Carry On Wayward Son

How to play Carry On Wayward Son by Kansas on guitar

This is a great song to learn because it has a strong, driving feel and a memorable progression that keeps you moving. You get a solid workout in rhythm and chord changes, and it feels rewarding once the main pattern starts to lock in.

Most of the song stays with open shapes, so it is friendly on the hands, but A# is the harder barre shape you need to be ready for. The biggest change to watch is the shift between G, C, and Am, since that opening progression comes back in a way that needs clean timing and smooth movement.

Start by looping G - C - G - Am slowly until the changes feel automatic. Then add the A# shape on its own, and practice moving into and out of it without stopping. Once the chords are clean, bring the tempo up in small steps until you can keep the song steady.

Use the play-along above to follow each chord change in time with the music, or learn the shapes first with the chord diagrams below.