Locked Out Of Heaven Chords: Bruno Mars Guitar Tutorial

Oct 29, 2025 by Jhon Lennon 56 views

Hey guys! Today, we're diving into the awesome "Locked Out of Heaven" by Bruno Mars. This song is a total banger, and learning to play it on guitar is super rewarding. We're going to break down the chords, strumming patterns, and everything else you need to nail this track. So, grab your guitar, and let's get started!

Understanding the Basic Chords

"Locked Out of Heaven" primarily revolves around a few core chords that create its infectious groove. Getting these down is crucial for playing the song accurately and enjoying the process. The main chords you'll need are:

D Minor (Dm): This is a fundamental chord in the song and is played as follows: Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the E string, your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G string, and your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B string. Strum all strings.
A Sharp Major (A#): Often written as Bb. Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the A string, and barre across the fret with your index finger, then place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the D string, and your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the G string. Strum all strings.
C Major (C): A very common chord, place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A string, your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D string, and your index finger on the 1st fret of the B string. Strum all strings.
G Minor (Gm): Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, your index finger on the 1st fret of the E string, and your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B string. Strum all strings.

These chords form the backbone of "Locked Out of Heaven", providing its distinctive and catchy sound. Familiarizing yourself with these shapes and transitions will make learning the song much smoother. Practice transitioning between these chords slowly at first, focusing on accuracy and clean sound. Speed will come with time and repetition.

Tips for Mastering Chord Transitions

Smooth chord transitions are key to playing "Locked Out of Heaven" seamlessly. Here are some tips to help you master them:

Practice Slowly: Start by practicing the transitions at a slow tempo. Focus on moving your fingers efficiently and accurately from one chord shape to the next.
Use Anchor Fingers: Identify any fingers that remain in the same position when transitioning between chords. These can act as anchor fingers, helping you maintain your place on the fretboard and guide your hand to the next chord shape.
Visualize the Next Chord: Before you move to the next chord, visualize the shape in your mind. This mental preparation can help your fingers move more quickly and accurately.
Practice Common Transitions: Focus on the transitions that occur most frequently in the song. For example, practice moving between Dm and A# repeatedly until it becomes second nature.
Use a Metronome: A metronome can help you maintain a consistent tempo and identify areas where you're struggling with transitions. Gradually increase the tempo as you become more comfortable.
Record Yourself: Recording yourself playing can help you identify areas for improvement. Listen back to your playing and pay attention to any hesitations or mistakes in your transitions.
Break It Down: If you're struggling with a particular transition, break it down into smaller steps. Practice moving one or two fingers at a time until you can execute the entire transition smoothly.

Strumming Pattern

The rhythmic drive of "Locked Out of Heaven" is just as important as the chords. The song features a funky, syncopated strumming pattern that gives it its distinctive groove. While there are variations, a basic strumming pattern that works well is:

Down, Down, Up, Up, Down, Up

This pattern emphasizes the off-beats, creating the song's signature rhythmic feel. Focus on keeping your strumming hand relaxed and loose, allowing it to flow naturally with the rhythm. Practice this pattern slowly at first, gradually increasing the tempo as you become more comfortable. Experiment with different variations to find what sounds best to you.

Tips for Mastering the Strumming Pattern

Mastering the strumming pattern is essential for capturing the authentic feel of "Locked Out of Heaven." Here are some tips to help you nail it:

Start Slowly: Begin by practicing the strumming pattern at a slow tempo. Focus on maintaining a consistent rhythm and ensuring that each strum is clear and distinct.
Count Out Loud: Counting the beats out loud can help you internalize the rhythm and maintain accuracy. Try counting "1, 2, &, 3, &, 4, &" to emphasize the off-beats.
Use a Metronome: A metronome is an invaluable tool for developing your timing and consistency. Set the metronome to a slow tempo and gradually increase it as you become more comfortable with the strumming pattern.
Isolate Difficult Sections: If you're struggling with a particular part of the strumming pattern, isolate it and practice it repeatedly until you can play it smoothly.
Listen to the Original Song: Pay close attention to the strumming pattern in the original recording of "Locked Out of Heaven." Try to mimic the nuances and accents in the song.
Relax Your Strumming Hand: Tension in your strumming hand can lead to stiffness and uneven strumming. Make sure to keep your hand relaxed and loose, allowing it to flow naturally with the rhythm.
Experiment with Dynamics: Once you're comfortable with the basic strumming pattern, experiment with dynamics to add interest and expression to your playing. Try varying the volume and intensity of your strums to create different effects.

Song Structure

"Locked Out of Heaven" follows a fairly standard song structure, which makes it easier to learn and memorize. The song consists of the following sections:

Intro: The intro sets the stage for the song with a catchy instrumental riff.
Verse: The verses tell the story of the song, building anticipation for the chorus.
Pre-Chorus: The pre-chorus builds tension, leading into the explosive chorus.
Chorus: The chorus is the heart of the song, featuring the memorable hook and sing-along melody.
Bridge: The bridge provides a change of pace and adds a new dimension to the song.
Outro: The outro brings the song to a satisfying conclusion.

Tips for Understanding Song Structure

Understanding the song structure can significantly enhance your ability to learn and perform "Locked Out of Heaven." Here are some tips to help you grasp the song's architecture:

Listen Actively: Listen to the song multiple times, paying close attention to the different sections and how they fit together. Try to identify the intro, verse, pre-chorus, chorus, bridge, and outro.
Follow Along with Lyrics: Reading the lyrics while listening to the song can help you understand the story and how it unfolds in each section.
Create a Song Map: Draw a simple map of the song structure, labeling each section and noting any recurring patterns or variations.
Practice Each Section Separately: Focus on mastering each section of the song individually before attempting to play the entire song from beginning to end.
Use Visual Cues: Assign visual cues to each section of the song to help you remember the structure. For example, you could visualize a different color or shape for each section.
Play Along with the Recording: Playing along with the original recording can help you internalize the song structure and develop your timing and feel.
Analyze Other Songs: Apply the same techniques to analyze the structure of other songs. This will help you develop a deeper understanding of song construction and improve your ability to learn new songs quickly.

Putting It All Together

Now that you've learned the chords, strumming pattern, and song structure, it's time to put it all together and play "Locked Out of Heaven" from beginning to end. Start slowly and focus on accuracy, gradually increasing the tempo as you become more comfortable. Don't be afraid to make mistakes – they're a natural part of the learning process. With practice and persistence, you'll be rocking out to this awesome song in no time!

Tips for Polishing Your Performance

Once you're able to play "Locked Out of Heaven" from beginning to end, here are some tips to help you polish your performance and take it to the next level:

Record Yourself: Recording yourself playing can help you identify areas for improvement. Listen back to your playing and pay attention to any mistakes or areas where you can improve your timing, dynamics, or expression.
Play with Others: Playing with other musicians can be a great way to improve your skills and have fun. Try jamming with friends or joining a band.
Perform Live: Performing in front of an audience can be nerve-wracking, but it's also a great way to build confidence and hone your skills. Start by performing for small groups of friends or family and gradually work your way up to larger audiences.
Take Lessons: Taking lessons from a qualified guitar teacher can provide you with personalized feedback and guidance. A good teacher can help you identify and correct any bad habits and accelerate your progress.
Attend Workshops and Clinics: Attending workshops and clinics can expose you to new techniques and styles. You can also learn from other guitarists and network with like-minded musicians.
Listen to Feedback: Be open to feedback from others and use it to improve your playing. Ask friends, family, or other musicians for their honest opinions and use their suggestions to refine your performance.
Never Stop Learning: The journey of learning to play guitar is a lifelong pursuit. Never stop exploring new techniques, styles, and genres, and always strive to improve your skills.

Conclusion

So there you have it! Learning "Locked Out of Heaven" on guitar might seem daunting at first, but with a little practice and patience, you'll be playing this hit song in no time. Remember to take it slow, break down the song into manageable chunks, and most importantly, have fun! Keep strumming, and you'll be rocking out like Bruno Mars in no time. Rock on, guys!