Glen Campbell – Gentle On My Mind Chords & Guitar Lesson

Here’s another legendary tune that's been recorded by a whole horde of famous musicians.

In this post, I’m going to share with you some insider tips on the guitar style behind it. 

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Gentle On My Mind” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Gentle On My Mind?

“Gentle On My Mind” was originally written and first recorded by American folk, country, and bluegrass composer and musician John Hartford in 1967.

Like many legendary songs, Hartford reportedly wrote it in just twenty minutes. The inspiration came after his girlfriend departed. The lyrics have a bittersweet feeling to them, and they’ve resonated with many listeners.   

However, the song really took off when Glen Campbell recorded his version later that same year. Hartford had the gift to pen it, and Campbell’s rich arrangement complemented the song beautifully. The recording sessions for Campbell’s cover were done in Los Angeles, at Capitol Records, and the production has a gentle, folk-country feel that became a signature part of Campbell’s early sound.

Upon its release, “Gentle On My Mind” was a big hit for Campbell. It reached the Top 40 in 1967 and earned him multiple Grammy Awards in 1968, including Best Country & Western Recording and Best Country & Western Vocal Performance. 

The song helped launch Campbell’s career as a solo artist, while also boosting Hartford’s reputation as a masterful songwriter. Over the years, “Gentle On My Mind” has been covered by a wide range of artists, including Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, and The Byrds, each putting their own twist on it. 

Now, you may be wondering…

What is the tuning for Gentle On My Mind?

The tuning for "Gentle On My Mind” is standard tuning. Standard tuning is spelled: E, A, D, G, B, and E.  

Here are the strings: 

• E (6th string, lowest pitch)
• A (5th string)
• D (4th string)
• G (3rd string)
• B (2nd string)
• E (1st string, highest pitch) 

However, for the Glen Campbell version, I use a capo on the 3rd fret. This then makes the tuning:

• G (6th string, lowest pitch)
• C (5th string)
• F (4th string)
• Bb (3rd string)
• D (2nd string)
• G (1st string, highest pitch) 

All right! 

Now that you know the tuning for “Gentle On My Mind,” let’s next talk about…

Gentle On My Mind Chords

To play “Gentle On My Mind”, you’ll need to know 8 main chords they are C, Cmaj7, C6, Dm, Dm(maj7), Dm7, G7, and Csus4. Using the capo on fret 3, all of these chords can be played in open position.

Let’s take a look at a few ways these shapes might look on the fretboard. 

C is played from the 5th string down like this:

To get Cmaj7, simply lift off the index finger from the C chord like this:

C6 can be a trickier chord to play, but I play it from the 5th string down like so:

Dm is played from the 4th string down like this:

Dm(maj7) sounds complicated, but you just change one note from the previous chord like this:

Dm7 again keeps moving that one note down the fretboard like so:

G7 is a common folk-style shape played using all 6 strings like this:

Finally, Csus4 is another variation on the (campfire) style C chord. I play it like this:

If you’ve struggled to understand the fretboard for RHYTHM and LEAD guitar, and want to discover the easiest and fastest way. Then get your hands on my free Fretboard Guide PDF right here now:  

Is Gentle On My Mind hard to play on guitar?

I would say playing “Gentle On My Mind” on guitar is going to require an intermediate skill level. The trickiest parts are keeping the 16th note strumming pattern going and also navigating the descending chord progressions that drive the song’s energy forward. So, take your time with this one.

What key is Gentle On My Mind in?

“Gentle On My Mind”, as recorded by Glenn Campbell, is in the key of Eb major. John Hartford’s original version is (one half-step lower) in the key of D major. Elvis Presley’s version is in the key of E major. In the video above, I play Glenn Campbell’s version in the key of C using a capo on the 3rd fret. The primary scale at that point (considering the capo) is the C major scale, which is built using the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, and B.

Let’s take a closer look at how all these chords relate in the key of C major.

C

Notes: C, E, G

Function: This is the I chord (tonic) in C major. It’s the “home” chord, plain and simple.

Cmaj7

Notes: C, E, G, B

Function: This is a major 7 variation of the tonic I chord. The added major 7th (B) adds a smooth, jazzy color while still functioning as the home base of the key.

C6

Notes: C, E, G, A

Function: Another tonic variation (I6). The added 6th (A) provides a warm, mellow color and works well as a bridge to other chords like Dm or G7. These first 3 chords are a part of a common descending chord progression used in millions of songs.

Dm

Notes: D, F, A

Function: This is the ii chord (supertonic minor) in C major. It functions as a pre-dominant, often leading toward G7 or other dominant chords.

Dm(maj7)

Notes: D, F, A, C#

Function: This is a variation of the ii chord with a major 7th added. The raised 7th (C#) introduces a chromatic tension that creates a jazzy, slightly unexpected tension in the progression.

Dm7

Notes: D, F, A, C

Function: This is the ii7 chord in C major. The minor 7th (C) softens the chord, giving it a smooth, flowing quality that resolves well to G7. These 3 Dm chord variations are again all part of a descending progression, just like on the C chord.

G7

Notes: G, B, D, F

Function: This is the V7 chord (dominant 7) in C major. It creates strong tension that naturally wants to resolve to C.

Csus4

Notes: C, F, G

Function: This is a suspended variation of the I chord. The third (E) is replaced with the fourth (F), creating a suspended, unresolved sound that usually resolves back to C.

All right! 

That’s my theory breakdown. 

Next, let’s look at… 

What is the strumming pattern for Gentle On My Mind?

The main underlying feel for “Gentle On My Mind” is a smooth 16th-note country feel. It’s a type of train beat. In 4/4 time, 16th notes divide each beat into four equal parts, creating a quicker, more flowing rhythm. The counting for 16th notes in a measure looks like this:

1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a

The numbers (1, 2, 3, 4) represent the main beats in the measure. The "e," "&," and "a" divide each beat into four evenly spaced subdivisions.

When counted out loud, it sounds like:

"One-ee-and-a, Two-ee-and-a, Three-ee-and-a, Four-ee-and-a."

Here’s an example of a simple strumming pattern in the style of “Gentle On My Mind”:

Elvis Presley -- Gentle On My Mind Guitar Lesson

Conclusion

To wrap it up, “Gentle On My Mind” is a legendary song that's resonated with generations of listeners. It’s a great one to add to your setlist.

So, keep practicing, and if you want to learn songs way faster, better understand the fretboard for lead and rhythm, and not waste years spinning your wheels with guitar, grab my free fretboard guide here right now: 

Jon MacLennan