I was watching a Biography about Ricky Van Shelton and the song Statue of a Fool came on. I forgot how great that song was back in the day. And now it’s a classic work of art. So I decided to put together a complete guitar lesson. Called Ricky Van Shelton Statue of a Fool Chords.
It’s much more than chords. Take a look at what is in this guitar lesson. Ricky Van Shelton Statue of a Fool Chords:
- Ricky Van Shelton Statue of a Fool Chords
- The Intro to Statue of a Fool By Ricky Van Shelton
- Walk ups that are in the intro and verses
- Chord progression to Statue of a Fool
- How to play Statue of a Fool Rhythm
- Chord Sheet to Statue of a Fool
- Lyrics for Statue of a Fool
- Bonus Video Statue of a Fool Guitar Tutorial
And if that’s not enough to get you started on the right track to playing this Country Classic by Ricky Van Shelton. I don’t know what is. So if this sounds like every thing you would need to learn this song. Grab your guitar and lets get to it.
Ricky Van Shelton Statue of a Fool Chords
There are a lot of chords in the song. But you can break it down into sections so that you can remember how it goes. First lets learn how to play the chords. I will show you the chord diagrams to get started with. If you need help learning how to read a chord diagram. Take a look at this quick reference on chord charts.
Some of the chords you can play as a power chord. I will show you which ones, and what they look like in a minute. But first let me tell you how to play these chords. If you know them then you can skip down to the next section.
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How to Position Your Fingers to Play the C Chord
- Place your first finger on the B string, at the first fret. (2nd string).
- Your second finger is on the D string. 4th string, at the second fret.
- Then your third finger is on the 5th string. At the third fret. Which is the A string.
- When Strumming the C chord. Don’t play the 6 string.
Finger Position of the B Chord
- Place your first finger at the 2nd fret of the 5th string. (A string).
- Your third finger is on strings 4, 3, and 2, at the 4th fret.
- Don’t play the E string. (6th string).
Positioning Your Fingers to Play Bb
- Place your first finger at the 1st fret of the 5th string. (A string).
- Your third finger is on strings 4, 3, and 2, at the 3rd fret.
- Don’t play the E string. (6th string).
Am Finger Position
- Place your first finger on the 2nd string. The B String, at the 1st fret.
- Put your second finger on the 4th string, (D string) at the second fret.
- Then your third finger is on the G string, (3rd string) at the second fret.
- Strum from the fourth string down.
Em Finger Position
- Your second finger is placed on the 5th string. At the second fret.
- Put your third finger on the 4th string. Also at the second fret.
- When strumming the Em chord you can play all the strings.
The Next Chord is the F Barre Chord Finger Position
- Your first finger is across all the strings at the First fret. Like a Capo.
- Place your second finger on the 3rd string. (G string). At the second fret.
- Then place your third finger on the 5th string. The A string, on the 3rd fret.
- Under the third finger is your pinkie. Also at the 3rd fret on the 4th string.
- You can strum all the strings when playing the F Barre chord.
A Little Note: Some people find barre chords difficult. Here is a free lesson that will help you with barre chords. 5 ways how to play the F chord.
G Major Chord Finger Position
- Place your second finger on the 5th string, at the second fret.
- Third finger on the 6th string, at the third fret.
- Pinkie on the high E string, the 1st string, at the third fret.
- Strum all the strings.
Note there are different ways to play the open G chord. Which every is most comfortable go for it. This is how I play the G chord. You can use your first finger at the 5th string second fret. And your second finger at the 3rd fret of the 6th string. Keeping your third finger on the high E string.
How to Play the A Chord
- Place Your first finger on the 4th string. The D string. At the second fret.
- Your second finger is on the 3rd string. Which is the G string. Also at the second fret.
- Then your third finger is on the B string. At the second fret. This is the 2nd string.
- Strum from the 4th string down, and don’t play the 6th strings.
D Major Chord Finger Position
- Place your finger on the 3rd string. The G string. At the second fret.
- Put your second finger on the 1st string. (E string). Also on the second fret.
- Then your third finger is on the 2nd string. (B string). On the third fret.
- Strum from the 4th string down. Don’t play the 5th or 6th string.
Next is G# Barre Chord Finger Position
Also Known as the Ab chord.
- Your first finger is across all the strings at the fourth fret. Like a Capo.
- Place your second finger on the 3rd string. (G string). At the 5th fret.
- Then place your third finger on the 5th string. The A string, on the 6th fret.
- Under the third finger is your pinkie. Also at the 6th fret on the 4th string.
- You can strum all the strings when playing the G# Barre Chord.
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How to Play the Bb Barre Chord
Also known as the A# chord.
- Your first finger is across all the strings at the 6th fret. Like a Capo.
- Place your second finger on the 3rd string. (G string). At the 7th fret.
- Then place your third finger on the 5th string. The A string, on the 8th fret.
- Under the third finger is your pinkie. Also at the 8th fret on the 4th string.
- You can strum all the strings when playing the Bb Barre Chord.
Okay I know that’s a lot of chords. But take your time one chord at a time. And learn them then go to the next chord. Then you can move to the next part. Which is the intro.
Bonus Video Statue of a Fool Guitar Tutorial
The Intro to Statue of a Fool By Ricky Van Shelton
There are a couple of ways you can start of this song. It starts out with a walk down of 3 chords, and play the open A and D strings. After that there are two more chords played and the verse starts. The chords are C B Bb D5/A. Then G#, A#, C. Now here’s the part that you can play a couple of different ways. Which is the C B and Bb. You could play power chords. Or just hit the notes and move on. Or Play open chords.
The reason I bring this up is that the song starts out pretty quick. And you might find it a little difficult to get all the chords in so fast. If you were going to play the power chords. You could play the 3 chords using this shape.
Finger Placement for C5 B5 & Bb5
Just think about placing your first finger on the 5th string at the 3rd fret. And then Placing your 3rd finger on the 4th string. Your third finger is at the 5th fret. Strum the 5th and 4th string at the same time. Your not going to play any other strings. Now keeping your fingers in that same position. On the same two strings. Move up a half step to the 2nd fret.
Now your first finger is on the second fret of the 5th string and your third finger is on the 4th fret of the fourth string. Play the two strings at the same time. Just strum once. Remember not to hit any of the other strings.
Keeping that same finger position slide up one fret. Which is another half step, to the first fret. Now your first ringer is at the first fret on the 5th string and your 3rd finger on the 4th string at the 3rd fret. Play the fourth and fifth sting together. Just strum one time.
Related Article: What’s a Power Chord.
Intro to Statue of a Fool Using Major Chords
So if you were to put that chord sequence together. You are playing down the neck C5. B5, Bb5. And a D5/A., which is playing the A and D string open. Another way to play the opening, is to play with a C Major chord, B major chord, And a Bb Major Chord. Then the open Strings. Which might be a little bit harder. You still are strumming one beat of the chord and then moving down a fret and going to the next chord.
Those 3 chord Shapes look like this:
The third and final way you may want to start the intro is just by playing the notes. And what I mean is by starting at the third fret. And with your first finger fretting the 5th string. Playing that c note, move up a fret and play, the B note. Picking the 5th string. Then place your first finger at the first fret of the fifth string and play the 5th string.
Try them all and see which is easiest for you. Then there are some more chords that are played before the verse. And that is the G#, A#, C and G. See the previous chord charts for the finger position of those chords. When you strum the G# and the A# you want to have 6 beats. Each chord is played for one measures each. Then the verse begins.
Chord Progression for Statue of a Fool
Intro – C, B, Bb, D5/A , G#, A#. C, G (Walk up) to C.
- First Verse – C, Am, Em, G, Am, G, C. Am, F, G.
- Part of Verse – C, Am, Em, G, (Walk up) to – A, D D.
Second Verse – Same as the first! C, Am, Em, G, Am, G, C. Am, F, G.
Verse – C, Am, Em, G , (Walk up) to – A, D D.
Verse So Build me a statue C, Am, F, G, Am, G, C
Then Like the intro – C, B, Bb, D5/A, G#, Stay on G#. Then C Am F G, Am, G, C.
Outro – C, F, C C C C.
As you can see by the chord progression there are a couple of walk ups to the next chord. You don’t have to do this but if your playing by yourself it sounds great with the base line. If you don’t do the walk up just stay on the same chord.
First Walk Up
The first walk up is from the G chord to the C. What you want to do is pick the G note. Which is at the 3rd fret of the 6th string. Then strum the G chord. After that pick that G note again followed by the open A string. Which is the 5th string. Just pick the string. Then using your second finger. Place it on the second fret of the 5th string and pick the 5th string again.
Then place your third finger on the third fret of the fifth string. Pick the fifth string. At the same time you are going to position your fretting hand to make the C chord. Because that is the first chord in the verse.
This might take some practice. But it’s a really cool walk up once you get it.
Second Walk Up for Statue of a Fool
The next walk up is from the G to the A chord in the verses. It is easier than the first. Basically you are going from the G chord. You are going to pick the G note.
Which is at the 3rd fret on the 6th string. You should already have it covered when you are playing the G chord. So pick the 6th string. Then move up a fret to the G# note. Place your finger on the 4th fret and play the G#.
Then play the open A string. Which it the 6th string. And then you go right into the next chord. Which is the A chord. This walk up takes place two times. See the chord progression for when this occurs.
How to Play Statue of a Fool Rhythm
The Timing of this song is 4/4 timing. The song is in a moderate tempo. There are times where you can simply strum down. And some times you can strum Down Down Up Up Down, Down Down Up Up Down.
Lyrics for Statue of a Fool
Some where there should be. For all the world to see. A Statue of a fool made of stone. The image of a man. Who let love slip through his hand. And then just let him stand there all alone. And there on his face a gold tear should be placed. To honor a million tears he's cried. And the hurt in his eyes would show. So everyone would know. That concealed is a broken heart inside. So build me a statue and oh build it high. So that all can see. Then inscribe oh the worlds greatest full and name it after me. After me
Statue of a Fool Chord Sheet
Related Questions
About Ricky Van Shelton
Ricky Van Shelton Made it into the world of Country Music in 1986. He took Country music by a storm. With numerous number one hits. Some of them you will remember: Somebody lied, Life turned her that way and many more. You can’t forget this one Statue of a Fool. Statue of a Full was released as a single by Ricky Van Shelton in 1989. Source Although he was not the first artist to record this song, I may be bias, but to me he sings it the best.
Ricky Van Shelton had a wonderful career and many hit songs. He decided to retire after just 20 years in the music industry. He now lives on a ranch in Virginia. Ricky Van Shelton’s Career span from 1986 – 2006. During that time he had numerous songs that made it to the billboard charts. And at least 10 number one hits. Not bad for a Country Boy from Danville Virginia.
Ricky Van Shelton Statue of a Fool Chords
C B Bb Am Em F G A D G# A#. These chords put together in this progression makes for a beautiful sounding song. If you are really into Classic Country, You might be interested in 15 Country Songs on Guitar or Easy Country Love Songs.
Easy Guitar Chords
There are a lot easy guitar chords. And I have a lot of free guitar lessons on my YouTube Channel. One Easy Guitar Chord lesson that comes to mind is: What is the Easiest Country Song Click the link to check it out.