The Ultimate 7-Step Guide To Mastering 'My Kind Of Woman' Chords (Mac DeMarco's Dreamy Tone Decoded)

Are you ready to dive into the laid-back, dreamy world of 'jangle pop' and master one of its most iconic anthems? As of December 10, 2025, Mac DeMarco's 'My Kind of Woman' remains a timeless classic, and its deceptively simple chords are the perfect entry point for any aspiring guitarist. This comprehensive guide will not only give you the most accurate and up-to-date chord progression but will also decode the subtle techniques, gear secrets, and LSI entities that define the song's signature sound, ensuring your rendition sounds exactly like the 2012 original from the album *2*.

The beauty of 'My Kind of Woman' lies in its melancholic yet comforting atmosphere, built on a foundation of straightforward, open chords. While the song is often played with a Capo on the 2nd fret, we will explore both the standard and a simplified beginner version, breaking down the essential strumming pattern and the unique guitar tone that makes this track so captivating. Get ready to impress your friends with this lo-fi masterpiece!

Mac DeMarco: A Brief Biography and The Context of Album '2'

Mac DeMarco, born Vernor Winfield MacBriare Smith IV, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, widely considered the 'Prince of Indie Rock' or 'Jizz Jazz' pioneer. He was born on April 30, 1990, in Duncan, British Columbia, and grew up in Edmonton, Alberta. His initial foray into music was under the alias Makeout Videotape, before establishing himself under his own name.

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The song 'My Kind of Woman' is the standout track from his debut studio album, *2*, which was released in October 2012 on the Captured Tracks label. This album marked a pivotal moment in his career, showcasing a more polished, yet still distinctly lo-fi, sound compared to his earlier work. The album *2* is characterized by its introspective lyrics, mid-tempo grooves, and the warm, slightly warped sound that would become DeMarco’s signature style. 'My Kind of Woman' specifically captures a profound, sincere romanticism that resonated deeply with a generation of music lovers, solidifying his status as a key figure in the indie rock and slacker rock genres.

• Full Name: Vernor Winfield MacBriare Smith IV
• Born: April 30, 1990 (Duncan, British Columbia)
• Genre: Indie Rock, Jangle Pop, Slacker Rock, Psychedelic Pop
• Key Albums: *2* (2012), *Salad Days* (2014), *This Old Dog* (2017), *Here Comes the Cowboy* (2019), *Five Easy Hot Dogs* (2023)
• Debut Album: *2* (2012)
• Record Label: Captured Tracks

Step 1: The Essential 'My Kind of Woman' Chord Progression (Capo on 2nd Fret)

The most authentic and common way to play 'My Kind of Woman' is by using a Capo on the 2nd Fret. This allows you to use simple, open chord shapes while achieving the song's original key of E major (or E♭ major, depending on tuning variations). All chords listed below are relative to the capo.

The main chord progression for the Verse and Chorus is a simple, beautiful four-chord loop.

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Verse & Chorus Chords (Relative to Capo 2):

• A (or A major)
• F#m (or F# minor)
• D (or D major)
• E (or E major)

This progression (A-F#m-D-E) is the backbone of the entire song. Play each chord for one measure (four beats) before moving to the next.

Bridge Chords (Relative to Capo 2):

The bridge section, where the song builds tension, introduces a couple of new chords before returning to the main progression.

• Bm (B minor)
• E (E major)
• A (A major)
• D (D major)

Pro-Tip for Beginners: If the Bm barre chord is too difficult, a common beginner substitution is to play a B power chord (x244xx) or a simplified Bm7 (x24232) to maintain the song's feel without the full barre.

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Step 2: Mastering the Strumming Pattern and Rhythm

The rhythm of 'My Kind of Woman' is slow, steady, and slightly syncopated, giving it that classic lo-fi or 'slacker rock' feel. The key is to keep it relaxed and not rush the tempo (approximately 70-75 BPM).

The Main Strumming Pattern:

The most common and effective strumming pattern is a simple, yet groovy, down-down-up-up-down-up pattern (D D U U D U).

• D (Down)
• D (Down)
• U (Up)
• U (Up)
• D (Down)
• U (Up)

Focus on a light touch and letting the chords ring out. The feel is more important than strict adherence to the pattern. Practice a simple Down-Down-Up-Down-Up if the D D U U D U feels too fast at first.

Step 3: The 'No Capo' Chord Variation (Standard Tuning)

For those who prefer to play in Standard Tuning without a capo, or if you are playing with a bass player or keyboardist who needs the true key, you will need to use the actual chord names, which will include some barre chords.

Verse & Chorus Chords (No Capo):

• E (E major)
• C#m (C# minor)
• A (A major)
• B (B major or B7)

While this version is technically in the correct key, it requires the more challenging C#m and B barre chords, which is why the Capo 2 version is overwhelmingly preferred by guitarists.

Step 4: Decoding Mac DeMarco's Signature Guitar Tone

The chords are only half the battle; the other half is the unique, shimmering tone. Mac DeMarco's sound is famously clean, bright, and slightly wobbly—often described as "jangle pop" or "dream pop."

Essential Tone Entities:

1. Guitar: Mac is most famous for playing a vintage Fender Stratocaster (or a cheap Japanese copy) and sometimes a Fender Telecaster. The single-coil pickups are crucial for the bright sound.
2. Amplifier: A clean Fender amp (like a Deluxe Reverb or Twin Reverb) is essential. Set the amp to a high treble setting, with low mids and bass.
3. Chorus Effect: This is the most critical element for the 'wobbly' sound. A chorus pedal (like a Boss CE-2 or an analog chorus) gives the guitar that slightly detuned, shimmering effect.
4. Reverb: A moderate amount of reverb (spring or plate) is used to add depth and space, contributing to the dreamy atmosphere.
5. Vibrato: On the lead lines and solos, a subtle vibrato technique is often used to bend the notes slightly, adding a human, emotional quality to the melodies.

By combining the simple A-F#m-D-E progression with a clean tone and a chorus pedal, you will instantly capture the essence of 'My Kind of Woman'.

Step 5: The Full Chord Structure and Song Map

To play the entire song correctly, follow this standard structure. Remember, all chords are relative to the Capo on the 2nd Fret.

• Intro: A | F#m | D | E (x2)
• Verse 1: A | F#m | D | E (x4)
• Chorus: A | F#m | D | E (x4)
• Interlude: A | F#m | D | E (x2)
• Verse 2: A | F#m | D | E (x4)
• Chorus: A | F#m | D | E (x4)
• Bridge: Bm | E | A | D (x2)
• Chorus: A | F#m | D | E (x4)
• Outro: A | F#m | D | E (Repeat and fade out)

The Outro is often where Mac DeMarco experiments with lead guitar melodies, so feel free to improvise over the main progression using the E Major Pentatonic Scale.

Step 6: Advanced Techniques and LSI Entities for Topical Authority

To truly master the song, an SEO expert knows you need to go beyond the basics. Here are more advanced entities and techniques to enhance your performance:

• Palm Muting: Use the edge of your picking hand to lightly mute the strings near the bridge, especially in the verses, to achieve a more percussive, controlled sound.
• Fingerpicking: While the main song is strummed, the intro and verses can be adapted to a simple fingerstyle pattern (PIMA technique) for a softer feel.
• Drop D Tuning: Although not necessary, some live versions hint at a slightly lower tuning, sometimes even Drop D (DADGBe), for a heavier sound, but Standard Tuning is the official version.
• Chord Voicings: Experiment with different chord voicings. For example, playing the D chord higher up the neck (x577xx) can add brightness and variation.
• Compression: Mac DeMarco uses a subtle compressor pedal to even out his playing dynamics, ensuring the clean tone remains consistent and punchy.
• Sidechaining: An advanced production technique sometimes used on the album *2* is sidechain compression on the guitar, which ducks the volume slightly when the kick drum hits, adding a subtle rhythmic pump.

Step 7: Final Checklist for a Perfect Rendition

Before you play 'My Kind of Woman' for your audience, run through this quick checklist to ensure maximum authenticity and sound quality:

1. Is your Capo securely placed on the 2nd Fret?
2. Are you using the four core chords: A, F#m, D, and E?
3. Is your amp set to a clean tone with high treble?
4. Are you utilizing a chorus effect and reverb?
5. Is your tempo relaxed and around 70-75 BPM?
6. Are you substituting the difficult Bm barre chord with a simpler variation if needed?
7. Are you using a light touch to capture the song's dream pop essence?

By following these seven steps, you will have fully unlocked the secrets to 'My Kind of Woman' and mastered the chords and techniques that define Mac DeMarco's iconic sound. Enjoy the smooth, nostalgic journey!