
Song practice guide
How to Practice Thinking Out Loud
Ed Sheeran's 'Thinking Out Loud' is the most-streamed wedding-first-dance song of the 2010s. The smooth groove, the simple chord changes, and the confident vocal make it a staple for cover bands and acoustic acts alike.
Song Details
- Key
- D
- Tempo
- 79 BPM
- Time
- 4/4
- Style
- boom-chuck
Structure
This song is still under copyright, so we publish its form rather than its chord chart. Add it to your library and you can enter or attach your own chart, and Repertoire will schedule it either way.
What to Focus On
Smooth strumming with a slight swing feel. Chord changes through D major with diatonic borrowings. Confident, soulful singing on the chorus.
Practice Tips
- 1
The rhythm has a swing feel, practice the strum pattern slowly to internalize it.
- 2
The chord progression cycles through D major. Master it once and the rest is dynamics.
- 3
The vocal sits comfortably in most ranges. Sing it confidently.
Why This Song
It's the modern wedding-dance standard, every cover band has it in their book.
Practice Thinking Out Loud Daily
Repertoire uses spaced repetition to keep your songs sharp. Add this song to your collection and the system schedules your practice automatically.
No credit card required • Free tier: 3 collections · 15 songs each
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