[Intro] C F C F C F C F C F C F C F C [Chorus 1] C F C F C Well, I tried to open up my window F C And let the light come in C F C I step outside in the F C middle of the morning F C And in the evening again C F C F Yes, I tried to be grateful C for my devils F C And call them by their names C F C But, I'm tired by the F C middle of the morning F C I need someone to blame [Verse 1] G I know you're scared of me, F I can see it in your face C I can feel it in the way Am you move around this place G I know you're scared of me, F I can see it in your smile C Like an unattended child you G can't quite trust [Chorus 2] C F C But I'm tired of steppin' F C on your shadow F C And feeling in the way C F C Yes, I'm tired by the F C middle of the morning F C I'm out of s**t to say [Verse 2] G I ain't used to this, seein' F everybody's hand C I was raised to be a strong Am and silent Southern man G I ain't used to this, F a thousand days alone C G In my bed or in my head or in my phone [Chorus 3] C F C F Yes, I'm tired of livin' C in the moment F C And sleeping through the dream C F C I step outside in the F C middle of the morning F C And the roses hear the scream [Interlude] Dm Am C G Dm Am C G Dm Am C G F C F C F C F C F C F C F C F C [Verse 3] G I know you're scared of me, F so I never get too close C I just sit here on the tailgate Am like a farmhand's ghost G Watch the roses bloom, F watch 'em wilt away and die C 'till I notice I've been cryin' G this whole time [Chorus 1] C F C F C Well, I tried to open up my window F C And let the light come in C F C F I step outside in the middle C of the morning F C And in the evening again [Outro] C F C F C F C F C F C F C F C
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Q: What key is Middle of the Morning by Jason Isbell in?
The song is originally in the key of E major. With a capo on the 4th fret, you play it using open chord shapes — C, F, G, Am, and Dm.
Q: What capo position is needed for Middle of the Morning?
Place your capo on the 4th fret. This shifts your open chord shapes up to match the original key of E major, making the song much easier to play without barre chords everywhere.
Q: Is Middle of the Morning difficult to play on guitar?
The song is rated Intermediate. The core progression is beginner-friendly (C, G, Am), but the repeated F barre chord and quick C–F transitions in the chorus require practice. Beginners can start with a simplified mini-F shape.
Q: What is the main chord progression in Middle of the Morning?
The choruses primarily alternate between C and F. The verses use a G – F – C – Am pattern, and the interlude features a repeating Dm – Am – C – G loop.
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“Middle of the Morning” is a reflective, Americana-tinged track by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, released on June 9, 2023. The song is originally in the key of E major — placing a capo on the 4th fret lets you play it comfortably with open chord shapes like C, F, G, Am, and Dm. The chord progression is straightforward, making this an excellent song for intermediate players looking to explore country-rock guitar.
Track Info
- Song: Middle of the Morning
- Artist: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
- Release Date: June 9, 2023
Chords Info
- Tuning: Standard (E A D G B E)
- Key: E
- Capo: 4th Fret
- BPM: 86
- Chords: C, F, G, Am, Dm
- Difficulty: Intermediate
Playing Tips
- Capo on the 4th fret: This is essential to match the original recording. All chord shapes below are played relative to the capo.
- Master the C–F switch first: These two chords dominate the chorus. Drill the transition slowly before playing at full tempo (86 BPM).
- F barre chord alternative: If the full F barre chord is too difficult, try a mini-F (index finger barring only the top two strings at the 1st fret, ring on 3rd fret A, pinky on 3rd fret D).
- Interlude fingerpicking: The Dm–Am–C–G interlude works beautifully fingerpicked. Try plucking bass note first, then the upper strings.
- Practice with a metronome: At 86 BPM, the tempo is moderate — use a metronome to lock in the C–F chord changes before playing along with the track.
Chord Transition Tips
- C → F: Lift all fingers and form the F barre in one motion. Keep your wrist relaxed and squeeze from behind the neck, not with the thumb on top.
- F → C: Release the barre fully and drop your middle and ring fingers into the C shape. Practice this in isolation until you can do it in one fluid move.
- G → Am: Move your ring finger from the 3rd fret of the low E string to the 2nd fret of the A string, and add your index finger on the 1st fret of the B string — two fingers travel, one lands.
- Am → Dm: Shift the entire Am finger shape one string set toward the treble side. Your fingers essentially move from a 2–2–1 pattern on GBe to a similar pattern on DAG strings.
- C → G: Your ring finger stays near the D/G string area — roll it from the D string 2nd fret to the A string 3rd fret while your middle and pinky land on G and high E strings.
Difficulty
This song is rated Intermediate. The majority of the song relies on the beginner-friendly C, G, and Am open chords, but the frequent F barre chord and the quick C–F alternation in the choruses require some practice to play smoothly. The interlude uses a Dm–Am–C–G loop that sounds great strummed or fingerpicked. If you can hold down an F chord cleanly and switch to C in time, you’ll find this song very accessible.