Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 8 hours ago
TABS: 👉 patreon.com/AndyDacoulis
What's Going On Chord Study: andydacoulis.com/product/787640-what-s-going-on-chord-study
In this video, I show you the chord voicings I use when I play the classic song What's Going On. This tune is one of my favorite songs to perform because it's full of beautiful harmony and is a great vehicle for learning authentic R&B and neo-soul guitar chords.
Over the years, I've developed my own approach to the song by combining elements from both the original Marvin Gaye recording and the Donny Hathaway version. The Marvin Gaye version is the one most musicians and audiences recognize, while Donny Hathaway's arrangement introduces some beautiful harmonic ideas that add even more color to the progression.
Rather than showing just one way to play each chord, I'll give you several different voicing options throughout the song. These are the kinds of chords I use on gigs, and they're designed to make your accompaniment sound richer, more musical, and stylistically authentic.
As we work through the form, we'll cover major 7, minor 7, dominant 7, suspended, and extended chord voicings that are commonly heard in R&B, soul, jazz, and neo-soul guitar playing. You'll also see how I connect these chords smoothly across the neck.
Whether you're looking to improve your rhythm guitar playing, expand your chord vocabulary, or simply learn how to play What's Going On in an authentic style, you'll find plenty of ideas that you can apply to many other soul and R&B songs.
If you'd like the TABs, chord diagrams, and a complete breakdown of all the voicings I demonstrate in this lesson, they're available on my Patreon, where I post exclusive lessons on jazz, smooth jazz, R&B, and neo-soul guitar.
👉 Check out my Smooth Jazz online lesson pack: 20 Smooth Jazz Licks youtu.be/UiNThR8U0ig
👉 Learn the ESSENTIAL Arpeggios: youtu.be/XUH1LD-yN-8
👉 Check out my Modern R&B Chord Study: youtu.be/jgdk3mstEDw
I am always available for Online Lessons: andydacoulis.com
WATCH NEXT:
✅ Neo-Soul Guitar: youtu.be/3srVffl2pf4
✅ Smooth Jazz Guitar Licks Part 1: youtu.be/pAMq8W7hYR0
✅ Layering Soulful R&B Guitar: youtu.be/EUkPbcXkS_E
✅ Need Licks? Here They Are: youtu.be/fMSTESFfTDo
✅ Learn These Jazz Lines: youtu.be/j6taV4RvHeA
//You Might Also Like:
🎸 Giant Smooth Jazz Licks: youtu.be/uV4IauezY7w
🎸 Jazz Guitar Basics: youtu.be/zr0HL-vS2y4
🎸 Freshen Up Your Chord Voicings: youtu.be/x2xuK0jHKDo
🎸 Three GREAT R&B Rhythm Guitar Ideas: youtu.be/wPO_3Dl5Ot8
🎸 Learn the Fine Art of Modern R&B Chords: youtu.be/jgdk3mstEDw
👉 Subscribe to my channel here:
youtube.com/c/AndyDacoulis?sub_confirmation=1
👉 Follow me here:
andydacoulis.com
instagram.com/andydacoulis
facebook.com/andy.dacoulis
TABS: 👉 patreon.com/AndyDacoulis
What's Going On Chord Study: andydacoulis.com/product/787640-what-s-going-on-chord-study
In this video, I show you the chord voicings I use when I play the classic song What's Going On. This tune is one of my favorite songs to perform because it's full of beautiful harmony and is a great vehicle for learning authentic R&B and neo-soul guitar chords.
Over the years, I've developed my own approach to the song by combining elements from both the original Marvin Gaye recording and the Donny Hathaway version. The Marvin Gaye version is the one most musicians and audiences recognize, while Donny Hathaway's arrangement introduces some beautiful harmonic ideas that add even more color to the progression.
Rather than showing just one way to play each chord, I'll give you several different voicing options throughout the song. These are the kinds of chords I use on gigs, and they're designed to make your accompaniment sound richer, more musical, and stylistically authentic.
As we work through the form, we'll cover major 7, minor 7, dominant 7, suspended, and extended chord voicings that are commonly heard in R&B, soul, jazz, and neo-soul guitar playing. You'll also see how I connect these chords smoothly across the neck.
Whether you're looking to improve your rhythm guitar playing, expand your chord vocabulary, or simply learn how to play What's Going On in an authentic style, you'll find plenty of ideas that you can apply to many other soul and R&B songs.
If you'd like the TABs, chord diagrams, and a complete breakdown of all the voicings I demonstrate in this lesson, they're available on my Patreon, where I post exclusive lessons on jazz, smooth jazz, R&B, and neo-soul guitar.
👉 Check out my Smooth Jazz online lesson pack: 20 Smooth Jazz Licks youtu.be/UiNThR8U0ig
👉 Learn the ESSENTIAL Arpeggios: youtu.be/XUH1LD-yN-8
👉 Check out my Modern R&B Chord Study: youtu.be/jgdk3mstEDw
I am always available for Online Lessons: andydacoulis.com
WATCH NEXT:
✅ Neo-Soul Guitar: youtu.be/3srVffl2pf4
✅ Smooth Jazz Guitar Licks Part 1: youtu.be/pAMq8W7hYR0
✅ Layering Soulful R&B Guitar: youtu.be/EUkPbcXkS_E
✅ Need Licks? Here They Are: youtu.be/fMSTESFfTDo
✅ Learn These Jazz Lines: youtu.be/j6taV4RvHeA
//You Might Also Like:
🎸 Giant Smooth Jazz Licks: youtu.be/uV4IauezY7w
🎸 Jazz Guitar Basics: youtu.be/zr0HL-vS2y4
🎸 Freshen Up Your Chord Voicings: youtu.be/x2xuK0jHKDo
🎸 Three GREAT R&B Rhythm Guitar Ideas: youtu.be/wPO_3Dl5Ot8
🎸 Learn the Fine Art of Modern R&B Chords: youtu.be/jgdk3mstEDw
👉 Subscribe to my channel here:
youtube.com/c/AndyDacoulis?sub_confirmation=1
👉 Follow me here:
andydacoulis.com
instagram.com/andydacoulis
facebook.com/andy.dacoulis
