus
No. It is optional for lift on “steer me right”. Try both and choose by ear.
Which three chords cover most of the song
D, G, A. Use A7 when you want a softer vocal pocket.
How do I sound closer to old records without pedals
Light palm mute on 1 and 3, tiny brushes, and a strict alternating bass.
Any tasteful lick between lines that will not crowd the vocal
Walk D E F sharp to G, then G F sharp E to D. Keep it sotto voce.
Mini ideas only, not full tabs.
RIGHT HAND MANTRA
Bass... brush... Bass... brush... keep the brush small.
TINY PICKUPS
Into verse on D: A string 0-2-4 | land D on beat 1
G→D tag: low E-3 A-2 A-0 | brush D lightly
Bm touch in chorus: A-2 D-4 G-4 | roll to A then D
Cite all song tabs and chords as they were: base progression uses D G A with an
optional Bm color in the chorus, matching common stage practice.
That wraps it. Lock the swing, keep the bass tidy, and let the lyric tell it.
If you can make the room nod in time, you already know How to play this classic.
D G D G
The first thing I remember knowin' was a lonesome whistle blowin',
D G A7
And a youngun's dream of growin' up to ride,
D G D G
On a freight train leavin' town, not knowin' where I'm bound.
D A7 D
And no one could change my mind but Momma Tried.
D G D G
One and only Rebel child from a fam'ly meek and mild
D G A7
My momma seemed to to know what lay in store,
D G D G
'Spite all my Sunday learnin' towards the bad I kept on turnin',
D A7 D
'Til momma couldn't hold me anymore.
Chorus
N.C. D G D
And I turned twenty-one in prison doin' life without parole,
Bm A7
No one could steer me right but Mamma Tried, Momma Tried
D G D
Momma Tried to raise me better but her pleading I denied
A7 D
And that leaves only me to blame, cause Momma Tried
Verse 3:
D G D G
Dear ole' daddy, rest his soul left my mom a heavy load,
D G A7
She tried so very hard to feel his shoes,
D G D G
Workin' hours without rest, wanted me to have the best
D G A7
She tried to raise me right but I refused.
Chorus
How to play "Momma Tried" by Merle Haggard on guitar
Intro & Verse Chord Progression:
- Start with D major and alternate with G major, creating the classic
country feel that drives the narrative forward.
- Incorporate A7 at key lyrical points to add a sense of resolution
and conclusion to each phrase.
Playing the Chords:
- D major: Index on 2nd fret G, ring on 3rd fret B, and middle on 2nd fret high E.
- G major: Index on 2nd fret A, middle on 3rd fret low E, and ring on 3rd fret high E.
- A7: Index on 2nd fret D and middle on 2nd fret B.
Chorus Dynamics:
- Transition into the chorus with a strong shift to Bm, adding emotional depth.
- Bm: Barre the 2nd fret from A to high E, place middle on 3rd fret B,
ring on 4th fret D, and pinky on 4th fret G.
Strumming Pattern:
- Utilize a steady strumming pattern that emphasizes downstrokes to keep
the rhythm driving and consistent, typical of traditional country music.
Common Mistakes:
- Be cautious of the timing when transitioning from D to G, ensuring
each chord is given its full value to maintain the song's rhythm.
- Ensure the A7 chord is played clearly, as it's crucial for the song's
melodic hooks.
Solo Sections:
- Maintain the chord progression of the verse or chorus, allowing for
simple lead lines or fill-ins that match the song’s themes.
Outro:
- Conclude with the main chord progression, subtly slowing down to end
on a reflective note.
Song's Theme:
- The lyrics tell a story of rebellion and regret, emphasizing the
influence of parental guidance and the consequences of personal choices.
Regular practice of these chord transitions and maintaining the rhythm
will help you effectively deliver the heartfelt narrative of "Momma Tried."
