Easy Chord Tip:Place Capo on Fret to play open chord shapes ().
CHORD DIAGRAMS
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tune
Transposed: semitones
[Verse 1]
[Ab6]They just keep holdin' me
[Bb6]A-won't let go
[Ab6]Holdin' me
[Bb6]Won't let go!
[Ab6]I need a hammer, a hammer, a hammer, a hammer
[Bb6]To hammer them down!
[Ab6]I need a rammer, a rammer, a rammer, a rammer
[Bb6]To ram them down!
[Ab6]They just keep teasin' me
[Bb6]And, you know, they play like they don't know
[Ab6]Provokin me
[Bb6]But this is [Ab6]all I know
[Bb6]I need a rammer, a rammer, a rammer, a rammer
[Ab6]To ram [Bb6]them down!
[Ab6]I need a hammer, a hammer, a hammer, a hammer
[Bb6]To hammer [Ab6]them down!
[Bb6]Wee-ooh-ooh
[Ab6]Ooh-ooh-ooh
[Bb6]Ooh-ooh-ooh
[Ab6]Ooh-ooh-ooh
[Bb6]Oh, I need a rammer, [Ab6]a rammer, a rammer, a rammer
[Bb6]To ram-a [Ab6]them-a down!
[A]Oh, I need a hammer, [a]a hammer, a hammer, a hammer
[a]To hammer [a]them down!
[Bb6]Said, I need a rammer, a rammer, a rammer, a rammer
[Ab6]To ram-a [Bb6]them down!
[Ab6]I need a hammer, a hammer, a hammer, a hammer
[Bb6]To hammer [Ab6]them down!
[Bb6]Holdin' me (ooh-ooh-ooh)
[Ab6]Won't let [Bb6]go (ooh-ooh-ooh)
[Ab6]Holdin' me (ooh-ooh-ooh)
[Bb6]Won't let [Ab6]go (ooh-ooh-ooh)
[Bb6]I need a rammer, a rammer, a rammer, a rammer
[Ab6]To ram-a [Bb6]them down!
[Ab6]I need a hammer, a hammer, a hammer, a hammer
[Bb6]To hammer [Ab6]them down!
[Bb6](I need a rammer)
[E]I need a hammer, a [A]hammer, a hammer, a hammer
[D35]To hammer them down!
[G]I need a rammer, a [B4]rammer, a rammer, a rammer
[E]To ram them down!
[E]I need a hammer, a [A6]hammer, a hammer, a hammer
[D5]To hammer them down!
[G]I need a rammer, a [B76]rammer, a rammer, a rammer
[E]To ram them down!
Found an error in chord or lyrics for this song?
infoAbout This Song
Song Fundamentals
KeyAb (Ab Major)
Tempo / BPM
110 BPM (Approx.)
TuningStandard
Time Signature4/4
Difficulty LevelEasy
Capo PositionCapo Fret 1
Chord Count10 Unique Chords
GenreReggae
graphic_eq
Strumming Pattern- ↑ - ↑ - ↑ - ↑
Time Signature 4/4
auto_awesome
Hammer by Bob Marley is played in the key of Ab. Progresi ini menciptakan pergerakan harmoni alami: Ab6 (I) sebagai Tonic (Pusat Nada/Stabil).
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Guitarist Playing Guide & Pedagogical Tips
Theory Guide
Guitar playing guide for Hammer by Bob Marley: sounding in Ab (Capo Fret 1, shape G) at 110 BPM (4/4) featuring beginner-friendly strumming ('- ↑ - ↑ - ↑ - ↑').
check_circleKey & Tempo: Sounding in Ab (Capo on Fret 1 (played in G shape)) at 110 BPM in 4/4 time signature.
check_circleVoicing & Fingering: 100% open chords (Ab6, Bb6, A, E, D35, G, B4, A6, D5, B76) requiring zero barre finger pressure.
check_circleCritical Transition: Transition from Ab6 to Bb6 requires anchoring index or ring finger as a stable pivot.
check_circleStrumming Pattern: Master '- ↑ - ↑ - ↑ - ↑' by starting at 79 BPM before accelerating to studio 110 BPM.
account_treeChord Progression Analysis
Harmonic Progression
Progression Pattern (Roman Numerals)
I – II – ♭II – ♭VI – ♯IV – VII – ♭III – ♭II – ♯IV – ♭III
Song chords:
starPrimary Chords (Song Foundation)
Ab6Bb6AE
Chords that repeat most frequently throughout the verse and chorus.
more_horizAuxiliary / Transition Chords
D35GB4A6D5B76
Used as harmonic transition variations in intro, bridge, or outro.
tuneWhy Use a Capo?
Capo & Sounding Key
Sounding KeyABAcoustic pitch of original recording
Capo Fret 1sync_altRaises the pitch of open strings
Fingering Shape KeyGOpen chord finger positions
Placing a Capo on Fret 1 allows playing simpler G chord shapes while sounding in Ab.
lightbulbAlternative Capo Positions for This Song:
pianoChord Family AB
Diatonic Matrix
This song is built on the key of AB. Here are the 7 diatonic chords (Chord Family) that harmonize according to music theory:
IAbTonic
iiBbmSupertonic
iiiCmMediant
IVDbSubdominant
VEbDominant
viFmSubmediant
vii°GdimLeading
speedDifficulty Level: Easy
Difficulty Determinants for This Song:
check_circleUses 10 unique chords throughout the song
check_circleAll open position chords, zero barre chords required
check_circleCapo on fret 1 is recommended for optimal finger comfort
dnaMUSICAL DNA:
KEY: AB•TEMPO:
110 BPM (Approx.)
•PROG: I – II – ♭II – ♭VI – ♯IV – VII – ♭III – ♭II – ♯IV – ♭III•DIFF: 1/5•CAPO: 1
helpEasy Chord Guide & FAQ Hammer
FAQ & Tips
quizHow to play the easy chords for Hammer (Bob Marley)?
To play the Easy Chords for Hammer, toggle the Easy Chords button above the workstation canvas. This version is designed with beginner-friendly open chords with Capo on Fret 1 to make transitions easier without barre chords.
quizWhat are the basic guitar chords and original key for Hammer?
The original recording key for Hammer by Bob Marley is AB. You can use the Transpose (+ / -) feature anytime to adjust the pitch to match male or female vocal ranges automatically.
quizIs audio sync and auto-scroll available for practice?
Yes, ChordGitar.in features touch-free Auto-Scroll with speed control, as well as an integrated player so your tempo and rhythm practice stays precise.
