The Ultimate Guide To 'Shake The Frost' Chords: 7 Essential Steps To Master Tyler Childers' Appalachian Anthem

For any acoustic guitar player looking to capture the raw, emotional depth of Appalachian storytelling, learning "Shake The Frost" is a rite of passage. As of this current date, December 11, 2025, this song remains one of Tyler Childers' most requested and cherished tracks, celebrated for its poignant lyrics and deceptively simple, yet moving, chord progression that perfectly embodies the country-folk genre.

This comprehensive guide breaks down the essential chords, the crucial capo placement, and the rhythmic techniques you need to master this anthem. We will delve into the exact structure used on the Purgatory album, ensuring you can play it with the authentic sound of one of modern country music's most important voices.

Tyler Childers: A Profile in Appalachian Storytelling

To truly appreciate the music, one must understand the man behind the song. "Shake The Frost" is a perfect example of Tyler Childers' ability to weave complex emotional narratives into simple, powerful melodies. Here is a brief profile of the artist:

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• Full Name: Timothy Tyler Childers
• Born: June 21, 1991
• Birthplace: Lawrence County, Kentucky, USA
• Primary Genres: Country, Bluegrass, Folk, and Appalachian Storytelling
• Debut Album: Bottles and Bibles (2011)
• Breakthrough Album: Purgatory (2017), which features "Shake The Frost"
• Spouse: Senora May (married 2015)
• Signature Guitar: Often uses a Martin HD-28 acoustic guitar, known for its rich, deep tone.
• Musical Style: Characterized by raw, honest lyrics, a soulful voice, and a blend of traditional country with bluegrass and folk influences.

Step 1: The Essential Gear & Capo Position

Achieving the authentic sound of "Shake The Frost" starts with the right setup. Tyler Childers is known for his simple, direct acoustic approach, but a key element is the capo.

The Critical Capo Placement

The song is typically played using a simple set of open chords, but to match the original recording's pitch and tonality, you must use a capo. The most common and accurate way to play "Shake The Frost" is by placing your capo on the 2nd fret.

By placing the capo on the 2nd fret, you are playing chords in the key of G, but the song sounds in the key of A. This technique allows you to use the easy, familiar shapes of G, C, and D, while achieving a higher, brighter key that suits Childers' vocal range and the song's emotional intensity.

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Essential Chords (Relative to Capo)

The entire song relies on four primary, easy-to-play chord shapes. Practicing these shapes until they are seamless is the first step to mastering the track. Remember, these are the shapes you make *after* the capo is on the 2nd fret:

• Am (A minor) Shape: Used at the start of the verse.
• C (C major) Shape: A staple in the progression.
• G (G major) Shape: The home chord for the key.
• F (F major) Shape: Often played as a simple F major (barre chord) or the easier Fmaj7/C shape (x-3-3-2-1-0) for a softer, folkier sound.

For more advanced players, Childers often incorporates passing chords and bass note runs, such as a quick walk-up from Am to C, or a C/G chord shape, which adds depth to the Appalachian feel of the tune.

Step 2: Decoding the Full Chord Progression

The structure of "Shake The Frost" is straightforward, consisting of an Intro, Verse, and Chorus. The real magic is in the timing and the subtle chord changes within the verse and chorus.

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Intro Progression

The Intro sets the melancholic tone. It is typically played twice and features a distinct hammer-on or fingerpicking pattern on the G chord before the verse begins.

Progression: F - C - G (Played 2x)

Verse Progression

The verse is the longest section and is where the lyrical imagery—from the church choirs to the ole' Kentucky setting—is established. Pay close attention to the quick change on the third line.

Progression:

Am - C - G - F - C (Line 1: "You remind me of a Sunday...")
Am - C - G - F - C (Line 2: "With the church choirs just beltin'...")
Am - C - G - F - C (Line 3: "And I loved you then, but I was cold...")
Am - C - G - F - C (Line 4: "I'd run that engine hot, like a honky tonk flame...")

Chorus Progression

The chorus is the emotional peak, where the narrator expresses regret and devotion to his lover, often interpreted as his wife, Senora May. The chords are powerful and resolve back to the G chord.

Progression:

G - C (So if it'd make you stay)
Am - C (I wouldn't act so angry all the time)
G - C (I'd take the time to notice)
Am - C (The way you shake the frost off of my mind)

Step 3: Mastering the Strumming Pattern & Rhythm

The rhythm of "Shake The Frost" is a classic country-folk feel, relying on a steady, driving beat that propels the narrative forward. It’s less about complex patterns and more about consistency and feel.

The Basic Strumming Pattern

A simple, yet effective, strumming pattern that works for the entire song is:

Down - Down - Up - Up - Down - Up (D D U U D U)

This pattern should be played with a slight accent on the first 'Down' stroke of each measure. The tempo is moderate, falling around 110-120 BPM (Beats Per Minute). Keep your wrist loose and focus on a smooth transition between the Am, C, G, and F chord shapes.

The Tyler Childers Fingerstyle Element

Many live versions and tutorials highlight the importance of fingerpicking or a hybrid-picking style, especially during the verses. Childers often employs a bass-note-strum technique, where he alternates the thumb hitting the root note of the chord (e.g., A-string for Am, E-string for G) with a quick down-up strum of the higher strings. This is a hallmark of his Bluegrass and Folk guitar style.

Step 4: Lyrical and Topical Authority Deep Dive

To truly play the song with feeling, you need to understand the emotional depth of the lyrics. "Shake The Frost" is a profound reflection on a toxic relationship and the regret of not appreciating a loved one until it was almost too late.

• The Central Metaphor: The phrase "shake the frost off of my mind" is the core of the song. It refers to the lover's ability to clear the narrator's head of coldness, anger, and bitterness—the "frost" that had settled over his emotional state.
• Nostalgia and Regret: The verses are filled with nostalgic memories ("Sunday back home in ole' Kentucky") contrasted with admissions of failure ("I was cold, I was angry, I didn't make time for you"). This contrast gives the song its powerful emotional resonance.
• Related Entities: The song’s success is tied to the popularity of the 2017 album Purgatory, which also features fan favorites like "Feathered Indians" and "Whitehouse Road." Mastering the chords for "Shake The Frost" often leads players to explore these other tracks, which share similar country-folk chord structures.

Step 5: Advanced Chord Variations and Techniques

While the Am-C-G-F progression with a capo on the 2nd fret is the most accessible, advanced players may want to explore variations to capture the nuances of the song's live performances.

• Alternative Key (No Capo): Some transcriptions place the song in the key of G, using chords like G, D, C, and Em. This is often used for a lower vocal range but loses the signature Capo brightness.
• The Bm7 Chord: In some arrangements, particularly if playing in the key of D with a capo on the 5th fret, a Bm7 chord is used in the verse. This adds a richer, jazzier color, but is less common for the standard acoustic version.
• Drop Tunings: Tyler Childers is known for experimenting with drop tunings (like Drop D or even a full step down) on other tracks. While "Shake The Frost" is typically standard tuning (with capo), understanding his tendency towards alternative tunings is key to mastering his wider guitar style.

By focusing on the simple, yet effective, Am-C-G-F progression with the capo at the 2nd fret, utilizing the D D U U D U strumming pattern, and understanding the song's deep lyrical themes, you will successfully master "Shake The Frost" and carry on the tradition of Appalachian musical storytelling.