When the war is over Cold Chisel Tabs are a popular choice for guitar players who want to learn this iconic Australian rock song. “When the War Is Over” was released in 1982 and quickly became one of Cold Chisel’s most well-known and beloved songs.
The song, written by band member Steve Prestwich, has a powerful and emotional message about love and hope in the face of adversity. It showcases the band’s unique blend of rock and blues influences, with its catchy guitar riffs and soulful vocals.
Learning to play “When the War Is Over” on guitar can be a rewarding experience for both beginners and more advanced players. The song features a relatively straightforward chord progression and a memorable melody, making it accessible to guitarists of all levels.
By using Cold Chisel Tabs for “When the War Is Over,” guitar players can easily follow along with the song and learn to play it accurately. Tabs provide a visual representation of the guitar neck, showing which strings and frets to play for each note or chord. This makes it easier to figure out the song’s structure and rhythm.
Learn to Play “When The War Is Over” by Cold Chisel on Guitar
If you’re a fan of Cold Chisel and want to learn how to play their iconic song “When The War Is Over” on guitar, you’re in the right place! This timeless ballad, written by Steve Prestwich, features beautiful acoustic guitar chords and heartfelt lyrics.
Chords Used
To play “When The War Is Over” on guitar, you’ll need to know these basic open chords:
- G
- C
- Am
- F
- D
You can find the specific fingerings for these chords in any guitar chord guide or by searching online. Practice transitioning between these chords smoothly to get the hang of the song.
Strumming Pattern
The strumming pattern for “When The War Is Over” is fairly simple and follows a steady rhythm throughout the song. You can use a basic down-up strumming pattern or experiment with different variations to add your own touch.
The song is played in 4/4 time, so each chord receives four beats. Strum each chord on the downbeat and lift your hand slightly off the strings on the upbeat to create a softer sound. Feel free to accentuate certain beats to match the song’s emotion.
Intro
The song begins with a beautiful melodic intro played on the guitar. Although it’s not necessary to play this section, it adds a lovely introduction to the song. To learn this intro, you can search for guitar tabs or tutorials specifically for the song “When The War Is Over” by Cold Chisel.
Tip: Use your ears to follow along with the original recording and pick up the nuances and timing of the intro.
Verse and Chorus
The verse and chorus sections of “When The War Is Over” follow a similar chord progression. You’ll be using the chords G, C, Am, and F in a specific order. Pay attention to the lyrics to determine when to switch between parts.
Here’s an example of how the chords are played in the verse:
G – 4 beats
C – 4 beats
Am – 4 beats
F – 4 beats
Repeat this progression for the chorus as well. Feel free to add some expressive strumming or fingerpicking techniques to make the song your own.
As you practice, listen to the original recording of “When The War Is Over” by Cold Chisel to familiarize yourself with the song’s structure and dynamics. Pay attention to the rhythm and subtle nuances that make this song so special.
Remember to take it step by step, and with enough practice, you’ll soon be able to play “When The War Is Over” on guitar like a pro. Enjoy!
Chords for “When The War Is Over” by Cold Chisel
Here are the chords for “When The War Is Over” by Cold Chisel:
Verse 1:
Em G D A
When the war is over
Em G D A
G D Em
Got to get away
Verse 2:
Em G D A
Pack my bags to no place
Em G D A
G D Em
No time for goodbyes
Chorus:
G D
Sun coming over
Em C
Tomorrow’s a new day
Am D
No more sorrow
G D
These dreams have faded away
Verse 3:
Em G D A
When the war is over
Em G D A
G D Em
Got to start again
Verse 4:
Em G D A
Living on the outside
Em G D A
G D Em
It’s got to be better
Chorus:
G D
Sun coming over
Em C
Tomorrow’s a new day
Am D
No more sorrow
G D
These dreams have faded away
Bridge:
Em C
Out in the streets
Bm C
People are waiting
Em C
Together we’ll stand
Bm C
Divided we’ll fall
Verse 5:
Em G D A
When the war is over
Em G D A
G D Em
Got to start again
Verse 6:
Em G D A
People silling empty
Em G D A
G D Em
No satisfaction
Chorus:
G D
Sun coming over
Em C
Tomorrow’s a new day
Am D
No more sorrow
G D
These dreams have faded away
Outro:
Em G D
Tablature for “When The War Is Over” by Cold Chisel
Here is the tablature for “When The War Is Over” by Cold Chisel.
Tuning: Standard
Capo on 2nd fret
Chords Used:
| Chord | Finger Position |
|---|---|
| Am | 1st finger on 1st fret, 2nd string |
| C | 1st finger on 1st fret, 2nd string; 2nd finger on 2nd fret, 4th string; 3rd finger on 3rd fret, 5th string |
| F | 1st finger on 1st fret, 2nd string; 2nd finger on 1st fret, 3rd string; 3rd finger on 2nd fret, 4th string |
| G | 1st finger on 2nd fret, 5th string; 2nd finger on 3rd fret, 6th string; 3rd finger on 3rd fret, 1st string |
Intro:
Am – C – F – G (x2)
Verse 1:
Am C F G
When the war is over, got to get away
Am C F G
Pack my bags to, no place, no place in mind
Chorus:
F C G
Although what I’ve seen isn’t changing me
F C G
That’s not the same as, not taking a side
Am – C – F – G (x2)
Verse 2:
Am C F G
Just hoping whatever you’ve got, feels similar to what I like
Am C F G
When the war is over, got to start again
Chorus:
F C G
Although what I’ve learned isn’t what I’ve been sold
F C G
And that’s not the same as, not wanting to learn
Am – C – F – G (x2)
Solo:
Am – C – F – G (x2)
Verse 1:
Am C F G
When the war is over, got to get away
Am C F G
Pack my bags to, no place, no place in mind
Chorus:
F C G
Although what I’ve seen isn’t changing me
F C G
That’s not the same as, not taking a side
Am – C – F – G (x2)
Outro:
F C G
Although what I’ve seen isn’t changing me
F C G
That’s not the same as, not taking a side
F C G
Although what I’ve learned isn’t what I’ve been sold
F C G
And that’s not the same as, not wanting to learn
How to Play the Intro to “When The War Is Over” by Cold Chisel
“When The War Is Over” by Cold Chisel is a classic rock song with a beautiful and melodic guitar intro. Learning how to play this intro can enhance your guitar skills and allow you to play one of Cold Chisel’s most popular songs.
To play the intro to “When The War Is Over,” you will need to tune your guitar to standard tuning (EADGBE). The intro is played on the high E string (the thinnest string) and involves a combination of fretting and picking techniques.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to play the intro:
- Place your index finger on the 5th fret of the high E string.
- Use your pick or thumb to strike the high E string while still holding down the 5th fret with your index finger.
- Slide your index finger up one fret to the 6th fret, keeping the string pressed down and sounding the note as you slide.
- Strike the high E string again with your pick or thumb while on the 6th fret.
- Slide your index finger back down to the 5th fret, once again keeping the string pressed down and sounding the note as you slide.
- Strike the high E string one last time with your pick or thumb while still on the 5th fret.
Repeat these steps to play the intro to “When The War Is Over.” It may take some practice to get comfortable with the sliding technique, but with time and patience, you’ll be able to achieve a smooth and accurate rendition of the intro.
Remember to listen to the song for timing and to get a sense of the rhythm. Experiment with adding a bit of vibrato or personal flair to make the intro your own.
Summary:
The intro to “When The War Is Over” by Cold Chisel is played on the high E string with a sliding technique. Place your index finger on the 5th fret, strike the string, slide up to the 6th fret, strike the string again, slide back down to the 5th fret, and strike the string one last time. Practice the timing and add your own style to make it sound great!
Tips and Tricks for Playing “When The War Is Over” by Cold Chisel
If you’re a fan of Cold Chisel and want to learn how to play their classic song, “When The War Is Over,” you’ve come to the right place. Below, you’ll find some tips and tricks to help you master this beautiful ballad on the guitar.
1. Get the Right Chords
Start by familiarizing yourself with the chords used in the song. The primary chords in “When The War Is Over” are A, E, D, and F#m. It’s essential to know these chords and be comfortable switching between them smoothly.
Here is the chord progression for the verse:
Verse:
A – E – D – A
The chorus has a slight variation:
Chorus:
A – E – F#m – D
2. Strumming Pattern
Once you’ve mastered the chords, focus on the strumming pattern. The strumming pattern for “When The War Is Over” is a simple down-up strumming pattern.
Try this pattern:
Down – Down – Up – Up – Down – Up
Practice strumming this pattern along with the chords until you can do it comfortably.
3. Pay Attention to Dynamics
One of the essential aspects of playing “When The War Is Over” is paying attention to dynamics. The song has a lot of emotion, and the dynamics play a crucial role in conveying the feelings.
Start softly during the verses, and gradually build up the strumming intensity and volume during the chorus. This contrast will help bring out the emotional depth of the song.
4. Add Some Fingerpicking
If you want to take your rendition of “When The War Is Over” to the next level, try incorporating some fingerpicking patterns during the intro and interlude. Using a fingerpicking technique will add a beautiful layer to the song.
Experiment with fingerpicking patterns that feel comfortable to you, and find ways to incorporate them into the song.
With these tips and tricks, you’ll be well on your way to mastering “When The War Is Over” by Cold Chisel. Remember to practice regularly and have fun while playing this iconic song.
