Ed Sheeran · X (2014)

Thinking Out Loud Chords

Full guitar & piano chord chart — Capo 2nd Fret · Key: E (sounds) / D (shapes)

Thinking Out Loud is Ed Sheeran's iconic romantic ballad from X, inspired by Van Morrison and Sam Cooke. With Capo on the 2nd fret, the song uses a walking bass pattern — C, C/E, F, G — creating that smooth, soulful feel. The C/E voicing (bass on E string, 2nd fret) is the signature move of this song.

Artist: Ed Sheeran Album: X (2014) Capo: Capo 2nd Fret Key: E (sounds) / D (shapes) Difficulty: Intermediate Tuning: Standard EADGBE

Full Chord Chart

🎸 Verse 1C / C/E / F / G C / C/E / F / G C / C/E / F / G C / C/E / F / G C / C/E / F G C / C/E / F G C / C/E / F G C / C/E / F G
🎸 Pre-Chorus 1Dm / G / C Dm / G Dm / G / Am Dm / G C / C/E
🎸 ChorusF / G / C / C/E F / G / C / C/E F / G / C / C/E F / G
🎸 LinkAm / G / F / C/E / Dm / G / C
🎸 Verse 2C / C/E / F / G C / C/E / F / G C / C/E / F / G C / C/E / F / G C / C/E / F G C / C/E / F G C / C/E / F G C / C/E / F G
🎸 Pre-Chorus 2Dm / G / C Dm / G Dm / G / Am Dm / G C / C/E
🎸 Chorus 2F / G / C / C/E F / G / C / C/E F / G / C / C/E F / G
🎸 InstrumentalC / C/E / F / G C / C/E / F / G C / C/E / F / G C / C/E / F / G
🎸 Chorus 3C / C/E / F / G C / C/E / F / G C / C/E / F / G C / C/E / F / G
🎸 OutroAm / G / F / C/E / Dm / G / C Am / G / F / C/E / Dm / G / C Am / G / F / C/E / Dm / G / C

Guitar & Piano Playing Tips

The C to C/E transition is the heart of this song — practice fingering a C chord while your thumb wraps to hit the low E string open (or use the 2nd fret for C/E). The strumming is best done with a relaxed wrist for the groovy 6/8 shuffle feel. On piano, the walking bass line (C–E–F–G) in the left hand with chord stabs in the right hand perfectly captures Ed Sheeran's arrangement.

Ready to master this song? Our online guitar classes and piano lessons at JBX Music cover these exact chord shapes and progressions for all skill levels — beginner to advanced.

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Chords transcribed for educational purposes. Want to learn guitar or piano? Check our online guitar classes and piano lessons. Book JBX Band for your event — contact us here.