How to Play Family Tradition Chords by Hank Williams Jr.

Family Tradition is a classic country song by Hank Williams Jr., released in 1979 as the title track of his album of the same name. The song is a tribute to his father, Hank Williams Sr., and his musical legacy, as well as a defiant statement of his own artistic identity and style. The song features catchy lyrics, a lively melody, and simple chords that make it easy to play on guitar. In this article, we will show you how to play Family Tradition by Hank Williams Jr. using chords, strumming patterns, and tips.

Chords

The song is in the key of E major and uses only three chords: E, A, and B7. You can play these chords using open or barre shapes, depending on your preference and skill level. Here are the chord diagrams for both options:

[Verse]
E                                A
Country music singers have been a real close family,
   B7                                                         E
But lately some of my kinfolks have disowned a few others and me.
                              A
I guess it's because I kind of changed my direction.
B7                                        E
Lord I guess I went and broke their family tradition.
 
[Chorus]
                                     E                 A
They get on me and want to know Hank why do you drink? Why do you roll smoke?
B7                                      E
Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?
                  A
Over and over everybody makes my predictions.
B7                                                    E
So if I get stoned, I'm just carrying on an old family tradition.
 
[Verse]
E                     A
I am very proud of my daddy's name
   B7                                                    E
All though his kind of music and mine ain't exactly the same.
                        A
Stop and think it over. Put yourself in my position.
B7                                                   E
If I get stoned and sing all night long it's a family tradition.
 
[Chorus]
                      E                       A
So don't ask me, Hank why do you drink? Hank, why do you roll smoke?
B7                                        E
Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?
                             A
If I'm down in a honky-tonk some ole slick's trying to give me friction.
B7                                                            E
I said leave me alone I'm singing all night long it's a family tradition.
 
[Verse]
E                             A
Lord I have loved some ladies and I have loved Jim Beam
B7                                E
And they both tried to kill me in 1973.
                               A
When that doctor asked me, Son how did you get in this condition?
B7                                                      E
I said, hey sawbones, I'm just carrying on an ole family tradition.
 
[Chorus]
                      E                       A
So don't ask me, Hank why do you drink? Hank, why do you roll smoke?
B7                                         E
Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?
                             A
Stop and think it over, try and put yourself in my unique position.
B7                                                    E
If I get stoned and sing all night long, it's a family tradition

Strumming

The song has a fast tempo and a driving rhythm that you can emulate with your strumming hand. A simple strumming pattern that works well for this song is:

Down Down Up Down Up Down Up

You can repeat this pattern for each chord change, or vary it slightly to add some interest and dynamics. You can also accent the first downstroke of each measure to emphasize the beat.

Tips

Here are some tips to help you play Family Tradition by Hank Williams Jr. better:

• Listen to the original recording of the song and try to match the timing, tone, and feel of the guitar part.
• Sing along with the lyrics or use a backing track to practice playing along with the vocals and other instruments.
• Use a capo to transpose the song to a different key if you find it easier or more comfortable to sing in.
• Experiment with different chord voicings, embellishments, and solos to make the song your own.

Conclusion

Family Tradition by Hank Williams Jr. is a fun and easy song to play on guitar that celebrates the history and diversity of country music. By learning the chords, strumming patterns, and tips in this article, you can play this song with confidence and enjoy its catchy melody and witty lyrics. You can also check out some online resources for more information and guidance on how to play this song, such as Ultimate Guitar, E-Chords, or YouTube. Happy playing!