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7 Secrets To Mastering The Hypnotic 'Fade Into You' Chords By Mazzy Star (Updated For December 2025)

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Learning the 'Fade Into You' chords is one of the most rewarding experiences for any beginner or intermediate guitarist, immediately unlocking the signature sound of 90s Dream Pop. This iconic Mazzy Star track, released in 1993, is celebrated for its ethereal atmosphere, Hope Sandoval’s whispery vocals, and a deceptively simple four-chord progression that repeats for the entire song. However, truly mastering the song means understanding the subtle nuances of its rhythm, the use of a capo, and the legendary slide guitar part by David Roback, making it a perfect blend of simplicity and sonic depth.

As of December 2025, the song’s timeless quality continues to drive millions of searches for its tablature and chords, proving its lasting influence on the alternative rock and shoegaze genres. This comprehensive guide breaks down the chords into easy-to-play versions, details the correct 6/8 time signature and strumming pattern, and even provides a step-by-step tutorial for the iconic slide guitar melody, ensuring you capture the song's haunting beauty perfectly.

The Absolute Beginner’s Guide to the 'Fade Into You' Chord Progression

The entire, mesmerizing structure of "Fade Into You" is built around a single, repeating four-chord sequence. This simplicity is the song’s genius, allowing the mood and the unforgettable slide guitar to take center stage. You will use this progression for the Intro, all Verses, and the Chorus.

The Core Four-Chord Loop

The main progression is played in standard tuning (E A D G B E) and is most commonly identified as:

  • A Major (A)
  • E Major (E)
  • B Minor (Bm)
  • B Minor (Bm)

The full progression is: A - E - Bm - Bm, repeated throughout. Some transcriptions occasionally replace the final Bm with a D Major (D) during the chorus lines, but the three-chord A-E-Bm loop is the most authentic and widely accepted foundation.

Option 1: The Easy Capo Version (Recommended for Beginners)

To avoid the challenging Bm barre chord, placing a capo on the 2nd fret is the easiest and most popular method for acoustic guitarists. This transposes the key to B minor, but you play simple open chords that sound correct.

With Capo on 2nd Fret, Play These Shapes:

  • A Major (A) shape becomes G Major (G)
  • E Major (E) shape becomes D Major (D)
  • B Minor (Bm) shape becomes A Minor (Am)

The Capo Progression: G - D - Am - Am

Option 2: The Original No-Capo Version (Requires Barre Chord)

If you prefer to play without a capo, you must master the Bm barre chord, which is the only difficult part of the song.

No-Capo Progression: A - E - Bm - Bm

Chord Shapes (Standard Tuning):

  • A: x02220
  • E: 022100
  • Bm (Barre): x24432

Unlocking the Authentic 6/8 Strumming Pattern and Tempo

The hypnotic, dreamy quality of "Fade Into You" is largely due to its rhythm. The song is played in a 6/8 time signature, which means there are six eighth notes per measure, giving it a gentle, swaying, waltz-like feel, unlike the more common 4/4 time.

The Mazzy Star Strumming Pattern

The key is to feel the "1-2-3, 4-5-6" count. A great, easy-to-remember pattern that works for each chord in the progression is:

D D U D U D

(Down, Down, Up, Down, Up, Down)

To make it sound more authentic to the 6/8 feel, you can use a slightly more complex pattern that emphasizes the swing:

D D U D U D D U D U (Spread over two bars of 6/8, or one repetition of the A-E-Bm-Bm loop, with each chord getting a portion of the pattern).

  • Tempo: The original recording is around 108 BPM, but the feel is more important than the exact number. Play it slow, let the chords ring out, and use plenty of reverb to achieve the "ethereal sound."

The Essential David Roback Slide Guitar Solo and Tab

While the rhythm guitar is simple, the song’s most iconic element is the beautiful, weeping slide guitar melody played by the song’s composer and producer, David Roback. This part is crucial for capturing the song’s Dream Pop atmosphere.

Slide Guitar Technique Tips

  • Instrument: Roback famously used a 1968 Blonde Fender Telecaster with a Bigsby for this track.
  • Sound: Use a clean tone with a generous amount of reverb and delay to create that signature "floating" sound.
  • Technique: Use a glass or metal slide. The beauty of the part is in the seamless transitions (the "slides") between notes.

Simplified Slide Guitar Tab Snippet (Intro/Main Riff)

This is the main repeating motif that provides the song's hypnotic texture. This snippet is played over the A-E-Bm progression.

 e|--7/9-------------------| B|--------7/9-----9-\7----| G|------------------------| D|------------------------| A|------------------------| E|------------------------|

Tablature Legend:

  • 7/9: Slide from the 7th fret to the 9th fret.
  • 9\7: Slide from the 9th fret down to the 7th fret.

Practice this slowly, focusing on making the slide smooth and the note sustain long and clear. This riff, along with Hope Sandoval's hushed, intimate delivery, defines the track.

The Legacy and Topical Authority of a Dream Pop Classic

"Fade Into You" is more than just a guitar lesson; it’s a cornerstone of the Dream Pop and Alternative Rock movements of the early 90s. Released on the album So Tonight That I Might See, the song became Mazzy Star’s biggest commercial hit and their only single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

LSI Keywords and Entities for Deeper Context

  • Mazzy Star: The band, fronted by lyricist Hope Sandoval and composer David Roback.
  • Genre: Categorized as Dream Pop, a subgenre of indie rock often appreciated by Shoegaze fans for its atmospheric, effects-laden sound.
  • Meaning: The lyrics, penned by Sandoval, are often interpreted as a haunting reflection on unrequited love, emotional distance, and the search for connection—a theme that resonates deeply and contributes to the song’s longevity.
  • Key Elements: The song’s signature sound relies on sparse chord progressions, reverb-heavy guitar tones, and Sandoval's whispery delivery.
  • Musical Terms: Standard Tuning, Capo, Barre Chord, 6/8 Time Signature, Slide Guitar, Ethereal, Hypnotic.

By mastering the simple A-E-Bm chords and adding a touch of reverb and the signature slide riff, you can recreate the iconic sound that made "Fade Into You" a timeless classic. It’s a perfect example of how musical minimalism, when executed with atmospheric precision, can create a powerful and lasting emotional impact.

7 Secrets to Mastering the Hypnotic 'Fade Into You' Chords by Mazzy Star (Updated for December 2025)
fade into you chords
fade into you chords

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