Today I want to look into the Rolling Stones classic from 1969 " You can't always get what you want". 

Its a great song for the beginner guitarist to have a go at because for most of the song it only uses two chords - C major and F major with D major thrown in the mix for the chorus.

Disclaimer- There is a musical bridge two thirds of the way through which serves to lift the song before returning back to the main structure. However as a guitar teacher in Tunbridge Wells I'm going to focus this blog on the actual verses and chorus which make up the majority of the song so that you can play along, build your confidence and have fun learning!

The song uses a Down Down - Up Down Down - Down Up Down Up strumming pattern.

The verses and most of the chorus use the structure of C major for one bar (four beats) then to F major for one bar. It repeats this cycle four times for the verses.

The chorus uses the C to F cycle three times but then goes to D major for one bar, F major for one bar before returning to the verses.

Verse:  C/ / / | F/ / / | C/ / / | F/ / / | C/ / / | F/ / / | C/ / / | F/ / / |

Chorus C/ / / | F/ / / | C/ / / | F/ / / | C/ / / | F/ / / | D/ / / | F/ / / |

One further thing to mention is that when playing the chord of C major use your forth finger to come on and off the second string third fret in time with the strumming pattern.

I have made a full video tutorial for this song that you can view just by clicking the link below!

How to play you can't always get what you want by The Rolling Stones- Daniel Berry Guitar Tutorial 

Happy Playing 

Daniel Berry Guitar Tutor