Stick Season Chords
The bittersweet realities of the changing seasons resonate with “Stick Season” by Noah Kahan for many. The track’s chord progression is basic but effective, adding up to a potent emotional punch that reinforces the music. In this article, we will dissect the chords in Stick Season by providing you with detailed chord diagrams of all that is necessary to know about them and a play-along guide.
Table of Chords
| Chord Name | Chord Shape | Strings Used | Fingering Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| G Major | 320003 | All | 3-2-0-0-0-3 |
| Cadd9 | x32033 | All except 6 | x-3-2-0-3-3 |
| Em7 | 022033 | All except 6 | 0-2-2-0-3-3 |
| D/F# | 200232 | All except 5 | 2-0-0-2-3-2 |
| Am7 | x02010 | All except 6 | x-0-2-0-1-0 |
| D Major | xx0232 | All except 6 | x-x-0-2-3-2 |
Chord Progression Overview
The chord progression for “Stick Season“ is simple and centers around a handful of core chords. It is a simple song for beginners, but even advanced players will feel this one on an emotional level. The primary progressions used in the song are outlined below.
Chords Used: G, Cadd9, Em7, -D/F #
Chorus Chords: G Cadd9 Em7 D
Chorus Progression: Am7-G/D-Em7
Essential to driving the track, these chord progressions hold the melody together as they become a constant backing force for the lyric over the top.
Chord-by-chord breakdown
G Major
G major is one of the most essential chords found in countless songs across many genres. On “Stick Season,” it establishes the verses and choruses, anchoring the song in a familiar, soothing substrate.
Shape: 320003
How to Play: Use your middle finger on the 3rd Fret of low E string, index finger at the second Fret near A String, and leave the ring open. Allow the other strings to vibrate.
Cadd9
This Cadd9 chord gives a lovely, warm tone to the song. It is an alternative to the traditional C major chord and functions as a slightly smoother transition among chords.
Shape: x32033
Fretting: fret (on the 3rd of B, high E string with your pinky), fingering (ring finger covering on 3rd A and ring middle finger under, also at the root). Open D and G Strings
Em7
It is also a popular chord to use, which creates a lovely tension before settling into the D/F# or Cadd9 chords.
Shape: 022033
The middle finger should be placed on the second fret of the A string, the ringed finger on the D string’s second fret, and the pinky on the top of the E string at the third fret.
D/F#
IN THE VERSES, the D/F# chord IS USED TO wildcard and create A SMOOTH BASE TRANSITION / G – EM7. It adds depth to the progression and keeps the song moving around.
Shape: 200232
The low E string’s second fret should be played with the index finger, the G string’s second fret with the middle finger, and the B-string’s third fret with the ring finger.
Am7
During the bridge, a quick shift in mood takes place with an Am7 chord. This changes the timbre to a softer, more interior variety that feels appropriate for this new lyrical direction.
Shape: x02010
Fingering: Middle finger on second Ohf D sting, index finger on the B string’s first fret (all other strings sound open)
D Major
Certain progressions end with a D Maj chord, which is exactly where the tension created from the other chords is released. The latter is a clean, crisp chord that acts as a bridge between each part of the song.
Shape: xx0232
Take the 2nd finger on the G string (2 frets), put your middle finger on the high E string (second Fret), and ring over the B string (3 frets).
Conclusion
Noah Kahan—Stick Season. Describing this song as beautifully simple is an understatement—it provides a serious layer of emotional depth while remaining easily accessible. Once you have all the chords down and understand their parts within the song, you will be able to play this piece with emotion and assurance.
