Ben E. King’s iconic song “Stand By Me” is a classic tune that has sustained the test of time. Its popularity among guitarists, beginners and pros alike, is primarily due to its simple yet captivating chord progression. The song highlights the use of four basic chords – Am, F, G and E – in its entirety, making it an excellent piece for novices to practice chord transitions and rhythmic strumming.

Apart from its beginner-friendly music structure, “Stand By Me” also offers guitarists an opportunity to explore bass lines interacting with treble chords